Introduction to the Gran Sabana and Mount Roraima
The Gran Sabana
The Gran Sabana is a grassy savannah-like plateau with an elevation of 900-1200 metres. Millions of years of erosion have made this location one of the world’s richest areas for gold and diamond mining. Abounding in natural wonders such as waterfalls, rapids and tropical rainforest, the plentiful wildlife makes the Sabana a naturalist and birdwatcher’s paradise.
Recently tourism, and especially eco-tourism, has made La Gran Sabana the first choice for travellers seeking adventure in the remote areas of its unique geography.
Above the Sabana loom the tepuys, or “Table Mountains” of which Mount Roraima is the most famous. The tepuys are estimated to be over 1,700 million years old. On the tepuys’ lunar-like surface are many plants and animals found no where else on earth. The Auyantepuy, located in Canaima National Park, features the Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall.
Mount Roraima
Mount Roraima is one of the most acclaimed sights in South America. For hundreds of years the mile high flat topped mountain has been inspiring the tales and rumours concerning what actually exists on its summit above the clouds.
In the late sixteenth century, Sir Walter Raleigh first visited the area around Roraima, searching for a civilisation that would make England as rich as the Aztecs had made Spain. He never found one, but he did return home with what were deemed by his peers as wild and outlandish stories about a Crystal Mountain. In his treaties “The Discoveries of the large Rich and Beautiful Empire of Guiana”, Raleigh likened the mountains to “a high church tower. “A large river leaps down from above without touching the mountain’s wall in its descent, as it goes out toward the air and reaches the bottom with a roar and clamour that would be produced by one thousand giant bells striking one another. I believe there does not exist a bigger and more marvelous waterfall in the world,” he said.
Roraima has also made an impression on western literature and thought, influencing such men as Charles Darwin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After the publication of Darwin’s "Origin of Species" there was great public interest in "missing links" and "relic species" preserved by isolation. Roraima’s mysterious summit was an excellent possibility for an area at evolutionary standstill and the last place on earth where dinosaurs could exist. Conan Doyle, fascinated by the descriptions of explorers such as Im Thurm, wrote in 1912 what is considered to be one of the best science fiction novels ever written "The Lost World."
Day 1
Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge, a 150-year-old heritage building which has been converted into a beautiful small hotel.
Day 2
This morning see the highlights of this bustling city on a tour of Georgetown, showing you the unique architecture, markets, zoo and much more. You have the afternoon to prepare equipment for the expedition and relax at leisure.
Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B)
Day 3
We depart Georgetown at 0700hrs and make our way to town of Linden. From Linden it is a 5hrs dusty trip on the Mabura hill road, where you will enter the Konawaruk Mountains. Sightings of Cursow, deer and jaguars are frequent on this road.
We reach Mahdia, where you will change vehicle to an open back 4x4 for a one hour trail drive to Pamela landing on the Potaro River. The real adventure begins with a 2hrs boat trip and walking up the Potaro River to the Amatuk Falls where water rushes over rocks creating natural Jacuzzi’s.
Overnight at Camp Amatuk. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Today you leave by boat and continue upstream from the fall. The river now enters the Kaieteur Gorge and steep mountains rise up on either side to heights of 2,000ft – many of their bare rock faces look like ancient temples. We finally reach our next campsite at the Waratuk Fall where we camp for the night. (B/L/D)
Day 5
After an early breakfast, we begin the last leg of the journey. An 8 hour hike through beautiful rainforest will take you from the Waratuk Fall to Tukiet, at the bottom of the impressive Kaieteur Falls, where we overnight. At this is fabulous campsite you can cool of in the Potaro River and at the same time take in the spectacular view of the gorge. (B/L/D)
Day 6
From Tukeit you ascend the mountain to the top of Kaieteur fall – a 4 hour hike. The ascent winds it way up the mountain through changing vegetation as the altitude rises. You will pass cool mountain streams where it is impossible to continue without a dip.
The final stage of the climb is known as ‘OH MY GOD’ because of its steep trail. But on reaching the top all is forgotten as you catch your glimpse of the mighty Kaieteur. At dusk thousand of swifts gather the sky like dark clouds then plunge into the water of the fall to their nesting site on the rock face behind the fall.
