All about Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world.

Traveler, I'm going to take you on a tour of one of the most iconic destinations in my country, Angel Falls. It is located in the southeast of Venezuela, in the state of Bolívar, in the Canaima National Park. Here you will find endless savannas, lush jungles, exotic animals, hundreds of rivers, tepuis and of course the highest waterfall in the world.

But, before continuing, do you know what a tepuy is?

The tepuis are the oldest rock formations in the world. They are found in Guyana, Brazil and most of them in Venezuela. When the planet Earth only had one continent, there was a large delta through which one of the most important rivers flowed. The flow of water eroded the land and created the vertical walls that characterize the plateaus that today, thanks to our indigenous people, we know as tepuis. It is said that several tepuis were never completely submerged in water. 

An isolated ecosystem was created at the top of the tepuis, which is why the landscapes look like they are from another planet. Much of the vegetation and fauna are endemic, meaning they can only be found there.

For me, the most charming thing is that the topography is not really flat. You can get pits, cracks, caves and very large rocks that look black to the naked eye but when they disintegrate they reveal their true pink color.

And of course that's not all. The highest waterfall in the world is located on a tepui, no less.

Now that you know what a tepui is, you'll surely want to rush out and get on a plane to see them in person. Don't worry, we're going to help you make it a reality.

How do I go about seeing a tepui? What do I have to do to visit Angel Falls?

Take a flight from your country to Simón Bolívar International Airport located in Vargas State, Venezuela.

If you only want to visit Canaima National Park, I recommend staying one night in a hotel near the airport so that you can take an early flight the next day.

I'm going to leave you two recommendations for accommodation:

-Eurobuilding: link

-Inn near Emma

-You can also find cheap accommodation on Airbnb.

Currently, only one airline is authorized to fly to Canaima National Park and it is called Conviasa. It has two flights a week. The first flight is on Thursday and the second on Sunday. That is why you can choose between a 4-day, 3-night plan or a 5-day, 4-night plan.

The first plan is to leave early on Thursday and return on Sunday afternoon. The second plan is to leave on Sunday and return on Thursday.

I've already chosen the plan, now where do I buy the tickets?

The only way to get them is by purchasing a complete package with a travel agency. These plans usually include plane tickets, lodging, all meals, a trip to Angel Falls and excursions to the waterfalls located in the Canaima lagoon.

It is important to check that it includes a trip to Angel Falls. Many companies, in order to attract tourists, promote the cheapest trip and show Angel Falls, but do not include the trip. In colloquial terms we would say that they want to trick you…

But I will provide you with several options so that you can acquire the plan:

Our favorite option is perfect for travelers looking for comfort, support, security and above all, who want absolutely everything planned for them from the moment they arrive in the country until they leave. It is called Soco Adventures. If you identified with the description of the service, then contact them on our behalf without thinking twice.

However, there is another option. You can contact the Canaima camps directly. The big difference between this option and the first is that you won't get a package that covers absolutely everything: accommodation in the days before, transfers to the airport, etc... and the response times are not always fast.

If you decide on the first option, click on this link:

If you prefer to contact the camps directly, here we share our favorites with contact numbers, since they do not have websites:

-Waku Lodge.

-Ucaima.

Imagine yourself in Canaima National Park

The plane arrives at the indigenous community of Canaima. This is where all the camps are located. Our favorite, Waku Lodge, is right in front of the lagoon that bears the same name as the place •Canaima• This lagoon is formed by the flow of the Carrao River that flows into 5 waterfalls: Ucaima, Wadaina, Las Golondrinas, Salto el Hacha and Salto el Sapo. When you get here you will be close to Angel Falls, but you won't be able to see it yet.

Its landscapes are spectacular: the waterfalls, the color of the water, the pink sand, three palm trees perfectly aligned on the shore, the indigenous people in their canoes sailing from one end to the other.

By the way!

The water in the lagoon is reddish in color due to a component called tannin, which is produced by the decomposition of organic matter. It is completely sweet, although it is not recommended to drink it due to the excess of minerals it contains.

What is the itinerary like?

The logistics of the trip usually vary a little, but usually on the day of arrival two of the waterfalls of the Canaima lagoon are visited. The most frequented are Hacha and Sapo, although if there is little water in the waterfalls and you are lucky you can visit the Las Golondrinas waterfall.

The wonderful thing about these trips is that not only do they offer you a phenomenal view that will surely leave you breathless, but you can also venture to explore these falls from within, since they all have completely natural paths inside.

