Brazil's Multi-Day Trekking Tour of Mount Roraima - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Boa Vista (Brazil), Explore the City

Welcome to Boa Vista, the capital of the Brazilian state Roraima, set against the backdrop of the Amazon rainforest. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to get settled. You can stay in to rest before starting your nine-day hike or venture into the city to explore a bit on your own. A good place to start is Orla Taumanan, a scenic waterfront area on the banks of the Rio Branco.

Stroll along the wooden walkways, enjoying panoramic views of the river and the city skyline. Along the way, you'll spot local eateries and cafés offering traditional Amazonian cuisine, so you can stop for a bite to eat overlooking the water. Indulge in dishes like tacacá, a hearty soup made with local ingredients like tucupi (a wild manioc root broth) and jambu (a local herb), and shrimp or an Amazonian fish called pirarucu typically grilled, fried, or cooked in stews.

Day 2: Transfer to Santa Elena de Uarén (Venezuela), Prepare for Trek

Start your day around 8:30 am with a briefing to meet your hiking group and discuss the upcoming trek. 

After the meeting, you have some free time to relax at your hotel and grab lunch. Then, meet your driver for a 3.5-hour transfer to Santa Elena de Uairén, a charming city on the border of Venezuela. Snag a window seat to see the passing savannas, rainforests, and mountains. When you arrive, meet your trekking guides and finalize all the details for tomorrow's hike before heading to your new hotel to check in and get some rest.

Day 3: Transfer to Paraitepuy, Trek to the Tek or Kukenán River

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to begin your nine-day hike up, across, and down Mount Roraima, a tupi (flat-topped) 9,219-foot-tall (2,810 m) mountain located at the junction of Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its distinctive shape and sheer cliffs have inspired legends and literary works, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World." Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then board a 4WD vehicle to transfer two hours to Paraitepuy, an Indigenous village in the Gran Sabana region and your gateway to the iconic mountain.

The trek to your first camp is 9.3 miles (15 km), taking you through dense rainforest and savanna as you slowly ascend. As you navigate the challenging terrain, look out for the rich tapestry of flora and fauna, including endemic plant species and colorful birdlife. Today's journey culminates after 4-5 hours when you reach the banks of the Tek or Kukenán rivers, where you'll stop and rest for the evening.

Day 4: Trek from the Tek or Kukenán River to Base Camp

Enjoy a nourishing breakfast at camp, then return to the trail for a 4.9-mile (8 km) trek to base camp. Meander uphill through dense rainforests, rocky terrain, and crystal-clear rivers. Crossing the Kukenan River, you can stop for a refreshing dip to cool off and rest your legs. After approximately five hours of walking, you'll reach your camp for the night, where you can grab something to eat in the shade of the colossal mountain before heading to bed.

Day 5: Trek from Base Camp to the Summit of Mount Roraima

Today, it's time for you to trek 2.7 miles (4.5 km) to the summit of Mount Roraima, with stops along the way to rest and admire the landscape dotted with wildflowers. Along the 4-5 hour journey, you'll pass by rushing rivers and through the Paso das Lágrimas (Passage of Tears), a series of cascading waterfalls tumbling down the sheer cliffs. Listen to the thundering water and feel the cool mist as you marvel at the shimmering curtains of water.

When you finally reach the summit, you'll be welcomed by the Monument of Makunaima and the Guardians of the Mountain, rock formations shaped like animals and mythical creatures, like dragons and gargoyles, that are said to protect the mountain. Enjoy panoramic views of the Gran Sabana region, revealing a patchwork of lush rainforests, winding rivers, and sprawling savannas before settling into your camp for the night.

Day 6: Trek to Camp Coati via the Crystal Valley & Triple Point

Although you're at the summit, it spans 12 square miles (31 sq km), so your trek continues at this height, taking you 9.3 miles (15 km) to Camp Coati on the Brazilian side of the mountain. On today's eight-hour route, stop at the Crystal Valley, a natural wonder characterized by its shimmering quartz crystals adorning the rocky terrain. As you explore the ethereal landscape, marvel at the crystals that appear to glow with an otherworldly light.

