Best places to visit in Venezuela! 2023
January 16, 2023
Mount Roraima Trek most frequent questions
- February 12, 2023
- 6:23 pm
- Ben Rodriguez
- Venezuela
What is Roraima Trek all about?
A Mount Roraima tour is a popular adventure for travelers who are looking to explore the unique landscapes of South America. Mount Roraima is a massive tabletop mountain located on the border of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, and is known for its unusual flora and fauna, towering cliffs, and crystal-clear pools.
To take a Mount Roraima tour, you’ll need to reach the small town of Paraitepui, which is the starting point for the trek. The tour typically takes 6 to 7 days, and involves hiking through dense jungle and along challenging trails to reach the summit of the mountain.
Our Mount Roraima trek includes transportation, guides, camping gear, and meals. You can start from Caracas, Puerto Ordaz, Boa Vista, Santa Elena de Uairen and even Colombia. We need a minimum of 6 participants thus we open a departure to complete a small group of travelers.
Read this very up to date collection of questions we get almost every day about the Trek to Roraima.
Where is Roraima Mountain?
It belongs to Canaima National Park and is located on the border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guayana with almost 75% of the mountain falling into Venezuelan territory.
How long does it take to complete the Roraima trek?
The Mount Roraima trek takes six to eight days, usually three days to reach the top, then one to three days exploring the top and it takes two more days to come down the same trail.
The usual time to start the hike is the day before dawn and return to the same place at dusk. The entire distance between Paraitepui (gateway) and Mount Roraima is 8km (5 miles) but it takes a while to get there as you have to climb approximately 460 metres in altitude.
The trek to the summit of Mount Roraima typically takes 3 to 4 days. This allows for adequate time to acclimate to the altitude and to explore the unique environment at the top of the mountain. The trail is challenging and requires good physical fitness, as well as proper planning and preparation.
Day 1 usually involves a long hike from the starting point in Paraitepui to the base of the mountain. The trail passes through dense jungle, and there are several rivers to cross. On Day 2, the ascent to the summit begins, and the trail becomes steeper and more strenuous. On the third day, the summit is reached, and there is time to explore the unique environment and take in the stunning views.
It’s worth noting that the trek to Mount Roraima can be affected by weather conditions and other factors, so it’s important to be flexible and prepared for unexpected challenges.
What is the best time to go on the Roraima Trek?
The best time to go on the Roraima Trek depends on personal preference and weather conditions. Generally, the trek can be done year-round, but the conditions can vary greatly depending on the time of year.
Dry season (December to May): During the dry season, the weather is more stable, with fewer rain showers and more clear skies. This is the most popular time to visit Roraima and is generally considered the best time for trekking.
Wet season (June to November): During the wet season, heavy rains can make the trails muddy and slippery, and the summit can be covered in clouds. On the other hand, this is also the time when the area around Roraima is at its most lush and green, with waterfalls and streams in full flow.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Roraima will depend on what you’re looking for in a trekking experience. If you prefer clear skies and drier trails, the dry season is the way to go. If you’re interested in a more lush, verdant environment and don’t mind getting a little wet, the wet season might be for you. Regardless of when you choose to go, be sure to check the weather conditions beforehand and pack accordingly.
Do you have daily departures?
Not really. We need a minimum of 6 participants to run the trek.
You can check all our departures here: https://ospreyexpeditions.com/departures/
Can I complete a trek to Roraima in 1 or 2 days?
Not at all. You need a minimum of 6 days only for the trek. There are no ways to shorten the experience even though you are as fit as Iron Man, we are careful with our team who finds 6-7 days as the ideal lenght for this trip.
"Can I go by car from Roraima to Angel Falls? The distance seems to be short in Google Maps"
218 kilometers distance is not really long but there are no roads, highways or an open trail between them. Also there is jungle in between, waterfalls, savannas and table top mountains that makes this route a really big journey.
Can I get a discount if I take my own camping equipments & food?
We can probably give you a very small discount, keep in mind that the costs of equipment and food are not really high and logistics + staff take a big chunk of the total price.
"Can I overnight in beds? I dont really like tents"
At this moment we can only offer you tents and sleeping bags + mats. The conditions of the top only allow camping in tents and fortunately there is no way we will ever get a hotel on top with comfortable rooms and wifi.
Join our expeditions!
How Can I reach Roraima from Brazil?
There are different ways, probably the best is to fly to Boa Vista and catch a bus to Santa Elena (4 hours / 61 Reais / US$ 13 ). Once you reach Pacaraima you must get your passport stamped and cross to Santa Elena de Uairen in Venezuela.
A great source of information is one of our favorite platforms: https://www.rome2rio.com/
How can I reach Roraima from Caracas?
2 different combinations:
Bus from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz departing at 1pm approximately from Terminal de Oriente and arriving between 10pm and 8am on the following day.
or
Flight from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz with a price range of US$ 75-120 per person one way
+
Catch a connecting bus to Santa Elena de Uairen.
or
Private taxi to be shared with others, US$ 450 per ride (12 hours/ 700 kms)
It is usually a car for a maximum of 4 people.
There are no flights from Caracas to Santa Elena de Uairen by the time when we are composing this blog post.
Is it possible to fly from Roraima to Angel Falls?
Not really unless you fly by helicopter. There used to be a very reliable operator who flew his chopper in the area and provided a great experience to all travelers. He left Venezuela when the crisis and we lost his track. At this very moment, we have no information about other helicopter service like that.
Can I hire a porter? How much does it cost? Up to how many kilos can he take?
Yes, you can. They usually charge US$ 30 per day and can take up to 15 kilos.
Please do not negotiate or bargain, they don’t have too many income possibilities and it is a tough job.
"I am a a real traveler, I never buy tours, I will go there on my own! It must be very easy!"
Well, you will probably have to take it easy this time. Roraima trek is the butter and bread of the Pemon people of the area and probably they will not allow you to go without them. Also this remarkable experience is not a “walk in the park”, it implies logistics, expertise, transportation, food, etc. Thanks for understanding.
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