Group trip with Johnny Ward
Venezuela Angel Falls & Catatumbo Lightning
Two world-record natural wonders
The highest waterfall. The most lightning.
Angel Falls (16x Niagara!) and the Catatumbo Lightning over Lake Maracaibo. Two of the wildest natural phenomena on earth, in one trip.
I visited Angel Falls years ago and it’s stayed with me ever since. I’ve never seen the Catatumbo Lightning, so it’s time to go back. This time with a luxury twist, because I’m 42 now and getting soft.
A 5* hotel in Caracas, three nights at one of the most beautiful lodges in Canaima and just one night in a hammock over Lake Maracaibo. (I know, I know. It’s the only way!)
Tour highlights
-
Angel Falls
The world’s highest waterfall
-
Catatumbo Lightning
Earth’s greatest light show
-
Stilt Cabin Night
Hammocks over Lake Maracaibo
-
Fly into Canaima
Jungle, rivers and tepuis below
Trip facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Rooms
- 5* hotel, luxury lodge, one hammock night
- Visa
- Easy now, I provide the documents
- Group
- Small group
- Weather
- Extra contingency day in Canaima
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Caracas
· 5* hotel, Caracas
We meet at our hotel in Caracas (the Meliá or similar), get introduced and run through the adventure ahead. Plenty of time for rougher accommodation tomorrow!
Depending on arrival times, we’ll explore a bit of Caracas, eat together, have a few drinks, then an early night. Tomorrow we head west in search of lightning.
Day 2: The Catatumbo Lightning
Stilt cabin, Ologá Lagoon
An early flight toward Mérida, a drive to Puerto Concha, then a boat through wetlands, mangroves and stilt communities to Ologá Lagoon. Tonight we sleep in hammocks in a traditional stilt cabin. (I don’t love it either, but we’ll bring booze.)
After dark, we look up. Lake Maracaibo gets more lightning than anywhere on earth, and when it performs it’s one of the greatest light shows on the planet.
Day 3: Congo Mirador & Back to Caracas
5* hotel, Caracas
We wake on Lake Maracaibo and head out by boat to Congo Mirador, a stilt village where people really live on the water. We visit respectfully and look for birds and wildlife around the lake.
Then back via Puerto Concha and Mérida, and a flight to Caracas. Hot shower, proper bed, air conditioning. Cocktails, anyone?
Day 4: Fly into Canaima
Luxury lodge, Canaima
We fly into Canaima National Park, over jungle, rivers and enormous tepuis that look genuinely prehistoric. Then it’s our luxury lodge, home for the next three nights.
This afternoon: Canaima Lagoon and the Sapo and Hacha waterfalls. Water levels permitting, we might even walk behind the falls. Prepare to get soaked!
Day 5: Angel Falls!
Luxury lodge, Canaima
The big one. We leave around 5am, travel upriver by motorised curiara past jungle, rapids and tepuis, then walk through the rainforest until the trees open and there it is: almost a kilometre of water falling from Auyán-tepui.
Most Angel Falls trips make you sleep in another hammock. Not this one. Back to the lodge for a hot shower and a real bed.
Day 6: Weather Contingency Day
Luxury lodge, Canaima
Flights, river levels, cloud and rain can all mess with Angel Falls, so I’ve built in an extra day. If yesterday went perfectly, today is relaxed: kayaking, the lagoon, a community visit, another waterfall or just the lodge.
If the weather caused problems, we get another go at Angel Falls. No “Bad luck, guys!” on this trip.
Day 7: Back to Caracas
5* hotel, Caracas
One final morning in Canaima, then our scheduled flight back to Caracas.
If the flight timing behaves itself, we’ll squeeze in a half-day Caracas tour and a final meal together. Tonight we celebrate.
Day 8: Trip Finishes
· Caracas
Breakfast together before the trip officially finishes. Catatumbo Lightning, stilt villages, jungle rivers, tepuis and Angel Falls. Venezuela done!
And me? I’m off to the 3 Guianas next. Come along!
Your host
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world. I rarely head to the Americas, but Angel Falls has stayed with me for years, and I’ve never seen the Catatumbo Lightning. So this one’s on my own bucket list too.
I’ve done Angel Falls the cheap way: days of hiking, hammocks, tarantulas and people snoring in my ear. Never again. This time we do Venezuela properly.
Comfortable where comfort is possible, raw where it needs to be.
Proper bucket list
Why Venezuela?
-
The Catatumbo Lightning
Lake Maracaibo has the highest concentration of lightning on earth, with storms on up to 300 nights in some years. We sleep right under it.
-
Angel Falls
Almost a kilometre high, deep inside UNESCO-listed Canaima National Park. No roads in: you fly, go upriver and hike.
-
No crowds
Tourism here is still tiny. No queues for viewpoints, no Instagram platforms, just a country very few travellers get to see.
Before you book
Good to Know
Is Venezuela safe?
Venezuela has genuine security challenges and I won’t pretend otherwise. That’s why we travel as an organised group with experienced local partners, private transport and a carefully controlled itinerary. Follow the local team and keep some common sense.
What about visas?
It’s easy now! Many of us just fly in and show up. Americans, Canadians and some others need a simple e-visa in advance (no embassy trips), and I provide the documents for your application.
How hard is the Angel Falls day?
About a 5/10 for most people. The hardest part is the length: 4am wake-up, around 4 hours in a canoe each way, and back at 6pm or later. The 3km viewpoint hike is optional, and you’ll still see the falls if you skip it.
Is the lightning guaranteed?
No, it’s weather! But it’s the most lightning-active place on earth and September is an active time. More like 95%.
Do we really sleep in a hammock?
Yes (I hate it too), but only for one night. It puts us right under the lightning. Basic, hot and not much sleep, then it’s back to comfortable hotels and a beautiful lodge.
What if Angel Falls is covered by cloud?
That’s why we have three nights in Canaima and an extra contingency day. We’re also going in the wetter season, so the falls should have a strong flow.
Will there be internet?
Normal Wi-Fi in Caracas, little or nothing at Catatumbo, and lodge Wi-Fi in Canaima that won’t win any speed records. Tell work you’re going into the jungle. They’ll survive!
Price and what’s included
Tour price
$3,999
Per person sharing · 8 days
- $399 non-refundable deposit secures your spot
- Final inclusion list and payment schedule on the booking page
- Optional private helicopter flyby of Angel Falls, about $2,000
Small group
See you in Caracas.
Two world-record natural wonders, one trip. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather pay by bank transfer? Email johnny@onestep4ward.com
As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand
and no money. Since then, I started a blog, then a digital media company, I've made
more than $1,500,000 USD, bought 4 properties and visited (almost) every country in the world. And I did it all from my laptop as I
travel the world and live my dream. I talk about how I did it, and how you can do it too, in my COMPLETELY FREE
Ebook, all 20,000
words or so. Just finish the process by putting in your email below and I'll mail it right out to you immediately. No spam ever too, I promise!
