Among the highlights of Venezuela: Angel Falls, the table mountains, the Llanos and Pico Bolivar
Our trekking tour connects the two highest peaks in the country with the Gran Sabana in the south of the country.
Trekking to Roraima, Angel Falls, the Llanos plains, and Mérida with its high peaks of Pico Humboldt and Pico Bolívar is certainly one of the most interesting travel destinations in the Americas. Highlights such as the Orinoco Delta, the Gran Sabana with its table mountains and the world’s longest waterfall (Angel Falls), and the alpine mountains around Mérida are must-sees for any trekking traveler. Wildlife viewing opportunities in the Llanos, Caribbean beaches, and islands like Mochima and Isla Margherita round out the possible itinerary.
Our trekking tour connects the two highest peaks in the country, Pico Humboldt and Pico Bolívar, both nearly 5,000 meters high, with the Gran Sabana in the south. Over six days each, we will climb the table mountain Roraima and the two high peaks above Mérida. Beforehand, we will reach Angel Falls and the Canaima region on an adventurous boat trip. The Sapho Falls, located right in the town of Canaima, are another highlight that we won’t miss. We’ll also visit the Valle de Jasper, a streambed formed by jasper. After visiting places like Ciudad Bolívar, Mérida, Puerto Ordaz, and Santa Elena, the Llanos provide a fitting and exciting finale to the tour. Besides caimans, anacondas, river dolphins, and various turtle species, with a bit of luck, you might even spot anteaters.
Our journey begins and ends in the capital city of Caracas, where we will spend as little time as possible.
Day 1: Arrival in Caracas, Puerto Ordaz
We will be greeted in Caracas and immediately fly to Puerto Ordaz, from where a short transfer of just under two hours to Ciudad Bolívar awaits. We will spend the first night here.
► Airport pickup. Hotel: Posada los Nevados. (-/-/-)
Day 2: Canaima, Sappho Falls
The tour departs tomorrow from Ciudad Bolívar. We will fly to Canaima in a small plane. The flight takes approximately one hour, and on a clear day, you will have breathtaking views of the Gran Sabana. After dropping off our luggage at our accommodation, we will begin exploring the beautiful Canaima Lagoon and the five waterfalls that cascade into it. We’ll take a small boat close to the waterfalls, and at Sappho Falls, we’ll walk behind the enormous curtain of water. Later in the day, we’ll have a hot meal at the hostel by the lagoon, relax, and prepare for the excursion to Angel Falls the following day.
► Flight approx. 45 min. Hike with gentle inclines approx. 3 hrs. Hotel: simple but adequate hostel. (B/-/-)
Day 3: Boat trip to Angel Falls
After a very early, light breakfast, the excursion starts at 6:00 a.m. It’s a 4-hour boat trip along the Carrao River in a motorized canoe. During the dry season, we may have to carry the canoe for a short distance where the water is too shallow. Once we arrive at Devil’s Canyon, we’ll have breathtaking views of the mesas. Then the hike to the waterfalls near Ratoncito Island begins and takes approximately 90 minutes. We arrive at the base of the world’s tallest waterfalls – Angel Falls.
We have lunch by the river and can enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pool that forms at the bottom of the falls. We then hike to the viewpoint overlooking the falls, an elevation gain of approximately 500 meters and a walking time of 3 hours. After having the rest of the day to explore, we enjoy a hot dinner and spend the night in our hammocks at a camp opposite the falls.
► 4-hour boat trip with various stops and short hikes. Camp with hammocks. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Return to Canaima and Ciudad Bolívar
After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Canaima, first on foot and then by boat along the river. We should arrive around 11:00 AM, giving us just enough time for one last swim in the lagoon before our afternoon flight back to Ciudad Bolívar.
► Flight: approximately one hour via Caracas. 4-hour boat trip. Hotel: Posada los Nevados. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Drive to Santa Elena
From Ciudad Bolívar, an exciting and varied drive awaits us through former gold mining towns into the Gran Sabana. Depending on the number of participants, this will be by bus or private vehicle. Overnight stay in Santa Elena.