Here's a CRAZY TIP : you absolutely must wear thick socks on these walks. This will help your feet grip the wet, slippery stones. The solution to avoid falling is this and only this.

It's time to visit Angel Falls!

After the best welcome, it's time to set off on the adventure that brought us here: visiting Angel Falls.

The name given to it by its true discoverers, the Kamarakotos indigenous people, is Kerepakupa'i Wená and the legend they tell about how it was created is truly a spectacle. You can go listen to it in this video.

However, Jimmy Angel, an American pilot, was the one who made the world's tallest waterfall known and popular. In honor of him, it was named after him.

To see Angel Falls, you must sail very early in the morning in a curiara, which is a type of canoe, for approximately 3 hours upriver. You travel along the Carrao and Churún rivers.

Time flies by because the landscapes are amazing. You feel like you're in Jura Park. During almost the entire route you will have the majestic Auyantepuy on your right, one of the most impressive tepuis in the area and where the highest waterfall in the world is located.

The first time you can see the waterfall is from the Curiara. Just after passing the famous tongue stone, there is the curve that reveals the Kerepakupa'i Wená.

Upon arrival, you take a walk of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes towards the first viewing point. If seeing the waterfall from afar is wonderful, from there it is incomparable. For us, it is one of the most epic experiences of our lives.

Do you dare to bathe in these ancient waters?

You only have to walk 15 minutes more and you will be bathing in the pool that is formed by the highest waterfall in the world. The water is freezing cold, but it is worth the effort to take a dip.

I advise you to swim near the waterfall, touch its wall and feel the energy.

You can do this tour in a full day or spend a night at the foot of the waterfall. I 100% recommend the second option. In addition, this will allow you to do more things such as visiting the Japanese viewpoint or even touching the Auyantepuy wall. Not to mention how amazing it is to see the waterfall at night and then the sunrise.

Overnight stays are in camps that are much more modest than those at Canaima Lagoon. They have enough amenities to spend a pleasant night. If you have never slept in a hammock, this will be your best first time.

If you decide to do a full day, you return to Canaima Lagoon after lunch. We do not recommend this option because everything needs to be done very quickly and if you are unlucky and don't have good weather, the chances of seeing the waterfall are lower.

Ready, mission accomplished! I have already visited Angel Falls and the best thing is that the journey continues because there is much more to see and do.

On your way back to the Canaima lagoon you can choose from several activities:

• Take a bike ride around the community.
• Get to know the blue well.
• Climb the Kuravaina tepui.
• Visit the Kavak caves.
• Visit the Uruyen caves.
• Helicopter ride over the Canaima lagoon, Angel Falls and the Churún River.

They are all spectacular and choosing becomes almost impossible, which is why a single trip to this destination will not be enough, we warn you.

Package prices range from $1500 per person and up. Prices vary depending on the services and activities included.

It's not a cheap trip, we know, but it's worth every penny. What you're going to experience here is priceless, so go ahead, buy your piggy bank and start saving now for the best trip of your life.

And if you already have the card ready to pay again, we recommend you contact Soco Adventures . They will take care of coordinating the entire trip. They go out of their way to cover as many details as possible, provide security, plan any special occasion, accompany you digitally and personally, include transfers, accommodations and much more. What we like most is that they personalize the trip based on your requirements. Definitely, with them, leaving your comfort zone has never been so comfortable.

Tips and advice for visiting Angel Falls:

What to bring on my trip to Angel Falls?

•  Mosquito repellent.
• Sunscreen.
•  First aid kit.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat / visor.
• 6 pairs of socks.
• Underwear.
•  Sports bras.
• Long-sleeved dryfit shirts.
• Long-sleeved dryfit pants.
• Shorts.
• Loose, long-sleeved pajamas.
• Waterproof.
• Sweater.
• Microfiber towel.
• Leather towel.
• Swimsuit (2 or 3).
• Sandals.
• Trekking or sports shoes.
• Power bank
• A good book.
• Avoid carrying suitcases. We recommend a bag.
• Attack bag.
• Camera and journal to document your experience.
• Action camera you can get wet.

Important: leave room to bring as many handicrafts as you can. The Kamarakoto artisans make beauties with their hands and you will surely fall in love with a necklace, basket or painting. This economic activity, in addition to tourism, is one of their few sources of income. If you buy handicrafts you are contributing to the development of the community and to the fact that traditions continue to be passed down from generation to generation. 

Now, the highest waterfall in the world is waiting for you.