Mount Neblina EXPEDITION
In the 1950s, a mysterious peak towering 2,995 m over the Amazon rainforest was spotted for the very first time by outsiders. Known to the indigenous Yanomami for millennia, it is extraordinary that such a large mountain remained unknown to the rest of the world until so recently. The peak was named Mount Neblina (the “Mountain of the Mist”), and was first explored in 1954 by an American expedition led by Bassett Maguire of the New York Botanical Garden. Maguire collected a plethora of new plant species, including many Heliamphora.
Key Facts
COST: £4,300 (British Pounds). Personal porters can be hired at extra costs (contact us for details).
START POINT: São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil
END POINT: São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 6 to be viable
DATES: Sunday, March 9th to Sunday March 23rd, 2025
Email sales@redfernnaturalhistory.com for more information and to make bookings.
GETTING THERE: Getting there: Fly to Manaus, Brazil, then catch regular domestic flights to São Gabriel da Cachoeira (operated by Azul Airlines – www.voeazul.com.br/us/en/home) . Redfern Adventures can assist in confirming the flight dates to/from São Gabriel da Cachoeira (note: it may be that we have to adjust the dates of this trip +/- a day or two to coincide with these internal flights).
Now recognised as Brazil’s highest peak, Mount Neblina has been closed to tourists for decades. With the full support of the indigenous Yanomami communities, a very limited number of visitors are now allowed to climb this spectacular mountain. Redfern Adventures has been working on running a trip to Mount Neblina for over a decade, and we have funded multiple reccy trips to organise the logistics for this purpose.
This is your chance to climb on of the most special mountains in the Guiana Highlands. Note: Mount Neblina differs from classical tepuis in that it is more akin to a regular mountain (with sloping sides rather than vertical cliffs). Regardless, it is home to an amazing range of orchids and little-known carnivorous plants, including Heliamphora, Drosera, Utricularia and possibly Genlisea.
During this expedition, we will be guided and hosted by the Yanomami. This is a very rare opportunity to visit this famous indigenous tibe and meet representatives of their (still very traditional) community. The cost of this trip includes a donation to our Yanomami friends and through our visit, this trip offers well-paid employment to many Yanomami from remote villages. This is quite an expensive trip because it involved very complex logistics in one of the most remote (and least explored) corners of the world.
Note this trip is authorised by/organised with permission from the Ministry of Tourism (CADASTUR), the State Department of Tourism of the State of Roraima, and the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies.
Itinerary
The carnivorous plants of Mount Neblina remain very little known. Past groups have observed Heliamphora, Drosera, Utricularia and possibly Genlisea. Heliamphora hispida, H. ceracea and possibly H. neblinae and H. tatei are believed to occur in the south of the Neblina Range (but have only ever been observed and photographed a few times). Past expeditions have seen Utricularia alpina, U. amethystina, U. campbelliana, U. humboldtii, U. quelchii, U. subulata and others, along with Drosera roraimae. We recommend you to read this 1999 expedition report: https://cpn.carnivorousplants.org/articles/CPNv28n4p122_124.pdf
Redfern Adventuers cannot guarantee which species of carnivorous plants will be seen, but at a minimum, we should see Heliampora hispida – see https://legacy.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/Species/v29n2p37_41.html. This remote part of the Amazon is home to countless other fascinating species of animals and plants, including bromeliads and orchids.
No special skills are required for this trip, but this is a difficult trek and participants should be capable of walking several kilometres uphill each day. Expect few luxuries, basic accommodation, and camping in the forest! A Zoom call will be set up to talk through recommended equipment.
NOTE: Unlike neighbouring Venezuela, visas for Brazil are relatively easy for citizens of the USA and Canada to obtain. This makes Mount Neblina much easier to visit than the tepuis of Venezuela. Many other nationalities can visit Brazil without a visa. Check with the Brazilian embassy in your country to confirm if you need a visa.
Day 1:
We meet in Manaus and fly together to São Gabriel da Cachoeira. We disembark and check into a hotel. We can undertake a city tour. Briefing in the evening.
Day 2:
We meet our indigenous guides and visit their villages to get to know their culture, their way of life, their means of subsistence (this is a requirement of being allowed to pass through indigenous land). Also today is a buffer day in case of flight delay. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in a hotel in São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Days 3 and 4:
We drive in 4*4 (four wheel drive) vehicles to the Ya-mirim River. We board motorised canoes to reach Maturacá where we are welcomed by Yanomami shamans with a welcome ritual. Meals are prepared by Yanomami cooks. We have the opportunity to try traditional Yanomami food.
Day 5:
We journey up the Cauaburis River to the mouth of the Irokae Stream. We trek 6 km to spend the night on the banks of the Irokae River. Bathing will be in the river that passes near the camp. Overnight in hammocks. Approx 101 m altitude – Latitude: 0°37’2.77”N / Longitude: 65°55’35.25”W.
Day 6:
We trek through Barraco da Cutia, Macaco, Bebedouro Velho to the Bebedouro Novo camp. We walk approximately 9 km today and camp with a view of the Cuiabixi River. Bathing will be in the river that passes near the camp. Approx 866 m altitude – Latitude: 0°44’57.21”N / Longitude: 65°58’19.39”W
Day 7:
We walk to Laje. This is approximately 7 km. We spend the night in hammocks. The temperature may fall to 10º C at night. This campground is not very good for bathing, the place offers limited water for this purpose. Approx 1,619 m altitude – Latitude: 0°46’3.19”N / Longitude: 66° 0’25.01”W
Day 8:
Today we walk 8 km to base camp. We pass through dense forest. The trail can be flooded with steep ascents. We overnight in a jungle camp in hammocks. Bathing will be in the river that passes near the camp. Approx 2,022 m altitude – Latitude: 0°47’16.02”N / Longitude: 66° 0’57.27”W
Day 9:
Today we trek to the summit of Mount Neblina! This usually takes 5 hours to reach the summit and 4 hours to return. At the summit the temperature can fall to 5º C at night. We spend as much time as possible to observe wildlife. We return to base camp. Overnight in hammocks. The summit stands at 2,995 m. Latitude: 0°47”59.87”N / Longitude: 66°0’26.98”W.
Day 10:
We descend from base camp to Bebedouro Novo Camp. This is approx 15 km of mostly downhill walking. We overnight in a jungle camp in hammocks. Approx 866 m altitude – Latitude: 0°44’57.21”N / Longitude: 65°58’19.39”W
Day 11:
We walk 9 km from Bebedouro Novo to Irokae Camp. Overnight in a jungle camp in hammocks. Approx 101m altitude – Latitude: 0°37’2.77”N / Longitude: 65°55’35.25”W
Day 12:
We walk 6 km to the Cauaburis River and descend by boat to Maturacá. We have the opportunity to purchase handicrafts from the women of the Kumiryoma Association. A enjoy a special dinner prepared by our Yanomami friends. Overnight in hammocks. Approx 90m of altitude. Latitude: 0°37’39.09”N / Longitude: 66°8’18.72”W
Day 13:
We travel by boat from Maturacá to Frente-Sul port, and from there, travel by 4*4 to São Gabriel da Cachoeira. We check into a local hotel and have a well deserved dinner together in a local restaurant!
Day 15:
We fly from São Gabriel da Cachoeira back to Manaus!
Participants are required to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and Covid-19 with certificates to hand. This is due to the extremely isolated nature of the Yanomami communities and their vulnerability to external diseases.
Itinerary Highlights
