Main image

Christoph Kühnhanss, CH-3011 BERN CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Auyán-tepui

Mountain

A tabletop tepui in Bolívar state that forms the rim above Angel Falls; visitors reach Auyán-tepui from Canaima by flight or river trip to view the falls and plateau.

Auyán-tepui CaracasAngel FallsMéridaLos Roques ArchipelagoMaracaiboAuyán-tepui
In this guide

Auyán-tepui essentials

Country: Venezuela
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Bolivar Soberano
Language: Spanish

Auyán-tepui at a Glance

About Auyán-tepui

Auyán-tepui is a large table-top mountain (tepui) in Bolívar state, southern Venezuela, prominent for its sheer cliffs and wide flat summit. It is one of the best-known tepuis within Canaima National Park and is the source of Angel Falls, the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall.

The tepui’s summit is an isolated sandstone plateau that supports distinct flora and fauna adapted to the plateau environment, and its cliffs plunge dramatically into the surrounding rainforest and canyon systems. The most famous feature is Angel Falls (Salto Ángel), which drops 979 metres from the plateau lip to the gorge below and is visible from the base and from aircraft.

Auyán-tepui is of ancient Precambrian sandstone formation and forms part of the Guiana Shield geology; its isolated summit ecosystems and dramatic vertical relief have made it a focus for both scientific study and adventure tourism. The site lies within Canaima National Park and is reached by river and light-aircraft routes from regional bases such as the Canaima tourist camps.

The tepui is located in southeastern Venezuela in Bolívar state within the Canaima National Park protected area.

  • Height of Angel Falls: Angel Falls drops 979 metres in a single uninterrupted plunge from the lip of the plateau and is the highest confirmed waterfall by total drop.
  • Access and approach: Access is typically via Canaima National Park, combining river travel and, seasonally, light-aircraft flights to viewpoints and nearby camps.

What to See#

  • Summit plateau: The escarpment and plateau summit that form the tepui’s flat tabletop, hosting characteristic tepui vegetation and isolated habitats.
  • Angel Falls: Angel Falls (Salto Ángel), which descends from the tepui and has a total drop of 979 metres, making it the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Auyán-tepui

To see Auyán-tepui's falls at peak flow visit in the rainy season, while the dry season offers easier, less muddy access-choose based on whether you prioritize waterfall volume or drier trekking conditions.

Wet season (higher falls)
May-November · 20-30°C
Heavier rains raise river levels and produce stronger waterfall flow-boat approaches are often fuller, but trails can be muddier and wetter.
Dry season (easier access)
December-April · 20-30°C
Lower rainfall can make overland access and trails easier and less muddy, though waterfall volume is reduced compared with the wet season.

Weather & Climate near Auyán-tepui

Climate

Auyán-tepui's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (2238 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 55 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 16° - 27° 21° 95 mm partly cloudy 77% 2.3 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.7h
February Very Good 16° - 27° 22° 60 mm partly cloudy 72% 2.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.8h
March Very Good 17° - 28° 22° 68 mm partly cloudy 67% 2.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
April Good 18° - 28° 23° 146 mm overcast 71% 2.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.1h
May Good 18° - 28° 23° 269 mm overcast 82% 1.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
June Good 18° - 28° 23° 294 mm overcast 88% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
July Good 18° - 28° 23° 279 mm overcast 88% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
August Good 18° - 28° 23° 257 mm partly cloudy 87% 1.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.2h
September Good 18° - 29° 23° 206 mm partly cloudy 83% 1.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
October Good 18° - 29° 23° 230 mm partly cloudy 81% 1.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
November Good 18° - 28° 23° 210 mm partly cloudy 82% 1.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
December Very Good 17° - 27° 22° 124 mm partly cloudy 82% 2.1 m/s 2.0 very high 11.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Auyán-tepui

Auyán-tepui is inside Canaima National Park (Bolívar state) and is typically reached via Canaima village. Visitors fly by small aircraft from Ciudad Bolívar (or Puerto Ordaz) into Canaima, then continue by river boat and guided trek to viewpoints and base areas - multi-hour boat and walking transfers are normal and schedules depend on river conditions and tour operators.

Tips for Visiting Auyán-tepui

  • Visit during the rainy season (roughly May-November) when Angel Falls and other cascades issuing from Auyán-tepui are at their fullest; in the dry season flow can be much reduced.
  • Arrange travel through Canaima (small aircraft or riverboat trips) with a licensed guide or operator-approaches require river navigation and local knowledge and are commonly organized from Canaima camp.
  • Check current conditions and logistics in advance: trips involve light aircraft and river transfers that are subject to weather and river levels, so allow flexible time in your itinerary.