From Wikitravel

Roraima is the highest tepuy (spanish for table mountain) on the triple border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. It is around 2,800 metres tall. Its name is derived from 'Roroi-ma,' which in Pemon means 'big blue-green.' The only way visitors can climb to the top is from the Gran Sabana side, in Venezuela.

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

The first recorded person to climb this tepuy was Sir Everard im Thurn in 1884.

This mountain also inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for his classic novel The Lost World in 1912. He envisioned cavemen and prehistoric animals running amok atop the summit. Although far-fetched, the idea is a valid one: the tepuys are regarded as 'islands in time' by scientists since species have developed in complete isolation on top of them over millennia.

[edit] Landscape

The top of the tepuy consist of eroded black rocks and crystal filled lagoons with pink beaches, which gives it a truly other world landscape feeling.

[edit] Flora and fauna

Due to its remote location, one-third of the plants evolved to be endemic to the table. Most of them became carnivorous.

[edit] Climate

The tepuy's steep sides, surrounding rainforest, and altitude at summit create a unique climatic environment that is most notable for its changeability. Moist air rising off the surrounding rainforest in the tropical heat creates heavy rain clouds that billow up and across the summit of Roraima causing frequent showers and downpours. Due to the altitude, nights on the summit are cool.

[edit] Get in

There are flights to Santa Elena de Uairén near the Brazilian border, and from there you can contact the tour companies that will take you up Roraima.

Night buses go from Ciudad Bolivar to Santa Elena.

[edit] Fees/Permits

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

Ths summit of Roraima has several natural attractions.

Triple Point: a small concrete cairn marks the point at which the Brasilian, Venezuelan, and Guyanan borders meet. The point is long three hour hike from the entry point to the summit. The valley of the crystals is located close by, an area of exposed quartz veins.

El Foso: a large, 10m diameter sinkhole that extends into a small underground cave that has been hollowed out of Roraima's black rock by thousands of years of constant rain.

[edit][add listing] Do

Most tours up Roraima go for 6 days: 2.5 days up, 1.5 on top, 2 down. If you and your guide are feeling fit enough, you can ascend in 2 days, stay 2 full days on top and then come back in another 2 days.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

You'll need to join a tour to climb to the summit of Roraima, but select your tour company carefully. Backpackers Tours comes well recommended by other travelers and offers good food, tents and guide. 'Aponwau Tours', on the other hand, may be the cheapest option but is reportedly a false economy: reports of broken stoves, shoddy equipment and a shortage of food. Try to get a written contract from any company before paying.

[edit] Lodging

[edit] Camping

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

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