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OUTSIDE GUYANA - BORDER VENEZUELA
MOUNT RORAIMA |
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| REGION 1 Santa Rosa - Moruca Mabaruma & Shell Beach Port Kaituma REGION
2 REGION
3 REGION 7 |
Route Georgetown - Lethem Lethem - Bon Fim Bon Fim - Boa Vista Boa Vista - Santa Elena de Uairen About Santa Elena de Uairen Santa Elena - San Francisco Georgetown - Lethem By Air: Trans-Guyana flight from Ogle airport to Lethem takes approx. 1.5 hours. We left at 0600 and were in Lethem by 0730 which gives good time to make onward connections. Current costs are GUY $18,500 single and GUY $34,000 return. (Nadine at Kayman Sankar, Lamaha Street, was very helpful, Tel: 225-9875). Overland:
Lethem -
Bon Fim Bon Fim is the Brazilian border town, just across the
Takatu river from Lethem. The immigration office is on the main road
immediately after you cross the river. Bon Fim is a few kilometers
further on. The immigration office here is very efficient, and will
open up for you even at night. You will receive a stamp in your passport
and a piece of paper - keep this paper as it needs to be given back
to the immigration office on your exit from Brazil. The officials
do not speak English here.
*Canadians need a visa for Brazil A pontoon operates on the Takatu river during daylight hours. At night speedboats work for passengers only, charging GUY $100 for the short crossing. Taxi’s are available on the Guyanese side and will take you into Lethem for GUY $300 for a short drop. By bus:
By taxi:
By foot: Bon
Fim - Boa Vista Boa
Vista - Santa Elena de Uairen The bus will automatically stop at the Brazilian border where you have to visit immigration for an exit stamp, then drive to the Venezuelan immigration where you get an entry stamp and receipt - keep the receipt! You will need a tourist visa for entry into Venezuela which is best arranged in advance, as to do this on the border could prove a major hassle. The Venezuelan Embassy in Thomas Street, Georgetown is very efficient and helpful. The officer there processed our visas in a day (quicker than London could!), although a longer time is usually required. Opening hours are 0900-1300 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You need to take along your passport and a passport sized photograph of yourself. You will also need to present your Yellow Fever
Certificate at the Border - it has been known (recently) for the Officials
to turn back people who don’t have their certificate. This small town serves as the gateway to the Gran Sabana, and starting point for many treks up Mount Roraima. There are various companies here who will offer trips with other travellers to make up a large group. The service is good - but the package generally costs more than going to San Francisco and arranging for your own guides. Porters can be arranged at Parapetui, which is the starting point for the walk-in. The Tourist Office in Santa Elena is a new building next to the bus stands, and can offer lots of information and advice. The man who is currently employed there speaks very good English and is really helpful. It is possible to arrange a flight to Angel Falls from here. The cost is currently US $500 for a five-seater plane, so it makes sense to get an interested group of people together. There are stores which hire camping equipment at reasonable
rates - two are between the restaurant “Parador Turistico Venezuela
Primero” and “Casa Glady’s”. By taxi:
There is very little to see or do in this small village
and food produce is limited. Guides and equipment can be arranged from
here. Guides cost approx. 20,000 bolivars per day. Lots of trekkers hire
all equipment - tents, sleeping bags and mats, cooking gear - even
rucksacks from here for a small fee. There are possible places to stay -
check guides on Venezuela / South America. Jeeps to take you up to the
starting village of Parapetui are also arranged here and will cost approx.
US $50 for the journey (local currency preferred). |