The Roraima mountain or tepuy, located on the border between Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana, is one of the oldest and most spectacular geological formations in the world with more than 2 billion years of history. The tepui is part of the Canaima National Park in Venezuela and has a height of 2,810 meters above sea level. It is a unique experience that promises wonderful landscapes and ecosystems that you cannot see anywhere else in the world. However, if you’re reading this, you probably already know about its charms, so in this post we tell you what to see in Roraima in detail and how to organize the trip.
Later you will discover that to get to the top of Roraima it is necessary to hire an excursion since it is not allowed to go into the park on your own. This aspect makes the journey much easier as you will travel with porters who will make your experience much more enjoyable. We also tell you how to get there, where to stay before starting the route and give you many other travel tips. Are you ready to start your trip? Let’s get started.
What are the best places to see in Roraima?
1. St. Elena de Uairén
St. Elena de Uairén is a charming town bordering Brazil that serves as a base for exploring the wonders of Canaima National Park. From here you’ll begin your route to the impressive tepuys, crystal-clear waterfalls and vast savannas.
The town also stands out for its rich Pemón indigenous culture and unique handicrafts. In St. Elena de Uairen you can also enjoy the local cuisine and hire excursions through the Amazon.
2. Paray Tepuy
This is the starting point for expeditions to Mount Roraima. This lesser-known but equally impressive tepui is located in the Gran Sabana and offers beautiful scenery, crystal clear rivers and unique biodiversity. In the area you can also see ancient geological formations and Pemón indigenous cultures.
3. Tek River, first camp on the route
The first camp on the crossing towards Roraima is set up at Rio Tek. It is located in the heart of the Gran Sabana and its crystal-clear waters stretch through lush landscapes. The camp near the river serves as a meeting point for explorers, where stories are shared and preparations are made for the next days’ stage.
4. The Valley of Crystals
The Valley of Crystals is a spectacular landscape where the ground is dotted with sparkling quartz. This magical place offers a surreal view with crystals that reflect the sunlight, creating a fascinating image. It is one of the most appreciated stops on the way to Roraima. You’ve never seen anything like it.
5. The Window
La Ventana del Roraima (or the Window) is a spectacular natural viewpoint located at the top of Mount Roraima. This point offers breathtaking views of the vast Gran Sabana and the neighboring tepuys, a dreamlike landscape that looks like something out of a fantasy tale. La Ventana is famous for its impressive vertical abyss, where clouds rise from the void, providing a unique natural spectacle.
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6. The Abyss
The Abyss, also known as “The Pit”, is a spectacular precipice located at the top of Mount Roraima. This impressive gorge offers dizzying views into the void and represents one of the most fascinating spots for visitors. The road passes close to the abyss so be cautious in this area.
7. Triple Point
The Triple Point is a geographically unique place as it is where the borders of three countries converge: Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. It is located at the top of the imposing tepui and offers travelers the extraordinary opportunity to be in three nations at once. The Triple Point is also a symbol of union, natural diversity and an essential stop on your visit.
8. Natural Hot Tubs
These are small pools located at the top of the tepui. These natural pools of clear waters carved into the rock over millennia by erosion, offer a paradisiacal view and are a source of rest for adventurers who reach the summit as it is possible to bathe in them.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Roraima
1. Canaima National Park
The Canaima National Park, where the Roraira tepui is located, is located in southeastern Venezuela and is a vast territory of exceptional beauty that encompasses jungles, rivers and tepuis. The main tourist attraction in the area is the famous Santo del Angel, the highest waterfall in the world with 979 meters of free fall.
The park has been declared a World Heritage Site for its rich biodiversity and variety of landscapes. It is the perfect destination for adventure and nature lovers. The entrance by yourself is not allowed, you will have to hire excursions to go into the jungle. We recommend you to stay in the Canaima Lagoon, where you will find the main hotels that will facilitate the excursions. We tell you about it in this post: How to plan a trip to Canaima Park?
What to see in 6 days in Roraima?
Most organized trips to Roraima last 6 days, plus a two-day drive to St. Elena. However, the most experienced can make the journey in 4 days. These are the phases of the 6-day excursion:
- Day 1: 4WD trip from Santa Elena to Paraitepuy and 4-hour hike to Tök Camp.
- Day 2: 5 hours and 30 minutes ascent to Base Camp, near the Roraima wall.
- Day 3: demanding 5 hour ascent to the summit camp, overcoming the vertical wall of the tepui.
- Day 4: exploration of the summit of Roraima, enjoying its flora, fauna and lunar landscapes.
- Day 5: 5 hours and 30 minutes descent to Tök Camp, with celebration of the expedition’s success.
- Day 6: 3-hour downhill hike back to Santa Elena de Uairén from Paraitepuy.
If you can extend your trip a few more days, we encourage you to spend some time at Canaima Lagoon to visit the Santo del Angel and get into the jungle in the area.
