Condor Journeys - Gran Sabana Eco Tour - Canaima

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. This trip provides a good overview of the various ecosystems of the Gran Sabana, walking and camping off the beaten tracks.
We have the opportunity to share some time with the original inhabitants of the Gran Sabana, the Pemon Indians, learning about their history, culture and actual situation. We will also identify the most important species of the flora and fauna endemic to the area.

DAY 1 We leave Sta-Elena de Uairen early in the morning in a 4x4 vehicle to reach Kawi-meru, distant 120 km (75 miles). We enter The Canaima National Park, the world's fifth largest National Park and cross the Kukenan River, 20 minutes from Sta-Elena. After two more hours driving across savannahs, palm trees and table top mountains (tepuys in Indian language), we reach Kawi-meru, a series of small and beautiful waterfalls and natural pools among Jasper boulders, where we have time to take a refreshing bath.
From Kaui, it is about 4 hours hiking through a grass savannah, dominated by the bunch grasses Trachypogon plumosus and Axonopus pruinosus and other families, up to an Indian "conuco" (a small patch cleared up by the Indians in the forest and where they grow their staples, manioc, bananas, etc.) where we set up the campsite for the night. During our walk, we are able to identify endemic species thanks to our knowledgeable guide. Time permitting, we hike through a gallery forest down to a small waterfall about 20 meters high on a bed of black rocks. (LD)

Chinak meru - Gran Sabana - Venezuela

DAY 2
Today, this is a 5 hours hike to reach an Indian community on the Aponwao River. After an hour walking across the savannah, we enter a gallery forest where we identify the most important species of that ecosystem, among them the Tacamajaca, a legendary tree with medicinal properties. We also have the opportunity to observe many birds.
Once in the village, we are received by the chief who offers us "kachiri", a traditional drink of the Pemon, based on the fermentation of manioc. We are then allowed to walk across the village, observing the life style of the Pemon Indians and share experiences with them. At dinner time, depending on the number of people in the village on that day, we may taste Indian meals, such as a spicy "tuma", a fish soup with "casabe" manioc bread, "kumache" hot sauce with "bachaco" ants or hunting products that they may have on their menu, agouti, deer, etc. We then go to bed in an Indian churuata, a hut made of mud walls and moriche palm leaves as roof. (BLD)

Aponwao - Gran Sabana - Venezuela

DAY 3
After breakfast, we board a curiara (local dugout canoe) and sail upstream the Aponwao River, an important affluent of the Caroni River, itself the main affluent of the Orinoco River. Our navigation takes between 3 and 5 hours depending on the water level, current and the endurance of our Indian paddlers... We have to disembark at some point to help the canoe come across rapids. Our final destination is Chinak-meru, a very touristic, 106 meters high waterfall (350 feet). We have to leave the canoe at Wanek-meru, a strong rapid blocking our way to Chinak. We then hike for about fifty minutes across a totally different type of savannah, sub-tepuy vegetation. We set up our campsite at the top of the waterfall. We hear the sound of the falling water all night long.(BLD)

DAY 4
Today we cross a third type of savannah, the herbaceous savannah, also called meadows, which are a more complex ecosystem composed mainly of wide-bladed herbs such as Stegolepis and Brocchinia. These plants are related to the flora of the tepui summits. On our way if weather is clear, we have a look on Sororopan and P-tari tepuy.
At the end of our hike, we observe the effects of a forest fire which occurred almost a century ago. We end our trip in an Indian village alongside the highway where our vehicles waiting for us to bring us back to Sta-Elena.

Day 5 To also enjoy the most popular and awesome waterfalls of the Gran Sabana, we recommend adding a fifth day. On the first day in 4x4 we then stop at the most popular attractions on the way to Kawi: Jasper Creek, or Kako-paru in Indian language, Soruape, lunch and swim at the most popular natural pool El Oso, great view of the chain of the Oriental tepuis (Tramen, Karaurin, Ilu, Wadakapiapo, Ivarkarima to Matawi and Roraima), Kama-meru, a 60 meters (200 feet) waterfall and finally Kawi-meru, where we stop and camp for the night, starting the hike the following morning.

Rated: Easy.

Specified excursions are subjected to change depending on local conditions. The order of the visits may be different.

There are porters for the food and camping equipment. You carry your personal gear including sleeping bag.

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4
USD	$ 350	$ 350	$ 318
EUR	€ 291	€ 291	€ 264
GBP	£ 196	£ 196	£ 178

(*) Price last updated on 28 June 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request
(**) For a 5 day tour, add around USD 80 / GBP 50 / EUR 70
(***) This tour can also end in Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar, thus avoiding to fly.

Included: All land and river transportation, accommodation in camp or in hammock in native communities, meals mentioned, park entrance fees, bilingual experienced guide.

Not included: Other meals, tips, sleeping bags

Gran Sabana Eco Tour

"Canaima National Park - Venezuela"