Venezuela 🇻🇪 – trek

Angel Falls – one of South America’s most breathtaking sights.

Day 01: CARACAS.
Arrival at Caracas International Airport. Flight to Ciudad Bolívar. Transfer to hotel. Briefing. Overnight.

Day 02: CIUDAD BOLIVAR – CANAIMA – CIUDAD BOLIVAR. In the early morning, after breakfast, we’ll board small Cessna or Jet Stream planes to Canaima Airport (CAJ). During the flight, we’ll witness the fascinating landscapes of the Guiana Highlands. We’ll marvel at the lake formed by the Guri Dam, Venezuela’s most important hydroelectric plant, and the breathtaking green tapestry of the jungle until we glimpse the mysterious flat-topped mountains known as Tepuis. If weather permits, we’ll fly through the Devil’s Canyon (Cañón del Diablo), where we’ll encounter the world’s tallest waterfall—Angel Falls, standing at 978m. Afterward, we’ll land in Canaima, where local guides will welcome us and take us to Canaima Lagoon. Here, we’ll have the chance to sail right up to stunning waterfalls and walk behind the shimmering water curtains of Sapo Falls. After lunch, we’ll fly back to Ciudad Bolivar for overnight accommodation.

Day 03: CIUDAD BOLIVAR – KM 88. A 4WD jeep ride from Ciudad Bolivar to Km 88. Along the way, we’ll pass through various towns, making occasional stops for rest and relaxation. Finally, we’ll arrive at a posada (guesthouse) in the small mining town of Km 88, also known as “Kilometer Eighty-Eight.”

Day 04: KM 88 – PARAITEPUI. We’ll leave Km 88 and head to our first stop—Piedra de la Virgen (Virgin’s Rock), offering a view of a large stone figure resembling the Virgin Mary. We’ll traverse the rainforests of Sierra de Lema, where the contrast between jungle and savanna becomes strikingly clear. At 1,800m, we’ll reach the entrance to La Gran Sabana. Along the way, we’ll take refreshing dips in rivers. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in San Francisco de Yuruani, or Paraitepui, where we’ll prepare for the trek. Overnight in Paraitepui.

Day 05: PARAITEPUI – KUKENAN. After breakfast, we’ll weigh our gear and leave behind any excess items not needed for the trek. It’s recommended to carry no more than 9-11 kg per person. Heavier items can be carried by indigenous porters if necessary. We’ll hike for about 5 hours to the Kukenan River, where we’ll camp overnight. Hiking duration: 5h. Overnight at 1,050m.

Day 06: KUKENAN – BASE CAMP. Leaving the Kukenan River behind, we’ll set off with stunning views of La Gran Sabana (The Great Savannah), an endless plain from which two Precambrian giants rise: Kukenan Tepui and Roraima Tepui. We’ll have lunch along the way. During the hike, we’ll experience temperature shifts due to elevation changes and encounter unique endemic flora found only in this region. Arrival at Base Camp. Overnight in tents. Hiking duration: 8-9h. Overnight at 1,900m.

Day 07: BASE CAMP – HOTEL. At dawn, after a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin our ascent along a 50°-sloped trail known as “La Rampa.” This path is characterized by unique endemic vegetation, high humidity, diverse rock formations, and numerous streams forming small cascades due to constant rain and mist from the Tepui’s summit. Upon reaching the top, we’ll hike for another hour through fascinating wind-eroded rock formations until we reach natural caves that serve as shelters. These caves, known as “Hotels,” will be our refuge for the night. Hiking duration: 6h. Overnight at 2,700m. Average temperature: 16°C.

Day 08: RORAIMA TEPUI. We’ll begin the day exploring the “Lost World,” inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, carrying only essential supplies. In the morning, we’ll visit the “Crystal Valley,” “Cathedral” waterfall, “The Abyss,” and “The Window,” ending with a dip in the icy natural pool known as “Jacuzzi.” After lunch, we’ll continue to the “Crystal Eyes” cave, discovered in 2005, where we’ll learn about its geology, crystal structures, and peculiar formations called “biospeleothems”—some scientists believe these may have extraterrestrial origins. Later, we’ll climb to the summit of Roraima Tepui—the “Maverick” (2,810m), named for its resemblance to the car model—before returning to our “Hotel” for dinner and overnight. Hiking duration: 8-9h. Overnight at 2,600m. Average temperature: 16-20°C.

