Angel Falls
Table of Contents: Culture and History / History / Landscape / Flora and fauna / Climate / Travel to Angel Falls, visa requirements / Fees.2FPermits / Get around / City tours / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Angel Falls nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Lodging / Camping More from Canaima National Park: Angel Falls More from Gran Sabana: Canaima National Park |
Angel Falls, called Kerepakupai-merú by the indigenous people, is in Canaima National Park of Venezuela.
Culture and History
Angel Falls or Salto Ángel is the world's highest waterfall, dropping a total of 978m from the summit of the Auyan Tepuy, and with an 807m uninterrupted drop.
History
In 1937 pilot Jimmy Angel landed on the Auyan Tepuy in search of iron ore. Unfortunately his plane got stuck and he wasn't able to take off. After 11 days he made it to Kamarata. His plane was later recovered and can be seen in front of the airport at Ciudad Bolivar.
Landscape
Angel Falls is situated in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela. The periphery of this area is filled with grasslands, whereas deeper into the Gran Sabana one finds dense jungle. This part of the world is remarkable for its numerous tepuy, which are flat-topped mountains with flat walls. Angel falls is located on the side of an extremely large and high tepuy known as Auyan Tepuy.
Flora and fauna
There is an incredible variety of tropical wildlife in the area, including monkeys, poison arrow frogs and hundreds of species of orchids. Aside from the monkeys, mammals in the area are generally difficult to spot but include giant anteaters, armadillos, porcupines, three-toed sloths, otters, jaguars, pumas, tapirs and capybaras.
Climate
Tropical, with frequent rainstorms. The driest time of year - when the Falls may be just a trickle - is from December to April.
Travel to Angel Falls, visa requirements
In principle one can charter a plane to Canaima, and then try to organize oneself to get to the falls. In practice, the simplest thing to do is sign up for a tour that takes care of the details. If you book a tour from your home country, it is likely to be rather expensive. Similarly, booking a tour from Caracas will cost more. It is cheapest to book a tour from Ciudad Bolivar. Nearly all the angel falls tours operate out of this city, and their prices include the cost of a plane that flies from Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima. Expect to pay between Bs. 500,000 and 600,000 (approximately US$ 250) for a three-day tour that brings you to the falls. More expensive tours may include a flight that takes you right over the falls.
A typical tour will include the flight to Canaima, and then three days of meals and (very simple and rustic) accommodation at the various campsites along the river towards the falls. Boat rides along with sections of hiking are required to get to the campsites. Tour guides typically speak spanish and english.
Fees/Permits
Angel Falls is deep within the National Park. When first entering the park (at the airport in Canaima) one must pay the park entrance fee of Bs. 8000 (US$ 4).
Get around
The small settlement of Canaima is negotiable by foot. Trips up to the Falls, however, will be in a dugout canoe, or curiara. The 30-minute or so walk from the closest point on the river to the base of the Falls is not easy going because of large tree roots on the path and visitors are advised to take sports shoes or suchlike for this hike.
City tours
The trip towards the fall itself has many attractions. The boat rides and walks through the jungle offer a unique view of Venezuelan flora, fauna, and terrain. If the water flow is mild enough, you can swim in the small pool that forms below the falls.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Simple food will be provided by your tour company.
Angel Falls nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Drinking the water at the falls is recommended.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
See some tours with lodging on the Canaima National Park page.
Lodging
Camping
Camping is NOT allowed in any circumstances. They are very strict about that.
More from Canaima National Park: Angel Falls More from Gran Sabana: Canaima National Park |
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
