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Hands Around the World Tour |
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Hands Around the World Tour |
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Shamanistic Studies in the Venezuelan and Peruvian Amazon
New Trip this November, 2008
Hands Around the World specializes in small groups of from 6 to 12 travelers who are looking for an out of the ordinary experience. The small size of our groups affords an intimate experience and avoids the typical problems associated with large group traveling. We provide all the research and travel arrangements including the full escort of at least one American and one Spanish speaking guide.
Hands Around the World is currently developing a trip to the Amazon to study the practice of shamanism among the Amazon Indians. Shamanistic practices are rapidly disappearing in the Amazon as tribes are becoming more acculturated into the Hispanic culture. Arrangements are being made to visit and study some of the few active shamans left as well as the traditional villages in which they live.
Below is the itinerary for the next Amazon trip. This trip will be very special in that we will be visiting the Yanomamo. Please email for more information and prices.
Janet Browning
handsaroundtheworld@earthlink.net
Yanomamo and Indian cultures trip:
Included in the price are all accommodations, either in hotels or hammocks in Indian villages as listed in the itinerary, most meals - meals included will be specified with a B, L, or D, a dash means these meals are on your own, all transportation including transfers to airports, six flights within the country, and all transportation by either four wheel drive or motorized dugout canoe, the services of one or more English speaking guides as well as local area guides, boat drivers etc.
Not included are the flight from your home to Caracas, any food not specified on the itinerary, tips and personal purchases.
Arrival to Maiquetia, Venezuela's International Airport. We are met upon arrival and transferred to Bella Vista lodge, on the coast, about 20 minutes from the airport. Dinner is on your own tonight.
We are picked up at the hotel after breakfast to return to the airport for the 1 hour flight to Ciudad Bolívar. An important port, formerly known as Angostura, or "narrow passage", because of its location at the narrowest point on the Orinoco River, this city still retains the special flavor of a river town. Upon arrival, we are transferred to the charming and comfortable Hotel La Cumbre. This afternoon, we explore the city's colonial center, including a stop at the Cathedral, a visit to the house which was Simón Bolívar's headquarters during the campaign for independence (it's now a museum), a visit to a shop specializing in Indian art, and a walk along the river front with our guide. Tonight, we have a trip briefing and welcome dinner. (B,L,D)
Following breakfast this morning, we will catch a chartered flight (45 minutes) to the Pemón Indian village of Kavac. En route, weather permitting, we'll overfly Auyán-tepui (7,872'), the massive 270-square-mile flat-topped mesa from whose summit plunges the world's highest waterfall. Angel Falls has a 3,281-foot drop - sixteen times higher than Niagara Falls!With luck, we have our first glimpse of this impressive sight, priming us for the adventure ahead! We land at Kavac, settle into our camp and have a short introductory hike, along a nature trail, identifying various tree & flower species, butterflies, and frogs. Arriving to Kavac Canyon, we wade through its narrow gorge holding onto a guide wire attached to the sheer cliffs. We emerge into a secluded grotto containing a splendid 300 foot waterfall, where we enjoy a refreshing dip beneath the falls. The grotto is breathtakingly beautiful! We return to Kavac on a side trail, passing by a lovely cascade called Tawanaremba. Once in camp, we prepare for a barbecue lunch. Afternoon it's back to Cuidad Bolivar. (B,L,D)
We depart from Ciudad Bolivar, an important industrial city and commercial port located at the confluence of the Orinoco and Caroní rivers. Upon arrival, we are met by our guides and load our gear in to 4X4 vehicles, and begin our journey towards mighty Caura River. We initially drive west along a well maintained, paved road, passing through low hills covered with deciduous trees and chaparral vegetation, and then drive by the fertile fields and cattle farms. We might see Araguaneys, the national tree of Venezuela whose lovely yellow blossoms reach their peak in January and March. Near Maripa we drive off road into a lush tropical forest. This 40 km road winds under the forest canopy. The stretch of jungle track is a prime place to spot all kinds of wildlife from the iridescent blue morpho butterfly, to Tasmanian Devils or actual jaguars! If we dare, we will get our guide to tell us the true story of the unbelievably huge anaconda found on this road. The track stretches out before us until suddenly appears the impressive Caura River.
