Aponwao Falls, Waterfall in Canaima National Park, Venezuela
Aponwao Falls is a waterfall in Canaima National Park that drops steeply into the river below, with water stained brown by natural tannins from the surrounding forests. The cascade sits within a landscape of flat-topped mountains that rise sharply from the terrain around it.
Indigenous communities have lived near this waterfall within Canaima National Park for generations, establishing settlements across the Gran Sabana region over time. Their continuous presence in the area shaped how the landscape and its resources are understood and used.
Local indigenous communities call this place Chinak-Meru, a name that shows their long relationship with the land and its features. The name is passed down through generations and remains a way these communities speak about their territory.
Visitors must arrange a certified guide to reach the falls, as the route crosses challenging terrain in the Bolívar region with no self-guided access available. Water flow is strongest during and after the rainy season, which is the best time to experience the full force of the cascade.
The waterfall flows year-round and sits within a landscape shaped by tepuis, the distinctive flat-topped mountains that rise from the surrounding plateau. These geological formations have resisted millions of years of erosion, creating a striking contrast between the vertical cliffs and the flowing water.
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