Los Llanos, meaning ‘flat plains’ describes the flat, savannah plains of central and south-western Venezuela of the Orinoco Delta. It is a haven for bird and wildlife. There is really only two distinct seasons in this region being the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons.
The dry season provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. Other wildlife you can expect to see amongst the various ecosystems include the anaconda (the largest snake in the world), crocodiles, capybaras, giant ant-eaters, piranhas and the pink river dolphin.
Explore Los Llanos and Venezuela with a ‘Lonely Planet’ Travel Guide
Located between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is situated at a very high altitude (some 3800 meters above sea level) in the Andes Mountains making it one of the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest (by volume) in South America. The lake is largely fed by rainfall and melting snow from both the glaciers and mountains.
The Floating Islands
Copacabana is the main Bolivian town and travel destination on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Copacana is the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia and attracts numerous pilgrims throughout the year. Its dominated by the impressive moorish style cathedral dating back to 1605. From here you can catch a boat tour to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) which is the birthplace of the sun in Inca mythology.
A cluster of smaller islands known as the ‘Floating Islands’ can be visited from Peru’s Puno. These islands are made from layers of the buoyant ‘totora reeds’. Today several hundred people still populate the islands.
One great reason to visit Lake Titicaca is for the abundance of cultural experiences between both Bolivia and Peru. It offers spectacular lake scenery flanked by the Andes Mountains.
Rio de Janeiro or better known as simply Rio, can be found on the east coast of the largest country of South America, Brazil. Its setting would have to be one of the most spectacular in the world and the locals refer to it as ‘cidade maravilhosa’ (marvellous city). The city is home to beautiful white beaches, the most well known being Ipanema beach, rainforests and towering mountains making it a most luring travel destination.
One of the most recognisable features of Rio is the image of the towering statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ sitting some 710 metres high upon the Corcovado peak and offering fabulous views over the city and surrounds.
Rio is also the home of one of largest and most colourful festivals, the Carnaval. The festivities span five days with it culminating in a parade of floats, dancers, drummers and generally, a huge crowd that adds to the party atmosphere.
This handy paperback book of Rio de Janeiro (City Guide) has been suggested by a reader that it works well in conjunction with the local taxi’s to get around rather than the bus network.
The Iguazu Falls form part of the Iguazu National Park and lie nestled in a little, northern pocket of Argentina and the border of Brazil and not far from the border of Paraguay. The Iguazu Falls are made up of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometres of the Iguazu River. One of the most well known spots of the Falls is the ‘Devil’s Throat’. It’s a U-shaped, 82m high, 150m wide, 700m long cataract. It also marks the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Together with its impressiveness, the surrounding subtropical rainforest that has more than 2,000 species of plant life and is home to such wildlife as tapirs, giant anteaters, ocelots, monkeys and jaguars, made the Iguazu Falls rightfully receiving inscription to the UNESCO register during 1984.
Exploring this natural wonderland you are going to want to be taking photographs. You might like to take a look at Tony Page, professional photographer and writer and what he has on offer.
One great reason to visit the Iguazu Falls is to experience a boat trip up the rapids until you are beneath the spray, getting drenched and listening to the falls thundering.
Iguazu Falls: the most beautiful waterfalls of the world
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