Opposite the Sierra Nevada we find a parallel and slightly lower chain of mountains called La Culata. In order to protect the degradation of the region’s habitat, the National Park System formed the 2000km2 Sierra de la Culata National Park, which protects many endemic and endangered species. Like the páramo, La Culata treats hikers to vast, windswept vistas across a treeless terrain. Many endangered species live in this park. Enormous condors soar over the park’s peaks on lofty 3.5 meter wingspans. These ridges explode in vibrant colors with a massive variety of wildflowers. You’ll find magnificent waterfalls and the velvety-leafed frailejon. No mountaineering equipment is necessary for the ascent to the top of Pan de Azucar Peak (4747 m). The panoramic view is awe-inspiring. A clear day will reward you with the sight of Lake Maracaibo to the north and the entire Sierra Nevada range spreading out to the south.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Merida - Lagunas - Condor Station - Piedras Blancas.
Early in the morning, we will come to pick you up in your hotel and drive you to our office where we will have a morning cup of coffee. Once the jeep is packed, we will depart for the paramo. The scenic drive takes us through the spectacular Venezuelan Andes with a chance to see typical Andean villages.
From there we will visit the Laguna Mucubaji (3800 m) where we will hike (4 km) to the Laguna Negra. The lake is a beautiful sight on a clear and calm day and a great place to do butterfly and bird watching. The black water presents such a perfect mirror that it essentially disappears and is replaced by the reflection of the trees on the mountainside above the Laguna.
After the walk back to our jeep, we’ll drive to the Condor Station, which is located close to the highest point (4,125 m) that you may reach by car in Venezuela. This is where the biggest bird of the world, the condor (vultur gryphus), is being re-introduced. From there, we will descend to the Andean village San Rafael de Mucuchies and then ascend by jeep to a high spot for magnificent views of this páramo region.
Along our hike we will visit the famed entirely-stone house of Juan Felix Sanchez. We will camp a few kilometers from the Piedras Blancas (white stones) Peak (4,762-m). Scree-covered mountain slopes will surround us for the night as we study the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. The sandy scree is a marvelous mixture of whites, pinks, and pale yellows which, contrast greatly with the grays and whites of the jagged, upper mountain peaks and are a marvelous sight at sunset. (3 hours by jeep, 2.5 by hiking).
(L), (D)
Day 2: Piedras Blancas - Pan de Azucar.
The ascent will continue and we will see some of the rare 150-year-old giant frailejon plants reaching up to two meters in height. Camp will be set at the base of Pan de Azucar (Sugar Bread) mountain. (5-6 hours hiking).
(B), (L), (D)
Day 3: Pan de Azucar Summit - Hot Springs - Mérida.
After a hearty breakfast we’ll begin our trek towards the summit. From the top, at 4700 m, there are magnificent views of Lake Maracaibo, across the Mérida valley to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, and far away to the Sierra del Cocuy in Colombia.
We will continue our trek by crossing an area densely colonized by short red-trunked coloradito trees with rose-like blossoms - the highest-growing species of tree in the world. They once formed a solid belt that marked the upper limits of the Andean jungle zone. Now, only ten pockets of coloraditos remain, because once put to the axe, this ecosystem never regenerates. We will arrive at a confluence of a large number of valleys, whose streams combine in the Mucunuque River, which is one of the sources of the grand Orinoco River far to the east.
Finally, we will descend through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Venezuelan Andes, passing through villages and cultivated fields to meet our driver, who will bring us to the hot springs in Tabay. Along the way we will visit some local arts and crafts shops and possibly the local truchicultura (trout farm) before dropping you off at your hotel in Merida.
Note: This trek has the optional possibility of beginning in Mérida and trekking to the Culata, on to Pico Pan de Azucar and ultimately arriving to an amazing mountain pool with a view to Pico Humboldt in the distance. Two hot springs feed the pool, one tepid and one piping hot, providing an excellent opportunity to soak away the rigors of the trek. As the steam rises up around us, we can congratulate ourselves on a rugged trek well done. (6-7 hours hiking).
(B), (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Transfer from and to airport in Merida;
- Tour transportation with 4WD;
- Bilingual guide;
- Permits for National Parks;
- All meals and soft drinks during the trip;
- First aid;
- Necessary camping equipment;
- Radio communication.
Price does not include:
- Domestic flights (we can arrange them);
- Lodging in Mérida (we can arrange this);
- Porter (optional, for an additional cost);
- Items of a personal nature;
- Meals, alcoholic beverages, tours, or other services not listed on the itinerary;
- Tips to local staff, nor any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip such as but not limited to non-refundable airline tickets or insurance or additional expenses encountered as a result of flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Venezuela
Hiking & Trekking
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