At the Northern extremity of Brazil, the state of Roraima constitute one of the last un-explored region of the South American continent, and the refuge of the Yanomamis Indians, one of the most important tribe of the Amazon.
On either side of the main river of the State, the Rio Branco, rises a mountain range of relatively high altitude (about 2000 meters above sea level average).
This relief, marking the natural separation line between the Orénoque and the Amazon Basins, is also the border between Venezuela and Brazil.
The vegetation is typical of the region (first growth dense and tropical forest) and it is estimated that 50% of the species encountered here are endemic.

Pico de la Neblina the roof of Brazil, is located in the core of the Amazonian virgin forest, in one of the wildest sites of this green inferno.
Its name, “Fog Pea”, comes from the clouds and the continuous rains maintaining a very humid atmosphere, without any apparent dry season, in which it bathes.
This frontier area located between Brazil and Venezuela is ruled by international agreements that define the division of the territory.
Neblina peak is on Brazilian territory, and with its 3040 m.a.s.l., constitutes the highest point of this country.

The other sandstone mountains, the “Tepuys”, generally have flat summits and horizontal layers. At Pico de la Neblina, these layers are folded in such a manner that the mountain surface is marked by deep valleys and sharp peaks; along its main axis there is a valley known as Canyon of the Baria river, one of the deepest in the world!

Our expedition leaves from Manaus and the adventure starts as soon as we take off….

At our arrival in Manaus, the group meets in the hall of the hotel. Briefing and inspection of the expedition equipment then detailed explanation of the itinerary.
End of day open to stroll through town (see the section Manaus recommended visits).
Meals open. Night in a hotel.

In the morning, we transfer to the regional airport of Manaus for the short flight to São Gabriel da Cachoeira. . Once we have arrived, we visit IBAMA (the Brazilian Environment Protection Organization).
In the afternoon, we leave in a 4WD.
After driving about 50 miles towards Frente Sul, where we stop for a little shopping to complete what’s needed for the trip, we embark in a motor canoe. After an hour navigation we reach camp da Pedra where we set up camp.

We get up at 05:30 to take our breakfast, and continue our journey on the Cauburis River, at the heart of the Amazon Forest.
In the middle of the day, we stop for lunch, then continue on until we reach the mouth of the Maturuca River. After 7 hours, we finally reach the Boca do Tucano (the “Toucan’s mouth”), our second camp.

Trek – 8 miles - 6h of actual walking – 200 m elevation gain
Today, our trek towards the roof of brazil begins.
We pass by the village of Cachoeira and take our lunch at Serrinha. In the afternoon, we continue our ascent towards Bebedouro Velho, where we set up camp.

Trek – 7.5 miles - 6h of actual walking – 400 m elevation gain
Today, we will have the opportunity to discover along the way magnificent sites such as Cutia, Macaco and Romualdo. We take our lunch in the middle of the Amazon Forest, and then reach Bebedouro Novo in the middle of the afternoon.
All included. Bivouac.

Trek –7h of actual walking – 1200 m elevation gain
Today, we are confronted with the most important elevation gain. From the Lage where we have lunch, we continue on to our base camp, from where we can appreciate the majestic forms of the highest point in Brazil.

Trek –5h of actual walking – 1000 m elevation gain
We attack the final difficulty, the goal of our expedition, Pico da Neblina and its 3040 meters. From the summit, if the weather is clear, exceptional view over the forest spreading as far as the eyes can see under our feet.
All included. Bivouac.

Trek –5h of actual walking – 500 to 800 m elevation gain
These two days are dedicated to visiting Pico da Neblina and  Pico 31 de Marzo, the second highest point in Brazil. We admire the extraordinary flora of this area, where most species are endemic, as well as the spectacular views over the large valleys below and deep canyons dating from the time of the mountain’s formation. We then return to our camp for dinner and to rest after our emotions!
All included. Bivouac.

Trek –5h of actual walking
We return by the same itinerary we came up.
All included. Bivouac.

Trek –9h of actual walking
All included. Bivouac.

Trek –6h of actual walking
All included. Bivouac.

Starting this day, we continue by boat. We pass by  camp da Pedra for lunch, then continue our navigation on the Cauaburi River to Aldeia Nazare, where we set up camp.
All included. Night in hammock.

Today we start going up Rio La Grande and navigate for 3 hours on its dark waters. We reach Frente Sul towards 10:00. A car is awaiting us there to transfer the group to São Gabriel, where we arrive at 14:00. Rest of the day open.
All included. Night in the pension São Gabriel.

Transfer to the airport for our flight to Manaus. End of our services.

On the other side of the Brazil-Venezuela border is located the region of the Grand Sabana, site unique composed of about forty Tepuys between which run, no less, than 9 rivers.
These colossal blocks and their flat tops seem to have  risen from the earth in the middle of a green desert.
They supposedly are, among the most ancient relief on the planet.
Mount Roraima (el. 2810 m.a.s.l.) is the highest one, the most characteristic and therefore the most famous Tepuy.
Towards 1880 a series of conferences was given in London by botanist Everard Im Thurn, first occidental to have climbed Mount Roraima. The auditorium was fascinated when he told that the large summit sheltered vegetal and animal species that apparently hadn’t known any interaction  with the rest of the world for millions of years.
The writer sir Arthur Conan Doyle, present during these conferences, was as many of the people attending fascinated by the accounts of the expedition, which inspired him to write in 1912 The Lost World.
We organize the expedition to Mount Roraima starting from Boa Vista, in Brazil.
Starting from the foot of the Tepuy, the ascent first takes place on trails through forests where we will see numerous species of birds and plants.

Transfer to the airport for the interior flight Manaus – Boa Vista.
Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Meals not included. Night in a hotel.

Trek – 10 miles - 5h of actual walking
Departure from Boa Vista at 05:00 in the direction of Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela) where we arrive around 09:00. We stop for a short while and to eat a snack.
We change vehicle, then head to Paraitepuy, which we reach at around 13:00.

Trek – 6 miles – 4 to 5h of actual walking
At around 08:00, we head towards the base of Mount Roraima. The distance is not big but the effort is more sustained than the previous day. We arrive near the area where we set up camp at around 14:00. Lunch. Afternoon open. We can take advantage of this free time to bathe in cold water, walk around the area or prepare for the next day.
All included. Bivouac.

Trek – 3 miles – 4 to 5h actual walking
We leave camp at around 08:00 for this day that leads us to the summit.
This is one of the most interesting part of the trek. We take pictures, admire the scenery, observe the flora (orchids) and the fauna (numerous bird species). We pass along brooks and waterfalls. The arrival on the summit is planned for 14:00. Afternoon open to enjoy the place.

Trek – 7 to 8h actual walking
Towards 08:00, we start our descent to Vales dos Cristais / El Fosso e Ponto Triplo, (4 hours getting there and 3½ coming back) with a one-hour pause for lunch and to enjoy the place. We return to camp in the late afternoon. For this day, it is not necessary to carry all the gear since we will camp in the same place as the night before.

Trek – 6h of actual walking
Time to return to civilization. After breakfast, we take the camp down and start our return itinerary. We arrive at the camp of Rio Tek in the middle of the afternoon. End of day open.
All included. Bivouac.

Trek – 10 miles – 4h of actual walking
Last day of the trek. After breakfast we continue our hike. After a one-hour pause for lunch we head for Santa Elena then Boa Vista, where we arrive at around 20:00.