Fitness level: Advance Expedition
Destinations: Andean Páramo, Los Llanos
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Day 1. Caracas - Mérida
Meet your travel assistant at the Maiquetía airport in Caracas and he/she will welcome you to Venezuela, answer all your questions, and transfer you to your connecting flight to Mérida. Overnight at Posada Sol. ( - / - / - )
Day 2. Mérida – Trekking Los Nevados
Enjoy a typical Andean breakfast, after which you will take a 4WD vehicle to the small oasis of El Morro. After El Morro, the road to the picturesque village of Los Nevados (2,700 m) is strictly devoted to 4WD and professional drivers. Once settled in there, we will walk around to appreciate this small and remote village which has been suspended in time. Accommodations are in a quaint inn where a typical dinner will be provided. (5 hours by jeep). (B / L / D).
Day 3. Trekking in the Andes - Los Nevados, Alto de La Cruz, & Los Calderones Valley
We will start the day with breakfast prepared by our Andean host. From 2,700 m, the mules take the strain as we climb northwards up the mountain valley to Alto de la Cruz at 4,200 m. From here we have a wonderful view of Pico Bolivar. Departing from the mules, we hike for about two hours down the hill to our camp at Los Calderones Valley (3,500m). (4 hours by mule, 2 hours hiking). (B / L / D).
Day 4. Trekking in the Andes - Los Calderones Valley, Mucunutan, & Mérida
After breakfast, we’ll trek downhill through a cloud forest for 4 hours to Mucunutan. On the way, we will enjoy the views of the city of Mérida and the cloud forest. The flora and fauna is rich in the lush green mountain forests, home to a variety of bromeliads and orchids. The hike provides an excellent opportunity for birding and butterfly sighting. We will picnic on the way. From Mucunutan, a 4WD will transport us to the Mercado Principal in Mérida. Afterwards, our guide will takes us through the typical mountain Mercado where he/she will introduce us to the wonders of the region. If we desire, there are typical crafts to buy or typical treats and beverages to enjoy. The market gives us excellent insight into the fruits and vegetables, treats, beverages and arts & crafts of the Andes. (5 hours hiking and 1 hour by jeep). Overnight at Hotel Belensate. (B / L / - ).
Day 5. Rafting in the Andes - Llanos
Leave Mérida early in the morning, and drive over the breathtaking Páramo road down to Barinas. Mucuchies, San Rafael, Mucubaji are just some of the highlights where we will stop to take some pictures. Lunch is at Arassari Trek Adventure camp on the shore of the Acequias river. After you have received the safety instructions and training we will raft down a tropical grade 2 + to 3 river with beautiful rainforest on both sides of the river. The run is around 1 hour depending on the water level. We will find some rocks to jump off and try floating down in the current. With a little bit of luck we might see some wild animals (iguanas, river otters) and exotic birds such as toucans, parrots or macaws. Return to the Arassari Trek adventure camp to relax. Overnight at Arassari camp. (B / L / D).
Day 6. Rafting in the Andes – Llanos
After a nice and filling Venezuelan breakfast we will drive around 30 minutes to the entrance point of the Siniguis river with it's amazing emerald colour. This river offers some off the best white water rafting in Venezuela. From Caño Grande down to the road we will have one rapid after the other - the washing machine, the mixer, the blender - a whole exciting household in the outdoors. Grade 4 plus to even more excting Grade 5 depending on the water level of the day. Lunch will served at the end of our rafting trip. We will relax and recover at the Arassari camp before returning to Barinas and then on to Merida. Overnight at Hotel Belensate. (B / L / - ).
Day 7. Biking in Jaji
Drive up by vehicle to the junction of Jaji and la Azulita. We take the road direction to La Azulita and will cycle around and back to Jaji. When you have visited the colonial style village and had your Ice cream we cycle back up to the Alcabala and take the same road back that we traveled from Mérida. A stop at La Chorrera de las Gonzalez, waterfall (national Monument) to take a swim. There are some beautiful pools with very fresh water inside the cloud forest. From there cycling direction Mérida it is about 1 km of uphill before one gets to the crossroad that indicates La Mesa + Posada Papa Miguel. We turn right and take this little side road down to La Mesa, nice changes of vegetation taking place. From la Mesa we bike over to Ejido and then catch a ride with our back up vehicle and come back to Mérida. All in all about 35 km of nice cycling on roads and side roads with little traffic and beautiful views. (B / L / - ).
Day 8. Canyoning in Santa Catalina
After an early breakfast we will pick you up at the Hotel and take a 30 minute jeep drive to the location. Expect some amazing views of Mérida (perhaps the best available). Another 30 minutes walk (mainly downhill) to the site. Some abseil training is given - then it is time for the adventure of your life! There are several small "chutes" to slide down, a heart pounding 7- 8 meters natural hydro slide (where you will get airborne !!), and three powerful waterfalls to abseil (rappel) down including a 38 meters monster at the end. The trip will return around 3 pm (depending on numbers and speed). The actual time in the canyon is around 4 hours aprox. (B / L / - ).
Day 9. Merida – Caracas
Early transfer to the Caracas airport in time for flights departing between 8-10:00 AM. Transfers for flights departing at other times can be arranged in advance at an additional charge. (B / - / - ).
Total meals: Breakfast (B); Lunch (L); Dinner (D)
B= 8 / L= 7 / D= 3
The Andes Trekking, River Rafting, and Canyoning tour includes:
transportation as indicated.
flights as indicated.
bilingual tour guide (a specialist guide will be provided as required)
meals and drinks as indicated
accommodation in double rooms (double occupancy).
transfer to and from airports.
The Andes Trekking, River Rafting, and Canyoning tour does NOT include
charges for optional excursions.
personal expenses
tips for local staff
airport taxes
national park fees
alcoholic drinks.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- transportation as indicated
- flights as indicated
- bilingual tour guide (a specialist guide will be provided as required)
- meals and drinks as indicated
- accommodation in double rooms (double occupancy)
- transfer to and from airports
Price does not include:
- charges for optional excursions
- personal expenses
- tips for local staff
- airport taxes
- national park fees
- alcoholic drinks
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Venezuela
Nature & Wildlife
National Parks
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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