Those who love to hike; should not miss trekking to the Auyan Tepuy. This table mountain is one of  Venezuela’s highlights. Being part of the Guyana shield- sandstone formation it became through  millions of years what it represents today: one of the most outstanding Table mountains of this country. On its top you will find  various plants, some of them endemic (nonexistent in the rest of the world). Since this is one of the highest mountains in this region, it means  an unforgettable adventure to climb it - and be awarded with a completely new and strange world of bizarre rock formations as well as  rare plants. The Churun River with its gold shining waters invites to recuperate from the effort after the somewhat strenuous climb.

This tour can take place the whole year, although we recommend the rainy season (May to Nov.) when you can combine this trip with a boat excursion  to Angel Falls.
 

Map of Auyan Tepui Trekking

 

IN SHORT:

1^st day: Flight from Ciudad Bolívar to Kavak. Trip to the Kavac-Canyon. Overnight stay in hammocks. (-/L/D) 
2^nd day: Hiking from Kavak to Guarayaca. Overnight stay in tents. (B/L/D) 
3^rd day: Ascent to the second plateau El Peñon. Overnight stay in tents. (B/L/D) 
4^th day: Ascent Auyan Tepui up to El Oso.Overnight stay in tents. (B/L/D) 

5^thday: Hiking from El Oso to Campo Lecho.Overnight stay in tents(B/L/D) 
6^th day:Hiking from Campo Lecho to El Oso.Overnight stay in tents(B/L/D) 
7^th day: Descent from El Oso to El Peñon. Overnight stay in tents. (B/L/D) 
8^th day: Descent from El Peñon to Uruyen. Overnight stay in tents. B/L/D) 
9^th day: Hiking from Uruyen to Kavak.Overnight stay in hammocks.(B/L/D) 
10^th day:  Flight to Ciudad Bolívar. (B/-/-) 
          B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner         Subject to change! 
 

Detailed Itinerary:

1^st day:Flight from Ciudad Bolívar to Kavak. Trip to the Kavak Canyon
We take a small plane from Ciudad Bolívar to Kavak. During the flight before we reach the Gran Sabana, we’ll see Rain forest below us and the Caroni river. As we arrive at Kavak, we will be greeted by typical Indian Churuatas (huts) which are set right in front of the mighty Auyan Tepui – an almost unreal sight of peace and beauty. Here we camp. 
In the afternoon we hike to Kavak Canyon. In order to get to its falls, we’ll have to swim across the channel – don’t worry – no danger involved!
2^nd day:Hiking Kavak - Guarayaca (about 6 hours)
We leave in the early morning towards Auyan Tepui and walk from river to river, so that we can always take a refreshing bath. On our way we pass small Indian villages. We get to Okono-River, cross it and ascend to Guaracaya Camp.
3^rd day:Hiking uphill to the second plateau El Peñon (about 7 hrs.)
We first walk through the Savannah until we get to dense jungle around the Auyan Tepui. After a while we cross high underbrush until we arrive at a gigantic rock - El Peñón - where we spend the night under the overhanging rock being our shelter.
4^th day:Ascent  to El Oso (about 7,5 hours)
Today we must cross a rather stony plain until we arrive at the steep wall of the Tepuy, which will present itself right in front of us. We walk into its dark and impressive landscape of Jungle, crossing a huge crevice. After about 2 hours of rather tough climbing over big rocks we finally reach the top of the Tepuy and take a break at a rock called El Libertador. Here we rest, after having gained enough strength we’ll continue crossing the plateau of the Tepuy to a place called “El Oso”, where we will spend another night under the shelter of a huge rock. 
5^th day:Hiking from El Oso to Campo Lecho (about 4 hours) 
Beginning  from El Oso we hike over huge rock plateaus downhill until we reach one of the side streams of the river Churun. Here we take a refreshing bath. From there on we continue to hike for about 1,1/2 hours through untouched rain forest, full of bromeliads, palms, ferns and other dense vegetation  which we have to cross. Early in the afternoon we arrive in Campo Lecho. Those who are interested can go to the ¨Boca de Dragón¨, where the river disappears into the wall of the Auyan Tepui and reappears aprox. 400 yards later. 

6^th day:Hiking from Campo Lecho to El Oso (about 4 hours)
We return to El Oso. In the afternoon we have time to explore the surroundings. 
7^th day:Descent from El Oso to El Peñon (about 6 hours)
8^th day:Descent from El Peñon to Uruyen (about 8 hours)

We walk back to Guarayaca and have a break. Further downhill we cross Río Ocoñe and arrive finally in Uruyen, a small Indian village near the river Uruyen. 
9^th day:Hiking from Uruyen to Kavak
We have plenty of time to walk the last 3 hours of the journey before we get back to Kavak. All the afternoon we have time to relax and enjoy a swim in the nearby river. This day may also serve as a reserve in case we need an extra-day for the tour. 
10^th day:Flight to Ciudad Bolívar
Around noon another small plane takes us back to Ciudad Bolívar. 
 

Price, Conditions, Tour departures

Price US-$ ..... per person (minimum of 4 people) Price does not include Venezuela's valid tax

Included Flight from Ciudad Bolivar to Kavak by small (or big) propeller airplane  Trip to the Kavak-Canyon bilingual guide: English / Spanish (for groups other languages on request) Meals as indicated  All the overnight stays  We provide hammocks/mosquito nets/tents/ equipment  Flight from Kavak to Ciudad Bolivar by small (or big) propeller airplane

Equipment to bring along Solid walking shoes, Sneakers, light cotton trousers, long-sleeved shirt, rain-protection, swim suit, sleeping bag, sun protection/sun blocker, hat or scarf, insect repellant, water bottle, pocket lamp, back-pack.  Please take as little baggage as possible (max. 10 kilos), because the space in the plane and the canoe is limited.

The night before the tour Your should stay the night before this trip in Ciudad Bolivar, as our  tour starts generally early in the morning. We can arrange for a  simple but clean hotel for 1 night, price about US-$ 25 to 35 per double  room.

We have divided our reservations in three groups as follows: Fixed dates (we already have people) Open dates (our suggested dates) New dates (you suggest a departure date)

Tour departure dates for 2003 on request

Radio Communication equipment: We can take this on the tour, but will charge a small additional fee

Recommendation: You can combine this Trekking with our river Expedition to Angel Fall during Rainy season - see Combination:  "Auyan Tepui Trekking & River Expedition to Angel Fall"