Additions and Lake Maracaibo

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Additions and Lake Maracaibo - the Andean foothills

Itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL MERIDA

Early flight to Merida (1600 m), capital of the Venezuelan Andes, old colonial city of pleasant weather and university environment. Hiking in the longest and highest cable car in the world. Ascend to 4700 m, having 4 different formations ecotopes. Return and lodging.

DAY 2: LAKE MARACAIBO

Heading south of Lake Maracaibo, the largest in South America. We stopped in typical colonial Andean villages, a coffee plantation to learn about the process of harvesting coffee, arriving at the dock before dark, then we will take boats to get to palafito (typical construction of the area, the lake water) where we spend the night. The night walk through the channels of dark water are truly spectacular, then try to observe the wildlife that only appears at night, like alligators, boas, tree frog, owls and other birds, bats, insectivores and fishermen, and any surprise that expect us to night. When we get to palafitte full of new experiences, we will work to make a grilled vegetables, fish and blue crab. We hung our hammocks y. .. to sleep. (If we're lucky and the night is clear, we can enjoy one of the most spectacular in this part of Venezuela, Catatumbo lightning, which, unfortunately, due to deforestation, it is becoming less frequently must be prepared to star in one of the most unusual night of our lives, because if a storm breaks palafito seem to take off and fly out, such is the fury of the storms of this region.)

DAY 3: Andean foothills

After breakfast, we left for another turn with the boat on the lake, watching birds, and especially the beautiful and fun estuarine dolphins (endangered species), which may delight us with their play in the water. Returning through the same channels last night, we see the blatant families of howler monkeys. Other wildlife that we see in the daytime route is the spectacular Morpho butterfly with electric blue colors (including a species new to science), toucans, parrots and macaws, hawks, iguanas, etc ... The biggest surprise would be lucky enough to see otters and manatees, some of Venezuela's most threatened mammals, and that this area has one of their last strongholds. Returning, we passed one of the most impressive and preserved cloud forests of Venezuela: anyone who wants it cool off in his beautiful waterfall, and if we all agree, get inside a cave, home to colonies of bats, where according to legend, the pirates abandoned their prisoners to die in oblivion. We keep going until the Azulita. Accommodations The inn Bravera.

DAY 4: FOREST-JAJI CLOUDY.

Walk around the area of La Carbonera, a region where the bulls are bred bravest of Venezuela. Visit to the Andean cloud forest, wildlife watching. Stop in Jají, typical Andean colonial village, shopping (optional) local crafts. Return to Merida. Overnight in a colonial inn or hotel.

DAY 5: MERIDA

Cultural visit to Merida, archaeological museums, colonial art, zoo. Afternoon free (paragliding optional). Colonial inn or hotel.

DAY 6: Paramo, HOT SPRINGS, foothills.

We left early for the moor. If time allows, we are moving towards a stream of hot springs in the middle of the moor itself, which is the landscape that exists above the forest, dominated by a characteristic and endemic plants called frailejones (Espeletia). We swim in a pool of that stream, before a stunning landscape. We are more than 3000 m, so that the temperature outside may be cold water. Sample biotope moor, with its elements. Walk to the Black Lagoon, a beautiful Andean lake nestled in a landscape without equal. After the effort and a refreshing lunch, drop by the opposite side of the mountain, stopping to observe areas particularly interesting or dominant faunal elements. Visit to the Andean Condor Recovery (Andean Condor). Overnight in a colonial inn. Farewell dinner.

(Day 7 may be a return to or continuation Maiquetía to different destinations or links to other tours).

2 - Information:
The Tour begins and ends in the city of Merida.

There are daily direct flights Caracas - Merida - Caracas.