Plizio Visual Lab

Sommet Tabulaire

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Sommet Tabulaire is a geologically fascinating elevation in the central part of French Guiana, characterized by its distinctive flat-topped plateau. Rising to an altitude of approximately 830 meters, it is among the highest peaks in the territory and forms part of the extensive Guiana Shield. This formation is reminiscent of the famous tepuis of Venezuela, albeit on a smaller scale, and is composed of ancient sandstone-like rocks that have resisted erosion over eons. Due to its isolated location and difficult accessibility, a unique flora has developed on the plateau, featuring many endemic species. The slopes are covered in pristine primary rainforest, which plays a vital role as a watershed for local river systems. Scientific expeditions to Sommet Tabulaire are rare and often aim to discover new insect and plant species that exist only in these specific high-altitude environments. The region remains largely untouched by human infrastructure, preserving its original ecological state.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Aug–Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	24	24	25	25	25	25	25	25	26	27	27	25
Rain mm	273	271	275	358	422	278	200	105	53	60	98	275

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

Reaching this remote tabletop mountain involves a chartered helicopter drop or a grueling, multi-day expedition by river pirogue and bushwhacking through dense wilderness.

📅

Best season

Expeditions are typically only feasible during the prolonged dry season from late August to November, when river levels fall and the jungle is marginally less swamped.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

The approach traverses thick primary Amazonian rainforest, leading to vertical, heavily vegetated cliffs that require technical climbing skills to ascend the plateau.

🎒

What to bring

A full jungle survival kit, robust machetes, heavy-duty trekking gear, comprehensive first-aid supplies, ropes, and satellite communication devices are strictly necessary.

🅿️

Parking

There is no road access or parking anywhere near the site; all logistical staging typically occurs at a distant coastal town or the nearest major river outpost.

⚠️

Safety

This is an extreme, unguided wilderness environment fraught with tropical diseases, dangerous wildlife, and severe isolation, demanding professional expedition planning.

⏱️

Time needed

A full, overland and river-based expedition can take two to three weeks round trip, whereas a helicopter drop allows for a multi-day exploration of the summit plateau.

Geography

Coordinates

3.86660, -53.11660

Facts

Sommet Tabulaire reaches a maximum elevation of approximately 830 meters.
Geologically, it consists of some of the oldest rock formations on Earth.
The summit's shape is classified as a tabletop mountain, similar to South American tepuis.
The average temperature on the plateau is about 5 degrees Celsius lower than at the coast.
It is located within the borders of the Guiana Amazonian Park.
Several rare orchid species have been documented exclusively on its summit.