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Sarisariñama-Tepui

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Sarisariñama-Tepui is one of the most remote and enigmatic table mountains in Venezuela's Bolívar State, located within the Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park. The plateau reaches an elevation of about 2,350 meters and is world-renowned for its massive sinkholes, known as 'simas.' The largest of these, Sima Humboldt, features a diameter of 352 meters and a depth of 314 meters, housing a completely isolated ecosystem with its own rainforest at the bottom. Geologically, the tepui is composed of Precambrian sandstone from the Roraima Group, hollowed out over millions of years by erosion and subterranean water systems. These sinkholes remained unknown to the modern world until 1961, when pilot Harry Gibson spotted them from the air, followed by the first scientific expedition in 1974. The flora and fauna of Sarisariñama are highly endemic, with many species found only on this specific mountain or even exclusively within the depths of the sinkholes. Access is strictly controlled and primarily reserved for researchers to preserve this pristine natural marvel from human impact.

Location: Venezuela
Top sights: Sima Martel · Sima Humboldt

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	24	25	26	25	24	23	23	23	24	24	24	24
Rain mm	69	61	86	168	273	281	230	186	112	94	110	99

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Access to this extremely remote tepui in the Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park typically requires a helicopter charter or a multi-day organized expedition starting from Puerto Ayacucho.

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Best season

Visits are best planned during the dry season from December to April to minimize logistical difficulties in the remote and often very rainy Amazonian region of southern Venezuela.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain on the plateau summit is dominated by dense rainforest and the iconic, massive circular sinkholes, making navigation extremely challenging without expert local guides.

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What to bring

Full expedition gear including satellite phones, GPS devices, durable tropical clothing, and heavy-duty hiking boots is absolutely essential for navigating this untouched wilderness safely.

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Parking

There is no parking available at the site; vehicles must be left in secure locations in major base towns like Puerto Ayacucho before proceeding by air or boat to the national park.

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Safety

Extreme isolation and the hazard of falling into the massive sinkholes require maximum caution and the constant presence of experienced guides during any visit to this remote area.

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Time needed

Owing to complex logistics and the remote location, a visit typically spans several days to a week to allow enough time for exploring the unique geological features of the tepui.

Geography

Coordinates

4.67500, -64.23800

Facts

Elevation is approximately 2,350 meters.
Sima Humboldt reaches a depth of 314 meters.
Discovered by Harry Gibson in 1961.
First scientific expedition conducted in 1974.
Part of Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park (est. 1978).
Composed of Roraima Group quartz sandstone.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Mount Jaua36 km · SExplore →

Parima-Tapirapecó National Park109 km · WExplore →

Caura River139 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Sarisariñama-Tepui (2)

Sima Martel📍 landmark

Sima Martel is a large collapse sinkhole on the Sarisariñama-Tepui plateau.

Sima Humboldt📍 landmark

Sima Humboldt is another deep collapse sinkhole on the Sarisariñama-Tepui.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about Sarisariñama-Tepui?

Its huge, circular sinkholes.

Can you visit the sinkholes?

Only with very special research permits.

How do you get there?

Only by plane or helicopter.

Is it open to tourists?

No, it is a protected nature reserve.

What can be seen there?

A completely isolated world of forest and rock.

Sarisariñama-Tepui: where is it located?

Sarisariñama-Tepui is located in Venezuela.

Sarisariñama-Tepui: what is there to see?

Highlights include Sima Martel, Sima Humboldt.

Sarisariñama-Tepui: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

Sarisariñama-Tepui: why is it worth visiting?

Sarisariñama-Tepui is one of the most remote and enigmatic table mountains in Venezuela's Bolívar State, located within the Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park.

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