Expedition to the Crystal Mountain

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Highlights:

Gran Sabana- San Francisco de Yuruaní- Indigenous Community of Paraitepuy de Roraima- River Tek- River Kukenán- Mount Roraima- The Jacuzzis- Cave Eye of Crystal- The Window- The Maverick- Kukenán Viewpoint.

Check Departure Dates

Expedition to the Crystal Mountain

(7 days/ 6 nights- 3 nights on the top)

DAY BEFORE THE EXPEDITION. (Arrival in Santa Elena de Uairén)

Meeting point in the brazilian town of Pacaraima. We complete the customs procedures, cross the border, and finalize the necessary formalities on the Venezuelan side. Afterwards, we continue in a 4WD vehicle towards the city of Santa Elena de Uairén, where we arrive at our lodging. There, we will receive a detailed briefing about our expedition through one of the most beautiful and ancient regions in the world. (-/-/-)

NOTE: (B) Breakfast / (L) Lunch / (D) Dinner

DAY 1.- THE EXPEDITION BEGINS. (Santa Elena / Paraitepuy / Kukenán River)

After breakfast, we board our 4WD vehicle and drive along the Gran Sabana highway (2 hours). We then take an unpaved road of 25 kilometers (about 1 hour) until we reach the indigenous community of Paraitepuy de Roraima (1,200 m.a.s.l), the starting point of our trek. With the camping gear ready, we make the final logistical preparations for the expedition, such as weighing the load each participant will carry (personal items, plus an insulating mat and a sleeping bag). A maximum of 12 kg is recommended for men and 9 kg for women. We also offer an additional personal porter service (available upon request). We begin our hike towards the Kukenán River camp (1,050 m.a.s.l). The route is fascinating, as step by step we approach the Precambrian giants: Iwarkarima Tepuy, Wadaká Piapó Tepuy, and the imposing Roraima and Kukenán. Along the way, we cross several streams and two main rivers: the Tek and the Kukenán. This stage takes approximately 5 hours, covering about 13.5 km. Overnight in tents by the Kukenán River. (B/L/D)

DAY 2.- AT THE GATES OF THE LOST WORLD. (Kukenán River Camp / Roraima Base Camp)

We continue our march towards the Base Camp of the majestic Mount Roraima (1,950 m.a.s.l), on an unforgettable journey that leads us through a truly unique natural environment. As we advance, we feel the gradual transition in temperature, descending gently from 28°C to 24°C, while facing an elevation gain of 850 metres from the Kukenán River to the foothills of the mountain. The trail surrounds us with endemic landscapes of extraordinary beauty, where the diversity of flora and fauna reminds us of the deep spiritual connection that indigenous peoples have maintained with this sacred place since ancestral times. Upon reaching the base camp, we are rewarded with a refreshing bath in the cold, crystalline waters flowing directly from the mountain- a moment of purity and renewal. The day concludes with the experience of spending the night in tents under a starry sky, intensifying the feeling of being in a mythical and revered land. (B/L/D)

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DAY 3.- THE LOST WORLD. (Base Camp / Summit)

The ascent along the historic route of british explorers Im Thurn and Perkins invites us to relive the feat of 1884, when these explorers first reached the summit of Roraima and opened the doors to the so‑called “Lost World”. The trek immerses us in dense forest, revealing unique species such as Brocchinia cordylinoides, with its surprising forms, and Stegolepis guianensis, a symbol of Guianan biodiversity. Each step connects us with the strength of the tepui jungle, as we lean on roots and trunks that seem to guide our progress. Before the final ramp, a waterfall known as the “Paso de las Lágrimas” (Pass of Tears) greets us with crystalline waters and a thunderous roar, marking the threshold to an ancestral landscape. The reward is the sight of giant tree ferns guarding the summit, where rocks covered by cyanobacteria (stromatolites) evoke a primeval setting. After another half hour’s walk we reach the “Hoteles”, natural shelters, and the Jacuzzis, small pools inviting rest. First night on the summit. (B/L/D)

DAY 4.- MEETING OF THREE BORDERS. (Triple Point / La Fosa / Valley of Crystals)

From our cave refuge, affectionately called the “Hotel”, we begin the day with a comforting breakfast that prepares us to explore some of the most emblematic sites on the summit of Roraima. Our first stop is the impressive Valley of Crystals, the largest on the tepui, where the ground is carpeted with quartz and crystalline formations, creating a dazzling and surreal landscape, perfect for contemplation and photography. The trail then leads us to the Triple Point, a unique geographical landmark in the world that marks the natural frontier between Venezuela, Brazil and the Guayana Esequiba, a place that conveys a profound sense of unity and grandeur. Further along we reach La Fosa, a cavern where icy water flows, considered the coldest on Roraima, ideal for a revitalising bath that combines adventure with purification. In this magical setting we enjoy a light lunch before returning to camp in the natural shelters or caves. Second night on the summit. (B/L/D)

DAY 5.- DAY OF EXPLORATION. (La Ventana / Jacuzzis / Crystal Eyes Cave)

This day is devoted to exploring the most impressive corners of the summit of Roraima, with hikes that depend on the weather but always reveal unique landscapes, perfect for capturing in group, contemplative or playful photographs. One of the most anticipated moments is the early morning walk (before breakfast) to La Ventana, a natural viewpoint from which the imposing eastern wall of Roraima can be admired, with the neighbouring Kukenan Tepui standing as a silent guardian and the Guiana rainforest stretching below like an endless green sea. After this experience we return to camp to enjoy a comforting breakfast and share impressions. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to active contemplation, wandering through fissures and natural gardens where endemic flora surprises with unique shapes and colours, as well as the natural Jacuzzis, pools of water that invite relaxation. For those who still have energy, the ascent to Maverick, the highest point of the tepui (2,810 m.a.s.l), is proposed, offering a spectacular view of the savannah and revealing the magnitude of the journey. Third night on the summit. (B/L/D)

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DAY 6.- THE DESCENT. (Summit / La Rampa / Kukenán River Camp)

The final sunrise on the summit of Roraima invites us to bid farewell to this “Lost World”, a place that has transformed us with its mystery, ancestral energy and incomparable beauty. It is a moment to give thanks to the landscape for the experience lived and to treasure every instant of this journey. Before beginning the descent, we have the chance to encounter the Oreophrynella quelchii, the tiny black frog endemic to the tepuis, a symbol of resilience and adaptation, capable of surviving in extreme conditions of cold, humidity, poor soils and isolation. Its presence is a natural privilege that reinforces the unique character of this environment. The return follows the same route as the ascent, with a pause at base camp to enjoy a comforting lunch and regain energy. Finally, we cross the Kukenán River once more and continue to the Tek River, where our unforgettable adventure comes to an end. (B/L/D)

DAY 7.- WITH RORAIMA IN OUR HEARTS. (Tek River / Paraitepuy / San Francisco / Santa Elena de Uairén)

After breakfast at the Tek River camp, we begin our return journey towards the indigenous community of Paraitepuy de Roraima, reliving with each step the landscapes that welcomed us at the start of the expedition and now bid us farewell with the same grandeur. Along the way, we make a special stop at the indigenous community of San Francisco de Yuruani, where we share lunch and the opportunity to spend time with its inhabitants, learning more about their traditions, hospitality and the cultural richness that complements the natural experience of the tepui. This encounter reminds us that the journey is not only a trek through the mountain, but also a connection to the human roots that surround it. Finally, we continue on to Santa Elena de Uairén, closing the circle of our adventure. With hearts full of memories and the satisfaction of having reached the summit of the “Lost World”, the unforgettable expedition to Mount Roraima comes to an end. (B/L/-)