Los Llanos born-and-bred tour guide Jose ´Tony´ Martin (formerly of ExtremExpeditions) is Venezuela´s answer to the late Steve Irwin. For over 20 years, this Los Llanos native has been sharing his knowledge of wildlife and nature with the world, and has been widely acclaimed and recommended by practically every travel guide and tourism website. Spanish, Italian and English speaking Tony is your best bet at seeing wildlife that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. From July to December (rainy season) rafting trips are included in the Los Llanos tours. Tony will gladly welcome you to his homeland or any of the other 28 National Parks where he is officially certified to guide.
Tony uses a more hands-on approach than other tour agencies operating in the area and allows travellers a chance to view animals such as Caimans and Anacondas up close by catching them for examination. Tony bases himself at Campamento Rancho Grande, the original Los Llanos tour camp, with a spectacular riverbank setting, where river turtles, caimans and capybaras can be seen right from the doorstep!
Tony Martin's Los Llanos Tour
The Tours
4 days, 3 nights
900 Bs Fuertes
900 Bs Fuertes
The first day is spent travelling to the camp from Merida arriving at Campamento Rancho Grande at 5pm. Here the group can relax and take in their beautiful surroundings before beginning their tour the following day.
Tony Martin personally guides all of his own tours and guarantees all groups seven safaris for the best chance to see a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife.
The tour itinerary depends on weather conditions and so each tour is slightly different and aims to make the most of what the day has to offer!
The group makes two excursions each day, returning to the camp for lunch and a break from the midday sun from around 12 - 3pm. The tour combines boat trips, horse riding, jeep and walking safaris to ensure a varied and interesting tour. On the last day of the tour, a rafting is trip is included.
Tony Martin personally guides all of his own tours and guarantees all groups seven safaris for the best chance to see a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife.
The tour itinerary depends on weather conditions and so each tour is slightly different and aims to make the most of what the day has to offer!
The group makes two excursions each day, returning to the camp for lunch and a break from the midday sun from around 12 - 3pm. The tour combines boat trips, horse riding, jeep and walking safaris to ensure a varied and interesting tour. On the last day of the tour, a rafting is trip is included.
The Camp
Tony Martin bases his Los Llanos tours at Campamento Rancho Grande owned by Ramon Barriga. This is the oldest camp in Los Llanos and is right at the heart of everything with other agencies using the camp as a starting point for all boat tours. This is a fantastic location where caimans, capybaras and river turtles as well as many bird and insect species can be seen metres from the camp.
The facilities at all Los Llanos camps are more basic than elsewhere in Venezuela as all accommodation is in hammocks, showers are outdoor with cold water and electricity relies on solar panels. These minor discomforts however, are well rewarded by the incredible surroundings and the warm friendly welcome!
Meals are all included and are delicious, filling and served in a sociable dining room over-looking the river.
The facilities at all Los Llanos camps are more basic than elsewhere in Venezuela as all accommodation is in hammocks, showers are outdoor with cold water and electricity relies on solar panels. These minor discomforts however, are well rewarded by the incredible surroundings and the warm friendly welcome!
Meals are all included and are delicious, filling and served in a sociable dining room over-looking the river.
The Wildlife
Tony Martin has gained something of a reputation amongst both travellers and colleagues for his wildlife examination techniques. By catching and examining different species, the group have the chance to see animals up close and learn about them.
Los Llanos provides a great opportunity to see animals in their natural environment and being home to such a variety, knowing where to find them is a distinct advantage. With Tony and Ramon's combined experience, they know just where to find the more elusive animals such as anacondas and giant ant-eaters while providing an interesting and informative commentary about the native wildlife you'll see along the way.
Los Llanos provides a great opportunity to see animals in their natural environment and being home to such a variety, knowing where to find them is a distinct advantage. With Tony and Ramon's combined experience, they know just where to find the more elusive animals such as anacondas and giant ant-eaters while providing an interesting and informative commentary about the native wildlife you'll see along the way.
Tony Martin
Tony Martin has worked in Los Llanos and other parts of the country for around 20 years. He is an official guide to 28 National Parks of Venezuela and has spent many years studying the native wildlife, in particular Ornithology.
In 1999, Tony decided to organise his own tours, specialising in the Los Llanos area and is now running popular, adventurous tours from Merida.
In 1999, Tony decided to organise his own tours, specialising in the Los Llanos area and is now running popular, adventurous tours from Merida.
Other Tours
Tony Martin also teams up with Xtremeadventours to offer a variety of other tours including: Canyoning for 220BsF, Cycling Tours for 250BsF and Paragliding for 260BsF.
photos
Contact Info...
Calle 24 las heroinas
Next to the Teleferico
Merida
Next to the Teleferico
Merida
WWW
www.hosteltrail.com/extremexpeditions
0426-7035270 (cel)
0414 -8313026
0274-2527241
0414 -8313026
0274-2527241
How 2 get there...
Tony operates tours from Merida in an office shared by outdoor adventure company Xtremeadventours. To locate the office, head towards the teleferico and you will see the office for Xtremeadventours by the side of Calle 24 by Parque las Heroinas.
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