Crossing the Andes on foot
| country: | Venezuela |
| trip type: | Strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | Below is one example of the hiking tours in the Andes we can arrange. They are available year-round & can be tailor-made as necessary to suit your requirements |
| price: | From US $300 - US $400 (5 days) excluding flights. Price depends on number in group. With 1 porter per two people add $20 per day. With 1 mule/ muleteer per two people add $23 per day |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
Trekking the Andes is an excellent opportunity to leave the stress of everyday life behind and relax in this majestic region of the earth.
We'll enjoy spending time with local people in remote Andean villages, completely cut off from civilization, with no roads or electricity, and only surrounded by the gentle murmur of expansive wilderness.
Along the way, we'll trek through a number of beautiful and well preserved Andean villages, lush cloud forests, and valleys that provide breathtaking views of some of South America's last natural paradises.
Mérida is a great place to begin trekking the surrounding mountains. From here we can cross the Andes via the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, which separates the highlands that separate Lake Maracaibo from the plains of Los Llanos. Many think of this rocky rampart as an impenetrable wall that can only be crossed by bus or plane. However, we can make it on foot. We start our treks in the Andean village of Gavidia, which is located in the Andean páramo region, and end up on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. We will spend the nights in tents or in the homes of the Andean farmers.
Sierra Nevada: The Sierra Nevada is a beautiful chain of snow-peaked mountains close to the city of Mérida. Here you will find the three tallest peaks in Venezuela. Pico Bolivar is the highest point in the country, towering 5007 meters. The remaining two are Pico Humboldt and Pico Aquila, rising 4942 meters and 4118 meters respectively. These mountains have a strong presence in local folklore and, your guide will gladly share their mythology.
Frailejon Plant: The frailejon is the most characteristic plant of this area. It is only found in high altitudes in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.
It has velvet-tufted leaves and only grows one centimeter per year. These plants are believed to live for 150 years and grow to three meters tall. They bloom between September and December.
El Carrizal: El Carrizal is a small Andean hamlet can only be reached on foot, with no roads or electricity, and a total population of thirty people. Their economy relies on the production of coffee, avocado, and oranges, which they carry to a market that is 10-12 hours by foot or mule.
San José: Home of only thirty people and virtually inaccessible to the public, San José is a land forgotten by time. This hamlet in the high reaches of the mountains maintains a traditional Andean lifestyle. The locals still cook over wood fires, grind cornmeal with stones and use mules to pull their plows.
Best time to go
Trekking the Andes can be done year-round. However, the rainy season, which runs from August to October, is generally better left to more experienced trekkers due to the increased challenge associated with wet terrain. On the other hand, this overlaps the season when the mountains are snow-capped, from June to October. One other thing you may wish to take into consideration before booking a trip is the blooming season of the frailejon plant, which occurs between September and December.
Our treks generally last five days, and use the following sample itinerary below:
We'll enjoy spending time with local people in remote Andean villages, completely cut off from civilization, with no roads or electricity, and only surrounded by the gentle murmur of expansive wilderness.
Along the way, we'll trek through a number of beautiful and well preserved Andean villages, lush cloud forests, and valleys that provide breathtaking views of some of South America's last natural paradises.
Mérida is a great place to begin trekking the surrounding mountains. From here we can cross the Andes via the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, which separates the highlands that separate Lake Maracaibo from the plains of Los Llanos. Many think of this rocky rampart as an impenetrable wall that can only be crossed by bus or plane. However, we can make it on foot. We start our treks in the Andean village of Gavidia, which is located in the Andean páramo region, and end up on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. We will spend the nights in tents or in the homes of the Andean farmers.
Sierra Nevada: The Sierra Nevada is a beautiful chain of snow-peaked mountains close to the city of Mérida. Here you will find the three tallest peaks in Venezuela. Pico Bolivar is the highest point in the country, towering 5007 meters. The remaining two are Pico Humboldt and Pico Aquila, rising 4942 meters and 4118 meters respectively. These mountains have a strong presence in local folklore and, your guide will gladly share their mythology. Frailejon Plant: The frailejon is the most characteristic plant of this area. It is only found in high altitudes in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.
