andes - merida individual, 4 day program w. engl. speaking guide

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MERIDA - ANDEN • (4 day / 3 nights)
stay at the most spectacular place of the Andes

MERIDA LOS ANDES Would you like to change from hot sunny beaches to cool mountains? Venezuela has it!
Come to the Andes!
In the midwest of the country is where you can find high mountains, fertile valleys which produce most of all vegetables and fruit for the country, picturesque villages which seem to be dreaming in the clouds because of their high altitude, and where silent peasants are laboring their fields by hand.
Merida, the Capital of the State with the same name, is rather provincial and pleasant and has nothing of the hustle that one normally finds in big cities. It offers lots of interesting crafts, beautiful earthenware and an absolutely great market of color.
And treasures!
Naturally there is not to be overlooked the PICO BOLIVAR 5000mtr. high and its neighboring companions Pico Bonplant and Pico Humboldt. A challenge for mountain climbers...for others, an invitation to go up by cable car.

you stay in the most spectacular place of the Andes
one of the 3 Guesthouses

Enjoy Merida in a different way:“
Visitors amongst friends“
Stay with friends
Be the guest of a Venezuelan family and experience the hospitality of the Andes. Your host family will accompany you while exploring the exhilarating world of the “Páramo” and its beauty spots. Marvel at the crafts made by local artists and enjoy the hearty meals served family style. You are lodged in a cozy apartment belonging to the host, about 20 Minutes away from the center of Mérida.

Short Itinerary

Program: 4 days / 3 nights

Day 1: Reception by your hosts. Excursions.
Day 2: Teleferico (cable car), Meridas Market and its city.
Day 3: Excursions into the Paramo (mountains), horse ride or walk to Laguna Negra. Pico Aguila, Valle Fifa.
Day 4: Transfer to the airport.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Merida. Visit to Andean villages

Your host awaits you at the airport. Immediate start of full day excursion to Jaji, an old restored colonial village of the Andes. From here we take the mountain road to San Juan de Lagunillas, and visit a sugar cane mill as well as the Laguna of Urao. Here we'll have lunch in a typical restaurant, where you can taste the specialties of this region.

In the afternoon visit of the mountain village „ Pueblo.“ We shall arrive at the Lodge by 06:00 p.m., which is located outside of Merida in a mountain valley about 20 minutes away from town where you will stay overnight Accommodation in the Guesthouse, double room and private bath. Dinner at 08:00p.m., wine is included (-/L/D).

Day 2: Visit of Merida and surroundings

07:00 am Breakfast. Drive to Merida where we take the Teleferico (Cable Car) up to the highest stop available at the moment. Here we are at an altitude of 12.000 feet .We take a short and easy walk (air is thin up here) to explore the surroundings before going back to Merida by cable car. Lunch will be served in a restaurant in Merida. Afterwards we get to know the main Market and the City of Merida, Plaza Bolivar, Museo de Juan Felix Sanchez, Paseo de los Pintores, Cathedral of Merida and the famous Ice-cream Parlor „ „Heladeria Coromoto“ (with 600 different flavors of ice cream, a world record according to the Guinness book). Around 06.00 p.m. we will arrive back "home". Dinner and a good rest overnight (B/L/D).

Day 3: Trip into the Andean Highlands (Paramo)

After a hearty breakfast we will depart for a full day excursion up the Andean road through villages named: Mucuruba, Mucuchies and Apartaderos. On our way we visit the Rock-Chapel of Juan Felix Sanchez. From the laguna de Mucubaji we will ride on horse back to Laguna Negra and back. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant of this region: - Hotel Los Frailes. Afterwards we visit the valley of Mifafi, where Condors may be seen; offering at the same time an interesting exhibition and a small Museum . On our way back we drive up to the highest pass of the Anden mountains in Venezuela, called Paso Aguila. Return to Merida to our Guesthouse. Dinner. Overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Transfer to the airport

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. (B/-/-)

End of program

Price, Conditions, Tour departures

Price: in US-$ per person:

$ 350 in Double room
$ 406 in Single room

Prices do not include Venezuela's valid taxes (Sales Tax 15,5%; Tourism Prom. Tax 1%) Optional: Flights to/ from Merida not included - can be arranged
Tour begin: daily possible

Included

Excursion to the Andean village of Jají, Lagunillas, Laguna de Urao (full day).
Excursion to Pico El Aguila and to Laguna Mucubají, from there on horseback or walk to the mysterious Laguna Negra, the black lagoon.
Lunch in a restaurant in Apartaderos or Los Frailes.
Mérida City Tour, visiting the market, the cathedral, Plaza Bolívar, “Juan Félix Sánchez” Museum, various charming parks and finally the famous Coromoto ice-cream parlor where you can choose from 500 different flavors.
Excursion to Pico Espejo by the famous “Teleférico” funicular (or as high as it goes).
3 overnights in the apartment, with private bath.
3 breakfasts with your host family (homemade bread and jam!).
3 lunches in typical restaurants.
3 dinners with your host family, tasting local specialties such as smoked trout a la Valle Grande.
All guided tours and excursions are conducted in English, Spanish or German.

Your host family emphasizes that your price is all inclusive so that apart from personal souvenirs there will be no extra costs for your airport or hotel tax, porters, tips, meals and beverages (beer, wine, rum etc.), ice cream, fresh fruit from the market etc. We also like to stress that excursions and activities are often dependent on weather conditions and working hours of the cablecar. In any case your host family will do their best to make your stay a pleasant one and to give you an insight into the fascinating world of the Andes.