5 day/4 night: $900
per person
4 day/3 night: $735 per person
The Venezuelan Andes are a wonderful treat
for mountain bikers seeking breathtaking scenery, plenty
of sunshine and crisp, unpolluted air. This mountainous
region is crisscrossed by scenic roads and trails that
provide excellent routes, ranging from jungle-like tropical
cloud forest to the spectacular highlands. This sparsely
populated region is inhabited by friendly Andino peasants
whose origins predate the Spanish conquest.
On this trip you’ll cover a huge diversity
of terrain and scenery, riding along rugged mule tracks,
as well as smooth asphalt roads. Expect some grueling
uphill slogs rewarded by screaming downhill runs, interspersed
with more gentle grades. Trips are led by experienced
guides, with a support vehicle to carry gear and provide
assistance. Overnight lodging is in small hotels and rural
inns.
Merida, the historical capitol of the Venezuelan
Andes, is the base from which you will be given a brief
orientation to the area and introduction to your bike.Our
guides offer a wide variety of riding with emphasis placed
on exploration. One of our offerings is a ride to the
quaint village of La Azulita, reached through a marvelous
cloud forest, rounded off with a fantastic downhill or
perhaps a pedal to sleepy Los Nevados, a remote farming
settlement at 8,500 feet.
Another great ride starts in Mucuchies,
a delightful town dating back to 1596. Set off along the
spectacular TransAndean highway, from where you’ll
head to some nearby mountain lakes and the town of Gavidia,
in the sierra Nevada National Park. After overnighting
in Mucuchies, you will overland by jeep to Pico del Aguila
pass at 13,500 feet, where you will ride toward Pinango,
crossing a mountaintop wilderness preserve.
A typical day’s ride covers about
35 miles, depending on the terrain and your experience.
Most riders spend about 60% of their time exploring on
paved mountain roads, and the rest on dirt trails. However,
the advantage of our trips in the Andes is that the mix
of trail terrain, difficulty and pace can be modified
to your demands. Your personalized Andes itinerary may
also be arranged in conjunction with other activities
like hiking, sightseeing, or horseback riding or coordinated
with other adventures within Venezuela.
Level of Difficulty
Grade II-III - moderate to strenuous.
Special Interests
Mountain biking, natural history, day hiking, native cultures,
and photography.
Health Notes
Participants should be in good physical shape and be prepared
to bike at elevations above 5,000 ft. Perhaps the greatest
risk is sunburn, especially at higher elevations. It is
advisable to consult with a physician about ascending
to higher altitudes, in particular, those with high blood
pressure.
Weather
Temperatures in the Andes vary
according to elevation and other factors. Expect daytime
temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping
to 40 degrees or lower at night. While the Venezuelan
Andes offer adventure year round, the most favorable weather
is from November to May.
Packing
We suggest packing light but bring
enough layers in order to adapt to climactic changes.
Excess luggage can be stored in Merida. You'll probably
want to bring:
Comfortable hiking shoes and another comfortable
pair of shoes.
Shorts, long pants, and warm pants for
evening.
Polyprolene T-shirts and underwear, long
sleeve shirts and a sweater and/or sweatshirt
Sunblock, sunglasses, and hat
Waterproof jacket
Toiletries
Camera and film in saddlebag or daypack
Binoculars and a bird guide book
Contact
us to include biking in
a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
