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| Other sites of interest |
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 San
Francisco de Yuruaní
This
is one of the largest
Pernon villages, and
is located by the
highway. The main
street has different
kinds of indigenous
constructions. It is a
starting point for
expeditions to the
Roraima Tepuy.
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 Kavanayén
The road to Kavanayén
intersects the Santa
Elena highway 4 km
from the Fuerte Luepa
gas station. A short
distance along this
road is the Luepa
airport. The distance
to Kavanayén is 70
km, over quite
difficult terrain. The
population is
indigenous, belonging
to the Pernon ethnic
group. The mission of
the Capuchin monks was
established here. It
is a picturesque
village, with the
stone constructions so
typical of the
Catholic missionary
founders, and its
spectacular
surroundings of tepuyes.
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The
Great Savanna is an area of 75,000 square
kilometers which includes the southeastern
part of the state of Bolívar, and forms part
of the Guayana Shield, calculated to be 2,000
to 1,600 million years old. Characteristic of
this area are the tepuyes, rock
formations that can rise to 2,700 meters, such
as the Cerro Roraima, which gives its name to
the geological formation. The vegetation is
variable in the savanna itself. It consists of
sparse, graminaceous plants, annual grasses,
and the curious carnivorous plant known as the
drosera which traps insects for food.
Within the Great Savanna is the Canaima
National Park.
The Salto Angel (Angel Falls) are found here
(the longest, highest waterfall in the world).
This, together with the Roraima tepuy,
and rivers flowing over beds of semiprecious
jasper, could not fail to be a powerful
attraction drawing those who seek closer
contact with Mother Nature. The Great Savanna
and Canaima are two of the most popular
Venezuelan destinations for adventure tourism
and ecotourism. This immense area is found in
the heart of the Guayana Massif, one of the
oldest geological formations in the world,
surrounded by tepuyes capped with
clouds. The area is crossed by a well designed
and maintained highway. There are camping
sites near the main rivers.
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Access |
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The
distance between the Great Savanna and Caracas
is 1,100 km. Access is by road from the city
of Guayana.
Air access is from the airports of Santa Elena
de Uairén, Luepa, and the runways in Parupa,
Kavanayén and Canaima.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 Quebrada
de Jaspe - Jaspe Gully
This is
some 26 km south of San Francisco de Yuruaní
(near km. 262). Its native name is Kako-Parú.
The gully's different shades of terracotta red
make this it an impressive sight.
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 Salto
Aponwao - Aponwao Falls
These
falls are located a distance of 30 km along
the Kavanayén highway, and then 10 km to the
south, towards the indigenous village of
Iboribó. Known as Chinak-Merú, in the Pernon
language, the waterfall is approximately 70 m
high. It is one of the most frequently
photographed waterfalls in the Great Savanna.
You are advised not to attempt this trip by
yourself : go with a guide.
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 Salto
Kamá-Merú - Kamá-Merú Falls
These
falls are located at one of the points closest
to the border with Guayana, and from here the
Kukenán and Roraima tepuyes can be
seen in the distance.
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 Salto
Yuri - Yuri Falls
You can
take a curiara canoe along the Caroni
river to these falls. Once you are there, you
can walk to an attractive beach where you can
swim. To visit these places it is preferable
to go on an organized tour, because it is not
easy to explore this area without a guide.
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 Roraima
Tepuy or Rock Formation
It has
an elevation of 2,763 m.a.s.l.. Excursions are
organized from nearby villages with native
guides. It is forbidden to climb the tepuy
because of the damage to the fragile
ecosystem. However, it is possible to reach
the base. The excursion is on foot from the
nearest village, with appropriate equipment.
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