Day 09: HOTEL – TEK RIVER. We’ll begin our descent, packing up and leaving behind the world’s tallest Tepui—a mystical place steeped in Precambrian legend. We’ll hike down for about four hours to Base Camp for lunch, then continue walking to the Kukenan River. After crossing it, we’ll trek another 40 minutes to the Tek River, where we’ll camp. This riverside camp is especially magical, offering spectacular sunrise views of Kukenan and Roraima Tepui. Hiking duration: 8-9h. Overnight at 1,050m.

Day 10: TEK RIVER – KM 88. We’ll continue our return journey to Paraitepui, where our jeep-driving friends will be waiting to take us back to the mining town of “Kilometer 88.” Here, we’ll have a chance to shower and capture final photographs of this majestic place, which will forever remain in our hearts and memories. Hiking duration: ~4h. A 5-hour drive will take us back through landscapes filled with echoes of an unforgettable adventure.

Day 11: KM 88 – ORINOCO DELTA. Early in the morning, we’ll travel from Km 88 to Boca de Uracoa or San José de Bujas in the Orinoco Delta. Along the way, we’ll cross Venezuela’s largest river—the mighty Orinoco—by ferry, stopping for lunch. We’ll pass through Temblador, a small town known for its oil industry workers, where we can buy fresh fruit for our Delta adventure. Upon arrival in Boca de Uracoa or San José de Bujas, local guides will welcome us and take us by boat through a maze of waterways to our camp. While Roraima was a paradise for geologists, the Orinoco Delta is a paradise for biologists, teeming with incredible flora and fauna. After a welcome toast, we’ll relax and enjoy our first night in beds after days in the mountains. Driving duration: 5-6h. Boat ride: 1h.

Day 12: ORINOCO DELTA. After breakfast, we’ll begin our Delta expedition by visiting a Warao Indigenous village. These inhabitants are known for living in “Palafitos”—stilt houses built above the water. Interestingly, Venezuela (“Little Venice”) got its name from these very houses, which reminded Amerigo Vespucci of Venice when he explored Lake Maracaibo. During our visit, we’ll learn about local flora, medicinal plants, fruits, and the craft of making handicrafts from the Moriche Palm. This palm is vital to the Warao people, providing food, drink, clothing, and even beds—their iconic hammocks are a prime example. Before sunset, we’ll boat to “Isla de Aves” (Bird Island) to observe thousands of birds returning to their roosts, with special attention to scarlet ibises and toucans. We’ll return to camp in the late afternoon, spending the night in hammocks, fully immersed in nature.

Day 13: ORINOCO DELTA. The day begins in rubber boots, ready to explore the flooded jungle. By boat, we’ll venture deep into the dense forest, where Indigenous guides will clear paths with machetes and show us how different trees are used in daily life. We’ll learn about the Temiche Palm (Mannicaria saccifera), whose vines are used for binding and whose coconut water refreshes, as well as the edible fruits of Caña La India (Canna Indica) and Moriche Palm (Mauritia Flexuosa), whose fibers make hammocks and baskets. We’ll also discover fascinating facts about the “Moriche Worm” (Rhynchophorus palmarum) and other plants crucial to local life. After jungle exploration, we’ll try our luck fishing on the Morichal Largo River—maybe even catching a piranha. We’ll return to camp late afternoon, enriched by another unique experience.

Day 14: ORINOCO DELTA – CARACAS. Early in the morning, we’ll boat back to Boca de Uracoa or San José de Bujas to catch a flight from Maturin Airport (MUN) to Maiquetía Airport. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have time to explore Caracas, Venezuela’s vibrant capital. We’ll visit Plaza Bolívar and nearby historic sites, including the birthplace of liberator Simón Bolívar, the National Assembly Palace, El Venezolano Square, and other landmarks. The day ends with a farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: CARACAS. Transfer to Caracas Airport for the flight.