Angel Falls

American aviator Jimmie Angel was searching for gold ore deposits when he first flew over the waterfall in 1933. He returned in 1937, attempted to land on the Auyantepui plateau, and crashed his plane in the boggy summit terrain. He and his crew walked out through jungle for eleven days. The waterfall that bears his name is 979 metres high, which means it is roughly the height of two Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other, and the water breaks into mist before it reaches the base.

Getting There

Angel Falls is accessible only through the village of Canaima, in the Canaima National Park in Bolivar state, southeastern Venezuela. To reach Canaima, fly first to Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar, then take a small plane (around 45 minutes) to Canaima. The Canaima airstrip is the gateway; there are no roads.

From Canaima, the standard access to the falls is a multi-day motorised canoe trip through the jungle along the Churun River and its tributaries, camping overnight and continuing up to the base of the falls. The boat trip takes approximately five to six hours each way. You can swim in the pool at the base during the wet season when water is high enough.

Overflights in small planes from Canaima provide aerial views and are the fastest option, but the perspective is different from the ground experience. Doing both is the approach that makes sense if you have the time and budget.

When to Go

The wet season (May through November) is when the falls run at full volume and the water drop is most dramatic. The dry season (December through April) reduces the flow significantly; in a drought year the falls can be nearly invisible from the ground. The trade-off is that boat access during the wet season involves higher water and faster currents; during the dry season the river levels make the canoe journey more difficult in different ways. The wet season is the better choice for seeing what you came for.

Venezuela Context

Venezuela’s political and economic situation has been unstable for years and travel advisories vary by country of origin. Check your government’s current advisory before planning. The Canaima area, operated largely by Pemon indigenous communities, has generally maintained tourist operations with less disruption than other parts of Venezuela. US dollars and Colombian pesos circulate here; local currency is impractical. Book with a reputable operator who knows current conditions rather than trying to arrange independently.

Canaima

The village has eco-lodges and basic accommodation. Campamento Paraiso and the Eco-Hotel Kamarata are well-regarded options. The lagoon at Canaima itself, with its pink-sand beaches and multiple waterfalls draining into the tannin-stained brown water, is worth time on its own terms before and after the falls trip.

Combining with Roraima

From a base in Santa Elena de Uairén (about 400 km east), both Angel Falls and Mount Roraima are accessible as part of a Gran Sabana circuit. The effort of reaching this part of Venezuela makes a combined itinerary the logical approach for anyone making the trip.