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Photos of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela

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The top of Roraima Tepui was first explored in the early 1900's by a National Geographic expedition. Until then, it was thought that the tops of these unusual mountains were totally inaccessible. Tepuis rise vertically from the grasslands below isolating the peaks from the surrounding landscape. Tepuis were formed over a million years ago and consequently, the flora and fauna at the tops of these mountains have largely evolved separately from those living below. It is estimated that 50% of the species alive at the tops of Venezuela's tepuis are unique to their locales. Larger versions of these photos of The Wave and Coyote Buttes can be viewed by using a mouse rollover or by using the Slideshow below. The following link can be used to add this page to your favorites.

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a photo showing the approach to Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
Toward Roraima #0970
It's a several day hike to Roraima from the closest road access point in Venezuela. There are several river crossings that provide hikers with the opportunity to replenish water supplies.



photo showing the steep face of Roraima Tepui
Face of Roraima #0965
The top of Roraima gets rain almost every night. Consequently, with Roraima's sheer face, there are waterfalls that drop vertically for over a thousand feet.



a photo of the trail on Roraima's face
Climbing Roraima #0822
The hike to Roraima is relatively easy over flat terrain. The last four hours are tough - up a steep incline along one side of Roraima. A short stretch calls for using all fours.



photo looking back down the trail on the face of Roraima Tepui
Climbing Roraima #0825a
Near the top of Roraima and after the most difficult portions of the climb, the views are spectacular.



a photo of the view from half-way up to the top of Roraima Tepui
Climbing Roraima #0826a




 a landscape photo showing the trail climbing up the face of Roraima Tepui
Climbing Roraima #0830
photo of our guide standing on boulders on the trail up to the top of Roraima Tepui
Climbing Roraima #0831




 photo showing a precariously balanced black boulder on the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0834
The top of Roraima is known for unusual rock formations.



photo of boulders and a pool of water on the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0836
The top of Roraima has little microclimates that change rapidly. Clear blue sky can change to a foggy mist in moments.



photo of flowers and rock formations at the top of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
Top of Roraima Tepui #0835


 photo of mist, vegetation, and rock formations on the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0844
In places, the top of Roraima is a maze of tall, black stones interspersed with inpenetrable bush.

photo of boulders in mist on the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0846
There is a great deal of folklore surrounding Roraima, with stories of people vanishing never to be found, and unseen prehistoric beasts whose wails can be heard from within the mists. It is an eerie place.

misty view of the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0847
The top of Roraima is like a cloud forest. It is frequently in mist, but the rocky landscape has only a thin soil layer for the unusual plants and flowers that grow there.

a flower in bloom on the top of Roraima Tepui
Roraima Flower #0908
The dense moist clouds that engulf the top of Roraima provide excellent growing conditions for the plants that have evolved here.

photo of a carnivorous flower on Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
Roraima Flower #0866
Many of the flowers on Roraima are carnivorous.

photo of a waterfall dropping into a 30 foot deep hole on the top of Roraima Tepui
Roraima Waterfall #0918
This waterfall drops about 30 feet into this excellent swimming spot, accessible via a cave that enters at water level below.

photo of part of a cave that leads to the pool at the bottom of a thirty foot deep hole on top of Roraima Tepui
Roraima Cave #0923
This photo shows part of the cave that opens near the bottom of a Roraima waterfall. It's more easy to navigate than this photo might suggest.

photo showing our campsite at the top of Roraima Tepui
Roraima Campsite #0863
Tourbooks often refer to the campsites on Roraima as 'hotels'. It pays to be with a group that makes it to the top early in the day, as these groups get the best choices for campsites, which are located on ledges often below a covered rock overhang providing comfort from the nightly rainfall.

landscape photo of a pool, rocks, and mist on the top of Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0854
These calm pools on the top of Roraima are perfectly clear and clean.

photo of Roraima's tiny frog
Roraima Frog #0859
Consistent with what has been observed in many other isolated habitats around the world, this species of frog has evolved into this tiny form.

photo of some colorful flowers on Roraima
Roraima Flower #0881
In contrast to the stark black stones on Roraima, the flowers here are often colorful.

photo of flowers on Roraima Tepui
Roraima Flower #0901
Many of the flowers on Roraima are of the succulent variety.

photo of the Valley of Crystals on Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
Roraima Valley of Crystals #0941
One area on the top of Roraima is known as the "Valley of Crystals". The floor of the valley is covered with large quartz crystals. Very nice.

close-up photo of the crystals in the Valley of Crystals on Roraima Tepui
Roraima Crystals #0943
The Valley of Crystals on Roraima is loaded with these clear and white varieties of quartz.

photo of the misty top of Roraima Tepui
The Top of Roraima #0893
The eerie mist of Roraima.

photo of a red flower on top of Roraima tepui
Roraima Flower #0909
Another beautiful flower found on the top of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela.

photo of the triple point on Roraima, placed at the junction of three countries - Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana
Roraima Triple Point #0931
Most people trek to and climb Roraima Tepui from Venezuela. But once at the top, it's a relatively easy hike to reach the "Triple Point" - the point where the borders of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana meet.

photo of Roraima flowers
Roraima Flower #0839
Another flower of Roraima.

photo of mist on Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0851
Rock formations within eerie mist and unusual flora and fauna are among the attractions of climbing Roraima. That and the knowledge that you're one of very few other people to visit such an isolated, unusual place.

photo of rock formations on Roraima Tepui
Top of Roraima #0864
photo of Roraima flowers
Roraima Flower #0791
It's estimated that 50% of all life forms on Roraima Tepui are found nowhere else on earth.

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