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Stretching across the borders of Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana, Roraima Mountain is a perfect destination for adventurous travelers.
Roraima Mountain - known as the 'Lost World'
Roraima Mountain is a spectacular flat-topped mountain surrounded by towering cliffs, creating a floating island in the sky above the Gran Sabana (Great Savannah) region, mostly in southeastern Venezuela. This mountain is the highest peak in the Pakaraima Range in South America. Covered with unique geological formations, flora, and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, the unique mountaintop island is a prehistoric marvel.
Roraima Peak
Roraima Peak is a tepui shared by three countries: Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Tepuis are table-top mountains found in South America, a term meaning 'home of the gods' in the indigenous Pemon language of Gran Sabana. Tepuis are large sandstone blocks rising from the surrounding rainforest, creating spectacular landscapes. Standing at 2810m above sea level, this prominent peak is the highest point in Guyana and among the highest points in Venezuela and Brazil. The flat mountaintop covers an area of 31 square kilometers defined by towering cliffs dropping 400 meters on all sides. Trekking through Venezuela's Gran Sabana, it takes two to three days to ascend Roraima Peak.
Climbing Roraima Peak in Venezuela's Canaima National Park
While traversing the summit, you can reach the tripoint where three countries meet. Roraima Peak is one of 115 tepuis in Venezuela's Gran Sabana region near the border with Guyana and Brazil. Rainfall is almost daily on this mountain peak. The large surface area at the summit forms a massive catchment area for rainwater, creating some magnificent waterfalls on the sheer cliffs surrounding the mountain.
Tabletops are where you can find numerous plant species that exist nowhere else in the world and unique animal species
There are several unique animal and plant species on each tepui because they have evolved entirely isolated on their summits over millennia. 35% of the plants and animals on Roraima Mountain are not found anywhere else. It's fascinating that some carnivorous plant species have thrived on Roraima! One of these insect-eating plants is the beautiful Marsh Pitcher Plant. This plant has large white and red flowers that attract pollinating insects, and once an insect lands on the tube-shaped leaf, it will slip inside like a pitcher full of digestive enzyme mix.
Marsh Pitcher Plant @stingynomads
Roraima Mountain is considered one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back approximately two billion years. Sandstone settled on basalt and eroded over millions of years to form tepuis. The erosion of flat surfaces at the summit has created depressions, further sculpted by rain over time to create fantastic rock formations, caves, and pristine ponds, forming this unique prehistoric landscape.
The path up the mountain from a native village traverses a landscape resembling dry desert, tropical rainforest, and reaches a plateau
Recently, it is said to have inspired Scottish author Arthur Conan Doyle to write the novel The Lost World published in 1912. It's a tale of discovering a prehistoric living world (resembling Roraima) full of dinosaurs and other primitive creatures.
In modern popular culture, the Paradise Falls in Pixar's animated movie Up is believed to be inspired by Roraima Mountain in Brazil.
Hiking up Roraima Mountain
Ascending the mountain is one of the most challenging and exciting hiking adventures for many exploration and mountaineering enthusiasts. The mountain climbing route typically takes from 7 to 9 days.
When you arrive at the airport in Boa Vista, Brazil, grab your bag and head straight to the border, heading to Santa Elena de Uarén, Venezuela. This border town is known as the gateway to the Gran Sabana region where you will meet your hiking guide, enjoy a delicious local meal, and rest at your hostel before the next day's journey. You cannot hike the long route completely independently as a guide is mandatory. There are tour companies in Santa Elena that offer all-inclusive tours; you can also try to find a guide here to lead your own expedition. Tour companies depart from Santa Elena de Uairén, a large town near the border with Brazil.
The village of Santa Elena de Uarén
From Santa Elena to Paratepuy by 4x4, but it's time to drive on rough roads, upstream along the Tek River to reach your first camping site with the backdrop of Roraima and Kukenán mountains.
Mountain camping area @Kevin's Travel Blog
The next day involves crossing the Kukenan River with a stop for a refreshing soak and ascending to your next base camp at Roraima.
Crossing the Kukenan River
Arriving at this base camp marks the beginning of ascending Roraima Mountain. First, cross the Tears Valley with loose rocks making it essential for hikers to tread carefully. Upon reaching the next section, pause to get a panoramic view of Venezuela's savanna, including the entire route you've traversed so far. And finally, head towards the next camping spot.
Roraima Mountain Base Camp
Ascending 900m from the Base Camp at 1900m to the camp at 2800m. The mountain climb is stunning, passing through dense forests, waterfalls, and rocky ascents. The hike takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Camps are set up in mountain caves referred to as hotels. This is fantastic as it rains most days on the mountain. The summit is beautiful, not entirely flat with numerous pools of water and smaller flat-topped hills scattered across the surface.
Mountain ascent route
Plant species found only on the mountain summit
The highlight of the Roraima journey is exploring all the fantastic spots atop this vast plateau!
At the summit of Roraima Mountain is a peculiar, stunning place. Mountaineers will spend all day lounging in natural pools called Jacuzzis, exploring the Valley of Crystal Rocks with quartz-studded stones and La Ventana – a perfect rock outcrop for photo ops. Pause at the tripoint marker and stand in three countries at once, and explore bizarre caves with pink walls and admire El Fosso – a pool with a waterfall inside a pit.
Jacuzzis @PlanetaEXO
Swimming in Jacuzzis bubble pools atop the mountain @VenezuelaVerde
La Ventana Rock
El Fosso @PlanetaEXO
'Maverick Rock' is the highest point on Roraima Mountain and offers a truly breathtaking view. Situated in Venezuela, it is the highest point of the tabletop mountain at an altitude of 2,810 meters. The rock stands near the southwestern edge of the mountain plateau, and many groups only ascend to this rock on the following morning.
Maverick Rock @Trilhando Montanhas
La Grieta is a large crack on the mountain, and the rift created shapes the mountain, making it a fantastic photo spot, just be cautious as there are deep chasms all around.
La Grieta
The tri-country marking point atop the mountain
On the final day of the Roraima mountain hike, glide along the river back to Paratepuy, where guards will swiftly scan your backpacks (nothing is allowed to be taken off the mountain) and a waiting 4x4 will take you back to Santa Elena. Stop for lunch in the village of San Francisco, where you'll find souvenir shops.
Fleurdelys (compiled) – luhanhvietnam.com.vn
Image: Internet
Posted by: Lê Trần Quang Huy
Keywords: Roraima Mountain - mysterious plateau amidst South American rainforest
