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Welcome
to Mérida Preciosa
Mérida is a city and a
state in the Venezuelan Andes. This is an enchanting environment with
extraordinary breathtaking scenery. Within a small area a traveler can
visit many different ecosystems, including quaint distant towns lost in
time, ride on the highest and longest cable car in the world, horseback
and trek in the Andes, climb mountains, paraglide, experience white
water rafting, visit sugar and coffee plantations and see the lightning
phenomena at the southern part of lake Maracaibo. There are one day
tours, two day tours and a combination of tours depending on the
traveler’s time limit. We also offer a four day safari sightseeing to
the plains of Venezuela (Los llanos), of anacondas, caymans, anteaters,
capybaras and piranhas, including boat, fishing and horseback riding,
plus incredible birdwatching. This tour is strongly recommended as a
must when visiting Venezuela. On all our tours you will get the insight
view of the culture and folklore of the region with native guides,
specialized in these areas. We offer tours in English, Spanish, French
and Italian. Mérida Preciosa invites you to come visit Mérida and
Venezuela and see our country throuogh the eyes, heart and expertise of
our guides who love our people and our country and hope that you will
cherish this experience in your memories. The following are descriptions
of our tours.
PÁRAMO (Highland Route
in the Andes Mountains)
We leave the city of Mérida in the morning parting from the north side
following the Transandean Highway which passes through a series of
quaint typical Andean villages. We start from 1600 meters above sea
level and gain altitude up to 4000 meters. Thoughout the tour, the
scenery changes as we go, from cloud forest to semi-arid and then
tundra-type vegetation. This is a region intensely cultivated with
vegetable gardens, plowed with oxen and harvested by hand. We make a
visit to the famous stone church in San Rafael, next from Apartaderos
(3300 meters), we take the Transandean towards Barinas entering the
national park of Sierra Nevada visiting the Lagoon of Mucubají, a lake
of glaciar origin left behind from the last great ice age of 10,000
years ago. Optional we can visit either by trek or horseback, the Black
Lagoon, depending on weather conditions and the travelers likings. (Estimated
time is 1 and ½ to 2 hours). Then we have lunch in a local restaurant.
Returning to Apartaderos we take the Transandean Highway towards Valera
visiting on the way the Condor Station, later arriving at Eagle Peak
(4000 meters). From here we take the road towards Piñango a little ways,
to get an absolutely spectacular view of the immensity of the Andes. On
the way back to the city of Mérida, we take a fabulous alternate route
passing through Llano del Hato, the highest hamlet in Venezuela (3500
meters) near the astronomical observatory.
The tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, and a delicious lunch
at a local restaurant. Warm clothes, a rain jacket or poncho, sunglasses,
sunscreen, a hat, camera and film are recommended.
PÁRAMO/PIÑANGO
DAY 1
We leave the city of Mérida in the morning parting from the north side
on the Transandean Highway. We pass through a series of quaint Andean
villages visiting the famous stone church in San Rafael. As altitude
changes the scenery does also, starting at a lush green coffee region to
an intensely cultivated vegetable region, plowed by oxen and harvested
by hand. On arriving at Apartaderos (3300 meters), we take the
Transandean towards Valera, visiting the Condor Station and Eagle Peak
(4000 meters). On the way we have lunch at a restaurant. Then we turn
towards the town of Piñango. This is National Park Sierra La Culata and
the scenery is absolutely unbelievable, reaching 4200 meters on a paved
road! It often snows here and the snow looks extremely beautiful among
the endemic pale green plants called “frailejón” and the rock peaks.
Later we reach a point where the coast of Lake Maracaibo can be seen
from high up in the Andes mountains. We start descending towards Piñango,
(2400 meters) a distant Andean village lost in time. Here we have dinner
and spend the night at a typical Andean inn..
DAY 2
Breakfast at the inn. Then we go back to Eagle Peak. Upon reaching
Apartaderos, we take the turn towards Barinas, arriving at the Alto de
Mucubají (3500 meters). Entering the Sierra Nevada National Park we
visit Mucubají Lagoon. Optional a traveler can either trek or horseback
to the Black Lagoon depending on weather conditions and his likings.
