Red rock
Under the water.
Fernando Flores from Caracas, Venezuela — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Paolo Costa Baldi — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wawaphotography — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Antolin Martinez A. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Antolin Martinez A. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · LANI DEKUJAKO — CC BY-SA 3.0
Quebrada de Jaspe is a creek and a chain of small waterfalls in the Gran Sabana of southeastern Venezuela. Clear water slides in a thin sheet over glossy red rock streaked with orange and black, then tumbles down rock steps between the trees. The creek lies in the eastern part of Canaima National Park, and its name in the local indigenous language is Kako Parú. Its Spanish name comes from the belief that its bed is jasper, a semi-precious stone, but studies showed it is a volcanic rock called rhyolite. You wade barefoot in the shallow water over the red rock, watching its colours shine under the surface, and stand in front of the stepped falls. It is close to the main road, so it is easy to reach. The creek is about 34 km in a straight line north of Santa Elena de Uairén, near the main highway. The rock is slippery, so walk carefully, and do not take any stones. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Venezuela, and against all travel within 40 km of the Brazilian border, which includes Santa Elena de Uairén, so check current advice before you go.
Under the water.
Among the trees.
Barefoot.
Eastern Canaima National Park, Gran Sabana municipality, Bolívar State
No, it is a volcanic rock called rhyolite.
About an hour.