Falls of Salto Angel, (Salto Churún Merú)

Salto Angel, (Salto Churún Merú)
 Salto Angel, (Salto Churún Merú) found in Venezuela particularly located at Canaima National park in Gauya River (Rio Gauya), tributary of Rio Churún. The last in turn is tributary of Rio Caroni. The name - Gauja - to the river has been given by Latvian Alejandro Laime, who was the first to reach this waterfall by land.

One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, magnificent Angel falls, remains virtually masked to mankind in the rugged jungle and mountain of Venezuela. Today, Angel Falls is the greatest tourist draw in Venezuela.

The other Gauja river is located in Latvia - in fact it is among the most beautiful rivers of Latvia. Often there is made mistake by telling that this waterfall is on Rio Churún. The Salto Angel Falls is the highest in record having 979 meters high.

At the lower part the waterfall is 150 meters wide. Europeans discovered the waterfall in 1935. Waterfalls is named after James Angel - American adventurer, who had to make an emergency landing with his plane nearby in 1937. Nestled deep in the recesses of Canaima National Park in the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, the towering waterfall drops from a height of 979 meters off the top of Auyantepui. Known in Venezuela as "El Salto Angel," the waterfall is 19 times the height of Niagara Falls. 



Canaima Park View 


Canaima National Park

named Angel Falls - Kerekupai-Meru, meaning “falls of the water to the deepest site”, in Pemon language. The mighty cascade is named after Jimmy Angel, an American pilot who landed on top of Auyantepui in 1937 while searching for gold. Angel's four-seater plane got stuck on top of the mountain and he, his wife and two companions had to trek for 11 days before finding another human being. The story of the discovery of this amazing cataract makes an unusual tale of adventure and disappointment, as Jimmy Angel was in fact searching for gold.

Formed more than 130 million years ago, the tepuis are massive and shrouded in clouds, with sheer drops that make navigation seem impossible. And the dense surrounding jungle makes you feel as if you've tumbled back in time to a prehistoric age. In fact, the soaring tepuis were the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1912 novel "The Lost World." Nearly a century later, millions of tourists visit the area annually.

To see this giant stream of water falling is an emotional experience that can’t be equaled. Angel falls, tumbles freely for some 807 meters. The cataract continues through almost another 172 meters of less rugged fall until it meets the jungle floor of a valley. The river then flows on and eventually joins with other streams to meet the Orinoco.

Angel Falls the highest waterfall in the world is also the most isolated one, the nearest road ends110 miles to the north. The jungle and mountain region is practically uninhabited. Indians shun the area of the falls, believing it to be a mystic land of the thereafter. Surely, it isn't difficult to imagine the awe of the Indians. Frequently Auyantepui remains shrouded in clouds, and the falls seem to valley viewers to be tumbling from an obscure heaven. Angel Falls is a unique and breathtaking natural wonder consider by many people as the eighth natural wonder of the world. From 1940 Angel falls is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit Angel Falls - The best way to get to the Angel Falls is to rent a plane to the village of Canaima from Caracas (the capital of Venezuela), Puerto Ordaz or Ciudat Bolivar. After you get to Canaima you will take a river trip to the Angel Falls trail.

When to visit Angel Falls - It is best advised to visit the Angel Falls during the rainy between May and November, as the falls will have a more spectacular view. But if you can’t arrange a trip during this period the Angel Falls will still be worth to see.