Angel Falls, Venezuela

World Wonder: Angel Falls
Location: Canaima National Park, Venezuela
Information: Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world at over 1,000 Meters

15 times higher than Niagara

Longest free fall of water in the world

"Where is the highest waterfall in the World?
"Hidden in a wilderness region, called the Gran Sabana, in Venezuela.
They tumble 1000 metres off the edge of an escarpment of the mysterious Auyan Tepuy((A flat top mountain ending with vertical walls) , a sandstone mesa of 700 sq kms. The Angel Falls were discovered by accident in 1935 by Jimmy Angel (1899-1956), an American adventurer and bush pilot who operated in Central and South America.


ABOUT THE FALLS:
Angel Falls is located in the Guayana highlands, one of five topographical regions of Venezuela. It plunges off the edge of a "tepui", or table-top mountain, and free falls 2,421 feet to the river below, making it the tallest waterfalls on earth. In total it is 15 times higher than Niagara Falls with a total of 2,937 feet. The fall is 979 meters high (around 3000 ft.), and is the higher waterfall in the world.

The falls are named after Jimmy Angel, a barnstorming bush pilot from Missouri who has become a modern legend. Jimmy Angel first saw the falls in 1933 while searching for a valuable ore bed. He returned in 1937 with his wife, Gustavo Heny and Heny's gardener, and landed on top of the tepui. His Falamingo monoplane settled down into the marshy ground atop Auyan-tepui and remained there for 33 years before being lifted out by a helicopter. Jimmy Angel and his three comapnions managed to descend the tepui and make their way back to civilization in 11 days.
Jimmy Angel's plane sits in the Aviation Museum in Maracay; the one you may be able to glimpse on top of the tepui is a replica.

There are two ways to see the Angel Falls. One of them is from the air in an small airplane. The other one is an excursion that starts with a 3 hour and a half navigation upstream the Carrao River, and then the Churun river. From there, a one hour walk through the jungle takes you to the base of the falls. Another place from where you can enjoy the Angel Falls and the Auyantepuy in all its splendor is the Raton Island.

In dry season (January to May), the waterfall may be just a thin stream of water fading into mist. In the rainy season (June to December) the falls are often voluminous and spectacular. The top of the tepui is often shrouded in mist. Viewing the falls from the air is the best way to see the grandeur and the height.

To reach Angel Falls, located in Canaima National Park, you fly into Canaima about 50 km (31 miles) away then take either a small plane or a boat to the falls. There are no foot trails.
Angel Falls are accessible only by air. No doubt there are trails through the dense forest, but tourists come by air.
Some tours may fly into Kavac, an Indian settlement south of the tepui, and proceed from there. Canaima is located on Laguna Canaima, a portion of Rio Carrao, near the magnificent falls of Salto Hacha and the close-by Salto El Sapo.

Canaima is located on a wide, peaceful stretch of the Rio Carrao, known as Laguna Canaima, just below the point where the river becomes a chain of magnificent falls. The rose-colored lagoon is bordered by a pink beach. One of the main places to stay is Canaima Camp where 115 private cabins respect the natural environment. Camping is also available near the beach. All camping supplies need to be brought in.

Angel Falls aren't the only ones in Canaima National Park. Everywhere you look, you will be surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Sightseeing flights over the falls leave from Cuidad Bolívar. From June to December, and sometimes January, boat trips from Ucaima take visitors to the falls.

VISITING THE FALLS:
Daily flights via Puerto Ordaz connect Canaima airstrip with the major cities of Venezuela. The airstrip is a short jeep-train ride from nearby Lodges.
A minimum of two days-one night is necessary to have the opportunity to fly-by the falls - weather permitting, of course.
Better to stay two nights and have more time to visit the surrounding area including Sapo Falls (half day, Yuri Falls (half day) and Orquidea Island (full day), and double your chances to be able to see the falls.
Much of the information you might still encounter on the Falls says that commercial flights will fly-by on landing and take off, but this is a myth. Perhaps on a clear day you might glimpse the falls, but you can not count on seeing them on landing and take off.