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Angel Falls rewards the adventurer

(21 Aug 2006)

Going back-packing? – Get a great deal on travel insurance

Rising almost a kilometre into the air, Angel Falls in Venezuela is one of the true wonders of the world.

Discovered by Navy officer Ernesto Sanchez in 1910, the falls are 979m high and pour down from Auyan-Tepui – the "mountain of the God of evil".

They take their name from American aviator Jimmy Angel, who in 1937 managed to land his plane on top of Auyan-Tepui, but could not take off again. He and his companions trekked through the jungle for 11 days before they found a settlement.

As well as a spectacular waterfall, the intrepid traveller who makes it to this intriguing part of the world is rewarded with colourful tropical flora including orchids, palms and ferns.

Canaima is the most popular gateway to the Angel Falls, situated on the edge of a lake and surrounded by several other waterfalls too.

Access to the Angel Falls themselves is guaranteed to be an adventure as there is no road or path that leads there – they are accessed by boat or plane only.

Writing in the Times, Vincent Crump describes the experience of seeing the waterfall: "Suddenly, we emerge into the sun-glare of Mirador Laime, a kind of rocky royal box above the ravine – and there is the waterfall, blasting straight up into the clouds.

"Except that you can't see it all, because it's too big for the human viewfinder. I have to scroll my eyes up and down to take it in."

Sunvil Latin America and Last Frontiers are both companies that operate trips to Venzuela.


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