Conquer the world's highest tepuiin Caracas, Venezuela

The top of Mount Roraima is also known as Lost world - the nature here remained pristine for millions of years.

Mount Roraima is the highest tepui on the Guiana Shield in South America, the highest point reaches 2810 meters. Tepui - table-top mountains of sandstone with flat surface; these are remnants of ruined plateau.


Photo: Plateau summit area is 30 km²

Auyan-tepui that is 300 meters lower than Roraima is known for the world's highest Angel Falls. Mount Roraima is the most popular tepui among trekking lovers. Sir Everard im Thurn was the first who reach the top of the mountain in 1884 - since then trekking route hasn't been changed.

1. Mount Roraima is situated in southeastern part of Canaima National Park, you can climb to the top only with a guide - trekkers normally hire Indians from Pemon tribe that inhabit Paraitepui village. You can buy a tour in Santa Elena de Uairen on Brazil border - from here it's three times cheaper than from Caracas (about $100 for a 7-day trekking). Guides and porters carry provision, tents and prepare food, so at the end of the tour give them some tips. You carry yourself your equipment.


Photo: Hired porters can carry up to 50 kg of your luggage, © Bruno Primo

2. Trekking route to Roraima starts in Paraitepui village. During the first day you'll have to walk 20 kilometers through mountain steppe and ford river two times - so make sure in advance you've got water-proof footwear. Second day - moving towards the bottom of the mountain through "cloudy forests" (moss-covered trees and maidenhair fern), inhabited by hummingbirds and orange cock-of-the-rocks.

All third day long you'll climb up Mount Roraima. The way to it is quite steep and often slippery, in some places you'll walk through small waterfalls.


Photo: On the peak of the plateau there are natural pools with the bottom covered with rock crystal, © Dmitri de Igatu

3. On the top of the plateau it rains constantly, so washed out higher slice of sandstone creates cranky reliefs. At the bottom of the mountain it is pretty foggy - you can look at it to the end of time sitting on the edge of Roraima.

Besides necessary equipment you'll also need repellents, nonslip water-proof footwear, sunscreen and warm clothing (in the morning the temperature on the top drops to zero).