Venezuela | Independent holidays | Active & adventure | Trekking in the Andes
Trekking in the Andes
Superb trekking in two Andean ranges.
Mérida and the páramos
Day 1 Fly from Caracas to Mérida, where you are met by your local English-speaking trekking guide and taken to your 3* hotel near the centre, your base for 2 nights. Afternoon free to explore the town.
Day 2 Drive into the high páramos to visit Andean villages and limber up with a walk to Laguna Negra.
Sierra La Culata trek
Days 3-5 A 3 day trek in the dramatic Sierra La Culata. Baggage is carried by mules so you are free to walk at your own pace with just a day-sack.
Plan to call in at the biological station where projects include the reintroduction of condors. The trek begins with an ascent to a high spot for magnificent views: granite crags, the Piedras Blancas peak at 15,623 ft and scree-covered mountain slopes—a marvellous mixture of whites, pinks and pale yellows. The ascent passes through a spectacular corrie where there are rare 150 year old giant frailejón plants up to 6ft tall. Camp at the base of Sugar Loaf mountain.
Next day, a trek to its top: straightforward, though at 15,420ft far higher than most European peaks. On fine days there are magnificent views to Lake Maracaibo, Sierra Nevada, and far away to Sierra del Cocuy in Colombia. Cross an area colonised by red-trunked coloradito trees with roselike blossoms—the highest-growing tree in the world. Descending through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Venezuelan Andes, you return through fields and villages to your 3* hotel in Mérida for 2 nights.
Mérida
Day 6 Rest and explore Mérida.
Los Nevados trek
Days 7-9 A trek to a picturesque traditional Andean village through spectacular scenery among the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
With your guide you ride the cable car to the Loma Redonda station at 11,300ft. The trail to the village of Los Nevados runs over a high pass at 14,000ft before descending through rugged páramo into peaceful valleys of stone-walled fields, where lupins, gladioli, and orchids grow in unlikely proximity.
Los Nevados is very pretty and there are fine views around. You stay 2 nights in a very simple guest house. The next day is spent exploring the nearby canyon of the Río Nuestra Señora. Return by the same route, by mule if you wish, and descend by cable car to Mérida. Overnight in your hotel.
Day 10 Fly to Caracas, arriving in time for afternoon international flights.
The places you will visit:
› Mérida
› Andes
Guide price £1,165
10 days/9 nights, starts and ends at Caracas airport. Grade: Strenuous.
The guide price is per person based on 2 people travelling together and sharing twin/double accommodation.
Guide price includes: all travel in Venezuela, private services of experienced English speaking trekking guide, mules for camp equipment and clients' main packs, all accommodation (5 nights hotels, 2 nights tourist lodge, 2 nights camping in tents), most meals (except 1 lunch and 5 dinners - allow £58 spending money for these).
