PUERTO ORDAZ, VENEZUELA

The Orinoco is the second largest river system in South America. Along its meandering course through Venezuela it receives waters from the Amazon basin, the Colombian plains and the Andes Mountains

The Orinoco is the second largest river system in South America. Along its meandering course through Venezuela it receives waters from the Amazon basin, the Colombian plains and the Andes Mountains; its level is regularly affected by rainfall, floods and erosion along the many square miles from which it feeds. The stream is consequently heavy with light brown clay sediments. At Puerto Ordaz, the Orinoco meets with the Caroni, one its largest tributaries which feeds exclusively from the Guayana massif, an area covered with forests, with river beds long established, and where erosion is minimal. Its waters are tea coloured, with a high tannic acid level (though perfectly pure). The meeting of these two fluvial giants at Puerto Ordaz is a natural event. On meeting, both rivers refuse to join, running alongside one another for some way – caused by the difference in sediments and in the temperature of the waters (the Caroni is several degrees colder).Before its last breath, the Caroni drops precipitously. Two enormous hydroelectric plants just upriver from Puerto Ordaz – the Guri and the Macagua Dams, have harnessed this drop. As we ride on the river, we will see the Caroni beaches and the city in the background. We will view Cachamay Rapids, which bring a portion of the river down, before we come to the highlight of this tour – Llovizna Falls, the last, majestic show of the Caroni before emptying into the Orinoco. Meaning ‘drizzle’ in Spanish, these beautiful falls are loved by locals and visitors alike.Riding in river boats we will get a close look at Cachamay and the Llovizna Falls, and also sense the dimensions of these two vast rivers – a perspective quite different from that which we will get from our ship. (From the ship we will view the meeting of the waters.)A variety of small boats will be used for this tour (only one has space for a collapsible wheelchair, but all participating passengers should be able to climb on and off the boats). There are no toilet facilities. The level of the waterfall depends on the season, with the highest flow during October and November, and the lowest during April and May, coinciding with the rainy and dry seasons. Only the Macagua Dam may be seen on this tour, not the Guri Dam. It is strongly recommended that passengers wear their life jackets throughout the entire boat trip.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2007 CARIBBEAN SEASON