It has velvet-tufted leaves and only grows one centimeter per year. These plants are believed to live for 150 years and grow to three meters tall. They bloom between September and December.
El Carrizal: El Carrizal is a small Andean hamlet can only be reached on foot, with no roads or electricity, and a total population of thirty people. Their economy relies on the production of coffee, avocado, and oranges, which they carry to a market that is 10-12 hours by foot or mule.
San José: Home of only thirty people and virtually inaccessible to the public, San José is a land forgotten by time. This hamlet in the high reaches of the mountains maintains a traditional Andean lifestyle. The locals still cook over wood fires, grind cornmeal with stones and use mules to pull their plows.
Best time to go
Trekking the Andes can be done year-round. However, the rainy season, which runs from August to October, is generally better left to more experienced trekkers due to the increased challenge associated with wet terrain. On the other hand, this overlaps the season when the mountains are snow-capped, from June to October. One other thing you may wish to take into consideration before booking a trip is the blooming season of the frailejon plant, which occurs between September and December.
Our treks generally last five days, and use the following sample itinerary below:
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Departure from Mérida in route to Pico Aquila, to visit the Condor Research Station. Continue to Gavidia (3,500 m). Trek to Micarachi (3,100 m) and continue to Los Morritos (3,000 m), where camp will be set up beside a creek. (1.5 hours by jeep, 4 hours hiking). |
| Day 2: | Trek to El Carrizal (1,500 m) where we will stay in a mucuposada (see ¨How this holiday makes a difference below) overnight. (4-5 hours hiking). |
| Day 3: | Trek to San José (1,400 m) where we will stay in a mucuposada overnight. (4-5 hours hiking). |
| Day 4: | Trek to Santa María and continue to El Algarrobo (600 m) where we will stay in a mucuposada overnight. (4-5 hours hiking). |
| Day 5: | Depart from El Algarrobo in route to Barinas (400 m) in Jeep. End of services. Tourists can continue to Los Llanos, take a plane to their next destination or return to Mérida. (4 hours hiking, 6 hours by jeep to Mérida). |
travellers' tales
It was excellent - a perfect mix of many different activities and beautiful places.
(more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 ¨The manner in which the route flows from the Páramo to Los Llanos, following a great river gives a real sense of journeying. In my view, everything about the trip was excellent but above all it was a privilege to meet so many wonderful people along the route. From start to finish the hospitality was a highlight of the entire trip and I can only thank you for providing an unforgettable birthday (how did you all manage that amazing cake!). This is an excellent example of sustainable community tourism and everyone involved should be really proud.¨ - Paul Easto Asociación de Baquianos y Posaderos del Páramo: On this tour, we work with the European Union supported Programa de los Andes Tropicales, who created the ASOBAP to teach the locals how to treat tourists. To do this they educate local farmers on how to work with tourists as well as how to maintain a cleaner environment. In return, the association gives them micro credits to upgrade and maintain lodging in their homes for tourists, as well as provide meals that come from their own fields. The aforementioned mucuposadas are the lodging that they maintain for tourists. Condor Reintroduction Center: We support, and our clients have the opportunity to visit, the Condor Reintroduction Center. This enterprise studies the endangered Andean Condor and is attempting to repopulate the species. The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in the world and has a strong presence in the local mythology.  Environment: We make every attempt possible to preserve the natural environment. To do this, we only take small groups, usually less than eight people. We do not permit anyone from these groups to take souvenirs, such as feathers, rocks or plants, nor partake in any activity that will damage the landscape. Our Jeeps use unleaded gasoline and meet Western emission standards. Community: We pay the local farmers to maintain their homes and lodging areas for our guests, and to provide meals from their crops. In other words, we do not use the services of any enterprises owned by non-local companies that may exploit the locals. Guides and Muleteers: We make sure to take care of those who take care of you. We provide them with any equipment they require for all of our trips. In five days, they approximately earn the usual monthly wage of a full-time worker in the city as well as receiving compensation for any time lost due to illness or injury. No employees are ever required to carry more than 25 kilograms of equipment. Moreover, they enjoy the same sleeping arrangements as our paying clients. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |