Angel Falls
In the 1930's when pilot Jimmie Angel landed his plane atop Auyan tepui (a tepui is a sandstone mesa) in the southeastern corner of Venezuela, and got bogged down in the marsh, he didn't find the gold he was looking for.
The House of the Devil: Angel Falls & Jimmie Angel, written by Karen Angel, gives us a look at her famous uncle who found the world's highest waterfall.
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At 979 meters (3230 feet) with an uninterrupted drop of 807 meters (2663 ft), Angel Falls is sixteen times the height of
Niagara Falls.
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Photo thanks to ArtToday |
 Photo used with the kind permission of Courtney Milne |
In the dry season (January to May), the waterfall may be just a thin stream of water fading into mist. In the rainy season (June to December) the falls are often voluminous and spectacular. The top of the tepui is often shrouded in mist. Viewing the falls from the air is the best way to see the grandeur and the height. |
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Angel Falls are accessible only by air. No doubt there are trails through the
dense forest, but tourists come by air.
To reach Angel Falls, located in Canaima National Park, you fly into Canaima
about 50 km (31 miles) away then take either a small plane or a boat
to the falls.
Some tours may fly into Kavac, an Indian settlement south of the tepui, and proceed from there by curiaras , an Indian canoe, down the Akanan and the Carrao river to Canaima. |
 Map courtesy of Parques Nacionales de Venezuela |
Photo of Carrao Falls thanks to ArtToday |
Canaima is located on Laguna Canaima, a portion of Rio Carrao, near the magnificent falls of Salto Hacha and
the close-by Salto El Sapo.
Canaima is located on a wide, peaceful stretch of the Rio Carrao, known as Laguna Canaima, just below the point where the river becomes a chain of magnificent falls. The rose-colored lagoon is bordered by a pink beach. One of the main places to stay is Canaima Camp where 115 private cabins respect the natural environment. Camping is also available near the beach. All camping supplies need to be brought in. |
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Angel Falls aren't the only ones in Canaima National Park. Everywhere you look, you will be
surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Sightseeing flights over the falls leave from Cuidad Bolívar. From June to December, and sometimes January, boat trips from Ucaima take visitors to the falls. |
Photo of Aponguao Falls thanks to ArtToday |
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