South & Central America

The Andes

The Venezuelan Andes boast the country's highest peaks, all around 5,000 metres, a wonderful background to the charming town of Merida.  The mountains are dotted with small villages where not much has changed over the years and where villagers maintain their traditions and where time seems to have stood still.

Merida's famous teleferico, the world's highest and longest cable car, climbs a distance of 12 km to the top of Pico Espejo at 4,765 metres.  There are a few stops along the way and the total ascent to Pico Espejo takes about 2 hours. It is best to travel early in the morning for clearer views as clouds tend to obsure the views later on in the day. 

Merida is also the adventure-sports capital of Venezuela and activities such as canoeing, mountaineering, rafting, horseback riding, paragliding, bungee jumping and rock-climbing are on offer.  For the less adventurous there is fishing, bird watching, and excursions by car to the picturesque villages to visit colonial houses and churches, buy handicrafts, enjoy hot water springs, visit trout farms and discover the fascinating culture and local food.

Our preferred hotels include:

Posada Casa Sol

Hosteria & Spa La Sevillana