Then we have lulnch at a local restaurant. On the way back to Mérida we
take the scenic drive of Llano del Hato (3500 meters) the highest
village of the Venezuelan Andes.
This tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, lunch and dinner day
1, breakfast and lunch day 2. Warm clothes, rain jacket or poncho, a hat,
sun screen, sunglasses, and a camera with film are recommended.
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ONE DAY TOURS IN JAJÍ, LAGUNILLAS, LA VICTORIA. |
We leave the city of
Mérida in the morning parting from the south side of the city on the
Panamerican Highway of Mérida where we get a fabulous panoramic view of
the valley of the city of Mérida and the highest peaks of the Venezuelan
Andes. We skirt the mountains on the opposite side passing by two
waterfalls while going through cloud forest, later to arrive at the
colonial coffee village of Jají. There we take a stroll around the Plaza
Bolívar (central square), and visit the Bird Museum. Leaving Jají into
the surrounding countryside, we visit a very well preserved coffee
plantation from the golden coffee era of Venezuelan history. From there
we cross over the mountains leaving lush green coffee vegetation
entering into the desert valley of the Chama River Canyon. With cactus
surroundings we visit a tradional sugar cane factory which processes
sugar cane in an old fashioned manner. We enter into the sugar cane
fields to see people cutting cane and loading it on to mules. We also
visit a typical tobacco factory for chimó, tradional chewing tobacco,
and the salt lake of Urao in Lagunillas. We then have lunch at a local
restaurant. Continuing through the desert valley and with one turn in
the road and all of a sudden we are back into the lush green vegetation
of coffee country. Here we stop at La Victoria, the largest coffee
plantation of Venezuela from the golden coffee era. Afterwards we return
to the city of Mérida by way of the Transandean Highway.
The tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, entrance to museums
and a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
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ONE DAY TOURS IN BAILADORES |
We leave the city of
Mérida in the morning parting from the south side of the city on the
Transandean Highway. As we enter the desert valley of the Chama River
Canyon we visit sugar cane fields, a traditional sugar cane factory
which processes sugar cane in an old fashioned manner and a tobacco
factory for chimó, tradional chewing tobacco. We also visit the salt
lake of Urao in Lagunillas, and later upon entering into coffee country,
we visit La Victoria, the largest coffee plantation of Venezuela, in the
golden coffee era of Venezuelan history. Then we have lunch at a local
restaurant. Afterwards we pass through Santa Cruz de Mora, a coffee town
and Tovar, a coffee city. We begin to start climbing again to arrive at
the village of Bailadores (1800 meters). The scenery has changed from
the sugar cane desert area to the lush green coffee region and to a
higher vegetable and flower garden region, where the gardens are plowed
by oxen and harvested by hand. We continue upwards arriving at a fork in
the road called Delgadito (3000 meters), now we are almost bordering the
next Andean state of Táchira. The view is magnificent! Returning to
Bailadores we visit the India Carú Waterfall and a strawberry house.
Afterwards we return to Mérida.
This tour includes transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance to
museums, and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
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TWO DAY TOURS IN SAN JOSÉ |
DAY 1
Departure from the city of Mérida in the morning parting on the south
side on the Panamerican Highway of Mérida, with a spectacular view of
the valley of the city of Mérida and the highest peaks of the Venezuelan
Andes. We pass by two waterfalls in cloud forest arriving at Jají, a
colonial coffee village. Here we visit the Bird Museum and take a walk
around Bolívar Square. Leaving Jají to the surrounding countryside, we
visit a magnificent well preserved coffee plantation from the golden
coffee era of Venezuelan history. Later we enter the desert valley of
the Chama River Canyon. With cactus surroundings, we visit a tradional
sugar cane factory which processed sugar cane in an old fashioned manner.
