Roundtrips | Western Venezuela

Roundtrip to the Andes, Merida, los Llanos and the Caribbean sea in western Venezuela.
This round trip is organized by Kreis deutschsprachiger Posadas mit Tourangeboten.

Tag 1: Maiquetia (Caracas)- Maracay (-, -, -)

Transfer to Maracay (ca. 3 hours), welcome cocktail and briefing

Tag 2: Maracay - Henry Pittier National Park (F, -, -)

On this day we start early in the morning our tour to the Henry Pittier National Park, the oldest National Park of Venezuela. The first target is the biological science station "Rancho Grande" among the bird rich park. Here we start an two hour walk through thick cloud forest and we see unique nature and many kind of seldom birds. Afterwards we drive go to the Caribbean beaches of  Cata and Cuyagua  where we take an refreshing bath. This day we see the different forms of vegetation and subtropical rain- and cloud forests.
At the evening we drive to the bus terminal of Maracay where we take our comfort night bus to Mérida.

Tag 3: Merida (F, -, -)

In Merida we are welcome by our guide. We will visit the colonial center of Merida and the market.
In the afternoon we go by 4WD to Tierra Negra, for Tandem-Paragliding together with a professional pilot. Weather permitting we glide 20 to 40 minutes in the air. The start is at 1600m above sea level, just some steps and we take off. At around 300 days per year the wind blows smoothly up the canyon which is perfect for paragliding. The wind permits that mostly the takeoff an landing is at the same place. But even the path and area are just wonderful.
In the late evening we are in our beautiful Posada Casa Vieja.

Tag 4: Bergdorf Los Nevados (F, M, A)

At 8 o'clock in the morning we go by the highest and longest cable car way starting at the center of Merida(1580m) until Station Pico Espejo (4765m). Sight permitting we will have a wonderful view to the Pico Bolivar, the roof of Venezuelas (5007m). Afterwards we return one station to Loma Redonda (4045m) and start a 5 hour walk to the colonial village Los Nevados (3000m). We are passing Alto De La Cruz(4200m) and continue downhill to the village. Accommodation is at Posada Bella Vista.

Tag 5: Los Nevados - Merida (F, M, -)

After breakfast we explore the village and harden our impression. Afterwards we do a mountain drive by car until we reach Merida after 5 hours. The overnight stay is at Posada Casa Vieja.

Tag 6: Anden (F, M, A)

The most beautiful road of Venezuela goes through colonial villages of the Andes. We visit the famous Chapel of Juan Felix Sanchez made of natural stones and the Condor station. Afterwards we cross level 4200 m at the eagle crossing.
On of the most scurrile landscapes is the Paramo vegetation with its typical Frailejones but these here grow to a level of 3 meters! At the lagoon of the glacier Mucubaji we walk until we reach Laguna Negra. After walking have our lunch.
Continuing at the far side of the Andes we cross different kinds of vegetation like Paramo, elf forrest and subtropical rain forest. We stay at night in the colonial Andes village Altamira close to the center at Plaza Bolivar. The name of the guesthouse is Posada Caceres.

Tag 7: Llanos (F, M, A)

In the morning after breakfast we start for a short trip through tropical mountain rain forest and take a refreshing bath in the water falls.
Afterwards we start our trip to Los Llanos and arrive at lunch time at our Hato (classic farm of los Llanos). This farm has 15000 hectare and is still a cattle farm like centuries ago. But it also has infrastructure for tourism which like to watch plenty of the wild animals living here: caimans, capybaras, turtles and iguanas. After lunch we have the opportunity to visit these animals during an animal safari. They life at the water holes and the savannah together with up to 300 different kind of birds. The most remarkable are purple Ibises, die pink-loffler, the jaribu-adebars and Aras, loros, eagles and kauze. With some luck we meet anacondas and anteater! We enjoy the sundown at a lagoon which is full of caimans and many ibisses and reiher are here to find a place to sleep. The overnight stay is at the Hato.

Tag 8: Llanos- Choroni (F, M, -)

After the breakfast, we will drive crossing the Henry Pittier National Park to our Posada in Choroni. The Caribbean beach is crowded by coconut palm trees!

Tag 9: Beach Choroni (F, -, -)

This day is for relaxing. Either we go to the beach, we walk along the coastline, hike a boat to other beaches or we book a jungle trip.

Tag 10: Strand Choroni (F, -, -)

This day is again for relaxing at the beach or doing day trips.

Tag 11: Maracay (F, -, -)

In the morning is the last occasion for a bath in the sea. After lunch we drive for about 2 hours to Maracay to Posada Limon. This will make the trip to the airport at the next day. Overnight stay is at Posada Limon.

Tag 12: Maracay - Caracas(F, -, -)

After the good breakfast we can spend some time in the pool of the Posada and at lunch time we go to the airport in Caracas to catch the international flight.

Extension:

It is no problem to add some more days at tropical beaches in Choroni and Carupano or to book trips to Canaima or the Orinoco Delta.

Photos... (You will find more photos in our Photo Gallery)

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