Spectacular Angel Falls, Venezuela

Venezuela’s spectacular Angel Falls – an extreme adventure to the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world.

Why Venezuela?

After buying a boat in the US and sailing in the Caribbean down to Venezuela back in 2008, I was lucky enough to squeeze in some travel to the unforgettable Angel Falls. By no means is this wilderness an easy destination, although the memory will remain with you forever…

With Reality safely berthed in a marina in Puerto Cabello, it’s time to start the long travel to the Canaima National Park. With only a sketchy idea of what’s involved to travel to Angel Falls and no itinerary, we’re hoping to book a tour along the way.


Puerto Cabello to Caracas

Puerto Cabello to Caracas, Venezuela, South America

A little way from the marina in Puerto Cabello, the rustic local bus arrives. The journey to Caracas takes almost three hours. Expect many undesignated stops along the way for passengers.

Arriving at the busy bus terminal in Caracas, we scout around for overnight buses to Cuidad Bolivar. If you can handle it, an overnighter is a great way to save on a night’s accommodation.


Caracas to Cuidad Bolivar

Caracas to Cuidad Bolivar, Venezuela, South America

Taking the dodgy and uncomfortable overnight bus from Caracas to Cuidad Bolivar, you arrive at your destination around 12 hours later, if all goes to plan.

Without time to explore much of Cuidad Bolivar, we do manage to book a 3-day tour for Angel Falls.

Much prefer booking with a local company so that the money stays in the country and hopefully goes to locals. Typically, indigenous guides are used for Angel Falls as their knowledge of the riverways is far more superior.


Cuidad Bolivar to Canaima: Day 1

Cuidad Bolivar to Canaima, Venezuela, South America

From Tomás de Heres airport in Ciudad Bolivar, the next travel leg takes just over an hour in a 6-seater worn Cessna to the Aeropuerto Parque Nacional Canaima National Park.

One passenger trembles with fright as the flimsy plane wobbles along the airstrip whilst picking up speed, before finally taking off.

Not wanting to look out of the window for the duration of the flight, the frightened passenger is happy to mask her face tightly between her hands. Such a shame as even through the smoky glass, the aerial vistas across a sliver of south-eastern Venezuela’s 3-million-hectare national park that spreads to the borders of Guyana and Brazil are fabulous.

Flying at this low altitude of around 5000 to 6000 feet provides wonderful unfolding landscapes of the arid Gran Sabana to the lush jungle beyond.

Cuidad Bolivar to Canaima, Venezuela, South America

My small compact camera doesn’t do this scenery or the Caroní River’s cascading falls justice. This mighty river flows 952 kilometres from Kukenán-tepui (flat-topped mountain) to its confluence with the River Orinoco.

Cuidad Bolivar to Canaima, Venezuela, South America

But the best is yet to come…

Canaima

Landing in this steamy jungle village, our young local guide meets us at the airport to take us to the basic but clean hostel.

The indigenous Pemón Village of Canaima is the base for all tours and treks to the falls, so we’re spending the first night in this isolated town, which is not reachable by road.

Take a stroll through this sleepy village and you may bump into Pemónes – indigenous locals – stringing together coconut fibres for roofing…

Canaima, Venezuela, South America

…or gaze at inquisitive vibrant-coloured exotic parrots…

parrot, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

…before heading out to explore Canaima Lagoon for the afternoon, which is part of the tour.

Canaima Lagoon

Striking Canaima Lagoon is surrounded by a series of seven picturesque waterfalls, framed by beautiful beaches, and back-dropped with Tepuis (table-top mountains) – this can easily be a movie scene.

Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America

Gliding through the tea-stained calm lagoon waters in a motorised Curiara – dug-out canoe – it’s not long before we hit a choppy wake from the force of the fabulous Ucaima, Guaraima, and Hacha Falls.

Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America
Photo credit: Colin Palmer

Soaring flat-topped mountains carved into the landscape through millennia unfold emotive moving horizons…each as breathtaking as the next.

Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America

Salto El Sapo (Frog Falls)

Continuing on this remarkable afternoon frolic around sublime waterfalls, Sapo is where things get exciting…

An easy 10-minute walk from the river between the savanna and jungle, the impressive Salto Sapo comes into view. Thinking it’s not possible to get close to Sapo let alone wander behind this curtain of thunderous water, our guide encourages us along.

Salto El Sapo, Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America

Eerie darkness surrounds you whilst walking gingerly on slippery worn stones, entering behind the falls’ curtain. The incredible force of the icy spray and water roaring in your face is so loud and strong that you can’t hear yourself scream – totally exhilarating!

It’s a good time to mention that the name Sapo is after the tiny yellow and black poison-arrowed frog named Sapito Minero, which still lives close to the falls – comforting.

