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The Gran Sabana
Country: Venezuela

Home to Angel Falls, the world´s highest waterfall and the Tepuis, notable for being the oldest rocks on earth.

The Gran Sabana is one of the most celebrated landscapes of Venezuela. Documented in many forms, from Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World" to National Geographic's 1989 feature story and to include amateur slide shows in homes around the world, the Gran Sabana is truly a nature-lovers paradise. Those who have seen this awesome, almost alien landscape have been left with a lasting impression. Located in the Bolívar state of Venezuela, the Gran Sabana is famous for its massive sandstone tepuis (table-like rock formations) that rise out of both the jungle canopy and the rolling grasslands. Waterfalls tumble down the sides of these massive batholiths. Some of the tepuis tower more than 2,500 meters above the savannah floor and have never been explored. In fact, an estimated half of all endemic plant and animal species of the tepuis such as Roraima and Auyan-Tepui are unique to the area, and are not found anywhere else on Earth. Every tepui is its own world. The Gran Sabana encompasses Canaima National Park, Angel Falls, and a wealth of cultural and biological diversity.

CANAIMA, ANGEL FALLS, and TEPUI TOURS

To the South of the Orinoco River one will find Canaima National Park, the world's third largest national park. Canaima is a tropical paradise with an infinite variety of natural resources and breathtaking landscapes. Canaima is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places on earth and the true epitome of a "lost world." Canaima hosts Angel Falls, one of Venezuela´s most famous destinations, found in the middle of the Venezuelan jungle. Famed as the world's highest free-falling waterfall, the power of the fall's 3,000-ft cascade leaves each visitor mesmerized.

Tours of the area are offered in several ways. Boat tours of the area give the tourist chances to see the waterfalls up close and personally and to ride some rapids in locally, hand-made, dugout canoes. These sturdy vessels, powered by outboard motors, are guided by experienced, native river men and accompanied by an English/Spanish speaking guide who tells tourists about the legends and ecology of this mystic place. The excursions alternate between the unbelievable jungle and plains scenery. They bring together visitors from all parts of the world, who in turn become lovers of the nature that is found in Canaima. Canaima is a pure and tranquil virgin land, full of magic, legends and a rich native culture.

There are also opportunities to fly over the falls, for a birds-eye view of its magnificent beauty. From the flight, tourists get a grand view of Auyan-Tepui, the largest tepui in the state of Bolívar. Additionally, there are options to hike and explore the area by foot as well. Tourists have the option to stay in a variety of accommodations ranging from the most rustic (camping or sleeping in hammocks) to all-inclusive (private rooms with baths).

Within the bounds of Canaima National Park are several other famed tepuis for tourists to explore. Tepui Roraima, one of the most massive and highest mesas in region, sits at the tripartite border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Its plateau is at 2,700 m and the highest part at 2,810 m. Its dominant presence in the landscape of Gran Sabana offers tourists one of the most extraordinary and unforgettable experiences during their stay in Venezuela. The views are mesmerizing and life atop of the Tepui is of another world. Roraima hosts an abundance of endemic flora and fauna species. Roughly half of the flora identified in the "Lost World" exists only on Roraima and nowhere else in the world.

The best time of year to visit the Gran Sabana is during Venezuela´s wet season, April through November. Admission fees to the park are currently $10US, per person. To get to the Gran Sabana, one must fly from Caracas to Canaima and then on to Ciudad Bolivar, Puerto Ordaz, or Santa Elena. The continuing flights are typically in small, five-seater Cessna planes. Many tour operators throughout Venezuela offer services to assist travelers in arrival to their desired destinations in Canaima, along with additionally guided tours of the area.

For more information and EcoTours to the Gran Sabana contact www.natoura.com. We thank José Luis Troconis and Kenneth Kong (photographer) for the content and photos of this article.

Natoura is member of our "EcoEntrepreneur's Community Program" so now you can obtain 5% discounts in their tours if you have an Ecoturismolatino Discount Card. Get your card!

