Sample journey

Roraima Tepuy

Trek6 days / 5 nightsSanta Elena de Uairén · Paraitepui · río Kukenán · summit

Roraima is the walkable tepuy. There is no climbing on the standard route — but there are five days of savanna, mud and river crossings, and one steep day up the only breach in a 400-metre wall. Guides and porters are Pemón, from Paraitepui, and the permits are theirs to grant.

Day by day

Day 1 — Santa Elena to río Tök

Two to three hours by 4×4 to Paraitepui, then four or five hours of open savanna with the Roraima and the Kukenán ahead all day. Camp by the river.

Day 2 — Río Tök to base camp

Ford the Tök and the Kukenán and cross rolling savanna to the camp under the wall, at about 1,870 m.

Day 3 — Base camp to the summit

The steep day: five hours up the ramp through cloud forest and under a waterfall, onto the plateau at about 2,750 m. Camp in the rock overhangs.

Day 4 — The summit

A full day on the plateau — the crystal valley, the natural jacuzzis, La Ventana, El Abismo and the Punto Triple.

Day 5 — Descent to río Tök

Down the ramp and back across the savanna, about seven hours.

Day 6 — Río Tök to Santa Elena

The last savanna climb to Paraitepui and the transfer out.

Make it yours

Add a second summit day, walk in from the Brazilian side, or replace the ascent with the helicopter landing from Santa Elena.

Highlights

  • La Rampa — the single natural ramp that breaches the south-west wall
  • The Valle de los Cristales and the black quartz gardens of the plateau
  • La Ventana and El Abismo, looking down 400 m onto the Gran Sabana
  • Punto Triple, where Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana meet

Programme at a glance

Tier
Trek
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Route
Santa Elena de Uairén · Paraitepui · río Kukenán · summit
Style
Demanding but non-technical · camping · porters
Best time
December to April; we operate roughly November to July
Where guests stay
Tents on the savanna, then the sandstone overhangs on the summit

Every journey is a starting point: hotels, pace and extensions are adjusted to each party. Net rates and seasonal matrices are available to registered partners.

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