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Angel Falls or Salto Angel of Venezuela is the world's highest free-leaping waterfall at 979 metres. This gift of nature is located in the Guayana highlands. Angel Falls have a uninterrupted drop of 807 metres (2,648 feet). Angel Falls is 15 times higher than the Niagara Falls. It plunges off the edge of a "Tepuy". The waterfall is located on the Auyan Tepui River.
This magnificient fall of the South American continent is named after James Crawford Angel, an American pilot. He discovered the falls in 1930 while he was looking for gold. However, the falls were first sighted by Ernest de Santa Cruz. Ironically, earlier the falls were known as "Devil's Mouth". The plane in which Jimmy Angel landed remained on the Auyan-tepui for 33 years. Now it is in the Aviation Museum in Maracay.
For travellers who want to visit the Angel Falls, it is ideal to start their journey in Canaima village situated 50 kilometres from the falls. From here the options of boating and flightseeing are available. The ideal time to visit the Angel Falls is during the rainy season (June to October). Interestingly during the rainy season,the Angel Falls can split into two or more falls,
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each with its own distinct plume. The Angel falls are not visible on cloudy days.
The ideal way to enjoy the exotic view of the Angel Falls is by taking a plane flight from Caucas to Canaima as part of packages. Boat trips, meals and bording are included in the package. Generally boat tours last for 2 to 4 days with overnights in hammock camps. Short trips of 3 to 5 hours are also there in motorised drugout canoe river.
The Canaima National Park is Venezuela's second largest national park. Here savannas, palm groves, montane forests, dense river woodlands and water falls add to its glory. Angel Waterfall is amongst the many waterfalls in the park.
The beauty of the Angel Falls attracts innumerable tourists ever year and is undoubtably one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions.
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