Orinoco Lodge
Colombia
Accommodation
Jungle Camp
Season
December – April
Species
Payara, Peacock Bass, Sardinata
Fishing Style
Spinning & Fly Fishing
Orinoco Lodge 🇨🇴
Orinoco Lodge is a remote jungle fishing lodge in eastern Colombia’s Orinoco Basin. The program combines fishing around the Orinoco River’s rapid systems for payara with time on smaller headwater rivers where trophy peacock bass are the principal target. Sardinata, bicuda, catfish and several additional tropical species create one of the more varied fishing programs in the region.
The Orinoco portion of the trip focuses on payara, sardinata and bicuda around three major rapid systems and the mouth of the Tomo River. Anglers fish from boats, exposed rocks and selected wading areas under the direction of the guides. Payara over 20 pounds are regularly encountered, with the strong current making these fish particularly demanding once hooked. Sardinata can also reach exceptional size, particularly from February through late March.
The peacock bass portion takes place on remote rivers reached by travelling upriver from the main Orinoco camp. Speckled peacock bass are the principal trophy target, with fish exceeding 20 pounds possible. Orinoco peacock bass provide additional opportunities and can approach 15 pounds. Guides fish river bends, pockets, lagoons, current seams and structure using surface plugs, diving lures, soft plastics and flies.
Other possible species include matrinxa, black pacu, shovelnose catfish and additional large catfish. Fishing methods range from topwater casting and fly fishing to jigging and bait fishing. This variety allows anglers to use lighter equipment for sardinata and matrinxa, medium-heavy tackle for peacock bass and payara, and heavier equipment when targeting catfish.
The extended expedition combines a permanent riverside lodge with portable headwater camps. The Orinoco base has full-size cabins, shared dining areas and views over the river. The headwater camps use large individual cabin-style canvas tents positioned close to the fishing.
The camp tents have wooden floors and full-size beds. Bathroom facilities include showers and marine-style toilets, with private or dedicated facilities provided according to the camp layout. The equipment is designed to provide proper sleeping and washing facilities without removing anglers from the remote river environment.
Meals are prepared by the camp chefs and include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Nonalcoholic drinks are included, and daily laundry is provided. There is no regular mobile phone connection on the river, but a satellite telephone is available for emergencies.
Orinoco Lodge operates in Colombia’s eastern plains, close to the Orinoco and Tomo river systems. The international gateway is Bogotá, followed by a domestic flight to Puerto Carreño near the Venezuelan border.
Anglers are met at Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport and transferred to the included hotel. The following morning, the group returns to the airport for the scheduled domestic flight to Puerto Carreño.
On arrival in Puerto Carreño, anglers continue by four-wheel-drive vehicle across the savannah to the river. The drive takes approximately two-and-a-half to four hours, depending on the camp being used, road conditions and seasonal water levels. The final portion may include a boat transfer to the lodge or camp.
At the end of the expedition, anglers return by vehicle to Puerto Carreño and fly back to Bogotá. A final hotel night is included before the international departure. Domestic flight times can change, so international flights should not be booked with tight same-day connections.
Rates Per Angler:
Starting from $4,400.00 per person
What’s Included:
- Two hotel nights in Bogotá, one before and one after the expedition
- Airport and hotel transfers in Bogotá
- Return domestic flights between Bogotá and Puerto Carreño
- Ground transfers between Puerto Carreño and the fishing area
- Lodge and wilderness camp accommodation
- The number of fishing days specified in the selected package
- Two anglers per fishing boat
- Professional bilingual fishing guides
- Boats and boat fuel
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the fishing expedition
- Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks
- Daily laundry during the expedition
- High-quality wilderness camping equipment
- Beds, showers and marine toilet facilities at the camps
What’s Not Included:
- International flights to and from Bogotá
- Dinner on the first night in Bogotá
- Meals on the final night in Bogotá
- Fishing rods and reels
- Fly-fishing equipment
- Lures, flies and terminal tackle
- Optional rod-and-reel rental
- Alcoholic drinks
Day 1: Arrival in Bogotá
Arrive at El Dorado International Airport and meet the local representative. Transfer to the included Bogotá hotel, where a host assists with check-in and provides details for the following morning. Dinner is paid separately.
Day 2: Travel to the Orinoco
Transfer to the airport for the domestic flight from Bogotá to Puerto Carreño. On arrival, continue by four-wheel-drive vehicle across the eastern savannah to the river. Settle into the Orinoco camp and prepare fishing equipment.
Days 3 and 4: Payara Fishing
Fish the Orinoco River’s rapid systems and the mouth of the Tomo River. Payara are the primary target, with sardinata, bicuda and catfish providing additional opportunities. Boats are shared by two anglers, with some guided fishing conducted from rock platforms and accessible river margins.
Day 5: River Transfer and Fishing
Leave the Orinoco base early and fish while travelling towards the headwater camp. The journey passes through changing river environments before reaching the peacock bass water. Arrive at camp and settle into the individual cabin tents.
Days 6 to 8: Peacock Bass Fishing
Spend full days casting flies and artificial lures for speckled and Orinoco peacock bass. Guides rotate through river bends, pockets, lagoons and structured banks according to water level and recent activity. Matrinxa, pacu and catfish may also be targeted.
Day 9: Return to Bogotá
Leave the fishing area and travel by boat and four-wheel-drive vehicle to Puerto Carreño. Fly back to Bogotá and transfer to the included hotel. The evening meal is paid separately.
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to Bogotá International Airport for the onward flight.
What level of experience is required?
The trip can accommodate anglers using fly, spinning or baitcasting equipment, but previous casting experience is useful. Peacock bass and payara fishing involves repeated casting with medium-heavy tackle, while fishing around the rapids requires reasonable balance and mobility.
How physically demanding is the expedition?
This is an active wilderness trip. Anglers may walk over rocks, enter and leave boats, fish from uneven ground and spend full days in tropical heat. A basic level of fitness and mobility is required.
How many anglers fish from each boat?
Boats are normally shared by two anglers and one guide. Anglers rotate casting positions throughout the day.
Is fishing tackle included?
No. Anglers are expected to bring their own rods, reels, lines, leaders, lures and terminal tackle. Rod-and-reel packages are currently available to rent for approximately USD $150 per angler for the stay, but lures and terminal tackle remain the angler’s responsibility.
Can anglers fly fish?
Yes. Fly anglers can target payara, peacock bass, sardinata, matrinxa and other species. The recommended equipment includes 8 and 10-weight outfits with floating, intermediate and sinking lines. Anglers must bring their own fly-fishing equipment.
What conventional equipment is recommended?
Medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting outfits with 50 to 65-pound braided line cover most peacock bass, payara and sardinata fishing. Heavier equipment is useful for catfish and pacu. A detailed tackle list is provided before departure.
