The rainforests are best accessed from Puerto Ayacucho. Birders and biologist flock to this forest, which, like all rainforests, is considered a hotspot for diversity. 670 bird species glide amongst these trees. 30,000 insect species scurry across the forest floor or flutter amongst her leaves. 1,200 of these are butterflies, known to tempt butterfly enthusiasts through the depth of the forest. A thousand or more types fish eye fishing lines suspiciously while the oddly horned turtle, the matamata enjoys the prominence of being one of the Amazon’s more unusual creatures. And of course there are the 190 mammal species including our old friends the jaguars, primates, tapirs, and peccaries. Although endowed with all the typical Amazonian wildlife, it is the remarkable scenery that makes Amazonas memorable.

Tepuis, while smaller than those in Canaima, tower over the surrounding forest adding to its enchantment. The most famous of these is Autana Tepui, much revered by the local Poroa tribe. They believe that when the world tree was severed, it was here that its broken stump was left behind. It is the axis that connects the sacred the profane much in the tradition of other sacred mounts. To this day, the Poroa bring their dead to the tepui to be devoured by the eagles overhead.

One of the most striking aspect of Amazonas geography is the 354 km Casiquiare Canal. The natural canal connects the Orinoco to the Río Negro, and has long served as a stomping ground for various explorers including Alexander von Humboldt. There was a time that this canal was a legend in itself. For centuries its existence was suspected because what else could explain the many tales of travelers on one river turning up on another. It is suspected the Lope de Aguirre was the first European to come up the canal in 1561 as he marched through Venezuela to conquer Peru, but its existence was not confirmed until in the early 18th century when Frenchman Charles-Marie de la Condamine stumbled on to it.

The best places to see the Amazonian jungle are, of course, the national parks. Travel to this region is restricted, and it is necessary to obtain permits to enter any of these parks. Yapacana National Park covers 320,000ha including savannah and forests. Located at the confluence of the Orinoco and the Río Ventuari, it is believed to have the highest biodiversity rates in Venezuela. The 210,000ha Duida Marahuaca National Park is home to varied flora and fauna and stretches over an area that includes outcrops of the Guyana Shield.

The Mount Neblina National Park encompasses 1,360,000ha on the southern most tip of Amazonas. The last park, Parima-Tapirapecó National Park formed in 1991, has over 3,420,000ha of jungle and savannah and is located at the headwaters of the Orinoco. Little is known of the flora and fauna as little of the park has been scientifically explored. Yanomami Indians inhabit the boundaries of the park, which remains secluded because of strict entry controls.

Puerto Ayacucho

Considered the gateway to the Venezuelan Amazon, Puerto Ayacucho provides a convenient base for jungle exploration. Founded in 1924, there was a time that Ayacucho was nothing more than a sleepy little village along the Orinoco. Since then it has grown to a bustling town of 60,000 and is Amazona’s administrative and distribution center.