Salto El Sapo, Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America
Photo credit: Colin Palmer

Once you emerge from the 40-metre high falls, everyone takes the obligatory photos before heading back into the blackness – there’s only one way back out again…

Salto El Sapo, Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America

…an unbelievable afternoon before heading back to the hostel for some much-deserved delectable traditional food.


Canaima to Angel Falls: Day 2

Canaima Lagoon to Angel Falls, Venezuela, South America

Beyond excited as today is the start of the actual trek to the falls.

Wandering down to the port once more, our guide and boatman are happily waiting.

Settling in on the Curiara’s hard wooden bench-like seat and donning our lifejackets, the motor is cranked and we head up the Río Carrao for the 4 to 5-hour journey.

To miss the rough Los Rápidos de Mayupa, we take a welcomed 20-minute stroll stretching the old legs to the other side…

Los Rápidos de Mayupa, Venezuela, South America
…passing an indigenous shop to pick up our guide and canoe once more.

Los Rápidos de Mayupa, Venezuela, South America
The lull of the river and hum of the motor would make you sleepy on quiet sections of the river if there wasn’t such stunning scenery to absorb.

Continuing to the Pozo de la Felicidad fall for a quick lunch stop and a dip in the icy cold waters, we continue this extraordinary journey along the Rio Churún.

Pozo de la Felicidad, Canaima, Venezuela, South America
It’s not long before the river churns with rapids again but our skilled crew navigate the treacherous waters.

Imposing mountains and soaring cliffs haunt us as we turn every bend of the snakelike river…

Canaima, Venezuela, South America
…turning into the Rio Kerepakupai Merú for a little while longer in the dugout, our sore backsides welcome our covert campsite finally coming into view after 5 hours. Nestled within the thick selva (jungle), this is home for the night.

Jungle campsite

The concrete slab, tin roof, no walls, cooks, and helpers wait for several tour groups including ours to arrive.

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America
Dropping gear off beneath our comfortable hammocks…

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

…our group takes a quick walk to the pebble riverbank just minutes from the campsite to catch a glimpse of the natural splendour that awaits…

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Camping in the jungle is never comfortable and always open to the elements.

At least mosquito nets attached to the 60 hammocks in this campsite deter nasty bites. Only outdoor cold-water showers are provided but in this steamy environment, no one complains.

campsite, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America
Marvellous meals of succulent chicken cooked over an open smoky BBQ jungle-style are simply delicious.

campsite, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

The crude camp’s kitchen is where magic is created for hungry travellers ready to devour everything in sight. Freshly made golden arepas (corn flour pancakes) and wonderful tasty rice accompanies the tender BBQ chicken. Flasks of good coffee are filled continuously.

campsite, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

The campsite mascot arrives in the evening hoping to feed on left-over goodness.

campsite, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Last night can only be described as uncomfortable with the annoying sound of hundreds of hungry mozzies (mosquitoes) buzzing around my ears throughout the night.

I don’t find sleeping in a hammock very comfortable, although the distant sound of the falls pounding down to the earth is remarkable.

Mirador Laime – spectacular Angel Falls

After a warming breakfast of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee, our group starts the greatly anticipated 90-minute trek to the first and most popular lookout at the foot of Angel Falls: Mirador Laime, named after the first explorer to cut the trail to the top.

Clambering up boulders and over the jungle’s slippery relentless tangled roots, whilst grabbing at tree trunks isn’t easy…

Mirador Laime, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

…but manage to trek up the 400-metres without breaking anything to arrive at the base of the majestic falls for a sensational taste.

Mirador Laime, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

It’s not often that I’m lost for words. But, this surreal and otherworldly natural phenomena forces you into a state of awe and silence.

Angel Falls in English. Salto Ángel in Spanish. In the Pemón language, it’s Kerepakupai Meru – “waterfall of the deepest place” or Parakupá Vená – “the fall from the highest point”. Regardless of name or meaning, it’s mesmerising!

Mirador Laime, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Nothing can prepare you for the thunderous noise of the falls spilling over ancient Auyantepui’s (Devil’s Mountain) carved vertical cliff, crashing down 979 metres into the Cañon del Diablo. During the wet season, the drop increases to 1,015 metres high – more than one kilometre. Hard to fathom?

Mirador Laime, Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Our great indigenous guide wants to provide an even more memorable experience so we trek another 450-metres for a higher vantage point. Sadly, I don’t remember our guide’s name and think the second mirador is named the ‘Japanese Lookout’ – can anyone confirm this for me?

Today, Channel 9’s Getaway Travel Show is also filming a documentary for the folks back home in Australia. Although this video was available up until a few years ago, it’s now removed.

This brief video provides a snippet of the extraordinary experience, should you wish to indulge in this adventure…

…that just keeps unveiling fantastic panoramas.

