The terrain among the rugged mountains of Venezuela’s Sierra Nevada de Mérida moves from tangled rain forest to dry high altitude. A five-day, 30-mile loop, ending via the world’s longest cable car descent, can include attempts on Venezuela’s two highest peaks, Pico Humboldt (16,213 feet) and Pico Bolivar (16,427 feet). These latter climbs are optional sidetrips to the trek, and require moderate technical ability, including familiarity with ropes and crampons for glacier travel.
Ads
From Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, a comfortable overnight bus ride takes you to the town of Mérida, where local tour companies will provide all the necessary gear and support for the trek. The trip includes ascending a steep, rocky valley past narrow waterfalls that dangle from cliffs and camping at Laguna Verde Chiquita, where serrated peaks thrust dramatically upwards around a turquoise lake. Novices may not feel comfortable with the exposed sections and some of the difficult terrain, but for the most part, the route is challenging rather than technical. Trekkers are not allowed into the area alone so you must hook up with a tour company or with other experienced trekkers.
NATOURA ADVENTURE TOURS, S.R.L., VENEZUELA
Founded in 1986, NATOURA is a team of young and enthusiastic nature lovers, who specialize in organizing safe and exciting eco & adventure tours throughout the beautiful and diverse country of Venezuela. Operate nature-based excursions in one of the most beautiful, diverse, and fascinating countries in the world. Likewise to customized itineraries, Natoura can offer customized trekking options to meet your abilities and interests. Natoura Travel & Adventure Tours it has been considered again for National Geographic Adventure magazine's Trips 2009 features! The Orinoco Delta in Venezuela, have been added by the UNESCO to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This was confirmed by theUNESCO on the 26 of May 2009. Natoura takes part in different international tourism fairs around the world.
Jose Luis Troconis is the owner and founder of Natoura Tours. He is an outstanding mountain guide who has trekked and climbed throughout both continents of the Americas. Jose Luis Traconis has guided travelers through Venezuela’s mountains for 14 years. Natoura supports local economies by using local vendors where possible. There are few Venezuelans who have such a voluminous knowledge of this country. He welcomes world travelers with a friendly “mi casa es tu casa” personality and his energetic attentiveness to details assures that each journey is a great success.
The camp staff will generally include the following: an experienced English-speaking mountain guide or naturalist escort (depending on the program). Plan on hiking or traveling 4-5 hours each day, depending on the overall group pace. Lunch is usually taken around 12-1 p.m. Depending on where the group is along the route, we usually spend an hour or so on a lunch break. When trekking, we arrive at the camp around 3:00-4:30 p.m. Tea is generally served around 5:00 p.m. and is a welcome treat at the higher camps. Dinner is served between 7:00-7:30 p.m. Exhibiting at the following events this year:
Natoura Travel & Adventure Tours
Calle 31 entre Avenida Don Tulio y prolongación Avenida 6 # 5-27. (Diagonal Bomberos ULA).Mérida 5101 Venezuela, South America
Call in the US At: (303) 800-4639
Call + 58-274-2524216 to Speak Travel Consultants
Duch Tel.: 05906-30 33 64
France Téléphone : 0033-0970 449 206
Email: info@natoura.com
Web: http://www.natoura.com/