Itinerary

DAY 1: Caracas-Ciudad Bolívar
A Natoura representative will meet and assist you at the international airport terminal in Caracas. She will provide you with your tickets and vouchers and escort you to the national terminal for your 7:45p.m. flight to Ciudad Bolivar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the colonial Posada Angostura located in the historical downtown.

(–,–,–)

DAY 2: Ciudad Bolívar-Santa Elena-Ya-Koo Camp
You will be transferred to the Ciudad Bolivar airport and fly via Canaima to Santa Elena, a small town 15 km from Brazil, leaving at 8:00a.m. and arriving at 11:30a.m via the impressive landscape of Canaima National Park. After being met at the airport by our representatives, a 4WD vehicle will take you to the small Pemon Indian community of Paray-tepui (1,400 m). The ride is about 90 km and some of the roads are in bad condition. The scenery on this drive can only be described as breathtaking, with incredible views of the rolling savannah and the tepuis. You will have a welcome dinner and stay overnight in beds at the Ya-Koo camp.

(–, L, D)

DAY 3: Paraytepui-Military Camp
After a light breakfast in the village, we will begin the trek escorted by our Taurepan porters, who will use their own woven baskets, balanced with a tumpline, to carry their loads. You will notice that the main Pemon tribes are Arekunas and Kamaracotos, each with a distinct dialect.

Canaima_sapoPan_vert.jpgOur first camp will be established near the Tek River (11 km), about a 4 hour hike across the savannah. Along the way we will ford four small streams, which will provide a chance for us to rejuvenate ourselves. The route will start off by descending from the ridge into a small, forested valley, where we will cross many small streams. As we leave the valley and enter the rolling savannah, we might hear the occasional “boink” (a sound like a hammer striking an anvil) of the bearded Bellbird which inhabits this region. Directly ahead we will see the massive, symmetrical bulk of Roraima, whose 9,129-ft summit towers above the plains. To the north of this mesa is the sister Tepui, Kukenan, at 8793-ft, and even further north three other tepuis dominate the horizon. We will also ford the Tek River and later, the Kukenan River. The Kukenan River is a bigger river, approximately 40-m wide, and the level of water affects the crossing.

Following the long incline that leads to the base of Roraima’s vertical 600-m cliffs, the terrain will appear as a series of long ridges radiating out from the Tepui. Grassland dominates the terrain, except in the deep ravines where rainforest patches have escaped the Indian’s fires. About halfway to our “base camp” we will enter a broad sloping area of black, lichen covered boulders where we might spot trodipurus lizards and Chestnut-collared sparrows. The campsite at the deserted military outpost sits at an altitude of 1000 m and provides an excellent opportunity for a refreshing swim at the river. Accommodations are in tents, so that you may enjoy the fresh night time air of the plains.

(6-7 hours hiking)
(B, L, D)

DAY 4: Military Camp-Summit Roraima
In the morning we will enjoy our first sunrise view of Tepui Roraima, while contemplating the significance of its Indian name, meaning “Great” “Ever Fruitful” and “Mother of Streams,” all seemingly appropriate because its waters feed into three vital river systems, the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo. After a hot breakfast, we will trek through a beautiful cloud forest with dense vegetation that prevents us from seeing the cliffs ahead or the savannah dropping away behind. This will allow us to focus on the lush diversity of plants around us, such as bromeliads, bladderworts, sundews, tree ferns, mosses and helicons.

A few hours later, we reach the base of Roraima marked by a talus slope of huge boulders. We ascend a 50-100ft wide ramp that runs from right to left along the cliff face, allowing the only easy access to Roraima’s summit. In 1887, he British explorer Everard Im Thurn discovered this route. Cloud forest reigns the vertical wall and is inhabited by an abundance of lush orchids, ferns, palms, woody shrubs and delicate flowers. Around noon, we will be treated with the surprise of a thin, ribbon-like waterfall, which falls from the crest. There we will sit down to a relaxing lunch. Arriving to the summit, we will be rewarded with a stunning vista of the savannah floor rolling out gracefully below us.

We will set up camp on the Tepui’s top (2,800 m), below a rock ledge that prevents the strong winds and cold temperatures (5º Celsius) from reaching us during the evening. The locals call these natural caves “hotels.” We will spend a few hours exploring the foreign landscape of black rock near the campsite. After a hearty dinner, we will relax to the mingling of mists and sunlight above the mountain’s zenith until the sun fades away.

(5 hours hiking)
(B, L, D)

DAY5: Roraima Summit
We will have the full day to explore the fantasyland atop Roraima. Excursions will depend on current weather conditions. After a very early breakfast, we will trek to the Kukenan Window, so we may view the eastern wall of Roraima, Matawi Tepui and the jungle of Guyana before the clouds come in. We will also visit Triple Point, where the frontiers of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana intersect and are marked by a monument. We will explore the Valley of the Crystals. However, it is prohibited to take one as a souvenir. If you desire, we can take an invigorating swim in an icy blue well.