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Partly shrouded, plummeting deep into the lush green forest below, towering Angel Falls is mind-blowing.

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Leaving base camp for Canaima: Day 3

Another early start sees us packing up our few belongings for the trip out of this magical dreamlike wilderness.

Raiders of the Lost Ark comes to mind whilst travelling once more down the Río Carrao absorbing the dramatic surrounding panoramas of this breathtaking ‘lost world’, which also inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for his novel with a similar title.

Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

Another quick stroll across the expansive sun-drenched Gran Sabana before waiting for the canoe with our gear, to continue down the Río Carrao from Los Rápidos de Mayupa.

Gran Sabana, Canaima, Venezuela, South America

After several hours on the river, we arrive back at the tranquil lagoon. A glorious dusk ends an unbelievable journey to the extreme destination of Angel Falls. Everyone should make the effort to visit the falls in their lifetime!

Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela, South America

Visit Nilla’s Photography for more images. More posts on Venezuela at Image Earth Travel.

Note: All photos by Nilla’s Photography unless otherwise mentioned. No part of this post was composed with the help of ChatGPT or AI.

55 responses to “Spectacular Angel Falls, Venezuela”

  1. […] in the world and not easy to get to either – very challenging. I dedicated a post on Angel Falls and would love to return one […]

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you Poorwa for the interview opportunity, it was fun!

  2. Lisa Dorenfest ~ One Ocean At A Time Avatar

    Thank you for taking me on this fantabulous journey. The story unfolded beautifully and kept me hooked the entire way. How I hope that a visit to Angel Falls in my future. May the world know peace and health again soon!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hey Lisa, so glad you enjoyed this story of a spectacular destination. I need to re-visit Venezuela and stay a while longer.
      Weird, I had to rescue this comment from my Trash folder – for some reason WordPress thought you were dodgy!
      Hope that the globe calms down soon…

  3. nitinsingh Avatar

    You discover v different Venezuela ( media full of Venezuela for different?😢😢 informative,thnx to share n nice journey 😁😁

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you!
      Yes, I like to go on unusual destinations or off-the-beaten-path. This was travel in 2008, so tragically, it’s a very different country today.

  4. Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers Avatar

    Wow! Great post you have here on the falls! Venezuela is high on our bucket list for us to visit. Especially since we are so close living here in Colombia. Like you we are also former sailors. We will follow here and on Instagram.
    Cheers!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hi John and Susan, many thanks for the great feedback!
      I’ve only been to Leticia in Colombia whilst on a 3-day Barge and 12-hour speedboat trip to the tri-border. Would love to travel through Colombia. I have a couple of good friends in and near Bogata so have not excuse not to go.
      Thanks for the follow and I’ll pop over and see what you guys have been up to… 😉

      I’m not on Instagram, thanks again, Nilla

  5. […] Spectacular Angel Falls, Venezuela – Image Earth Travelhttps://imageearthtravel.com/2019/10/20/angel-falls-venezuela/ […]

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Many thanks for the re-blog Felipe!

  6. Felipe Adan Lerma Avatar

    This is a full onslaught visual and descriptive immersion! Wonderful! So glad ya’ll pointed me to this from another post – thank u! And I can’t get over how close, relative to the US, this is! ❤️

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hi Felipe, thank you for the grea feedback!

      Happy that you enjoyed my post and photos as much as I enjoyed this trek, it really is incredible and hope that one day you get to Angel Falls.
      Yes, Venezuela is so close to the US, it’s such a shame it’s going through an awful period.

      1. Felipe Adan Lerma Avatar

        It is! It’ll be good when we can re-establish good relations w/our southern neighbors again; a whole beautiful other world to explore. Don’t know if we’ll ever make it to Angel Falls, wife & I are seniors, but I saw / read they have the gondolas etc; that’d make a huge difference; but I’ll have to tell my son ‘bout it; he & the two daughters still enjoy exploring!

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Hope that’s soon for Venezuela as it’s crippling the country. In the end, it’s the average person and the poor that suffer the greatest.
        I didn’t know about the gondolas but by now, there would be a better way to get there I would imagine.
        Please do spread the news about Angel Falls as think it’s still relatively unknown and share this post with your son, daughters, and anyone else you think would seek a fantastic adventure as this one.

      3. Felipe Adan Lerma Avatar

        Will be very glad to! 😊 And gonna aim to reblog Sat or Sun 😊

      4. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Thank you – much appreciated! 🙂

      5. Felipe Adan Lerma Avatar

        Big smile 😊

  7. J.D. Riso Avatar

    Just magnificent. Our planet is such a gift. Love the photos, but that video took my breath away.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Magnificent it a great word for Angel Falls – it’s an incredible area in Venezuela! Just wish humanity would look after our world better…
      I used a small compact camera to video so don’t think it did the falls justice really.

