La Travesia, out of Mérida in Venezuela, is one of the best hikes in the world.

Why?	World > South America > Venezuela > Travesia One of the best hikes in the world is LA TRAVESIA Hikes in this area also known as: Sierra Nevada de Mérida the Humboldt Trail Sierra Nevada Traverse (Mucuy - Mérida) Note: This page is a stub. You can expand it by e-mailing comments, recommendations and links in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks for your help! VENEZUELA is neglected hiking destination. This is one of the best treks in South America but it is not well known. Hikers should spend as little time as possible in Caracus, heading directly to Roraima or Mérida. exitotravel.com WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE Mérida is one of the great hiking centres of the world this is the best trek there, named for a high alpine traverse bizarre flora including bizarre espeletia plants optional add-on climbs of Pico Humboldt (4942m) and/or Pico Toro (4758m) — no mountaineering skill or gear needed, weather permitting add a guided climb of Pico Bolivar (5007m) if you wish to get your photo taken with the bust of Bolivar on the summit of the highest mountain travel in Venezuela for as little as US$25-30 / day ... add a comment here Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada is the most popular in the Venezuelan Andes, for good reason. It is gorgeous and easily accessed by the highest 4765m (15,633ft) & longest cable-car (12.5km) in the world The jumping-off town of Mérida is also the adventure capital of the country: mountaineering, rock climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, canyoning, horse riding, rafting & much more. We could happily spend several weeks based out of Mérida. CONSIDERATIONS This hike is challenging — but civilized. We rate it medium difficulty if you are acclimatized to altitude and if the weather co-operates. Be prepared for a bit of rock scrambling, however. altitude sickness is a real risk. You spend a lot of time above 4000m (13,123ft) treatment? Descend immediately! By cable car if you are close to it. the dry season in the Venezuelan Andes is Dec-Apr avoid Aug - Oct when it is very wet snow sometimes closes trails at higher elevations June-Oct some scrambling, some route finding we got lost overnight on one trip here. It is easy to get disoriented in these mountains when afternoon clouds roll in from the Amazon. sunburn & windburn are common it can be get cold & very windy temperatures will likely drop below freezing at night bring or rent a good tent & a warm sleeping bag ... add a comment here ROUTES 4-6 day (La Mucuy to Mérida) itinerary is recommended for an optimal experience, though faster & easier variations are possible. You would love this itinerary: road transport Mérida to La Mucuy (no need to stay overnight) Laguna La Coromoto (3200m) Laguna Verde (4000m) Laguna El Suero (4200m) optional ascent of Pico Humboldt (4942m) La Travesia high route to the cable-car top station at Pico Espejo (4765m) optional camp at Laguna Timoncitos optional "difficult" (guided) ascent of Pico Bolivar (5007m) optional "easy" ascent of Pico El Toro (4758m) descend by cable-car or by foot to Mérida ... add a comment here Of course there are alternate campgrounds to consider If you ride the cable car down you can be tucking into a great steak a few hours after standing atop Bolivar! If anyone in your party is feeling poorly, they can opt out of the mountain ascents and rest in the tent or descend early by cable-car. Alternative itineraries: note that the Biggars trekking guide The Andes - A Trekking Guide recommends you reverse our suggested route, starting with the cable-car ride. This is a good option if you are already acclimatized to altitude and want to save a day or two. alternate trailhead the village of Los Nevados (2500m) is less demanding ... add a comment here LOGISTICS If you sign on a guided trip, this will be organized for you. This section is for those hiking independently. permit required for overnight stays in the National Park purchase this in Mérida at the base of the cable-car you can probably also get it in Mucuy at the Ranger House officials may check your gear to see if you are properly provisioned. For mountaineering you need specified gear so explain you are hiking if you do not intend to climb. conversational Spanish is helpful! transportation details La Mucuy to Laguna de la Coromoto carry all the gear & food you will need for the entire trip ... add a comment here Independent hikers need budget for: transport Merida to Mucuy permit for overnight stays in the National Park teleferico (cable-car) is at least US$15 one way rental mountain gear & equipment, if needed, at a shop called Cumbre Azul in Mérida ... add a comment here INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED? Guided trips we think are pretty good value — they start at US$35-$55 / day all inclusive. Arassari (formerly Bum Bum tours) is the most often recommended outfit in Mérida. We took one of their rafting tours — it was excellent. Others to check out: Fanny Tours (ask for their Travesia tour) Exito travel Venezuela tours Guamanchi Expeditions trekking (low cost) Natoura Adventure trekking Andes.org.uk Sierra Nevada Traverse trek ResponsibleTravel.com Humboldt Trail trek ... add a recommendation here Alternately, shop around for a trip with the tour operators in Mérida when you get there. It will likely be less expensive and you may be able to meet with some of the people you will be hiking with in advance of the trip. LOCAL INFORMATION tour operators in Mérida can bring you up-to-date on trail conditions South American Explorers ... add a recommendation here BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS The Andes - A Trekking Guide - John & Cathy Biggar, 2001 Trekking and Climbing in the Andes - Pitkethly, Harper & Saunders, 2002 ... add a recommendation here BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS Lonely Planet Venezuela Krzysztof Dydynski, 2004 Footprint Handbook Venezuela Murphy & Green, 2003 Insight Guides Venezuela Angela Baynham, 2003 ... add a recommendation here OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS Quest for the Lost World Brian Blessed, 2003 Climbing to the Lost World Hamish MacInnes, 1976 The Lost World Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1912 Mad White Giant Bennedict Allen, 2002 In Trouble Again Redmond O'Halon, 1990 The Hacienda: My Venezuelan Years Lisa St Aubin De Teran, 1998 ... add a recommendation here BEST MAPS Guiding companies provide maps. Independent hikers must be carrying The Andes - A Trekking Guide which has a useful simple overview. Other options: Inparques 1:50,000 Sierra Nevada (available at the National Park office in Mérida) ... add a recommendation here Online maps: Fanny Tours unique, original animated maps! Southwind Adventure Venezuela map Guamanchi Mérida area map cable car Mérida map ... add a recommendation here BEST WEB PAGES We have not found many good websites posted on this little known trek, except from tour operators seeking your business. Please add a link if you know of any good sites. wikipedia Mérida, Mérida Lonely Planet Venezuela cable car in Mérida ... add a link here BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS Wow! One of the best trip reports we have seen in a long while was posted by mountaineer Adam Helman. Check it out. Adam Helman trip report and photos Sean Connolly trek photos Guamanchi Andes trekking photos Aventura Venezuela Travesia Rosemarie Alecio A Trek in the Andes 2002 ... add a link here MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs Venezuela's Ancient Tepuis - The Living Edens: The Lost World 2003 add a recommendation here