Continue to Triple Point, a pyramidal marker where the borders of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana meet on top of the mountain. When you arrive at camp, enter between two huge rocks and wander through the small paradise dotted with a garden, pond, and various plants. Walk 1,640 feet (500 m) to a nearby lookout point to glimpse the Parque Nacional do Monte Roraima or get some much-deserved rest at camp.

Day 7: Round-Trip Trek to Lake Gladys

Leave Camp Coati behind for a six-hour route as you hike 3.7 miles (6 km) round trip to Lake Gladys, renowned for its crystal-clear waters that reflect the surrounding cliffs and rock formations. Traverse the rocky terrain and dense vegetation until the lake comes into view and the landscape transforms. Although you can't swim here, you can marvel at the serene waters, which the Indigenous community believes to be a portal to another dimension. After enjoying the tranquil oasis, trek three hours back to Camp Coati for dinner. 

Day 8: Trek to Triple Point & El Fosso

Your penultimate day atop the mountain takes you on a 9.3-mile (15 km) trek to El Fosso (The Pit), a geological marvel characterized by its deep chasms and labyrinthine rock formations. On today's eight-hour route, you'll get another look at Triple Point, marking the countries' borders on the summit. When you arrive, explore the rugged terrain surrounding El Fosso and immerse yourself in the towering cliffs, hidden caves, and dramatic rock spires. This otherworldly landscape offers a glimpse into the ancient geological forces that have shaped the mountain over millions of years.

Day 9: Discover Pedra Maverick, La Ventana & Salto Cathedral

Spend your last day at the summit exploring any highlights you may have missed on a six-hour, 3.7-mile (6 km) trek. Start at Pedra Maverick, the highest point of the mountain. Climb to the top of the rock formation for a panoramic view of the sprawling Gran Sabana region, with its verdant forests, meandering rivers, and distant mountains dotting the horizon. Continue to the "Jacuzzis," small pools of water fed by natural springs and rainwater nestled amid the natural rock formations.

Soak in the warm waters and unwind after days of hiking before heading to La Ventana, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Look at the grand Kukenán-tepui rising in the distance and the lush valley surrounding the two tupis. Then, head to Salto Cathedral, a majestic waterfall plunging dramatically over the edge of a towering cliff, creating a sense of reverence. End the tour at Paso de Los Cristales, a series of crystal-clear pools that shimmer like crystals in the sunlight. Find a shallow pool to take a refreshing dip before returning to the same camp for the night. 

Day 10: Descend to the Tek or Kukenán River

It's time to bid farewell to Mount Roraima's summit as you descend the slope back to camp along the Tek or Kukenán rivers. Stop for a snack on the trail after an hour of hiking along the towering cliffs and ancient rock formations. With three hours left of the trek, you can entertain yourself by looking out for wildlife, like birds flying overhead or capybaras and armadillos foraging for food in the underbrush. When you arrive, settle into your camp and enjoy a nourishing meal. Don't forget to look up at the starry sky, uninterrupted by city lights as darkness falls.

Day 11: Transfer to Boa Vista via Paraitepuy & Santa Elena de Uairén

Start the last leg of your journey this morning with a 9.3-mile (15 km) trek back to Paraitepuy. When you arrive approximately four hours later, board a 4WD vehicle and transfer two hours to Santa Elena de Uairén. Cross the border back to Brazil, where you can change vehicles and transfer 3.5 hours to Boa Vista. Settle into your hotel for the night or freshen up for dinner to indulge in local delights like maniçoba, a hearty stew made with shredded manioc leaves, pork, and various seasonings. 

Day 12: Depart Boa Vista

Unfortunately, after 12 days of exploring Boa Vista and Mount Roraima, your adventure comes to an end today. If you have time before your flight, you could head to Praia Grande to relax after all that hiking. Lounge on the soft golden sand, take a dip in the Rio Branco, and soak up the Brazilian sun. When it's time, return to your hotel to grab your bags and meet your driver to transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!