A waterfall only reachable by air or river
Angel Falls, with an uninterrupted drop of 979 metres from the top of Auyán tepui, is the world's tallest waterfall, nearly 15 times taller than Niagara. No road reaches its base: the only access is by small plane from Ciudad Bolívar to the Canaima camp, then by curiara (traditional motorised canoe) upriver for several hours, with a final stretch on foot through the jungle.
What the trip is like
Most trips last two to three days: the first involves navigating to a camp near the base of the falls, stopping at Mirador Laime where the full drop is visible on a clear day; on the second day you can hike up to the natural pool formed by the falling water, ideal for swimming beneath the falls. The highest-flow season runs June to November, when the falls look most powerful but the river also rises and can sometimes block certain stretches; in the dry season, December to May, flow drops considerably and in some months the falls nearly disappear.
Before you travel
All access to Canaima and Angel Falls is organised through licensed operators who handle the small-plane flights, accommodation and river navigation; it's not a destination you can explore independently. It's worth booking several weeks ahead, especially in the highest-flow season, and confirming the weather before travelling, since fog and heavy rain can cancel small-plane flights from Ciudad Bolívar.