Then we visit a tobacco factory for chimó, typical chewing tobacco, and
the salt lake of Urao. Lunch at a local restaurant and then we turn
towards a mountain road to San José, a remote Andean village lost in
time. We have trout from a trout pond for dinner and spend the night at
an inn that seems like paradise in an idyllic setting.
DAY 2
Breakfast at the inn. Then we leave on horseback for a tour into the
valley of Tostós or perhaps some other area near for a ride of 2, 3, or
4 hours depending on the tourist’s likes, returring to the inn for lunch.
Optional, on the way back, a tandem paragliding flight with experienced
pilots can be arranged for those who like adventure. Then back to the
city of Mérida.
This tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, entrance to museums,
day one lunch in a restaurant, dinner and lodgings in an inn and day 2,
breakfast, lunch and horseback ride.
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TWO DAY TOURS IN LOS
NEVADOS |
DAY 1
We leave the city of Mérida in the morning on a road that goes to Los
Nevados (2700 meters). On the way we stop for a picnic lunch. Later we
arrive at Los Nevados, a darling typical Andean village, tucked away in
the mountains. This remote town has been lost in time. Here we can take
a walk around the town and its surroundings. We have dinner and spend
the night at a typical inn.
DAY 2
We have breakfast at the inn. Shortly after we leave on mules for a 4
hour ride reaching the Alto de la Cruz (4200 meters) and then arriving
at the fourth station of the cable car Loma Redonda (4000 meters).
Optional a tourist can continue on to the fifth and last station of the
cable car (4800 meters) Pico Espejo. Coming back down to the city of
Mérida the view is absolutely spectacular. The tour ends reaching the
base station of the cable car Barinitas.
This tour is highly recommended. Upon visiting this remote town lost in
time and later descending in the cable car makes the purpose of the
cable car so much more meaningful. The contrast of simple Andean village
life and the metropolis of Mérida is something really special. It is an
unforgettable experience.
This tour includes day 1 transportation by jeep, bilingual guide, picnic
lunch, dinner and the night at the inn, and day 2, breakfast at the inn,
bilingual guide, transportation by mule, cable car from Loma Redonda to
Barinitas , and national park permits. We recommend you bring warm
clothes, rain jacket or poncho, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small
flashlight, camera and film.
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TWO DAY TOURS IN
CATATUMBO |
DAY 1
Departure from the city of Mérida from the south side on the Tranandean
Highway, entering the desert valley of the Chama River Canyon. A visit
to a tradional sugar cane factory which processes sugar cane in an old
fashioned manner, a tobacco factory for chimó, typical chewing tobacco
and the salt lake of Urao. After visiting the salt lake we take a
mountain road up to the village of La Trampa (2200 meters). The view is
spectacular! As we go up the salt lake seems to become smaller and
smaller. From the village of La Trampa we cross over the mountains
through a surrounding countryside called La Sabana arriving at a coffee
town called La Azulita for lunch. We descend from a coffee region to a
cacao region and then we reach the largest plaintain (cooking banana)
region in the entire world which is the tropical southern part of Lake
Maracaibo basin, arriving in the evening at Puerto Concha. Here we park
our car and take a boat on a channel out to the lake. On the way we see
loads of howler monkeys and iguanas in the trees. We arrive at a house
built on stilts out over the water on the lake, This type of housing is
typical of the indigenous people of Lake Maracaibo and is responsible
for the name of our country Venezuela, meaning little Venice for Alonso
de Ojeda, a Spanish “conquistador” in 1500 thought these houses rested
on little islands like in Venice. Here we will have dinner and spend the
night in hammocks. At night we should get a good display of a lightning
phenomena called Catatumbo. Usually it is fabulous, lighting the whole
sky and often goes on continuously all night, but on some occasions we
may not see it.
DAY 2
Breakfast at the house on stilts. Sunrise and sunset are really
beautiful at the lake. Then we take a boat ride to observe birds and
dolphins. For experienced birdwatchers, here is the only place in the
world to see the northern screamer. Afterwards we return to Puerto
Concha and then the city of Mérida, having lunch in a restaurant, on the
way. We return to Mérida on the Transandean via El Vigía.
