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Los Llanos
The Llanos, (plains) are the vast savannas stretching west from the Orinoco
Delta to the Andes mountains and south into Columbia. Encompassing the states
of Portuguesa, Cojedes, Arauca, Barinas, Guárico and Apure, the plains occupy
some 300,000km² (1/3) of Venezuelan territory. They consist of both high and
low plains, and are primarily grasslands dotted with woodlands and streaked with
rivers, all of which empty into the Orinoco basin. The high plains, broken by
hills and mesas, cover the eastern and central areas near the Andes, and the
low, flat plains occupy the western and southern regions towards the Orinoco
Delta. However, tourists usually visit the high plains within the Apure and Barinas
states; it is this area that is referred to as Los Llanos. Within this vast area
are three national parks: Río Viejo, in the western Llanos near the Andes, Aguaro-Guariquito,
in Guárico State and Cinaruco-Capanaparo in the eastern region of Apure State.
Together the parks encompass a total of 1,250,000ha.
Los Llanos is a fantastically biodiverse region, and the variety of wildlife
is one of its main attractions. Some 350 species of bird and over 50 species
of mammal populate the three principal habitats: wetlands and waterways, Photo Gallery
forests and savannas and sand dunes. Within the wetlands and waterways are osprey,
herons, storks, egrets, spoonbills, muscovy ducks, scarlet ibis, kingfishers
and cormorants; capybara, otter, manatee and freshwater dolphin; caiman, turtles,
water snakes, anaconda and piranha. Photo Gallery forests border the riverbanks and
are home to macaws, caciques, turpials and hoatzin; ocelot, capuchin and howler
monkeys; giant tortoise, iguanas, fer-de-lance and boas. Fauna of the savanna
includes hawks, falcons, buzzards, eagles and vultures; jaguar, puma, savanna
fox, anteater, mountain cat and vampire bat.
The climate in the Llanos is extreme. Heavy rainfall occurs between May and
December, and the air becomes heavy and humid. The rivers rise and burst their
banks, flooding the entire lowland plains. In January, the dry season begins.
The humidity gives way to dry winds, the floods recede and the land is baked
dry. The average annual temperature is 27ºC.
Life in the inhospitable, wild territory of the Llanos contrasts sharply to
that of Venezuela’s modern cities. The harsh lands of this vast region are inhabited
by few, and house just 10% of the country’s total population. The first settlers
arrived in the mid 1500s, after explorers ventured into the plains in search
of El Dorado, the mystical city of gold. Before long, Catholics arrived and set
up missionaries, which later expanded and developed into towns. The colonization
of the Llanos gave birth to a new people, the Llaneros, whose ancestry was a
blend of Indian, African and Spanish blood. During the Wars of independence in
the early 1800s, the Llaneros made a considerable contribution to the fight for
liberation, and their boldness and bravery made them a feared enemy of the Spanish.
Excursions to Los Llanos are offered by numerous agencies. Due to the isolation
of many camps and ranches, tours tend to be all-inclusive, with accommodation,
transport, food, entertainment (singing and dancing the joropo) guides and excursions
into the surrounding territory by jeep or boat. These need to be booked in advance.
Some packages offer horse-riding or white-water rafting. There are excellent
opportunities for photography, and watersports are available. 3-4 day tours can
be arranged in Mérida, San Fernando de Apure and Caracas. Some tours do not cater
for children under 12, owing to the nature of certain activities. Parts of Los
Llanos are accessible by paved roads from Barinas and San Fernando de Apure,
others by dirt road only, for which a four-wheel drive is necessary. There are
also several airstrips. Access to Río Viejo National Park is by boat, Aguaro-Guariquito
can be reached overland from the towns of Calabozo, Calvario and Cazorla and
Cinaruco-Capanaparo from San Fernando de Apure. It is better to visit the lowland
plains during the dry season, as extensive flooding in the wet season restricts
access to much of the plains, and less wildlife is visible. Those wishing to
drive into the southern part of region are advised to avoid the roads in the
vicinity of the Colombian border, due to guerilla activity.
| The People of Los Llanos
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For years, the hardy Llanero cowboy has been an icon of Venezuelan folklore,
symbolizing the qualities of courage, independence, strength and individuality.
Today, the Llaneros work their ranches using traditional methods and make a
living as cattle herders. They share their territory with the Yarubi, Guajibo
and Kariña Indians, and still enjoy singing and dancing to the music of the
famous joropo, whose origins
lie in this very land. Often referred to as musica llanera, the joropo is Venezuela’s
national dance, and is a rhythm accompanied by improvised vocals, harps, small
guitars and maracas. The joropo is often performed for visitors.
| National Parks of
Los Llanos |
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| Río Viejo · Aguaro · Cinaruco |
Within this vast area are three national parks: Río Viejo,
in the western Llanos near the Andes, Aguaro-Guariquito, in Guárico State
and Cinaruco-Capanaparo in the eastern region of Apure State.
Together the parks encompass a total of 1,250,000ha.
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and errors to: info@exploremargarita.com
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