 Yekuana girl from the village of Nichare in traditional dress. |
We stop at the Criollo village of Trincheras where our exploration continues on motorized dugout canoes up the Caura river continuing to the Yekuana Indian village of Nichare. The Yekuana are a very talented people, considered the best artisans among the native Venezuelan Indians. We can observe the hand making of baskets, wooden sculptures and weapons. They are also a very traditional people and very generous with sharing the stories, religious practices etc. Accommodation's are in hammocks at village. (B,L,D). |
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Continue by boat to "El Playon" at the base of the huge rapids. This is beautiful sandy beach ideal for relaxing and swimming. After dinner we will go on a nocturnal walk to spot wildlife. Hammocks. (B,L,D) |
Today’s 2 hour trek through the rain forest will take us under the wonderful and full of life canopy. This is an excellent opportunity to see epiphyte plants and unbelievable flora & fauna including the bright yellow/black poison dart frog. Once at the falls, we'll hike down to the base for swim & Lunch. Then we will go back to camp crossing over a huge granite boulder for endless forest views. At El Playon there are 2 communities, a Yekuana and a Sanema. The Sanema are a sub-tribe of the Yanomamo. Those who don’t want to walk can spend the day with these groups. After Kavac, Para Falls is the most beautiful setting of all the itinerary!!! (B,L,D)
We'll begin our way down and stop at Nichare village to say goodbye to the chief. Arrival at Trincheras and drive west along the Orinoco river to Caicara, spending the night in a hotel there. Caicara is in a nice setting on the Orinoco River. We can visit the river port where we will find Penare Indians selling their crafts. (B,L,-)
Puerto Ayacucho is on the Orinoco River and along the border with Columbia. It is the last town before the deep jungle of the Venezuelan Amazon, an interesting little town with a wild west feel to it. The Indians from all around the area hold a market of their baskets, carvings etc. on the little square. We will visit the Indian Market in the morning. There is a museum of the Amazon Indian that we will also visit which will give us some background on the tribes we will be visiting. If time allows we can take a ferry-type boat across the Orinoco to Columbia to a small village on the banks. This village specializes in leather goods. There are lots of shops with any kind of leather imaginable. We can explore this town and come back across the Orinoco in time to climb to the top of a hill with a fantastic view of the sun setting on the Orinoco. We can also visit a private collection of Amazon art and artifacts. One of our area guides' father was an Italian who settled in Puerto Ayacucho and traveled up and down the rivers buying from the natives for many years. His sons continue this tradition and offer many rare and unusual items from their homes. Hotel Amazonas. (-,-,-)
Today we'll have an early transfer to the airport for 2 hour flight to La Esmeralda. This flight over the virgin jungle will give you an idea of the remoteness of this Yekuana/Yanomami town. Upon arrival we get on the boat for 3 hour ride up the Orinoco to the Yanomami village of Shakita Teri. This village is deep in the jungle within the biosphere of Venezuela. This is a government protected area. Thanks to our guide we have the rare opportunity to observe these people, as it requires government permission and permits which can be difficult to obtain. Upon arrival we meet the chief and negotiate/ask permission for sleeping & visiting the village. Hammocks. (- L,D)
Yanomamo village of Shakita Teri that we will visit.The Yanomamo are the most famous of the Amazon tribes. They are the tribe that you most often see on National Geographic or Discovery channel. They were made famous partly by the anthropological classic "The Fierce People" by Napoleon Chagnon. They have been referred to as a living encyclopedia as their way of life has changed little in hundreds to thousands of years.
The Yanomamo (Yah-no-mah-muh), also called Yanomami, and Yanomama, are deep jungle Indians living in the Amazon basin in both Venezuela and Brazil. The Yanomami are believed to be the most primitive, culturally intact people in existence in the world. They are literally a stone-age tribe. Cataloged by anthropologists as Neo-Indians with cultural characteristics that date back more than 8000 years, these are a Last Encyclopedia. They have never discovered the wheel and the only metal they use is what has been traded to them from the outside. Their numbering system is one, two, and more than two. They cremate their dead, then crush and drink their bones in a final ceremony intended to keep their loved ones with them forever. They are hunters and gatherers who also tend small garden plots.
All day learning from this amazing native group. (B,L,D)
Boat back to La Esmeraldo for plane to Puerto Ayacucho. In the evening we will go to visit a genuine Piaroa shaman who will demonstrate the use of the hallucinogenic drugs to visit the spirit world. This is an excellent opportunity to witness a tradition that is quickly fading from the lives of the Amazon Indians. If you wish the shaman will perform a healing on you for a donation. In 2006 this shaman picked up on the migraine headaches of a participant who vows that the frequency and intensity of the headaches lessened after the treatment. Hotel. (B,L,-)
This is the Piaroa shaman we will visit on this itinerary.
After breakfast we will drive through savanna and black granite formations. This one hour drive will lead us to the Piaroa village of Alto Carinagua to enjoy a traditional Warime ceremony. The observation of a Warime dance is a very special and unusual opportunity.
Our accommodations will be in hammocks at the village continuing to get to know this traditional tribe. (-,L,D)
Drive to airport for noon plane to Caracas. Hotel (B)
If you are interested in receiving more information about this trip, please email us at handsaroundtheworld@earthlink.net. Since space is limited, please get your name on the list if you are interested. Of course, you are under no obligation until plans become firm.
Hands Around the World
111 E. Main, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
Phone: (423) 753-8177 Fax: (423) 913-2489
E-mail: handsaroundtheworld@earthlink.net