► Approximately 10-hour drive. Hotel: Posada los Pinos. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Santa Elena – Pareitepuy – Tek Camp
The journey begins early in Santa Elena at 8:00 AM with a 2-3 hour jeep ride to the small village of Pareitepuy, where visitors must register with the national park authority and the porters collect the luggage. After a light lunch, our 4-5 hour hike through the open savanna begins, eventually leading to Tek Camp, where we will spend the night in tents.
► 2-hour drive. 4-5 hours hiking. Short ascents, approx. 300 m elevation gain. Overnight in tents. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Tek Camp – Base Camp
After breakfast, the next 6-hour stage begins. Today we will cross the Tek and Kukenan rivers, which can be a bit challenging if there has been heavy rainfall. Passing through fields of orchids, we will stop at a military camp in the early afternoon for lunch. Afterward, the trail climbs for a few hours until we reach Base Camp at the foot of Mount Roraima at 1800m, where we will spend the second night.
► 6 hours hiking time. Approx. 1000m elevation gain. Overnight in tents. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Base Camp – “La Rampa” Plateau
This is the most challenging day of the trek. After breakfast, we will hike for several hours through lush, beautiful, cloud-shrouded forest to the base of the mountain, marked by a climb of numerous boulders and a waterfall. The trail continues upwards along this natural rock ramp (La Rampa), which winds from right to left through the jungle and uphill. This is the only accessible route to the summit, taking about 90 minutes. After a light lunch, we can begin to look around and enjoy the breathtaking views from 2,700 meters. Tonight, we sleep on the Roraima plateau, sheltered under a natural rock overhang called “Los Hoteles.”
► 6 hours walking time. Approx. 900 meters elevation gain. Overnight in tents. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Summit – Crystal Valley – Triple Point
The Roraima plateau covers approximately 70 square kilometers and features bizarre rock formations, carnivorous plants, and black frogs, which are unique to this ecosystem. After breakfast, we spend about 8 hours exploring the summit while hiking to Crystal Valley. The Triple Point marks the border between Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil; and also the El Pozo waterhole and cave system.
► 8 hours of hiking with many photo stops. Small ascents. Overnight in tents. (B/L/D)
Day 10: Descent to Tek Camp
After breakfast, the descent begins, taking us back through the jungle, across the Gran Savanna and the two rivers, and finally back to Tek Camp. There, after 7-8 hours of hiking, we can enjoy a refreshing swim in the river.
► 7-8 hours of hiking. Approx. 1900 m descent. Overnight in tents. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Pareitpui – Quebrada de Jaspe – Santa Elena
On the last day, we hike back to the village of Pareitpui. Here we say goodbye to the mountain guides. After a few refreshing drinks and lunch, we’ll meet up with the drivers and head back to Santa Elena. On the way, we’ll stop at Quebrada de Jaspe to admire a beautiful natural formation of water and red rocks.
► 3-4 hours walking time. Minor inclines. Hotel Posada los Pinos. (B/L/-)
Day 12: Puerto Ordaz and flight to Merida
Today we begin our return journey to Puerto Ordaz early, which will take approximately 7-8 hours. From there, we fly to La Vigia, the closest airport to Merida. A transfer will then take us to Merida itself.
► 8 hours driving and 1 hour flight. Hotel: Belensate. (B/-/-)
Day 13: Los Nevados
We begin the tour with a four-hour transfer to the village of Los Nevados. We can stroll through the streets of this beautiful town and experience its ancient culture. We will spend the night in a guesthouse.
► 4 hours driving and a short hike (variable). Basic accommodation. (B/L/D)
Day 14: Timoncito
We begin with a 4-hour mule ride to an altitude of 4,000 meters to reach the summit cross. From there, we continue past the Rooster’s Comb rock formations to the last cable car station from Mérida (Pico Espejo). At 4,765 meters, we take a break before continuing to Timoncito, where we will set up camp. Overnight stay to recharge for the next day’s ascent of Pico Bolivar.
