Travel Guide Río Caura

The third largest river in the country (725 km) is still isolated and the tourists there are not very many. However, the forest it the, between the Caroní River and the Maigualida chain, passes to be one of the best preserved from all over South America. It has been protected since 1964. The river serpente in a still virgin forest, 6 million hectares, where more toucans and morrocoy turtles are living than Indians. A walk in a canoe and an unforgettable walk.The Kingdom of the Indian ye'kuanas (people of the canoe) or makiritare (river men), the Caura basin is also with by Padamo, Cuntinamo, Ventuari, Paragua and Erebato, only waterways in a region where the roads are still non-existent. Ye'kuanas live scattered in order to make the most of forest resources, because they do little to practice agriculture. In this region where the land is sandy and very poor, Indians distinguish 24 types of soil, of which only 6 are favourable to cassava culture and still rank in no less than 30 species. Medicine by plants is always rigorous in remote areas of Las Trincheras. Thus liane kashai passes to heal cramps, while other plants are known for their antidiarrhéiques virtues. The Fates'kuanas feed on the fruits of palm trees, such as küjüdi, kawai, wasai, coroba and kuduwa, and revel the delicious worms (dimuka) that inhabit their bark…To go, unless you have a canoe, a good motor vehicle (some sports rapids…), hammocks and what to live several days in autonomy, you will need to pass through an agency. The off-piste excursion will lead you to the salto Para, a 7-waterfall high waterfall, in front of which you can even bathe by taking care of the currents (in dry season only, you will be niçois above). Different points are used to start the tour: Maripa (between Caicara del Orinoco and Ciudad Bolívar), Las Trincheras or Jabillal, which is the more southerly place accessible by road. The first day is still the transfer from Ciudad Bolívar to the campsite, located close to this point (about 250 km). Towards Caicara del Orinoco, at the level of Maripa descend to the south to walk to the Caura. All the organizers then have their small variants, arriving all at the Playón, which is truly a wonderful beach. Located opposite small falls, this is the starting point for a 2-hour walk leading to the majestic Salto Para. And say that this natural monument has almost been transformed into a dam! Another interesting point of drop during the tour is Boca de Nichare (the mouth of the Nichare in the Río River), where you sleep in a ye'kuana community (thank you for NOT offering pens or other candies - they don't ask for it, so long as it lasts). In the morning, the local personality, the Indian Hermann, will take you into the conuco of the community and explain to you the different uses they make plants - it is really fascinating, and wild pineapple has an unforgettable taste! If you have the choice, go from November to July, off rainy season, the view is clear.