Angel Falls in Venezuela

The sheer scale of the giant Angel Falls in the Venezuelan jungle only becomes clear when you stand before it. You feel so incredibly small. Discover with me the highest waterfall in the world and let its beauty enchant you!

Hidden in a remote area of the deepest jungle of Venezuela, thousands of liters of water cascade down Angel Falls with tremendous force. It's hard to believe how long such a gigantic natural phenomenon could remain hidden: With a free fall height of a total of 979 meters, Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world.

Angel Falls is deeply hidden in the southeast of Venezuela in Canaima National Park. This park is located in the Gran Sabana, a high plateau larger than 10,000 km² in Bolívar State, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Through erosion, huge table mountains were formed along the edges of the Amazon basin in Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil, which are referred to as Tepuis by the indigenous Pemón people. Also known as 'islands above the rainforest,' these estimated 70-million-year-old giants reach heights of up to 3,000 meters. The most famous of them is Auyan-Tepui, which is where Angel Falls originates. The powerful waterfall is referred to by the indigenous people as Kerepakupai merú, meaning 'waterfall of the deepest place.'

Especially during the rainy season from May to August, thunderstorms and heavy rainstorms plague the entire region, pouring onto the 700 km² plateau of Auyan-Tepui, ultimately feeding the waterfall with its massive water volume. About 40 meters below the edge of the cliff, the cool water rushes out from the rock crevices and thunders down the steep walls of Auyan-Tepui into the valley. In the dry season, the water evaporates into a giant mist.

Perhaps the sight of the waterfall looks familiar to some of you? This could be due to Disney: Carl and Ellie from the movie Up always wanted to travel to Paradise Falls, which served as the model for Angel Falls. Director Pete Docter traveled specifically with a group to Canaima National Park to see the Tepuis with his own eyes, take photos, and gather impressions that made it into the film. You can find out which locations inspired the Disney team in my article about Disney Locations.

A visit during the dry season has its pros and cons. Due to the low water level, you have the opportunity to bathe in the cascades at the base of the waterfall, which your guides may not allow during the rainy season.

Additionally, the chances of having a clear, fog-free view of the natural giant are much higher. However, during the dry season, Angel Falls naturally has less water than in the rainy season and therefore does not appear as impressive. Moreover, it's possible that the tributary rivers may not carry enough water, making boat access hardly possible. This could, in the worst case, mark the end of your tour to the waterfall. Your only option left would be to fly over the table mountain to see the waterfall with your own eyes. The view of Angel Falls will leave you speechless even from a bird's eye perspective.

With a height of almost a kilometer, it is almost unbelievable that Angel Falls remained hidden for so long. The exact time of its discovery is disputed. However, it is certain that it gained fame only when the American bush pilot Jimmie Angel discovered it on November 16, 1933. Angel was actually searching for gold, but ultimately found the largest waterfall on Earth, which is named after him. The name 'Angel Falls' has nothing to do with angels, as many mistakenly believe.

For a long time, few believed the adventurer Angel that the waterfall really existed. In 1937, he set off again to Auyan Tepui, this time with his wife and two other companions. This time, he made a rough landing with his plane on the table mountain, where the nose of the plane, especially the tires, got stuck in the mud. While all occupants were unharmed, they had very little equipment and supplies with them.

After an eleven-day trek through completely unknown and unmapped terrain, they finally arrived at the settlement of Kamarata and were helped. Their story spread like wildfire: the number of expeditions to the Gran Sabana region and international interest in the waterfall surged. Angel's plane, 'El Rio Caroni,' was only recovered from the mountain thirty years later and is now a popular tourist attraction in front of Ciudad Bolivar Airport. Most tours to the national park also start from here.

Today, Angel Falls is one of Venezuela's most popular tourist destinations. However, the journey to it hasn't become much easier compared to back then. To reach the waterfall, you still need to embark on a multi-hour boat tour and a hike through the Venezuelan rainforest. An experience that will surely stay in your memory forever!

Fly from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar towards Canaima. Even from the air, you can catch a beautiful view of the table mountain landscape and the graceful Angel Falls. You will land at the Canaima lagoon, already fed by several impressive waterfalls, where your camp is located.

The camp serves as the starting point for your adventurous river tour to the imposing giant Angel Falls. You will typically be navigating this part in a traditional dugout canoe, made from a single tree trunk.

The journey takes you upstream on the Carrao River and the Rio Churun for several hours through dense jungle and exciting rapids. Here, you are close to nature and jump from one adventure to the next. Your boat trip ultimately ends at the mighty Auyan-Tepui camp. You can sleep comfortably in hammocks in the camps - this way, no spiders, scorpions, snakes, or other ground animals can get close to you.

From here, it continues on foot: Trek uphill through the dense tropical rainforest and keep your eyes open for exotic plants and animals. After almost two hours, the majestic waterfall reveals itself right before your eyes, and you reach the viewpoint at the base of Angel Falls. If the humidity in the jungle isn't already high enough, a fine, refreshing mist will now settle on your skin. Standing down there and marveling at the sheer size of the waterfall is simply breathtaking. So make your way there yourself!

It's hard to put into words just how impressive and beautiful Angel Falls is. I hope you get the chance to see the spectacular waterfall with your own eyes someday. How about even taking a longer South America tour to experience many other waterfalls and natural wonders of the continent? In my travel magazine, I have compiled unique travel reports and tips to help you plan your trip. So, what are you waiting for!

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