|
|
The Gran Sabana is a high plateau enclosed between Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana.
Its prehistoric landscape consists of sheer-sided canyons, impenetrable
forests, savannahs, eerie rock formations and countless streams with
splendid waterfalls. The most awe-some features of the Gran Sabana are the mythical
"Tepuys", high table mountains formed in a time when America and Africa was one continent.
From Santa Elena near the Brazilian border, we drive by 4WD through this magnificent country
to Canaima National Park in the heart of the Gran Sabana, visiting splendid waterfalls,
Indian settlements and sleeping in different places.
The Itinerary
DAY 1:
The expedition starts in El Pauji (from the bird's name "Crax nigra") a totally nontypical
village in the Gran Sabana. Charter flights from Canaima or Ciudad bolivar (around USD 90)
can be organised upon request.
Its population of about 300 is composed of
native Indians, miners, and professionals that decided to leave the big
city in the sixties and live here an alternative life. They have been
joined since then by a number of foreigners from Europe, other Latin American
countries, Canada and USA, giving to that remote corner the claim of being
the most cosmopolitan village in the whole Amazon-Orinoco Bassin! You
appreciate this singularity through the architecture that has been developed
over the years, the local handicraft and the importance of education and
culture in the life of its inhabitants. Small-scale gold and diamond mining,
tourism, handicraft and apiculture are the main economic activities of
the area.
Once in the village we first check-in at our inn (or camp) and have lunch. In
the afternoon we go for a short excursion along the banks of the river
Chaveru to observe the mining process, where gold and diamonds are
extracted the old-fashioned way. On the way back we stop for a
swim in the Pozo Esmeralda, a small natural pool in the middle of
the woods.
(L D).
DAY 2:
After breakfast, a 45 minutes climb up the 1200 meters (3900 feet) high Woipan Tepuy, better known as
The Abyss, rewards us with a spectacular vista over the Amazonian
jungle. We also observe the characteristic flora of the top of
the tepuys. Then we drive towards Santa Elena, stopping en route for a swim in the river.
(B L).
DAY 3:
Early in the morning, we head North on the main highway stopping on the way on the
best spots to take pictures of the savannah and the morichales. We arrive at
San Francisco de Yuruani, the most important
Indian community in the Gran Sabana. We visit the Quebrada de Jaspe
(Jasper Creek), a natural wonder, where at the same time a waterfall and
a stream 10 meters (30 feet) wide and 30 cm (1 foot) deep is flowing on
a bed of Jaspe, a red and yellow semi-precious stone.
Back on the main road, we visit next Quebrada de Pacheco, another nice waterfall,
and Suruape, the best natural pool in the area where
the most intrepid enjoy a natural toboggan of thirty meters long.
We then branch off-road to the viewpoint called El Oso to have fantastic vista
of the chain of the oriental tepuys (tepuy is the Indian name for
these vertical-walled tabletop mountains):
Tramen, Uru, Wadakapiapo, Ivarkarima and Matawi-Tepuy.
We continue directly to Kama Meru, a 63 meters high (205 feet) waterfall.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, we resume our norththward journey.
After a few hours driving, part of it on a dirt road, we arrive at
the Indian village of Ibo-Riwo. After a quick lunch we board
an Indian dugout and start a 30 minutes sail to
Chinak Meru, a spectacular waterfall on the river Aponwao River,
105 meters (345 feet) high. We walk down to the base of the
waterfall, and have a swim in a natural pool.
We cross el Dorado and then drive
into El Callao, which was in 1887 the world's richest gold mining area,
when one ton of material would give one ounce of gold!
After the visit of the gold mine we stop for the night in a little Indian community called
"Rapidos de Kamoiran", and sleep in hammocks.
DAY 5:
After breakfast, we board our vehicle and head East
to Puerto Ordaz, or Ciudad Guayana, an important industrial center on the
mighty Orinoco River: iron ore and bauxite mining, the world's second largest
hydroelectric dam, aluminum plants, etc...
After Las Claritas and San Isidro, the last mining towns, we
climb "La Escalera" from 400 to 1400 meters to what is the end of the
Gran Sabana. We cross a typical cloud forest which is a
preferred area for bird watchers. Finally, we drive through through a cattle farming area,
Upata, Guasipati, and cross the Sierra de Imataca, a great National Forest.
We drop you at your hotel or at the aiport for your flight out.
Recommended Extensions
Would you like to visit Canaima, a magnificent area set into the jungle, and sail to
the base of the Angel Falls, the highest world's waterfall? Please visit
Canaima and Angel Falls Adventures (economic)
or Canaima & Angel Falls (lodge based) programs.
Hikers should consider the Roraima Trek leaving from Santa Elena.
General Information
Read our customers' feedback about this journey.
This tour can also be organised the other way round, from Ciudad Bolivar to El Pauji or
from Ciudad Bolivar to Santa elena or vice versa in 6 days (same price).
Specified excursions are subjected to change depending on local conditions. The order of the visits may be different.
Rated: Easy.
| Tour Tariff - Private Departures | |||||
| N° of Participants | 2-3 | 6+ | |||
| USD | $ 541 | $ 388 | |||
| EUR | € 449 | € 322 | |||
| GBP | £ 303 | £ 217 | |||
Home
French
Venezuela
Bay Islands
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Panama
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile & Easter Island
Colombia
Ecuador
Falklands
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Arctic
Antarctica