Mérida's snow-capped Sierra Nevada protects the highlands separating the Lake Maracaibo from the plains of Los Llanos. Most people think of the rocky rampart as an impenetrable wall that can only be crossed by bus or plane. We, however, can traverse it on foot. We'll trek over the mountain range, crossing the borders of the states Mérida and Barinas along the way.
We'll then cross the Andean páramo and end up on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of about 400 meters. Along the way, we'll trek through a number of beautiful and well preserved Andean villages, lush cloud forest, and valleys providing breathtaking views of some of South America's last paradises. This trek provides you with an excellent opportunity to have first hand contact with the people of this region.
We'll enjoy spending time with local people in remote Andean hamlets completely cut off from civilization: no roads, no electricity, and surrounded only by the murmur of expansive wilderness. The nights will be spent in tents or in the quaint homes of the Andean farmers. If we're lucky, the hosts may make us tasty and traditional corn arepas (corn patties filled with meat or cheese) for breakfast.
This exceptionally rewarding hike takes you through two states, Mérida and Barinas. The stretch starts in Mucuchies at 3000 meters and ends on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, at about 400 meters. The trail follows a road to Gavidia, an Old Spanish mule path over the Andes, where the trek beginns; from there down to Cano Grande and the Barinas highway. In our opinion, this little-known trek is one of the best due to the open paramo, flowing streams, splendid cloud forest, cultural exchange, and the absence of people.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Merida - Gavidia - Micarache
Early in the morning, after a coffee, we will leave for the páramo. This is a scenic route, where we’ll pass through a number of well-preserved Andean villages and all the while ascending into the upper reaches of the Andes. After a 1-hour jeep ride, we'll arrive at the Andean village of Mucuchies (2,980 m). From there, we'll take a gorgeous secondary road to Gavidia: through the spectacular canyon and over the Gavidia creek.
Arriving at Gavidia, we will turn onto a small country road and work our way to Micarache (3,100 m). Gavidia's main crops are potatoes, carrots, and garlic. The landscape features small fields, stone fences and hilly pastures which are shaded by groves of tall trees. There we will start our trek. At that point a drastic change in the vegetation from rainforest to páramo takes place. Along the way, the only people we will meet will be solitary cowherds. After a few hours of hiking, we will arrive at our first campsite. Camp is set up beside a creek, which provides an inspiring panoramic view (3,000-m). 1.5 hours by jeep, 4 hours hiking. L/ D.
Days 2-4: Gavidia - El Carrizal - Alto La Aguada - Canagua
After packing up we will head off to El Carrizal. Leaving the páramo habitat, we will enter a dense, well-preserved rain forest, following narrow valleys. Occasionally, we will cross-incredible suspension bridges, which point to man's feeble effort to tame this wild and unpopulated region. The streams that we will cross feed the watershed of the Orinoco River, many miles away.
Finally, we will come to El Carrizal (1,400 m), a small Andean hamlet completely cut off from civilization; without roads or electricity and a total population of 30 people. The village specializes in the production of coffee, avocado, and oranges which are brought to the market, a 10-12 hours way on foot or mule. After a hot breakfast, we’ll pack up the gear and trek to another small village, Alto La Aguada (1,000 m). On the trek, we'll ford beautiful rivers and pass through sugar cane and coffee plantations, and the remnants of cloud forest that are quickly being developed into pastures.
At the village, we’ll get a good glimpse of the lowlands and the city of Barinas in the distance. As we share a little time with local people, it will be noticeable that not only has the landscape changed but so have the people and their habits. Along the way, we will sleep in a tent or farmers' houses.
After breakfast, we will continue trekking down the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada (400 m), which firmly signals our arrival to the Barinas State. Our arrival to the small village of Canagua is where a small, dirt road ends its uphill climb. 4-5 hours hiking per day. B/ L/ D.
Day 5: Canagua - Las Palmas - Merida
After restoring our energies once again with breakfast, we will continue our descent, walking approximately one hour till we reach Las Palmas. Our 4WD vehicle will meet us and bring us down to the Pan-American Highway. From here, we can bring you back to Mérida or to Barinas for a flight or bus to your next destination. 4 hours hiking, 6 hours by jeep to Mérida. B/ L.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Transfer from and to airport in El Vigia, then car ride to Mérida
- 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)
- 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.
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