World Tour 020-Maiquetia to Medellin – Colombia-Venezuela

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Stage 20 of the tour continues our exploration of the South American countries of Venezuela and Colombia. Leaving Caracas, you’ll head south across the Llanos (plains) of Venezuela to the mighty Orinoco River, where you’ll journey upstream to the western edge of the Guayana Natural Region, an area famous for it’s large mesa-like mountains (Tepui). You’ll then make your way west across the Llanos to one of the northern branches of the Andes Mountains, the Cordillera Oriental. You’ll cross this range and the next, the Cordillera Central, before a visit to the major tourist attraction of Peñol-Guatapé and the end of the stage in Colombia’s second largest city, Medellin.

See trip in Skyvector

Total Legs: 22 Total Distance: 1067 Total Time(125kts): 8 hours 32 minutes

Leg 1

Flying from SVMI

Leg Distance: 51.91 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVMI(SVMI) to L-02(POI1)

Distance: 3.52NM Bearing: 203° 2 minutes

After takeoff, follow the highway south through the mountains

L-02(POI1) to Caracas(POI2)

Distance: 5.22NM Bearing: 126° 3 minutes

Stay with the highway as it climbs southeast to Caracas

Caracas(POI2) to Charallave(POI3)

Distance: 16.57NM Bearing: 180° 8 minutes

From downtown Caracas, turn south and head over the mountains to the town of Charallave

Charallave(POI3) to Cerro Curucuti(POI4)

Distance: 15.04NM Bearing: 186° 7 minutes

Continue south and pass to the left of the group of taller mountains ahead, which form part of the northern end of the Andes Mountain Range

Cerro Curucuti(POI4) to SVCC(SVCC)

Distance: 11.56NM Bearing: 213° 6 minutes

After passing the taller peaks, turn to the southwest and head to the town of Camatagua, a few miles east of the Camatagua Reservoir. The airfield is just northwest of the town

Leg 2

Flying from SVCC

Leg Distance: 54.62 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVCC(SVCC) to Rio Guarico(POI5)

Distance: 12.57NM Bearing: 179° 6 minutes

After takeoff, head south and follow the Guarico River to the small town of San Francisco de Cara where it will also meet a small highway

Rio Guarico(POI5) to Powerlines(POI6)

Distance: 26.03NM Bearing: 136° 12 minutes

Just after the town, where the river and highway turn away to the southwest, turn southeast and follow the power line clearing and powerlines in a straight line until they cross the (unfinished) major road construction

Powerlines(POI6) to Powerlines(POI7)

Distance: 2.97NM Bearing: 136° 1 minutes

After crossing the unfinished highway, continue following the powerlines southeast for a few more miles before turning south

Powerlines(POI7) to SVTY(SVTY)

Distance: 13.05NM Bearing: 182° 6 minutes

Heading south for the town of Las Mercedes del Llano, you will reach the small grass strip just north of the town

Leg 3

Flying from SVTY

Leg Distance: 49.51 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVTY(SVTY) to T-12(POI8)

Distance: 8.33NM Bearing: 197° 4 minutes

Head south over the town and follow the highway south from there

T-12(POI8) to T-12(POI9)

Distance: 17.74NM Bearing: 213° 9 minutes

Keep following the highway as it turns to the southwest

T-12(POI9) to T-12(POI10)

Distance: 21.72NM Bearing: 163° 10 minutes

Keep following the highway as it turns back to the southeast

T-12(POI10) to SVX1(SVX1)

Distance: 1.72NM Bearing: 208° 1 minutes

An unfinished road construction will be running alongside the highway, with a temporary landing point just after the new road base crosses to the west side of the highway

Leg 4

Flying from SVX1

Leg Distance: 49.17 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVX1(SVX1) to T-12(POI11)

Distance: 20.68NM Bearing: 179° 10 minutes

After takeoff, continue following the road south

T-12(POI11) to Cabruta(POI12)

Distance: 23.52NM Bearing: 195° 11 minutes

Keep following the road all the way to the town of Cabruta, on the Orinoco River, one of South America's longest rivers

Cabruta(POI12) to SVCD(SVCD)

Distance: 4.97NM Bearing: 127° 2 minutes

Head east across the river to the airport at Caicara del Orinoco

Leg 5

Flying from SVCD

Leg Distance: 54.77 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

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SVCD(SVCD) to Rio Orinoco(POI13)

Distance: 52.64NM Bearing: 252° 25 minutes

Begin the upstream journey along the Orinoco River by heading west from the town

Rio Orinoco(POI13) to SVX2(SVX2)

Distance: 2.13NM Bearing: 192° 1 minutes

On the south bank of the river is the small town of La Urbana, which also lies at the base of some hills. The dirt airstrip is on the southeastern edge of town

Leg 6

Flying from SVX2

Leg Distance: 71.48 Approximate time at 125kts: 34 minutes.

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SVX2(SVX2) to Rio Orinoco(POI14)

Distance: 11.12NM Bearing: 249° 5 minutes

Head southwest to rejoin the river

Rio Orinoco(POI14) to Rio Orinoco(POI15)

Distance: 34.04NM Bearing: 200° 16 minutes

Continue following the river south

Rio Orinoco(POI15) to Puerto Paez(POI16)

Distance: 20.61NM Bearing: 242° 10 minutes

Keep following the river as it heads southwest

Puerto Paez(POI16) to SKPC(SKPC)

Distance: 5.71NM Bearing: 248° 3 minutes

The river will meet with the Meta River at the town of Puerto Carreño, which lies on the Colombian side of the river. The airport is in the center of town

Leg 7

Flying from SKPC

Leg Distance: 40.82 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKPC(SKPC) to Rio Orinoco(POI17)

Distance: 12.49NM Bearing: 170° 6 minutes

After takeoff, head back to the river and follow it southeast

Rio Orinoco(POI17) to Rio Orinoco(POI18)

Distance: 17.22NM Bearing: 238° 8 minutes

Stay with the river as it turns to the southwest

Rio Orinoco(POI18) to Puerto Ayacucho(POI19)

Distance: 8.8NM Bearing: 200° 4 minutes

Follow the river south to the large town of Puerto Ayacucho, the capital of Amazonas State

Puerto Ayacucho(POI19) to SVPA(SVPA)

Distance: 2.31NM Bearing: 143° 1 minutes

The airport lies south of the town, a couple of miles east of the river

Leg 8

Flying from SVPA

Leg Distance: 57.23 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVPA(SVPA) to Rio Orinoco(POI20)

Distance: 9.62NM Bearing: 201° 5 minutes

After takeoff, head back to the river and follow it south

Rio Orinoco(POI20) to Rio Orinoco(POI21)

Distance: 16.12NM Bearing: 248° 8 minutes

Follow the river southwest

Rio Orinoco(POI21) to Isla Raton(POI22)

Distance: 10.48NM Bearing: 172° 5 minutes

The river will again turn to the south and pass the hilly Isla Camejo and Maypure Rapids section of the river filled with many small islands. When you reach the largest island, Isla Raton, turn east

Isla Raton(POI22) to Rio Cuao(POI23)

Distance: 15.98NM Bearing: 108° 8 minutes

Head east towards the northern end of the mountain range in the distance. Just before the mountain range, you will reach the Cuao River. Follow it south

Rio Cuao(POI23) to SVQL(SVQL)

Distance: 5.03NM Bearing: 214° 2 minutes

The small town of La Danta and its airstrip sit on the eastern edge of the Cuao River

Leg 9

Flying from SVQL

Leg Distance: 48 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

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SVQL(SVQL) to Cerro Autana(POI24)

Distance: 11.88NM Bearing: 163° 6 minutes

After takeoff, head south over the first group of hills towards the main mountain attraction in the area, Cerro Autana, one of the famous "tepui" mesa-like mountains of South America

Cerro Autana(POI24) to Cerro del Indio(POI25)

Distance: 3.69NM Bearing: 230° 2 minutes

From Cerro Autana, turn southwest to the smaller peaks of Cerro del Indio

Cerro del Indio(POI25) to Rio Orinoco(POI26)

Distance: 19.91NM Bearing: 286° 10 minutes

Head west back to the Orinoco River, passing over the Autana and Sipapo Rivers on the way

Rio Orinoco(POI26) to Cerro Buena Vista(POI27)

Distance: 10.59NM Bearing: 14° 5 minutes

Follow the river north to where it passes between two groups of hills, then turn northeast

Cerro Buena Vista(POI27) to SVX3(SVX3)

Distance: 1.93NM Bearing: 64° 1 minutes

The dirt landing strip lies just between the small hill and the settlement on the riverbank

Leg 10

Flying from SVX3

Leg Distance: 62.95 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVX3(SVX3) to Rio Tuparro(POI28)

Distance: 18.52NM Bearing: 318° 9 minutes

After takeoff, head northwest back into Colombia and to the junction of two rivers, Rio Tuparro and Caño Tuparrito

Rio Tuparro(POI28) to Rio Tomo(POI29)

Distance: 31.84NM Bearing: 319° 15 minutes

Continue northwest to the Tomo River and follow it west

Rio Tomo(POI29) to SKUA(SKUA)

Distance: 12.59NM Bearing: 280° 6 minutes

As you follow the winding river west, look out for Marandúa Air Base a couple of miles north of the river

Leg 11

Flying from SKUA

Leg Distance: 42.19 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKUA(SKUA) to Rio Bita(POI30)

Distance: 24.85NM Bearing: 317° 12 minutes

Head northwest over the vast tropical grass plains known as "llanos" to the Bita River

Rio Bita(POI30) to SKIJ(SKIJ)

Distance: 17.34NM Bearing: 319° 8 minutes

Continue northwest over the Llanos to the small settlement at El Cimarrón Airport, which sits 8 miles south of the Meta River

Leg 12

Flying from SKIJ

Leg Distance: 55.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKIJ(SKIJ) to Rio Meta(POI31)

Distance: 43.35NM Bearing: 273° 21 minutes

After takeoff, head west to meet with the Meta River

Rio Meta(POI31) to Rio Meta(POI32)

Distance: 9.52NM Bearing: 228° 5 minutes

Follow the Meta River southwest

Rio Meta(POI32) to SVX4(SVX4)

Distance: 2.38NM Bearing: 275° 1 minutes

When you enter the area of the river filled with sandbars, look out for the landing strip with its accompanying buildings a couple of miles west of the river

Leg 13

Flying from SVX4

Leg Distance: 57.92 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SVX4(SVX4) to Rio Meta(POI33)

Distance: 8.05NM Bearing: 234° 4 minutes

Head southwest back to the river

Rio Meta(POI33) to La Primavera(POI34)

Distance: 15.8NM Bearing: 265° 8 minutes

Follow the river southwest past the town of La Primavera, which sits just south of the river

La Primavera(POI34) to Santa Rosalia(POI35)

Distance: 31.57NM Bearing: 238° 15 minutes

Continue along the river southwest to the town of Santa Rosalia

Santa Rosalia(POI35) to SKSL(SKSL)

Distance: 2.5NM Bearing: 226° 1 minutes

The airstrip is just south of the town

Leg 14

Flying from SKSL

Leg Distance: 52.56 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKSL(SKSL) to Rio Pauto(POI36)

Distance: 7.29NM Bearing: 309° 3 minutes

After takeoff, head over to the other side of the river and follow the smaller Pauto River northwest

Rio Pauto(POI36) to Rio Pauto(POI37)

Distance: 21.9NM Bearing: 290° 11 minutes

Keep following the Pauto River west

Rio Pauto(POI37) to Trinidad(POI38)

