Orinoco Expedition, 1799-1804

departed La Coruña, Spain 5 June 1799
returned August 1804
areas visited: Cuba, Venezuela, New Granada (Colombia & Ecuador), Peru, Mexico.

Arrived in Cumaná, Venezuela, 16 July 1799. Travelled in Sucre and Monagas before going to Caracas and the coast. In February 1800 begin the Orinoco expedition. Visited Lago Valencia, Calabozo, Rio Guarico, San Fernando de Apure. Missionaries helped them build a falcon, travelled down Apure, up Orinoco to La Urbana, on to mouth of Meta at Raudal de Maipures (3 days), Atures, and mouth of Sipapo, to San Fernando de Atabapo. San Fernando de Apure to San Fernando de Atabapo: 33 days. Upstream Atabapo, overland to Guainia River, to Casiquiare. Arrived San Carlos de Rio Negro near Brazil/Colombian border. Crossed to Brazilian side, Humboldt arrested by the Portuguese on suspicion of being a Spanish border survey, later released. Continued with party to Casiquiare, down Orinoco to Atabapo, down to Ciudad Bolivar where Bonpland became seriously ill. Upon recovery, returned to Barcelona 1 Sep 1800.

Cuba, Colombia, & Ecuador

Humboldt and Bonpland left Venezuerla 24 Dec 1800 for Cuba, made several collections. Left Havana, arrived Cartagena. In April canoed up Rio Magdalena (55 day trip) to Honda. By mule to Santa Fe de Bogota. Departed 8 September 1801 via Rio Cauca to Popayan. Arrived Quito 6 February 1802, visited Pichincha and V. Antisana. Left Quito 9 June 1802, south to Latacunga, to Chimborazo (23 June 1802). Via Rio Calvas to Peru.

Peru

After crossing Rio Calvas, overland to Lima, remained 23 October to 24 December 1802, prepared collections. To Guyaquil from 3 January to 15 February 1803, then on to Acapulco.

Mexico

Arrived Acapulco 23 March 1803, travelled interior to Mexico City. Left for Cuba 7 May 1803, received Orinoco collections. Visited U.S. for several weeks, returned to Europe, arriving August 1804.

Last modified: 27.iii.97
Scott A. Schaefer schaefer@amnh.org