Whether you want to visit the "Serengeti of South America" (aka Los Llanos), the incredibly remote and surreal southeast region of the country, or the amazingly lush watershed of the Río Orinoco, taking a week or two to head into the lesser-traveled regions of Venezuela is recommended for the trip of a lifetime. But keep in mind that the farther afield you travel, the more useful—in terms of navigation, know-how, safety, and gear—a tour operator will be. Decide the area you want to explore, make a list of the top experiences you'd like to have, and then choose your tour operator accordingly. There's no doubt that traveling to remote areas is trying in this country, with its insufficient tourism infrastructure and frequent social and political unrest, but it's also worth the time and effort if you're craving a memorable, captivating adventure.