Hiking in Venezuela: The Ultimate Guide
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Loading... - Cheryl Gilbert
- 07 Feb 2023
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Considering hiking in Venezuela? The country is best known for its pristine, lush national parks and any nature enthusiast is sure to be amazed no matter what kind of scenery they prefer. For avid hikers who want to experience a trek of their lifetime, the Canaima National Park, the second-largest national park in Venezuela, is the place to visit.
Here’s a three-week itinerary for you to experience the national park to the fullest. On this trip, you will be able to explore the winding rivers towards the Angel Falls, walk the vast Gran Sabana, and explore two of the mysterious tepuis or table-top mountains: the Auyán-tepui and Mount Roraima!
Venezuela Hiking Itinerary
Day 1: Caracas to Ciudad Bolivar
On your first day, you’ll arrive at the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. While the city certainly has places to see, heading to Ciudad Bolivar is the top priority. Ciudad Bolivar is the starting point of the three hikes, and you’ll be dropping by the quaint colonial-style city quite a few times. You can head to Ciudad Bolivar either by bus or plane.
If you’re planning to go to Ciudad Bolivar by bus, prepare for a long 14-hour ride. No matter what the case, be sure to rest up. The buses from Caracas to Ciudad Bolivar can have semi-cama seats, allowing you to recline for a more comfortable trip. One good, safer bus company to consider is Aeroexpresos Ejecutivo. Depending on the bus schedule, you’ll arrive at Ciudad Bolivar either at night or in the morning of the following day. If you reach the city at night, it’s time to rest up for the trip to Canaima Lagoon.
Day 2: Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima Lagoon
On the morning of Day 2, it’s time to leave Ciudad Bolivar and head to Canaima Lagoon.
How to get to Canaima National Park
The only way to reach Canaima is by plane. Before you book a plane, you might want to consider looking into the lodges available at Canaima, where you’ll be staying for the night. Some of these lodges coordinate with the airlines. They can set up your flight along with your lodging and offer pickup from the airport to the hotel. They also offer tours of the Canaima Lagoon. The flight to Canaima will be around an hour.
The Canaima Lagoon is a great place to relax and explore, with many waterfalls and small treks. Some guided tours provide short hikes to waterfalls such as the Salto Hacha. The small hikes in Canaima Lagoon will prepare you for the longer treks in the next weeks.
