Attractions of Venezuela

Angel Falls

Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfalls at 980 metres, are located in Canaima National Park in south-eastern Venezuela. The Falls are a spectacular sight as the water plummets downwards off the cliff of the table mountain Auyantepui and vaporises in mid-air before settling in the pool below. Only discovered by outsiders for the first time in 1937 by American aviator Jimmie Angel, the Falls' remoteness adds to their appeal. They can only be reached by a two or three day trip on motorised canoe from the Indian settlements of Canaima or Kamarata, both of which are only accessible by air, with the journey only possible in the wet season. After sailing around Auyantepui and into the Devil's Canyon, a short hike through rainforest takes you to the base of the Falls to view the stunning scale of the cataract and, if water levels aren't too high, to bathe in its pool. On the way back to Canaima lie the broad Sapo Falls where it's possible to walk on a path behind the curtain of water and experience the stunning power of the cataract. A quicker way to see Angel Falls is to take a flight from Ciudad Bolivar for a panoramic view of them and their surroundings, though frequent cloud cover can make sightings difficult.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Canaima National Park

Mount Roraima

The table mountains, known as tepuis, in the Gran Sabana of south-eastern Venezuela are a remarkable natural phenomenon that provide one of the great trekking challenges in South America. Mount Roraima is the highest of the tepuis at 2,835 metres, located close to the triple frontier with Brazil and Guyana. It was first climbed by British explorers Everard Thum and Harry Perkins in 1884, whose description of the mountain inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write his classic novel 'The Lost World'. Most of the plant life here is endemic to the region, evolving in complete isolation for millennia, though no dinosaurs have yet been found. The standard Roraima trek takes 6 days from Santa Elena, starting with a 2 day hike to the base camp from the Pemon Indian settlement of Peraitepui where porters and guides can be hired. The hike to base camp involves fording two rivers but is rewarded with beautiful views of Roraima and Kukenan Tepui, the adjacent table mountain, from which falls the world's second highest waterfall in the rainy season. The strenuous ascent though rainforest to the cliff edge and then up along a natural ramp, takes 3-5 hours. The summit is a bizarre world of black moss-covered pillars, strange rock formations, ravines, quartz crystals and the unique flora, a truly memorable experience. Most groups spend two nights camping on top of Roraima and when the clouds clear, there are stunning views of the Gran Sabana, Kukenan and the northern section of Roraima.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Canaima National Park

Los Llanos, or The Plains, occupy about one-third of Venezuela's territory between the Andes and the Orinoco Delta. This is Venezuela's Wild West, a land of cowboys, huge cattle ranches and a diversity of wildlife that is amongst the best in the world. Staying at cattle ranches or camping out under the stars, the region can be explored by jeep or canoe (depending on water levels). Some of the species to look out for are alligator, Orinoco crocodile, giant anteater, anaconda, capabari, turtle, freshwater dolphin, armadillo, jaguar, ocelots and honey bears. The hundreds of bird species include scarlet ibis, hoatzin, screamer, soldier stork and spoonbill.

The Orinoco Delta is the north-east of Venezuela is a maze of creeks and channels that form one of the largest and most remote wetland areas on earth. It is home to the Warao Indians who have preserved much of their ancient culture. They live in stilt houses called palafitos, connected by walkways, and travel the Delta on dugout canoes, living by fishing and the cultivation of jungle clearings. The Mareche tree is used by the Warao to make their houses and hammocks and the pulp of the tree is used to make a sticky bread delicacy. Travelling through the Delta and staying in Warao villages allows you to experience their way of life and appreciate the pristine natural landscapes, waterways and mangrove forests of the Delta region. The wetlands are home to a variety of bird and animal life including capuchin and howler monkeys, river dolphins, piranhas and anacondas.

Henri Pittier National Park is located west of Caracas and covers over 1,000 km² that stretches from the Caribbean beaches inland to mountainous cloud forest. The diverse habitats make it a haven for wildlife including deer, ocelot, armadillo, opossum, monkey and puma and huge numbers of bird species. The coast has numerous small villages and secluded beaches, many of which are only accessible by boat, making it an excellent spot to relax after exploring the rest of the country.