Kamarkawarai Tepuy is the highest mountain in the Los Testigos chain of the La Gran Sabana in Bolívar State, Venezuela. It rises to 2,400 m and is the easternmost and tallest of the four main tepuis in that massif.
It sits within the wider Guiana Shield highlands of South America. In the La Gran Sabana it ranks as the 16th highest of 165 named peaks, and its summit plateau is mostly bare, with a large collapsed sinkhole in the western part.
No users yet
No routes yet.
No ascent logs yet. Be the first to log your climb!
Kamarkawarai Tepuy lies in the chain of the Guiana Shield > Guiana Highlands > Pacaraima Mountains > La Gran Sabana, in Bolívar State, Venezuela. Administratively it is in Parroquia Gran Sabana and Municipio Gran Sabana. Within the La Gran Sabana it is the 16th highest of 165 named peaks, so it is high but not among the very top summits of the region.
The mountain belongs to a tepui landscape of table-like summits, steep sides and broad uplands. Around it, the terrain is part of the open highland country of the Gran Sabana, with exposed rock, sparse soils and long views between isolated peaks.
The nearest named peaks and passes show how isolated Kamarkawarai Tepuy is within the massif, yet also how closely it is tied to nearby tepuis.
Compared with these neighbours, Kamarkawarai Tepuy is higher than Tereke-Yuren Tepuy, Murisipan Tepuy and Aparaman Tepuy, and it matches the elevation of Ptari Tepuy. The nearby summits are mostly other tepuis, while the lower hills to the north mark the transition to less elevated country.
From the summit area, the main high points within 25 km are other tepuis of the Los Testigos and nearby Gran Sabana uplands. The closest of these is Padapue Tepuy, 1,000 m, 21.8 km W. Farther out, Ptari Tepuy lies 24.4 km SE and reaches 2,400 m, so it is a major summit on the skyline.
These distances suggest a broad panorama across the table mountains and lower intervening terrain. In clear weather, the view would be dominated by flat-topped ridges, steep escarpments and the open highland landscape that characterises this part of Venezuela.
Kamarkawarai Tepuy belongs to the La Gran Sabana, which spans Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. The highest peak of that range is Monte Roraima at 2,719 m, about 159 km SE of Kamarkawarai Tepuy. The range’s high point is listed as an unnamed area of La Gran Sabana.
Within the La Gran Sabana, Kamarkawarai Tepuy ranks 16th highest of 165 named peaks. That places it well above many surrounding summits, but below the highest tepuis that define the region’s top tier.
NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020 suggest that summit temperatures are about 13–15 °C through the year, with the warmest months around March, April, September, October and November at about 15 °C, and the coolest around June and July at about 13 °C. Annual precipitation in the surrounding area is about 1,600 mm, with the wettest period in June at about 300 mm and the driest in February at about 35 mm.
At this elevation, weather can change quickly, with cloud, heavy rain, slick rock and poor visibility common in the wetter months. Tepui summits are exposed, so wind and sudden showers are typical hazards.
All months are above freezing at the summit, so temperature is not the main limiter here. The drier part of the year is generally the better window, especially January to March, when rainfall is lower than in the middle of the wet season. The wettest months are May to August, which can make travel and movement on exposed rock more difficult.
For a visit focused on clearer weather and easier footing, the months before the heaviest rains are usually the most practical. Even then, conditions on a tepui can remain damp and changeable.
The summit and surrounding highlands belong to a tepui environment with bare rock, thin soils and patches of hardy vegetation. On these table mountains, plant life is usually adapted to wet surfaces, poor drainage and strong sun between showers. Lower slopes and nearby highland areas support more continuous vegetation than the summit plateau.
Wildlife in this part of the Guiana Highlands is typically a mix of highland birds, insects, amphibians and other species adapted to isolated mountain habitats. The open terrain and steep walls create natural barriers, so many plants and animals are locally specialised.
For a mountain like Kamarkawarai Tepuy, a certified guide is sensible because the terrain is remote, exposed and part of a complex tepui landscape. In Venezuela, visitors usually look for recognised mountain and trekking operators through the national guiding scene; one established company is Arassari Trek in Mérida. For the country’s highest and most regulated climbs, guided travel is the norm, and local expertise matters.
For climbs in Venezuela, the emergency number is 911 (with 171 also listed). Where permits are required for protected areas, they should be arranged in advance through the relevant authorities. A guided ascent typically depends on trip length, group size, logistics and equipment needs.
Kamarkawarai Tepuy demands preparation for remote highland travel rather than technical alpine climbing. Expect exposed rock, wet surfaces, limited shelter and long distances between services. Good footwear, rain protection and navigation skills are important, and travel should be planned with enough food and water for the full day.
For emergencies in Venezuela, the mountain rescue number is 911 (and 171 is also listed). Because the summit is isolated, self-sufficiency and conservative timing matter more than speed.
The mountain is also spelled Kamarkaiwaran or Camarcai-barai. It is the easternmost and tallest of the four main tepuis of the Los Testigos chain in Bolívar, and its summit plateau is mostly bare. A large collapsed sinkhole opens in the western part of the plateau, a notable feature of the summit landscape.
Its summit area is about 5 km², which helps explain the broad, flat character typical of tepuis in this part of Venezuela.
Kamarkawarai Tepuy is the highest mountain in the Los Testigos chain and the easternmost of its four main tepuis. It stands at 2,400 m, placing it among the higher summits of the La Gran Sabana, where it ranks 16th of 165 named peaks.
Its nearest higher or equal-height neighbour in the listed peaks is Ptari Tepuy, also at 2,400 m, 24.4 km to the southeast. The highest peak of the wider range is Monte Roraima, 159 km away.
How high is Kamarkawarai Tepuy? It rises to 2,400 m.
Where is Kamarkawarai Tepuy? It is in Bolívar State, Venezuela, in Parroquia Gran Sabana and Municipio Gran Sabana, within the La Gran Sabana of the Guiana Highlands.
What range does it belong to? It is part of the La Gran Sabana, within the broader chain of the Guiana Shield > Guiana Highlands > Pacaraima Mountains.
What peaks are closest to it? The nearest are Tereke-Yuren Tepuy 5.2 km west, Murisipan Tepuy 8.0 km west and Aparaman Tepuy 14.2 km west.
Is Kamarkawarai Tepuy the highest mountain in its area? It is the highest mountain in the Los Testigos chain, and in the La Gran Sabana it ranks 16th of 165 named peaks.
Is there water on the way to Kamarkawarai Tepuy? Tepui terrain is often exposed and drainage can be unreliable on the summit, so carry your own supply. For a day outing, plan on about 1.5 to 3 litres per person, more in hot or humid conditions.
When is the best time to visit? The drier months are generally better, especially January to March, while the wetter period is mainly May to August.
No posts yet.
