Stretching between the three borders of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, Mount Roraima is a perfect destination for adventurous travelers.
Mount Roraima - the place known as "The Lost World"
Mount Roraima is a spectacular flat table-shaped mountain surrounded by towering cliffs that forms an island suspended in the sky above the plains of Gran Sabana (Greater Savannah), a large part of southeastern Venezuela. . This mountain is the highest mountain in the Pakaraima mountain range in South America. Covered with unique structures, animals and plants nowhere else on earth, this unique mountaintop is a prehistoric island.
Mount Roraima is a tepui shared by the three countries of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Tepui is a tabletop mountain found in South America, the word meaning "house of the gods" in the native Permon language of Gran Sabana. Tepuis are large sandstone formations jutting out of the surrounding jungle creating breathtaking views. At 2810m above sea level, this striking peak is the highest point in Guyana and among the highest in Venezuela and Brazil. The flat summit is an area of 31 square kilometers defined by 400-meter-high cliffs that tumble down on all sides. Hiking through Gran Sabana in Venezuela, it takes two to three days to reach the top of Mount Roraima.
While passing through the top of the mountain, you can reach the point of three borders where the three countries meet. Mount Roraima is one of 115 tepuis in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela near the border with the countries of Guyana and Brazil. It rains almost daily on the top of this mountain. The large surface area at the top forms a huge area to catch rainwater creating some spectacular waterfalls on the sheer cliffs surrounding the mountain.
The countertop is where you can find many species of plants that do not exist anywhere in the world and endemic animals.
There are several unique species of flora and fauna per tepuis as the species have evolved completely isolated on top of them over the millennia. 35% of the plants and animals on Mount Roraima are not found anywhere else. It's interesting that some carnivorous plants have grown on Roraima! One of these insect-eating plants is the beautiful Marsh Pitcher Plant. The plant has large red and white flowers that attract pollinators, and once the insect lands on the tubular leaves, it slides into the depths like a vessel filled with a deadly mixture of digestive enzymes.
Marsh Pitcher Plant @stingynomads
Mount Roraima is considered one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back about two billion years. Sandstone settled on igneous rocks and eroded over millions of years to form tepuis. Erosion of the flat surfaces on top has created depressions, which have been further created by rain over time to create the amazing rocks, caves, clear ponds and lakes that form the prehistoric landscape this unique.
The way up the mountain from an indigenous village, it crosses a dry desert-like landscape, rainforest and reaches the plateau
More recently, it is said to have inspired Scottish author Arthur Conan Doyle to write the novel The Lost World published in 1912. This is the story of the discovery of a living prehistoric world (which looks like it). Roraima) is full of dinosaurs and other primitive creatures. .
In modern popular culture, the Paradise Falls in the Pixar animated film Up is said to have been inspired by the Brazilian Mount Roraima.
Hiking Mount Roraima
The journey up the mountain is one of the most difficult and exciting hiking challenges for many adventurers and mountaineers. The climbing route usually takes place from 7 to 9 days.
When you arrive at the airport in Boa Vista, Brazil, pack your bags and head straight for the border, on your way to Santa Elena de Uarén, Venezuela. This border town known as the gateway to the Gran Sabana region is where you'll meet your walking guide, enjoy a delicious local meal and rest at your hostel before your day trip the next day. You can't go hiking completely independently because a guide is required. There are companies in Santa Elena that offer package tours; You can also try to find a guide here to guide your trip. Tour companies depart from Santa Elena de Uairén, a large town near the border with Brazil.
The village of Santa Elena de Uaren
From Santa Elena to Paratepuy by 4x4 but it's time to hit the trails, head up the Tek River to your first campsite with Mount Roraima and Kukenán backdrop.
The next day is a trip across the Kukenan River with a stop for a relaxing dip and uphill to your next Roraima Base Camp.
At the beginning of this base camp it was also time to climb Mount Roraima. First, cross the Valley of Tears where the stones are loose so most hikers have to be careful not to slip. Coming to the next section, pause to get a bird's-eye view of the steppes of Venezuela, including the entire route you've taken so far. And finally, hit the road to the next camping site.
Climb 900m from Base Camp at 1900m to camp at 2800m. Very nice and steep climb going through jungle, waterfalls and rock climbing places. The climb takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. Camps are set up in mountain caves called hotels. This is great because it rains most days in the mountains. The top of the mountain is beautiful, it is not completely flat with many puddles and smaller flat hills dotting the surface.
The highlight of a Roraima trip is discovering all the amazing sites atop this vast plateau!
At the top of Mount Roraima is a strange, beautiful place. Climbers will spend the day floating in the natural pools known as Jacuzzis, exploring the Valley of the Crystals with its quartz-encrusted stones and La Ventana - a perfectly jutting outcrop to take a photo. Stop at the three-border mark and stand in three countries at once and explore the pink-walled whimsical caves and gaze at El Fosso - a waterfall-filled pool inside a hole.
'Maverick Rock' is the highest point on the top of Mount Roraima and the view is breathtaking. Maverick Rock located on the Venezuelan side is the highest point of the tabletop mountain at 2,810 meters. The rock stands upright near the southwestern edge of the mountain plateau, with many groups climbing the rock only the next morning.
La Grieta is a large rift in the mountain and the cleavage creates the mountain, it's a great place to take pictures, just be careful because it's surrounded by deep abysses.
Marker of 3 countries on the top of the mountain
On the last day of the Roraima hike, glide along the river back to Paratepuy, where the guards will quickly scan your backpack (nothing allowed down the mountain) and a 4x4 waiting to bring you back to Santa Elena. Stop for lunch in the village of San Francisco, where you'll find souvenirs.