  8. Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad Avatar

    Ahhhh it’s the Up waterfall!!! Your photos of it are AMAZING, and this is somewhere I’d love to see one day but one of the few places (that I want to see) that I’m pretty sure I won’t.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you for the great feedback!
      I hope that you get to Angel Falls – it’s incredible and I’d love to return.

  9. LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia Avatar

    Those falls are UNREAL! I love waterfalls, they are so beautiful and fascinating – beautiful yet dangerous, the wonders of nature!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Exactly! It’s an unreal part of our globe and one that should be looked after as a natural treasure, although humanity should be looking after our planet regardless of the country.

      It breaks my heart that Venezuela is going through such turmoil and locals are fleeing their country in the millions…

  10. gillmorris Avatar

    Simply stunning! Would love to see Angel Falls up close. Your photos are fab! xx

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thanks Gill for the great feedback! You’d love it I’m sure…too many places to see in one’s lifetime…

  11. the eternal traveller Avatar

    Stunning photos!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you!
      Wish I’d had my ‘Beast’ to take photos with at the time as think I could have done the falls much better justice…next time. 😉

  12. Seraja Avatar

    Lovely post and pictures ❤️

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you for the great feedback and stopping by!

      1. Seraja Avatar

        Your welcome ❤️❤️❤️

  13. Dave Ply Avatar

    I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anywhere you haven’t been. 😏 Angel Falls, I fear, is a place I’ll never see in person. At least you’ve helped us enjoy it vicariously.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Ha, ha, Dave, wish I could say that I’ve been to every country or even every continent, but alas, I can’t not yet anyway. 😉
      Angel Falls is one destination that’s seared into my psyche as it’s such an incredibly stunning natural wonder.
      Too many places to see and only a lifetime to do it all in…

  14. RawanALRashed. Avatar

    Really nice I enjoy reading this one, and can you help me with my travel blog,just started it,how I can add my YouTube channel here?

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hi, many thanks for leaving me your feedback – much appreciated.
      This depends on your theme and where within your site you’d like to add your YouTube channel. I’m not familiar with your theme so the best thing to do is contact your theme’s support or read the documentation that comes with your theme. 🙂

      1. RawanALRashed. Avatar

        My theme have a twitter,Facebook linked,but can’t find a YouTube link to it🤦🏻‍♀️

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        I’m not sure what to suggest as it may not support YouTube (but would be surprising) or you may need to create the link through the WordPress settings. It’s best that you ask your theme’s support, otherwise you can spend hours trying to get things to work.

      3. RawanALRashed. Avatar

        Thank you so much❤

      4. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        No problem. I created mine in the nav menu but my theme supports this, yours may or may not but also depends on where on your site you want to place the link.
        Good luck with setting up your site! 🙂

      5. RawanALRashed. Avatar

        Can I know the name of your theme?

      6. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Sure, it’s Baskerville 2 but I’ve heavily customised my theme with CSS so it’s no longer exactly what you see out of the box. My previous theme that looked similar was Visual but WordPress retired the theme so no longer supported – this forced me to change in February this year.

      7. RawanALRashed. Avatar

        Then I might stick with this one

  15. aliterarybent Avatar

    What absolutely stunning waterfalls. Beautiful.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you Mal and it was definitely a stunning region of Venezuela! Would love to return.
      Many thanks for your feedback. 🙂

  16. Puzzles of the Soul Avatar

    Fabulous, breath taking, incredible Waterfalls, what an experience, thank you for sharing this amazing experience the photos all exquisite. Could almost breathe in the spray.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you for your wonderful feedback – you’ve made my day!
      Although this was in 2008, I wanted to share this experience as it’s so unique and incredible – I don’t think many travellers get to Angel Falls.

      1. Puzzles of the Soul Avatar

        Your welcome I realised it was 2008 it is unique and rare experience,

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Cool, yes it was and I’d love to do it again but think that at the moment, Venezuela isn’t too safe. Would love to hear from anyone that’s travelled there recently…

      3. Puzzles of the Soul Avatar

        Unfortunately the world seems to be a hot pot.

      4. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        It certainly is and greed is destroying many countries.

      5. Puzzles of the Soul Avatar

        Greed is the greatest problem, it saddens me so much.

      6. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Indeed it is, as it does me also…it’s heart-wrenching to see what greed is doing around the globe.

  17. Mohamad Toutounji Avatar

    Very nice
    I really enjoyed reading about this spectacular area in Venzuela

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thank you Mohamad for the great feedback as always!

      1. Mohamad Toutounji Avatar

        No problem
        You’ve always been a great support to my blog
        ☺️

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Thank you, as have you to mine. 🙂

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