WELCOME TO Kopinang Falls we were between a giant rock wall and the water . The waterfall was on the other side . The guides said we were close , but the water ’ s sound was muffled . As we got around the wall , I realised why .
Pelu Palu was now in view . It was a torrent of water plunging into a rocky pool surrounded by giant sandstone walls . The only way in or out was to follow the creek . I felt trapped in a massive room with a thundering waterfall , but didn ’ t want to leave . I could hardly hear myself think , but I felt at peace . Pelu Palu ’ s pulsing mist called me into the water . Gazing at it , I felt a humbling awe and quiet excitement . Those feelings lingered on the way back to the main trail .
Back at the fork , the most challenging phase of the hike awaited us . It was a gruelling march up the steep mountainside . Periodically , I had to drag myself up on my hands and knees . After twenty-five minutes of hard work , we made it to the top . The biome changed again . We were in another savannah . This time , the grass was thinner and giant bromeliads littered the landscape , indicative of the altitude . We followed the trail to a clump of forest where the trees were much taller than further down the mountain . It wasn ’ t long before we heard Kopinang Falls . One of the guides took us onto a smaller trail , which led through thick brush to a cliff edge . This vantage point was our first glimpse of Kopinang Falls . With trees blocking the view of the gorge , only the peak of the waterfall was visible . The loud hiss of the white water plunging over the edge filled the air . Sunlight cutting through the spray made a beautiful little rainbow . It was just after noon , so we followed the guides along the small trail to the camp , where lunch was waiting for us .
Our Camp was in a clearing at the top of Kopinang Falls . Fallen leaves and sparse patches of moss carpeted the clearing . In the centre , a massive black tarp was spread over a wooden frame and secured to stakes driven into the ground . Ten hammocks hung underneath . Lunch was cooking over a small open fire nearby . This would be home for the second night . Less than thirty meters away from the far end of the tent was the river flowing into the first drop of the falls .
Kopinang Falls
One of the guides took us across the shallow water and showed us another lookout point , from where we saw the pavilion and airstrip like miniature toys in the distance . After a few minutes of admiring the view , we headed back to the camp . We had our lunch and prepared for the hike down to the base of Kopinang Falls .
The way down to the falls was near the first lookout point . It was muddy , steep and slippery . Thick vegetation obscured the view of the waterfall . Light mist and the sound of crashing water filled the air . The guides tied ropes to trees to help manage our descent . I was almost seated in the steepest
18 | TOURISM GUYANA 2024