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Gran Sabana And Roraima
The Gran Sabana is Venezuela’s last frontier, where few tourists come. The best way to reach it is by plane and 4WD vehicle. The area is characterised by the 114 ‘Tepuis’, flat topped mountains which emerged over 600 million years ago. Through its isolation, unique flora and fauna have emerged, so many species are endemic to a single mountain.
This is the land of El Dorado where the minerals of gold, diamond and precious stones have drawn miners, dreamers and fortune hunters. The area is ideal for swimming and is best known for the thousands of beautiful freshwater falls, each more impressive than the last which cascade from massive stone walls.
The most famous of these are the Aponwao Falls at 100m high and the Jasper Falls, formed from semi-precious rock. The region is also home to about 15,000 pemon Indians living in some 250 settlements, giving you the opportunity to stay with them and understand their culture. A minimum of 3 days is needed to explore the region. The largest and highest of the table top mountains is Roraima. Its plateau is around 2700m making it the most popular Tepui to climb and requires a minimum of 5 days to do so. Due to the remoteness of the region accommodation is in basic lodges. THINGS TO SEE AND DO
To fully appreciate the region a minimum of 3 days / 2 nights is needed, though if you plan on climbing the popular Tepuis – Roriama allow for 6 days / 5 nights. Trips can be done from either Santa Elena to Puerto Ordaz or vice versa, or, to and from Santa Elena. Some of the overnight accommodation is in tents/hammocks or basic lodgings. Below are examples of possible itineraries, though they can be mixed and matched to suit your requirements.
Gran Sabana Explorer 4D/3N. This trip takes in all the highlights of the region from Puerto Ordaz to Santa Elena (return). The four day adventure takes in every waterfall on this 500km 4WD route. Some of the major falls you’ll see are; Jasper, Kawi and Kama along with the most impressive of them all Aponguao, set inside the indigenous Pemon community and is reached by boat and foot. Visiting the small towns en-route will also give you an insight into the indigenous communities, along with the mining towns, giving you an understanding of their way of life. You will also get views of the impressive Tepuis – Roriama. Overnight stops will be in tents situated next to waterfalls or basic posadas.
Gran Sabana Dream 3D/2N.
To/from Santa Elena. Incorporating all of the best spots from the far south eastern corner; Jespe Canyon and the Jasper Falls, the Soroape natural waterslide and o/n in tents next to the Kama falls. Day 2 takes you into the Pemon Indian settlement at Kavanayan where you will hike through the rainforest around Sororopan Tepuis and o/n in typical stone cabanas. Your third day will be by boat, jeep and on foot, taking you to the hidden waterfalls at Aponguao, before returning to Santa Elena. Trekking to Roraima Tepuis 6D/5N. To/from Santa Elena. Day 1. 4WD to Pareitpuy Indian. Trek to Kukenan River – ropes required for crossing in rainy season. (5hrs) Day 2. Trek to base of Roriama. Camp is at the base of the 1000m vertical wall. (4 ½ hrs) Day 3. The trail crosses diagonally on the Roraima wall, through cloud forest, pre-historic tree ferns to waterfalls dropping from 100’s of metres above. Arrive Roriama summit. (4 ½ hrs)
Recommended lodges in this area:
Los Roques
Posada Caracol is one of the few posadas in Los Roques located directly on the beach. This finely decorated posada has four rooms, all with private bathrooms and equipped with ceiling fans and air conditioning
Los Roques
The owner Elena Battani personally sees after her guests. White washed, the posada is has been decorated with great taste and attention to every detail, all of which is in a Mediterranean style
Los Roques
The Posada Natura Viva is one of only a handful of posada which is situated right on the beach. They have 16 spacious rooms with private bathrooms which are located around the inner courtyard of the hotel
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