Journey to Angel Falls, Venezuela

On arriving at camp we're given the surprising news that we will be able to take canoes up to the base of the falls but we're likely to need to get out and push at times as the river is so low. No one cares; we're just thrilled to be able to do it. And we need to leave immediately in order to arrive before dark.

We manage to fit into two wooden motorised dug-out canoes and start out journey up the fast-flowing Karrao river. The river is wide, shallow and full of jagged rocks. As we pass through several rapids most of us manage to receive a good soaking which is not unpleasant in the sticky heat. An hour in and I glimpse the huge labyrinthine Auyún Tepuy rising majestically from the pristine rainforest. Angel Falls tumbles from its summit but we'll have to travel up-river for another five hours until we can get our first glimpse.