<<EcoTravel Directory - Venezuela
Venezuela: Natural Areas
	The Gran Sabana Country: Venezuela Home to Angel Falls, the world´s highest waterfall and the Tepuis, notable for being the oldest rocks on earth. The Gran Sabana is one of the most celebrated landscapes of Venezuela. Documented in many forms, from Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World" to National Geographic's 1989 feature story and to include amateur slide shows in homes around the world, the Gran Sabana is truly a nature-lovers paradise. Those who have seen this awesome, almost alien landscape have been left with a lasting impression. Located in the Bolívar state of Venezuela, the Gran Sabana is famous for its massive sandstone tepuis (table-like rock formations) that rise out of both the jungle canopy and the rolling grasslands. Waterfalls tumble down the sides of these massive batholiths. Some of the tepuis tower more than 2,500 meters above the savannah floor and have never been explored. In fact, an estimated half of all endemic plant and animal species of the tepuis such as Roraima and Auyan-Tepui are unique to the area, and are not found anywhere else on Earth. Every tepui is its own world. The Gran Sabana encompasses Canaima National Park, Angel Falls, and a wealth of cultural and biological diversity. CANAIMA, ANGEL FALLS, and TEPUI TOURS To the South of the Orinoco River one will find Canaima National Park, the world's third largest national park. Canaima is a tropical paradise with an infinite variety of natural resources and breathtaking landscapes. Canaima is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places on earth and the true epitome of a "lost world." Canaima hosts Angel Falls, one of Venezuela´s most famous destinations, found in the middle of the Venezuelan jungle. Famed as the world's highest free-falling waterfall, the power of the fall's 3,000-ft cascade leaves each visitor mesmerized. Tours of the area are offered in several ways. Boat tours of the area give the tourist chances to see the waterfalls up close and personally and to ride some rapids in locally, hand-made, dugout canoes. These sturdy vessels, powered by outboard motors, are guided by experienced, native river men and accompanied by an English/Spanish speaking guide who tells tourists about the legends and ecology of this mystic place. The excursions alternate between the unbelievable jungle and plains scenery. They bring together visitors from all parts of the world, who in turn become lovers of the nature that is found in Canaima. Canaima is a pure and tranquil virgin land, full of magic, legends and a rich native culture. There are also opportunities to fly over the falls, for a birds-eye view of its magnificent beauty. From the flight, tourists get a grand view of Auyan-Tepui, the largest tepui in the state of Bolívar. Additionally, there are options to hike and explore the area by foot as well. Tourists have the option to stay in a variety of accommodations ranging from the most rustic (camping or sleeping in hammocks) to all-inclusive (private rooms with baths). Within the bounds of Canaima National Park are several other famed tepuis for tourists to explore. Tepui Roraima, one of the most massive and highest mesas in region, sits at the tripartite border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. Its plateau is at 2,700 m and the highest part at 2,810 m. Its dominant presence in the landscape of Gran Sabana offers tourists one of the most extraordinary and unforgettable experiences during their stay in Venezuela. The views are mesmerizing and life atop of the Tepui is of another world. Roraima hosts an abundance of endemic flora and fauna species. Roughly half of the flora identified in the "Lost World" exists only on Roraima and nowhere else in the world. The best time of year to visit the Gran Sabana is during Venezuela´s wet season, April through November. Admission fees to the park are currently $10US, per person. To get to the Gran Sabana, one must fly from Caracas to Canaima and then on to Ciudad Bolivar, Puerto Ordaz, or Santa Elena. The continuing flights are typically in small, five-seater Cessna planes. Many tour operators throughout Venezuela offer services to assist travelers in arrival to their desired destinations in Canaima, along with additionally guided tours of the area. For more information and EcoTours to the Gran Sabana contact www.natoura.com. We thank José Luis Troconis and Kenneth Kong (photographer) for the content and photos of this article. Natoura is member of our "EcoEntrepreneur's Community Program" so now you can obtain 5% discounts in their tours if you have an Ecoturismolatino Discount Card. Get your card!