Tepui Roraima, one of the most massive and highest mesas in the region, sits at the tripartite border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Its plateau is at 2700 m and the highest part at 2810 m. Its dominant presence in the landscape of Gran Sabana offers you one of the most extraordinary and unforgettable experiences during your stay in Venezuela. Roraima hosts an abundance of endemic flora and fauna species. Roughly half of the flora identified in the “Lost World” exists only on Roraima and nowhere else in the world. Isolated from each other and towering over the savannah, these fascinating mesas are biological wonders, each developing its own unique flora and fauna.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Santa Elena - Paraytepui - Tek River Camp
We will leave from Santa Elena, a small town 15 km from Brazil. After the airport reception 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. After a light lunch in the village, we will begin the trek escorted by our Taurepan porters who prefer to use their own woven baskets, balanced with a tumpline, to carry their loads. The main Pemon tribes are Arekunas, Kamaracotos, each with a different dialect.
Our first camp will be established near the River Tek (11 km), approximately a four-hour hike across the savannah. 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” of the bearded Bellbird, which inhabits this region. Directly ahead lays the massive, symmetrical bulk of Roraima, with its 9129 ft. To the north of this mesa is the sister Tepui, Kukenan (8793 ft) and further north, three other tepuis dominate the horizon. The campsite at the River Tek sits at an altitude of 900 meters and provides an excellent opportunity for a refreshing swim at the river. Accommodations will be in tents, so that you may enjoy the fresh night-time air of the savannah.
3 hours by jeep, 4 hours hiking. L/ D.
Day 2: Tek River Camp - Roraima Base Camp
In the morning we will enjoy our first sunrise view of Tepui Roraima, which means, amog others, Mother of Streams. The name seems appropriate because it feeds three vital river systems, the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo. After breakfast, we will head for the Roraima base camp at the foot of the Tepui (10-km). First, we will ford the River Tek and continue along the River Kukenan. This is a bigger river, 40 m wide, and the level of water affects the crossing. Along the long incline that leads to the base of Roraima’s vertical 600-m cliffs, the terrain is a series of long ridges radiating out from the Tepui. Grasslands dominate 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.
Early in the afternoon, we will arrive at the Military Camp (no worries, it is deserted), which is a great spot to enjoy our lunch. A few hours later, we will reach our campsite, which is not far from the base of Roraima. The camp is located at 1,800 meters and temperatures can drop down to about 15 degrees Celsius in the evening. 6 hours hiking. B/ L/ D.
Day 3: Roraima Base Camp - Roraima Summit
This will be our most difficult day. After a hot breakfast, we will trek through a splendid cloud forest, presenting 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 50-100-ft wide ramp that runs from right to left along the cliff face allowing the only easy access to Roraima's summit. In 1884, the British explorer Everard Im Thurn discovered this route. Cloud forest surrounds the vertical wall and is inhabited by an abundance of lovely orchids, lush ferns, palms, woody shrubs and delicate flowers. Around noon, we will be treated with a thin, ribbon-like waterfall, which falls from the crest. There, we will sit down to a relaxing lunch.
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 (5 degrees 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 dinner, we can enjoy the night-time sky. 5 hours hiking. B/ L/ D.
Day 4: Explore Roraima's Summit
We will have the full day to explore the fantasyland atop Roraima. Excursions can 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 (it is prohibited to take one as a souvenir). If you desire, you can take an invigorating swim in an icy blue well.
You will find life atop of Roraima fascinating. The pebble toad that rolls like a ball to escape danger instead of jumping, the carnivorous plants, and many other endemic plant and animal life amaze visitors. 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, arches and pillars of a forgotten and imaginary dynasty, and natural bridges that span narrow chasms. The dominant color is black, created by rock encrusting lichen that covers every bare surface, in all directions. 8 hours hiking. B/ L/ D.
Day 5: Roraima - Tek River Camp
After a good night's rest, it will be time to head back down to the savannah. We will eat lunch at the base of Roraima surrounded by 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 reward after the days-long trek. 6 hours hiking. B/ L/ D.
Day 6: Tek River Camp - Paraytepui Village - Santa Elena
After our last breakfast on trail, we will head for Paraytepui, about four hours away. While waiting for our driver, we will take a lunch. We should arrive at Santa Elena around 4:00 pm. 4 hours hiking, 3 hours by jeep. B/ L.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Pre-departure information
- All transfers and ground transportation
- Accommodations as indicated
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages as indicated
- Bilingual guide
- Park entrance fees
- Camping equipment (as needed)
- First-aid kit
Price does not include:
- International flights or airport departure taxes- Domestic flights (we can arrange them)
- Sleeping bag, other gear, or items of a personal nature
- Meals, alcoholic beverages, tours, or other services not listed on the itinerary
- Tips to local staff, nor any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip such as but not limited to non-refundable airline tickets or insurance or additional expenses encountered as a result of flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections.
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