One of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions is Angel Falls. At a height of 3,212 feet and a plunge of 2,648 feet, Angel Falls happens to be the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall. The magnanimity of the falls is such that it is 15 times higher than Niagara Falls with its total of approximately 52 meters. Located in the Guayana highlands, inside the Canaima National Park, Angel Falls has been listed as one of the five great adventure regions in
Venezuela and rightly so. The waterfall drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain, which incidentally, also happens to be the largest table mountain in Canaima Venezuela.
The original indigenous Pemon term for Angel Falls is “Kerepakupai Vená”, meaning “waterfall of the deepest place”. However, the falls have been officially named after Jimmie Angel, a US aviator, who was the first person to fly over the falls. In fact, Jimmie Angel discovered the Angel Falls due to an airplane malfunction. This compelled him to land on a nearby table top mountain with his wife and two other companions in 1937, thereby resulting in the discovery of Angel Falls. Till date, Angel Falls continues to be amongst the iconic landmarks of Venezuela.
Accessing Angel Falls is a rather complicated affair as the falls are located in the middle of literally an isolated jungle.The best option is to first land at the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. From Caracas, tourists should take a flight to either Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar. From either of these places, tourists are required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river trips and the base of the falls.
Visitors travelling to Angel Falls should note that at the Canaima National Park the park entrance fee of BsF. 35 or (US$ 4) has to be paid. Moreover, visitors flying out to Canaima National Park must also prove that they have received a yellow fever vaccination. This is a mandatory requirement to proceed further. If the same is not proved, they will be given the vaccination in the airport at Ciudad Bolivar.
Since Angel Falls happen to be a mountain waterfall which is fed by rain, the time of travel needs to be planned carefully. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water as compared to the other months. In the rainy season, the waterfall is in its full power and glory. It is thus best to go in the Venezuelan wet season which is between the months of May to November. The river trips also generally take place during these months as the rivers are deep enough for the wooden curiaras used by the Pemon guides. Angel Falls can be unapproachable by boat in the dry season.
As far as exploring Angel Falls is concerned, a long menu of experiences around the Falls are waiting to be unearthed for the enthusiastic travellers. Boat tours, hiking up the tepui trek, standing underneath waterfalls, swimming in lakes, these are simply a few among the numerous activities available at Angel Falls. And for the really brave and courageous travellers, there is also the excellent option of jumping off the highest waterfalls in the world to enjoy the best skydiving experience.
So for an experience of a lifetime, plan a trip to Angel Falls !!
