The Highest Waterfall in the world.-Cainama National Park

Ironic to begin with but it came as a surprise that most people think Niagara Fall, Niagara Ontario in Canada is the highest waterfall in the world amongst the list of major falls. Angel falls located in the Cainama National Park in Venezuela takes the first prize with a height of 3212 feet(Niagara falls is around 67feet). Falling off  Auyantepui mountains, The water fall is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The biggest waterfalls were not known to the outside world until American aviator Jimmie Angel flew over them on 16 November 1933 on a flight while he was searching for a valuable ore bed.

Returning on 9 October 1937, Angel tried to land his Aircraft atop Auyan-tepui, but the plane was damaged when the wheels sank into the marshy ground, and he and his three companions, including his wife Marie, were forced to descend the tepui on foot. It took them 11 days to make their way back to civilization, but news of their adventure spread, and the waterfall was named Angel Falls in his honor. Angel's plane remained on top of the tepuy for 33 years before being lifted out by helicopter. It was restored at the Aviation Museum in Maracay and now sits outdoors on the front of the airport at Ciudad Bolívar.

Caianama National Park itself is a wonder to be visited in itself. Spread over 30,000 sq. kms the national park borders Brazil and Guyana and is roughly the size of Belgium. Most mountains in the national park are table top mountains making it a unique characteristic of the area. The tabletop mountains belong to an era when South America and Africa were part of a super continent.Pemons have developed some basic and luxurious camps, which are mainly visited by tourists from across the world.

Mount Roraima has a 31sq. km flat top with 400feet cliffs on the sides. It is easy to climb via an old trail. The mountain served as an inspiration for Disney/pixar movie 'UP'. the mountain is also home to caves which are 2 billion years old with unique flora nad fauna. The pictures will tell the rest of the story.

While at the Canaima National park, also indulge in boating, bathing and sun bathing at the Canaima Lagoon which has red water and a pinkish sand due to the presence of quartz. Visit the Sapo(frog) and little Sapo (Little frog falls) where you can walk from behind the falls. Also on offer is the wildlife including Jaguars and Armadillos.

PS: Due to the extreme height much of the water is carried away as mist by the blowing wind. This site is also used a wallpapers on various sites without pointing to its location.

Excitement level- 8/10 Lots of adventureous trips breathtaking views on offer.
Beauty level- 8/10 The highest waterfall and Mount Roraima offer an unmatched beauty.

Days required: 7 days including the hike and return(2day) and stay(1 day) to Mount Roraima and their caves and Angel falls(1 day) and a day each for travel into and from the National park. A hike to Lake Gladys will require another day.
Hotel: The local people have built Permons have built luxurious camps for visitors to stay.
Directions: Air: As stated, access to Canaima National Park is by air to the village of Canaima, about 50 km away from the falls. From there, you take either a smaller plane and fly to an airstrip at Canaima Lagoon, or travel by river to the lagoon. From the lagoon, you hike to a view point of the falls. There are also daily flights via Puerto Ordaz connecting Canaima airstrip with the major cities of Venezuela. The airstrip is a short jeep-train ride from nearby Lodges. Check flights from your area to Caracas or other Venezuelan cities with connections to Ciudad Bolicar and Canaima. From this page, you can also browse hotels, rental cars, and special deals.

Water:From Canaima, when the water is neither too high or too low, you can travel by motorized canoe, called curiara up the Carrao River, then the Churun river to an point where you can then hike through the jungle to the falls. The river portion takes about four hours, and you should allow an hour or more for the hike. Canoe access to Angel Falls is restricted to the rainy season, June to November.

Helicopter tours are also available from Venezuelan city of Santa Elena de Uairén.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_falls
*http://partyflock.nl/topic/1089519:Mt_Roraima.html
* http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/VenAngelCanaima.htm