Active Adventure
- Hiking, Mountain Biking
6 Days/5 Nights
From $1220 per person double occupancy
in 2010
Includes domestic airfare,
accommodations, tours, transportation and meals as specified
Note: Andes programs are subject to modification
due to weather, transportation schedules or for other
operational factors.
DAY 1
CARACAS – MÉRIDA – SAN JOSE
You’ll first fly to Mérida. You’ll
be met and then taken on a short city tour visiting Plaza
Bolivar, the historic cathedral, the principal market,
and the university. After a 45-minute transfer to Tierra
Negra, a world famous spot for paragliding, you’ll
hop on your bike (provided) to the village of San Jose,
considered one of the prettiest villages in the Pueblos
del Sur and overnight. The inn has a trout farm in the
front yard, and you can fish for your dinner. (D)
DAY 2
SAN JOSE – MÉRIDA
Today, you’ll ride out of San Jose, biking along
the Tos Tos River, which is lined with ash trees, then
continue steeply up to Los Pinos and return to Tierra
Negra along an off-road route. Optional tandem paragliding
1000 meters above the Chama River canyon (weather dependent)
or suicidal steep technical descent on bike (must be arranged
in advance) are both available. You’ll be transferred
back to Mérida and stay at the Posada La Sevillana,
a beautiful inn located in a tropical cloud forest. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
MÉRIDA – LOS NEVADOS
You’ll begin your day with a two-hour jeep ride
to the village of El Morro where your 22 km. trek to the
Los Nevados begins. This hamlet, with its fertile soil,
was one of the first Spanish settlements in the area and
is surrounded by high mountain plateaus and spectacular
snow-capped peaks, a perfect backdrop to experience the
atmosphere of a traditional Andean village. (B,L,D)
DAY 4
LOS NEVADOS – ANDES
Set off for the Loma Redonda cable car station by mule,
crossing the Alto de la Cruz pass at 4,251 meters. You’ll
descend back to Mérida on the world´s longest
and highest aerial cable car. You’ll then transfer
overland up to the paramos (high tropical mountains) of
the Andes. Overnight at Los
Balcones de la Musui, a world-class mountain lodge
with a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada mountain
range and nearby hot springs. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
ANDES – MÉRIDA
Bike the Pico Aguila circuit (22 km) beginning on the
highest paved road in Venezuela at 4,100 meters. You then
continue your route off road toward the village of Piañago
and a moderately steep descent to the Mifafi valley passing
by a biological research station responsible for re-introducing
the Condor to Venezuela. Jeep back to Hotel
Belensate in Mérida where you can enjoy a splash
in the hotel's pool with jacuzzi or dining at the La Nona
with scrumptious food and special attention to details
and service. Hotel Belensate also offers room service
and a bar. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
MÉRIDA – CARACAS
Enjoy a visit to the market for any last minute shopping
before being transferred back to the airport for your
mid-morning return flight to Caracas. (B)
Contact
us to include Andes Adventure
in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