Where and what to eat in Roraima?
During the crossing carriers will carry the food for the trip, a nutritious and complete menu that includes cereals, fruits, nuts, vegetables and proteins. You won’t go hungry at all, but if you want to bring some extra snacks, you will be able to do so perfectly.
On your return you will surely want to enjoy a good Venezuelan meal in a restaurant, that’s why we have prepared this list with our top 3 in St. Elena de Uairén.
- Intimo’s: is a highly rated restaurant in the area for its pleasant ambience, decor and gourmet concept. The chef and staff are attentive, offering an outstanding culinary experience with typical dishes of the region.
- Piano Piano: This restaurant stands out for its Brazilian and South American cuisine. The locals themselves recommend it for its close attention, good price and the quality of its food.
- La frontera: is a quick and cheap option where you can eat arepas of all kinds of fillings and other simple but delicious dishes of Venezuelan cuisine. You can eat inside the premises or order it to go.
Where to stay in Roraima?
The Roraima trek lasts between 6 and 8 days during which you can forget the luxury of hotels as you will sleep in a tent and sleeping bag. The good news is that you will not have to carry the equipment yourself as the tours include a team of porters to make the climb easier for you.
At your arrival in St. Elena de Uairén and before your departure you will have to book a couple of nights in a hotel, so we have made a selection of the best accommodations where you can rest on your return.
- Hotel Gran Sabana: This is a comfortable hotel with a garden, swimming pool and bar. The rooms are modern and well equipped, and although the hotel is simple, it is a really comfortable place with excellent food and attention.
- Posada Los Pinos: this inn offers a cozy atmosphere with amenities such as free parking, high-speed Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and restaurant. Ideal for families, it also offers children’s activities and transportation to the airport. Its personalized attention and the possibility of arranging tours make it highly recommended.
- Hotel WaküPata: The WaküPata Hotel, located in the Canaima National Park, offers a unique experience in the Gran Sabana. Located 3 km from the center of St. Elena de Uairén, it offers cabins, vacation homes, dining room, event hall, private parking, internet, laundry, and excursions. It stands out for its integration with nature and local biodiversity.
How to get to Roraima
As you are not allowed to go into the jungle on your own, to climb Mount Roraima you will need to contact an agency that, in addition to taking care of all the details of the excursion, will arrange transfers from the airport. When hiring the excursion, check well what is included, since in many cases airline tickets are not included.
One option is to fly to the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, from where you can catch a local flight to Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz, from where you will have to transfer to Santa Elena de Uairén, the nearest town to the start of the route.
Another option is to get to Roraima from Brazil. You can fly from your home country to Boa Vista International Airport, and from there travel to Santa Elena de Uairén.
What should I consider before traveling to Roraima?
- The currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar
- Hedge against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
- We recommend that you change money before your trip to Venezuela, as it will be cheaper than at the airport.
- Roraima is a safe destination for tourism in the Caribbean.
- The best time to visit Roraima is between January and April, due to the dry weather and lower probability of rain, ideal for outdoor activities.
- Always drink bottled water.
- During the high season it is advisable to arrive early to ensure a place on the boats due to high demand.
- It is advisable to check and agree on the price before boarding the boats that will take you to the cays.
- Take sunscreen with you, especially in the summer months, as well as light but sun-protective clothing and stay hydrated.
- Respect the environment and biodiversity of Roraima.
- Get an eSIM card to have internet connection on your trip to Venezuela
Do you want us to help you with all the organization of your trip to Roraima?
At Passporter we also help you with reservations and all the travel arrangements so that you only have to worry about packing your suitcase and not forgetting your camera. As you have seen throughout the post, Roraima is one of our favorite destinations, so we have designed a trip that will exceed all your expectations and allow you to enjoy the incredible landscapes and exciting activities without having to organize anything. We take care of everything!
Book your trip to Roraima with Passporter Here
We leave you a summary of the trip we organized told by one of our travelers @guille_what:
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Roraima
Are you one of those who prefer to travel on your own? In that case you have at your disposal our free app where you can discover different travel itineraries that will help you organize your visit. And if on the other hand you understand that vacations are for resting and you don’t want to have to worry about anything, well, you know the solution.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the things to do and see in Roraima.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Roraima
The best time to climb the Roraima mountain is between January and April, in the dry season. Although you should always be prepared for rain.
The closest municipality to Roraima and where the route begins is Santa Elena de Uairén, where you will have to travel by road or air from the main airports in Venezuela or Brazil.
On the way to Roraima, you will sleep in tents. And upon arrival and before returning, you will have to book a hotel in Santa Elena de Uairén.
During the crossing, the carriers will carry the food for the whole trip. A complete and nutritious menu that will not leave you hungry.
The minimum is 6 days not counting the time to get there. The route can be extended up to 8 days if you want to see more landscapes.
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