This tour includes transportation by car and boat, bilingual guide, day
one lunch and dinner and lodgings in a hammock at the house on stilts
over the lake, and day two, breakfast and lunch.
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FOUR DAY TOUR LOS
LLANOS THE PLAINS OF VENEZUELA |
DAY 1
This tour can begin either from the city of Mérida or from the city of
Barinas. Starting from Mérida we take the Transandean Highway through
the mountain highlands stopping briefly at the famous stone church in
San Rafael de Mucuchíes, having lunch at a restaurant in Barinitas or if
we started in Barinas, lunch would be in Bruzual, Apure State. Once we
cross over the Apure River, the town of Bruzual is the last stop in
civilization. From then on it is pure wilderness of the savannah with
wildlife. We should start to begin seeing caimans, an incredible variety
of birds, and perhaps other forms of wildlife on the way. There are two
seasons, the wet beginning in May and the dry beginning in November.
Each season is entirely different from the other but any time of the
year is good to experience Los Llanos. In the wet season the scenery is
incredibly beautiful but the observation of animals is limited to small
quantities, yet still a visitor will be pleased to see a variety of
fauna. In the dry season the colors of the landscape are dull and
parched but the animals are abundant in numbers. Ideally one should
visit the llanos twice, once in the wet and once in the dry but for most
travelers this is not feasible. In the evening, we arrive at the camp
owned and managed by a typical family of the region who prepare our
dinner after arrival. We sleep in hammocks. Electricity is generated
only from 7pm to 10pm. There are clean bathrooms with showers and
toilets.
DAY 2 AND DAY 3
There are a series of four sightseeing safaris, two for day two and two
for day three. The safaris are (1) a boat ride on the Guaritico River.
Here we should see the pink fresh water dolphin, caiman, turtles,
iguanas, capybara (the world’s largest rodent), many birds and perhaps
some other animals, (2) a horseback adventure. Here we may see the giant
anteater, the tree anteater, coati, armadillo, deer or perhaps other
species. (3) a search for the anaconda, hoping to capture one without
harming it, and then each tourist can take a photograph with this
enormous snake, the world’s largest. Afterwards this snake is released
into nature, its’ natural habitat., and (4) fish for piranhas and have
them fried for dinner that night. These safaris can come in any order,
but on every trip, all four activities are included. So on day 2 and day
3, first we have breakfast at the camp, and then go out in the morning
on our first safari adventure of the day, being one of the four
mentioned. We come back to the camp at noon for lunch. Since the
tropical sun is usually extremely hot at noon, most animals go into
hiding, so after lunch we have a rest period until 3:00pm or 3:30pm when
we will be leaving on the second safari of the day, coming back at dusk.
During the rest period a tourist can take a nap, or a shower, read a
book, write in his diary, play dominoes, or any other activity on his
own. Dinner is at the camp. At night people often socialize around a
bonfire, on some occasions there are local dances with typical music of
the region, some take a walk at night with a flashlight (torch) to see
animals that come out after dark like caiman, anteaters, foxes, rabbits
and snakes.
DAY 4
On this day we have breakfast earlier than usual to leave early in the
morning to return either to Barinas or Mérida. Many tourists may wish to
continue on to other destinations and not go all the way back to Mérida.
This tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, three nights at the
camp in hammocks, four safaris, lunch at a restaurant day one and if
returning all the way back to the city of Mérida, lunch at a restaurant
on day 4. It is recommended to bring along a blanket or sheet to cover
yourself at night (some nights get cool), a towel (not provided at the
camp), insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, a camera with sufficient film
and personal articles like toothpaste and shampoo for there are no
stores near for shopping.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL TO SANDRA G. CAMPBELL
Phone
+58 274.2830130 //
0274-2830130 //
Movil: +58
416.7773656 Atention to: Sandra Campbell
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