VENEZUELA: Try Roraima Trek

The Roraima Trek is one of the highlights of Venezuela. Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateaus in South America. Its 31 km2 summit area is defended on all sides by tall cliffs rising 400 metres (1,300 ft). The mountain also serves as the triple border point of Venezuela,Brazil and Guyana, It lies in the southeastern corner of Venezuela's 30,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi) Canaima National Park. Bizarre rock formations, amazing landscapes and unique plants dominate the scenery.

Day 1. Arrival to Caracas- Puerto Ordaz (D)
Arrival to Maiquetia International airport, assistance by our bilingual guide. Who will explain all the details of the expedition .Flight to Puerto Ordaz (45 min). Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner and Overnight.

Day 2. Grand Savannah – Santa Elena (BD)
Breakfast. Departure in four wheel drive vehicles to take the route of Gold seekers and then cross the region of EL DORADO. Forest reserve of Imataca, kilometer 88 and finally Santa Elena de Uairen a gold mining town founded in 1922 by Sr. Peña –a gold prospector who named the town after his first daughter. In Santa Elena you will be able to appreciate the presence of indigenous people and Brazilian influences since is located just minutes from the Brazilian frontier. Overnight in Santa Elena with dinner.

Day 3. Santa Elena - Paraitepuy (5 hours / 12 Km.) (BLD)
Breakfast. We meet with our porters in Paraitepuy: a small indigenous community of the Pemon Indian. Visit the small community. We begin our trek across rolling grassland of the savannah. Crossing several streams we ford the Tek River where we will camp having a fantastic view of the stark face of Roraima ahead and Kukunan Tepuy to its left. From here we can also see the pinnacle of rock next to Roraima, like the one by which Conan Doyle’s heroes climbed to the top. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Trekking in Roraima (5 hours / 12 KMS) (BLD)
Trek across rising savannah to the base of the mountain to camp in a meadow alive with multi-colored birds and fireflies at night, this place is considered in guidebooks as being one of the best campsites in the world ! The Roraima wall is extremely impressive here rising 3,000 feet directly in front of the camp, with the quart in the rock glittering in the late afternoon sun.

Day 5. Trekking in Roraima (5 hours /3 KMS) (BLD)
In the morning we set off up the route that leads diagonally across the face of the Roraima wall. The narrow trail winds through the mountain rainforests and crosses the small streams where hummingbirds, orchids and brightly colored 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 and emerge at the top – looking back for an incredible view. We visit the Valley of Crystals, the river-valley of the Arobopo River shaped like an amphitheater, around which are grouped large dark rounded stone columns. The river itself runs over a bed of crystals and crystal fragments. We visit the northern point of Mount Roraima for stunning views from various points on the edge.

Day 6. Trekking in Roraima (9 hours / 20 Km) (BLD)
We explore Roraima’s summit trekking a long circular route to the triple border point, where Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil meet. 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 in them 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).

Days 7. Trekking in Roraima (6 hours / 14 KMS) (BLD)
In the morning there is still time to explore the surroundings of the Tepuy . Begin the descent from the Tepuy. Overnight

Day 8. Santa Elena de Uairen (BLD)
Breakfast. Walk until reaching Paraitepuy, where a chauffeur will be awaiting you to transfer to a traditional restaurant in the region, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. After living an unforgettable, unique experience, transfer to the posada in Santa Elena. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9. Santa Elena -Puerto Ordaz (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Puerto Ordaz. On the road you will stop to see the highlights of this wonderful path of the Grand Savannah. Transfer to the Hotel. Overnight.

Day 10. Puerto Ordaz- Caracas (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Caracas and continue with your international flight.

fixed departures :Dec 21st, 2015, Dec 25th, 2015, Dec 28th, 2015, Jan 12th, 2016, Jan 17th, 2016, Apr 12th, 2016

Price per one person in Single Room is: US$1575

Price per person base 2-3 pax in Double Room is: US$1250

Included:
 Assistance at the airport in Caracas.
 All private transfers.
 2 nights in Puerto Ordaz with breakfast, dinner and taxes.
 2 nights in Santa Elena with full board.
 5 nights in Roraima Tepuy in tents with all camping equipment, porters for food and equipment while trekking in Roraima. Full board and soft drinks.
 Excursions:
 Trekking to Roraima Tepuy.
 Professional bilingual guide.
 Domestic flights: Caracas - Puerto Ordaz - Caracas

Not included:
 Domestic Airport taxes (3US$ per person/ per flight)
 Personal Porter
 Sleeping Bag
 Insulator
 Lunch on day 2
 Dinner and lunch on day 9

Additional Information:
 Total travel distance: 40-45 km trekking up and the same for the descent.
 You will be able to leave some luggage in Santa Elena. We recommend bringing lock or security device to close the bags.
 The return is made walking to Paraitepuy and then by car to Santa Elena.
 About the visit to Piedra Pintada y Valle de los Cristales: Are located about one hour away (walking) and the group have to start the descent before noon. This can be done if the group is not too tired, most people usually just walk a little around.
 People can bath in rivers and streams along the way; the higher you are, the cooler is the water. (Jacuzzis are the only bath option in the top)
 Food during the trek:
Includes: 5x breakfast with cereal, bread, arepas (typical corn bread), cheese, ham, jam, coffee and juice.
6x light lunches with bread and various salads. 5 x dinners
 Carriers have the equipment and food. We strongly recommend that you carry a food supplement (chocolates, cookies, candies, to recharge)
 Sleeping bags: We recommend people to bring their sleeping bag and padding. Sometimes the ones rented are not in very good condition.
 There is always humidity and nights are cold. The weather at the top of Roraima has been calculated at 4 degrees at dawn. During the day it is usually windy with 21 degrees and humidity. At night, down to 10 or 9 degrees.
 You cannot throw garbage in any area of the National Park.
 In case of a serious emergency of one passenger, the only way out of the national park by helicopter.
 The passengers should have a good physical condition, since some days there are up to 7 or 8 hours of hiking.
 It is possible to hire indigenous carriers to have the backpacks and personal effects. Each one can carry up to 15 kilos at a price of $ 30 per day per carrier. It can be a carrier for 2 people while not exceeding 15 kg luggage

CONTACT: Amazon Adventures

EMAIL: jmc12@amazonadventures.com