► 4-hour ride. Approx. 800 meters ascent and 200 meters descent. Overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 15: Laguna Timoncito – Pico Bolivar
Today, we will reach Venezuela’s highest peak: Pico Bolivar at 5,007 meters. From Laguna Timoncitos, we set off very early for the summit of Pico Bolívar, where we are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Sierra Nevada. Several sections of grade 3 scrambling along the way make the hike somewhat challenging. (4600 m – 5007 m – 4750 m / 2-3 km).
► Approx. 400 m ascent and 300 m descent. Overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 16: Laguna Timoncito – Laguna Verde
From Laguna Timoncito, we head towards our second summit, Pico Humboldt, the second highest mountain in Venezuela, at approximately 4942 meters. We ascend a steep slope called Chomahoma to reach the impressive Pico Humboldt glacier. Passing Laguna El Suero, we are now close to our destination, Laguna Verde. We’ll then set up camp to recharge for the next morning. (4600 m – 4000 m / 7.5 km / 4-7 hours on foot)
► Approx. 600 m descent, plus some ascents. Overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 17: Laguna Verde – Pico Humboldt
From Laguna Verde, we will cross the pass near the white waters of Laguna El Suero and begin our ascent to reach the summit of Pico Humboldt, the second highest mountain in Venezuela. We will then enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sierra Nevada and the Llanos de Barinas. After a break, we will prepare for the descent back to Laguna Verde. (4100m – 4920m – 4300m / 4 km)
► 5-6 hours hiking time. Approx. 900m ascent and 700m descent. Overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 18: Merida – Mucuy
We begin our return to Merida on foot, descending through rock formations and cloud forests to Mucuy, where a jeep will be waiting for us. (4000m – 2130m – 1600m / 15 km / 5-7 hours on foot).
► Approx. 2400m descent. Overnight stay. (B/L/D)
Day 19: Barinas and Llanos
We leave Merida in the morning and head towards the cattle ranch in Los Llanos. Along the way, we pass San Rafael de Mucuchíes (3,140m) and the beautiful village of Mucubbají (3,450m), stopping in a few of the small Andean villages in the Sierra Nevada National Park. As we descend from the Andes to the vast Llanos plains, we’ll notice wildlife all around us. After a lunch break, our tour continues for a few more hours before we arrive at our camp, located near a wildlife sanctuary. We’ll have time to settle in and enjoy some refreshing drinks with the other guests. This will be followed by a light dinner and bedtime in our mosquito nets and hammocks.
► Approx. 3-hour drive to Barinas. Approx. 3-4 hours of driving with various stops and short hikes. Basic accommodation. (B/L/D)
Day 20: River Trip
After breakfast, we begin our river trip. We’ll travel slowly by small boat through the wildlife sanctuary, where we can admire pink dolphins, turtles, and alligators, as well as a wide variety of birds, including ospreys, hoatzins, jacanas, sunbitterns, and black hawks. We’ll also stop to fish for piranhas, the infamous carnivorous fish that has made the rivers of Los Llanos famous. They taste fantastic when fried in garlic: we’ll eat them before they eat us! After a leisurely lunch, we’ll set out in search of caimans and anacondas.
These snakes can grow up to 12 meters long, and their bite can be fatal, but our experienced guides know how to catch and handle them safely, ensuring the safety of both the snakes and our guests! In the evening, after dinner, we can enjoy some refreshing drinks with the other guests before retiring to our comfortable hammocks.
► Approximately 3-4 hours of driving with various stops and short hikes. Basic accommodation. (B/L/D)
Day 21: Savannah, Gallery Forest, Acequias River
After breakfast, our guide will take us through the Savannah Gallery Forest, always on the lookout for animals, birds, and reptiles. He will explain all the characteristics and habits of these local wildlife, as well as the features of life on these plains. After lunch, we will say goodbye to the Hato and continue our journey for a few hours by road to the Acequias River, which rushes down from the foothills of the Andes. We will spend the night at an adventure camp located on the river, where we will have the opportunity to go rafting before dinner.
► Approx. 3-4 hours of driving with various stops and short hikes. Basic accommodation. (B/L/D)
Day 22: Drive to Barinas, Flight to Caracas
We will drive to Barinas and then take a flight to Caracas.
► (F/-/-)