Distance: 21.23NM Bearing: 305° 10 minutes

Stay with the river to the town of Trinidad

Trinidad(POI38) to SKTD(SKTD)

Distance: 2.14NM Bearing: 10° 1 minutes

Trinidad Airport is just north of the town

Leg 15

Flying from SKTD

Leg Distance: 33.78 Approximate time at 125kts: 16 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKTD(SKTD) to Rio Pauto(POI39)

Distance: 16.76NM Bearing: 304° 8 minutes

After takeoff, continue following the river northwest

Rio Pauto(POI39) to Rio Pauto(POI40)

Distance: 3.13NM Bearing: 292° 2 minutes

At the junction with a smaller river, keep following the Rio Pauto to the west

Rio Pauto(POI40) to Rio Pauto(POI41)

Distance: 10.23NM Bearing: 320° 5 minutes

Follow the river northwest into the foothills of the Andes Mountains

Rio Pauto(POI41) to SQUJ(SQUJ)

Distance: 3.66NM Bearing: 8° 2 minutes

Follow the river as it turns north and starts its journey into the mountains. The airstrip is on the hill just to the right side of the river as it turns back to the west

Leg 16

Flying from SQUJ

Leg Distance: 31.73 Approximate time at 125kts: 15 minutes.

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SQUJ(SQUJ) to Nunchia(POI42)

Distance: 5.4NM Bearing: 248° 3 minutes

After takeoff, head southwest back over the river and along the valley to the town of Nunchia

Nunchia(POI42) to Rio Nunchia(POI43)

Distance: 13.43NM Bearing: 227° 6 minutes

Follow the Nunchia River southwest along the valley

Rio Nunchia(POI43) to Yopal(POI44)

Distance: 8.2NM Bearing: 193° 4 minutes

When the river turns away to the west, head south out of the valley to the town of Yopal

Yopal(POI44) to SKYP(SKYP)

Distance: 4.7NM Bearing: 244° 2 minutes

Yopal Airport is at the southwestern edge of the city

Leg 17

Flying from SKYP

Leg Distance: 51.03 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKYP(SKYP) to Rio Cravo Sur(POI45)

Distance: 18.03NM Bearing: 329° 9 minutes

Head northeast over Yopal and follow the Cravo Sur River into the Cordillera Oriental – the eastern branch of the Andes mountains in Colombia

Rio Cravo Sur(POI45) to Rio Cravo Sur(POI46)

Distance: 11.89NM Bearing: 351° 6 minutes

At the river junction near the town of Labrazagrande, turn north and continue climbing with the Cravo Sur River

Rio Cravo Sur(POI46) to Mongua(POI47)

Distance: 7.42NM Bearing: 294° 4 minutes

Further upstream at another fork in the river, take the left valley where you should see a dirt road winding its way up the mountain to the left, climb out of the valley with the road

Mongua(POI47) to Sogamoso(POI48)

Distance: 10.37NM Bearing: 262° 5 minutes

As you reach the higher plateau, fly west to the valley then turn to the southwest and head for the city of Sogamoso

Sogamoso(POI48) to SKSO(SKSO)

Distance: 3.32NM Bearing: 236° 2 minutes

The airport is in the valley south of the city

Leg 18

Flying from SKSO

Leg Distance: 44.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKSO(SKSO) to Alto Chuscal(POI49)

Distance: 24.4NM Bearing: 285° 12 minutes

After takeoff, head west to the gap in the distant mountain range

Alto Chuscal(POI49) to Arcabuco(POI50)

Distance: 4.27NM Bearing: 309° 2 minutes

Follow the highway northwest through the valley to the town of Arcabuco

Arcabuco(POI50) to Moniquira(POI51)

Distance: 10.53NM Bearing: 321° 5 minutes

Keep following the road northwest through the next valley to the town of Moniquirá

Moniquira(POI51) to SKET(SKET)