Tonight we sleep at Kaieteur Guest House. (B/L/D)
Day 7
The early morning mist of Kaieteur gives way to a fantastic view of the falls from Johnson View. The golden frog can easily be seen in the giant Bromeliads in this area.
On the plane to Georgetown you get a final, spectacular aerial view of Kaieteur Falls, the gorge and the awe-inspiring expanse of rainforest and rivers below you.
Transfer from airport to Georgetown and overnight at Cara Lodge. (B/L)
Day 8
We fly from Georgetown to Lethem and then cross border to Bon Fim in Brazil to catch the bus to Boa Vista.
At the Brazilian border town La Linea your tour leader is waiting for you and accompanies you on the way to the gold mining town of Santa Elena de Uairen (Venezuelan border town with Brazil). It’s an approximately 20 minutes ride from the Brazilian border.
Overnight at Camp Yakoo. (B/D)
Day 9
We drive to Canaima National Park, which is inhabited by indigenous people of the Pemon tribe. The Canaima National Park is with 30,000 sq. km. the seventh largest National Park in the world. Visit the Jasper waterfalls, where you will be able to appreciate the different tones of colour of this semi-precious rock.
We continue to Paritepuy de Roraima, a small indigenous community of the Pemon Indians, where we will meet our camp porters for the trek. We begin our trek across rolling grassland of the savannah.
After crossing several streams, such as the Tek River and the Kukunan River, we reach the Kukunan campsite and can enjoy a fantastic view of the stark face of Roraima ahead and Kukunana Tepuy to its left. The Kukunan Falls, second tallest in the world (640 metres), should be clearly visible, too, and we can see the pinnacle of rock next to Roraima.
Overnight at Kukunan Campsite. (B/L/D)
Day 10
On a 5 hours trek we cross rising savannah to the base of the mountain to camp in a meadow alive with multi-coloured birds and fireflies at night. The Roraima wall is extremely impressive here as it rises 3,000 feet directly in front of the campsite, with the quartz in the rock glittering in the late afternoon sun. This fascinating campiste is considered as being one of the best campsites in the world! (B/L/D)
Day 11
In the morning we set off along the route that leads diagonally across the face of the Roraima wall (5 hrs, 3km). The narrow trail winds through montane rainforests and crosses small streams where hummingbirds, orchids and brightly coloured flowers are abundant.
Higher up, the vegetation changes to pre-historic tree ferns and the trail leads under a waterfall descending from the cliff edge hundreds of feet above. After 4 -5 hours we arrive at the entrance to the summit, guarded by massive grey rocks.
Here we can look back for an incredible view. We visit the Valley of Crystals, the river-valley of the Arobopo River shaped like an amphitheatre around which are grouped large dark rounded stone columns. The river itself runs over a bed of crystals and crystal fragments. The northern point of Mount Roraima offers us stunning views from various points on the edge.
Overnight on Roraima. (B/L/D)
Day 12
We explore Roraima’s summit trekking a long circular route to the triple border point, where Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil meet (9 hours).
We walk through strange rock formations, surprisingly lush valleys and places where the ground is covered with sparkling quartz crystals. There are rock pools everywhere and you may be lucky enough to see the strange black toads, unique to Mount Roraima. The plant life is bizarre, as over half the species are unique to Tepuys or to Roraima alone, including several species of orchids and carnivorous plants. We also visit the Oil Bird cave (Guacharo bird).
Overnight on Roraima.(B/L/D)
Day 13
In the morning there is still time to explore some more before we descend to the base and continue to the campsite at Tek River, where we overnight (8 hours). (B/L/D)
Day 14
We complete the 4 hour return to Paratepuy and our driver with welcomed fresh supplies of beer, soft drinks and a large lunch. We say good-bye to our camp porters and set off to Santa Elena de Uairen where we return Camp Yakoo. (B/L/D)
Day 15
Transfer to the Brazilian border town La Linea and from there we continue to Lethem, Guyana. Overnight at Savannah Inn. (B/L)
Day 16
Fly from Lethem to Georgetown. Transfer to airport for departing international flight. (B)
Please explore our many Guyana options, from a jungle trek to the Kaieteur Falls or a group Wildlife and Wilderness trip.
Then we have a stunning Guyana Highlights or for birdwatchers, check out our Guyana birdwatching options.
You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.
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