The Venezuelan Andes and MeridaMerida has an idyllic location in the heart of the Andean range on a giant plateau dominated by snowcapped peaks. It has a relaxed atmosphere with colonial architecture and neatly cobbled streets, and the city is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada national park. Accommodation is in old Spanish style haciendas situated just 5 minutes outside Merida, which are the starting point for gentle walks, bird spotting, horse riding or ambitious treks. If you are looking to relax, the nearby village of Jaji with its superb plaza and Indian market along with the 5 waterfalls at Chorrera de Las Gonzalez make for an excellent alternative. The world's highest and longest cable car ride is one of the best ways to see the city and the surrounding area. With four stopping stations between the top and the bottom you have the opportunity to see very different ecosystems from puna grasslands to cloudforest to the snowcapped peaks above. Waiting for you at the end is another of Venezuela's claims to fame, the ice cream shop with the largest number of flavours in the world! THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE VENEZUELAN ANDESMerida and its surrounding region offers a huge variety of activities. Below are some examples of the best. Though we can tailor any tour to suit your requirements. Full day tour beginning with the world's highest and longest cable car ride with 5 stations: Barinitas (1577m), La Montana (2436m), La Aguada (3452m), Loma Redonda (4045m) and Pico Espejo (4765m). Lunch at Merida's public market, with an afternoon visit to the Indian town of Jaji and views of the 5 waterfalls at Chorrera de Las Gonzalez. Full day horse riding. Drive to the Chama river and ride up the Chama valley from 1900m to 2500m. Lunch at Cacute village with a view of Pico Bolivar (5007m) and Pico El Toro (4755m), return Merida. Full day mountain biking. There are several one day tours available each with varying degrees of difficulty, and all with safety equipment. A ride to the Tabay hot springs is one of the most popular, allowing for a soothing soak half way through the day. 2 day mountain biking. One of the most popular bike routes is the loop around the remote mountain villages south of Merida, known as Pueblos del Sur. Trekking. The area is best known for its hiking, from gentle walks through cloudforest for a half or full day, to the more strenuous treks that involve camping or staying in local villages lasting anything from 2 days to 2 weeks. For the less active we have a superb full day sightseeing tour. Leaving Merida at 08.00 and returning 20.30 you will visit Jaji and the waterfalls, drive through the Chama valley and see the first Andean settlement of the region dating from 1559, salt mines, tropical fruit plantations, a boat ride through small channels with dense tropical flora and abundant fauna. Lunch will be in the stilt houses of the Maracaibo Lake before returning through the mountain villages back to Merida.
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