Gsab-jaspe_1.jpg You will find life atop of Roraima fascinating. The pebble toad that rolls like a ball to escape danger instead of jumping, carnivorous plants, and many other endemic and plant and animal life lure ones curiosity. The landscape is equally extraordinary. Constant wind and rain have eroded the surface to form huge, stone sculptures: house -sized slabs balanced precariously on slender spires; the arches and pillars form natural bridges that span narrow chasms and are of a forgotten, imaginary dynasty. The dominant color is black, created by rock encrusting lichen that covers every bare surface in all directions. After dinner, we can enjoy the night-time sky. The stars are brilliant with the absence of human- produced lighting. The Southern Cross, as well as the familiar Northern Hemisphere stars and constellations, will be our companions for the evening.

(7-8 hours hiking)
(B, L, D)

DAY 6: Summit-Tek River Site
After a good nights rest, it will be time to head back down to the savannah. We will eat lunch at the base of Roraima in the company of huge boulders that form a talus slope. We will cross the Kukenan and Tek rivers and then set up base camp. A refreshing swim in the Tek River will be a supreme reward after the day’s long trek.

(6 hours hiking)
(B, L, D)

DAY 7: Tek River Camp-Paraytepui Village-Santa Elena
After our last breakfast on the trail, we will head for Parai-tepuy about four hours away. While waiting for our driver, we will eat lunch. After boarding the 4WD, we should arrive to Santa Elena around 4:00p.m. We will stay overnight at the lovely Ya-koo Camp, where you will be provided with a welcome dinner in this great landscape of crystalline rivers and waterfalls. You’ll find 7 typical houses (cottages), each with two comfortable rooms and private bathroom, hot and cold water. In the main house, there is a dining room, living room, TV corner and reception desk.

(4 hours hiking, 3 hours by jeep)
(B, L,–)

DAY8: Santa Elena-Canaima
You will be provided private transfer to the Santa Elena Airport for your 11:00a.m. flight to Canaima. Upon arrival you will be met by our representatives and transferred to Parakaupa Lodge. You can enjoy a tour of Laguna Canaima. Overnight accommodations provided at the camp.

(–, L, D)

DAY 9: Angel Falls Tour
After a light early morning breakfast we will depart at 6:00a.m. for a breathtaking 1-day trip to the base of Angel Falls.

Canaima_saltoAngel_2.jpg After a fifteen minute ride we will arrive at Port Ucaima, situated above the waterfalls of Canaima. From there we will take a boat to navigate the Carrao River. On our route we will observe the lush vegetation in Canaima, arriving at the savannahs of Mayupa, where we will disembark to enjoy a walk through the savannah (and to also avoid the rapids).

On the other side we will again board the boat to continue our voyage up the river, passing Arautaima (a small Indian village), the pool of good fortune and happiness and Orchid Island. We will arrive at Ahonda camp, which is in front of Orchid Island. There, we will have breakfast and later continue on our route to Angel Falls.

Not too far away from the camp we will leave the Carroa River to enter the Churum River and really begin or expedition. On this one hour and fifteen minute trek, the lush primary tropical forest will entrance you with its greenery and diversity of plant life and the calls of its diverse animal and bird species. Upon arrival at Ratoncito Island, we will have a good view of Angel Falls. To get a closer look at the waterfall, we will walk for an hour and arrive to a great spot, from which we can observe the majestic falls.

We will spend an hour at the base of Angel Falls. There will be time to relax on the large rocks warmed by the sun, shoot some pictures of the raging waterfall, and take a dip in the pool created at its base.

While trekking back down to our day camp at Ratoncito Island, we will have a tasty lunch. After a short rest we will once again take an exciting return down the rapids to the camp.

Dinner will be at camp and will be accompanied by a night to relax and contemplate the day’s journey.

(B, L, D)

DAY 10: Angel Falls Overflight-Canaima-Caracas
After a tasty breakfast we will board a small aircraft for a thrilling ride through Devil´s Canyon and bird’s eye view of Angel Falls. After the flight we will return to camp to gather up our things.

Gsab_cima_tpui1.jpg We will arrive in Canaima about 11 a.m., after picking up luggage at the camp and transferring to the airport. You will have time to stroll the dirt streets and visit the local shops that sell handicrafts before your plane departs. You will arrive at Caracas in the late afternoon. You will be transferred to the Hotel Avila in Caracas.

(B,–,–)

DAYS 11-14: Caracas-Los Roques
In the morning, you will transfer on your own to the Auxilliary Terminal for your 6:00a.m. flight to Los Roques. Upon arrival to the Gran Roque Airport, a representative will meet you and escort you to the Posada Cayo Luna.

Caribe_roques_muelle.jpg Posada is a simple guest house with lodging in a double room with private bath. Breakfast and dinner are included in the accommodation. This package provides for 2 dives a day for a total of 3 days. (Tanks and weights are included-Equipment rental is $30 per day). On the last day the client has the option of visiting a nearby island on their own.

(Breakfast included on all days)

DAY 15: Los Roques-Caracas-End of Services.
You will fly to Caracas at 4:00p.m. This will be the end of services.

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