Santa Elena Uairen to Angel Falls this August - Tour companies?

I have been reading up on all these travel posts and I am a tad confused.
I will be arriving in Boa Vista on August 20, 2011:
Then, I have two options regarding further bus travel:

1. Bus to Santa Elena Uairén
2. Bus to Puerto Ordaz

I'm just wondering if it would even be worth going to Puerto Ordaz...
I don't have a trip planned yet and I was thinking of just booking something when I got to Venezuela.

Is it possible to book a trip to Salto Angel from Santa Elena?
Are the prices of tours more competitive in Puerto Ordaz or Cuidad Bolivar?

I read somewhere that exchanging money (unofficial) is good in Santa Elena. Are the rates better here than in Puerto Ordaz or Cuidad Bolivar?

If someone can help me with these questions, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Tom

Hello Caharias,

I am not sure but I think you cant take a flight to canaima from Santa Elena. Usually Sta Elena is the first point for Gran Sabana travel or Roraima trekking. Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar are the start point for Salto Angel or Kavac. Anyone else could confirm?

About Puerto Ordaz and Ciudad Bolivar, all flights to Canaima depart from Ciudad Bolivar price there will be lower.

About exchanging money i just can say that in caracas is 8,6 Bs per dollar today (may 25th).

Let me know if you want to know anything else.

enjoy your trip.

I forgot to tell you that you can book here in venezuela. August is high season but since is very long you wont find too much people in the turistic places as Salto Angel.
Also most of the venezuelans, dont visit this place, is a shame.

Hola Tom,

You could technically book a trip to the Angel Falls from Santa Elena without any major issues.There is a flight that goes Santa Elena - Canaima - Ciudad Bolivar. Pretty pricey and unreliable though. Alternatively you could bus to Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar and fly out to Canaima from either one of the two towns. Flights from Ciudad Bolivar are slightly cheaper than from Puerto Ordaz.

As mentioned above, if entering Venezuela from Boa Vista via Santa Elena de Uairen, you might just want to look into doing the Roraima Trek, Chirikayen Tepui Trek or a 4x4 tour of the Gran Sabana, before heading onto Ciudad Bolivar to check out the Angel Falls.

As for exchanging money, you could try Santa Elena. You should have no problems there.

Travel safe,

All the best,

Thomas
Caracas
berry_venezuela@hotmail.com

Hello Thomas and Erika,

Thanks for all the input! :)

I am probably going to just arrive in Santa Elena and book all my trips from there.
I don't mind flying to Canaima from Santa Elena, I heard the scenery is breathtaking.

The only think I guess I have to think about is the weight of my backpack, which could pose a problem being that this is the pack I am carrying around for my entire trip through South America and could wiegh upwards of 23KG.

Great to see the unofficial rate is still quite high, considering the USD has taken a bit of a bashing the last few months.

If any more questions come, I will let you guys know...

Cheers, Tom