Explore The Wild Treasures of Venezuela’s Lost World
According to the Pemon Indians' myths and legends, Venezuela's Gran Sabana region is scattered with traces of gods, spirits and devils. For those who have a taste for adventure (and we know you do), a trek through this wild and untamed region will be filled with challenging hikes amongst some of the oldest rock formations on earth; observations of some of the world’s rarest plants (including some carnivorous species); and a sensational experience of the world’s highest waterfall... If you want to go big with your travels this year, then Venezuela is bound to tickle your imagination as well as your wanderlust.
Read on to uncover the secrets of the ‘Lost World’.
Mount Roraima: The Mother of All Waters
When travelling through Venezuela’s Gran Sabana region, the first thing you’ll notice is that the landscape is scattered with immense table-top mountains that abruptly rise up from the jungle. These surreal geological phenomena are called ‘tepuis’ – or ‘houses of the Gods’, in the language of the native Pemon Indians. They are stand-alone entities made out of Precambrian quartz arenite sandstone, on which you can find a mind-blowing range of endemic plant and animal species.
The highest tepui in Venezuela is Mount Roraima, dubbed ‘The Mother of all Waters’ by the native population. Ascending it is an experience that you won’t want to miss out on –most tours will take 4 days of hiking for between 5 and 9 hours a day to get to the top and back again.
Top Tip: Schedule in 5 days to climb Mount Roraima if you want to spend a day on the summit plateau. The view is totally worth it.
Angel Falls: Falling from the Devil Mountain
Tumbling from the Devil Mountain, or Auyan-tepui, is the 979m-high Angel Falls, which is in the record books as the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall. It is considered one of the world’s most dazzling natural wonders, and as you look down it from the top of the mountain you won’t be wondering why.
Kukenan: Enter the House of the Dead
The tepui next to Roraima is called Kukenan (named after the river that tumbles off the south side), or Matawi-tepui, which means ‘the house of the dead’. According to the Pemon Indians, this is where the spirits of deceased reside after their death…
The tracks up Kukenan are much harder than those up its neighbour, Mount Roraima, and are only safe to climb for experienced climbers… Do you dare to take the challenge?
WARNING : If you are travelling Venezuela’s Lost World as a backpacker, travel insurance that covers you for all your climbs, hikes and other adrenaline-fuelled adventures is a must. In order to make sure your travel insurance company has your back in case you have an accident or anything gets lost or damaged, get in touch with our team at Let’s Go Insure.
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