Description:
Mérida, the city of the 5 White Peaks is the gateway to the Andes. This must-see destination, known for its good trekking and mountaineering, offers something for everyone.
Activites:
Trekking, Mountaineering
Itinerary:
Day 1:
This is one of our most requested tours. From Merida, we will travel a scenic route by jeep via exciting mountain roads towards the Andean Paramo. Along the way we will visit tranquil colonial Andean villages and enjoy the drinks and delicacies they have to offer.
In the Paramo range, we’ll find the velvety frailejon (rabbit ears to children), found everywhere in the Paramo. There are 65 endemic species of this daisy relative found in Venezuela, and botanists think the area was the dispersal center for all frailejones. One of our first stops is the Andean Condor re-introduction station. The staff at this station is making a bold attempt to build-up the population of the world’s largest bird. A large Condor can have a wing span up to 3.5 meters. To capture this majestic creature’s flight by camera will surely be a rewarding memory of the Venezuelan Andes.
Next, we travel up the Pico Aguila (4,125-m), the highest point in Venezuela reachable by car. Here we will be able to take in the panoramic views of the Andean peaks and sit-down to a warm Andean lunch. From here we shall visit the Laguna Mucubaji Park (3,800-m) of the Sierra Nevada National Park system. Hiking to Laguna Negra (optional), about 4 km, we will enter a microclimate that due to its special setting receives more rain and humidity than the surrounding Paramo area. This extra humidity gives life to an interesting diversity of plant species, adding color and greenery to the wind-swept Paramo region. Laguna Negra is a beautiful site on a clear, calm day. The black water forms such a perfect mirror that is essentially disappears and is replaced by the reflection of the trees on the mountainside.
After enjoying the tranquil scenery of the Laguna, you will journey to Los Frailes if time permits, a quaint colonial mission of the 17th century. From Los Frailes we work our way back through the scenic Venezuelan Andes to Merida. We will drop you off at our hotel.
A horseback ride to the Laguna Negra can be arranged for an additional cost.
Day 2:
This optional extension involves an overnight at Pinango, a remote village up in the Andes or Los Frailes a colonial restored monastery in the Andes, and 25 km of downhill mountain biking. On the way back to Musui we can also take an optional 3-hour roundtrip hike to the Hot Springs of Musui. This is a challenging hike due to uphill segments involved.
Returning to Merida we will visit the colorful market, that sells everything—regional delicacies such as smoked cheese, flowers, and a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, weaving, pottery and more! A trip to the Helados Coromoto, the ice cream store featured the Guinness Book of World Records with more than 500 flavors, finishes off the day.