Distance: 5.05NM Bearing: 340° 2 minutes

Continue northwest to the town of Barbosa, and the airport north of the town

Leg 19

Flying from SKET

Leg Distance: 41.74 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKET(SKET) to Guespa(POI52)

Distance: 5.12NM Bearing: 35° 2 minutes

After takeoff, fly northeast (runway heading) to the nearby town of Guespa which sits on a hillside above a small valley

Guespa(POI52) to La Paz(POI53)

Distance: 9.3NM Bearing: 4° 4 minutes

From Guespa, head north to the small town of La Paz, which sits high on the mountain range

La Paz(POI53) to Landazuri(POI54)

Distance: 14.02NM Bearing: 288° 7 minutes

From La Paz, turn west over the lower land, passing over a ridge with a road running along the top, then to the town of Landazuri which sits on the next ridge

Landazuri(POI54) to Cimitarra(POI55)

Distance: 9.9NM Bearing: 315° 5 minutes

From Landazuri turn northwest and descend with the river to the town of Cimitarra, which is in the large Magdalena River valley between the Cordillera Oriental and Cordillera Central branches of the Andes mountains

Cimitarra(POI55) to SKCM(SKCM)

Distance: 3.4NM Bearing: 348° 2 minutes

The airport is north of the town, next to the highway

Leg 20

Flying from SKCM

Leg Distance: 39.39 Approximate time at 125kts: 19 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKCM(SKCM) to Rio Magdalena(POI56)

Distance: 29.88NM Bearing: 272° 14 minutes

Head west across the wide valley to the Magdalena River

Rio Magdalena(POI56) to La Sierra(POI57)

Distance: 7.99NM Bearing: 237° 4 minutes

Follow the river southwest to the narrow section between the towns of La Sierra and Puerto Serviez

La Sierra(POI57) to SKPN(SKPN)

Distance: 1.52NM Bearing: 249° 1 minutes

The airport is at the junction of the Magdalena and Nare Rivers

Leg 21

Flying from SKPN

Leg Distance: 53.55 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKPN(SKPN) to Rio Nare(POI58)

Distance: 7.85NM Bearing: 318° 4 minutes

Follow the Nare River northwest into the valley

Rio Nare(POI58) to Embalse Playas(POI59)

Distance: 14.87NM Bearing: 278° 7 minutes

When the river turns around to the south, head west out of the valley across to the Playas Reservoir

Embalse Playas(POI59) to San Rafael(POI60)

Distance: 7.47NM Bearing: 279° 4 minutes

Continue west and follow the Guatapé River past the town of San Rafael

San Rafael(POI60) to Penol-Guatape(POI61)

Distance: 5.53NM Bearing: 258° 3 minutes

Follow the Guatapé River southwest to the vast Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir

Penol-Guatape(POI61) to Piedra del Penol(POI62)

Distance: 3.03NM Bearing: 223° 1 minutes

Head southwest past the resort town of Guatapé, to the popular tourist attraction of Piedra del Peñol, a giant granite rock southwest of the town

Piedra del Penol(POI62) to SKRG(SKRG)

Distance: 14.8NM Bearing: 264° 7 minutes

Head west past the town of Rionegro, to the large airport northwest of the town

Leg 22

Flying from SKRG

Leg Distance: 23.12 Approximate time at 125kts: 11 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

SKRG(SKRG) to Autopista Medellin-Bogota(POI63)

Distance: 5.4NM Bearing: 2° 3 minutes

Fly north to the main highway that links the two largest cities in Colombia, Medellin and Bogota

Autopista Medellin-Bogota(POI63) to Copacabana(POI64)

Distance: 7.39NM Bearing: 335° 4 minutes

Follow the highway northwest to the Medellin River valley

Copacabana(POI64) to Medellin(POI65)

Distance: 3.99NM Bearing: 244° 2 minutes

Follow the valley southwest to Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia

Medellin(POI65) to SKMD(SKMD)

Distance: 6.34NM Bearing: 206° 3 minutes

Continue southwest to the airport, and the end of this stage of the tour

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