Two billion years ago it was already there — a flat-topped mountain raising vertical walls above the clouds, on the triple border of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Monte Roraima inspired Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World” and remains the most mythical expedition in South America: 7 days of trekking to a plateau from another planet, at around 2,800 meters of altitude.
How the expedition works
The classic itinerary lasts 7 days and 6 nights, with around 90 km of walking in total. The Brazilian gateway is Boa Vista-RR: from there, a transfer to the border at Pacaraima and the crossing into the village of Paraitepuy, in Venezuela, where the walk begins. The camps are on the Rio Ték, at the foot of the rock wall and, on the summit, in the famous “hotels” — natural shelters under slabs of rock. Pemón Indigenous guides are compulsory; going up on your own is forbidden.
The summit: a world apart
Up there the landscape turns into science fiction: labyrinths of black rock carved by the wind, endemic carnivorous plants, the Vale dos Cristais carpeted in quartz (taking even the smallest pebble is forbidden!), the Jacuzzis — natural pools of ice-cold, crystalline water — the window of La Ventana leaning over the sea of clouds, and the Ponto Triplo, the marker where three countries meet. Each day on the plateau is devoted to exploring a different corner.
How much it costs
Complete packages leaving from Boa Vista cost between R$ 4,500 and R$ 7,000, including transport, guides, cooks, tents and meals. Porters for the big backpack cost around R$ 1,000 for the expedition — an investment many consider the best money spent on the trip. Documents: a passport or identity card in good condition and a yellow fever vaccination.
When to go
The ideal window runs from November to March, in the dry season of the Gran Sabana: firm trail, low rivers and a better chance of clear sunrises on the summit. Be ready for the temperature range — 25-30 °C on the savannah and 5-10 °C on the plateau at night.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: intense. It is 5 to 8 hours of walking a day with a backpack, including the climb up the “ramp”, with 800 meters of gain in a single day. It demands good conditioning and preparation in advance — see our article on how to prepare for Monte Roraima. Children: not recommended for under-14s, and teenagers only with previous trekking experience. Older travelers and reduced mobility: the expedition is not suitable for people with mobility limitations; ecotourists aged 60+ in excellent shape complete the route every year — an honest assessment with a doctor and with the agency is the first step.