Pico Bolivar - 5.007m
Trekking & Climbing
NATIONAL PARK SIERRA NEVADA
Pico Bolivar is Venezuela's highest mountain (5007 m). The best season to climb it is from December to March or in other words in the dry season. But even then it represents an extreme physical and psychological challenge to all non-climbers. Remember that the Teleférico is not working and that there is almost 3500 m of altitude difference between Mérida centre and the peak. Arassari Trek suggests you to approach Pico Bolivar via Los Nevados or via La travesia. The simple reason for this is better acclimatization, far better scenery and a bigger chance to make it really to the top.
As on Pico Humboldt and all other high altitude trekking we do not recommend this trip to people with heart or pulmonary problems.
Arassari Trek hires out ultra light climbing gear (aluminum ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses etc.) and excellent camping equipment ( MSR-kitchens, Therma-rest, Downfeather sleeping-bags etc.) which you will appreciate once you are up there.
In order to become Mérida´s lightest operator in the mountains we offer menu's prepared with dehydrated, weightless food corresponding to highest nutritional values but also satisfying to gourmet tastes. WITH CELULAR PHONES ASSISTANCE !!! 5 days / 4 nights : Difficulty degree 4 (scale 0 to 5)
Note : The cablecar is closed now. This means is one day more for the Pico Bolivar (extra day of walking down). 6 days / 5 nights
LA TRAVESIA
Day 1: Mucuy- Laguna la Coromoto
(2130 m - 3200 m / 9 Km / 3.30 - 5.30 hours walking).
A 1 hour jeep drive takes us to the entrance of SIERRA NEVADA NATIONAL PARK in la Mucuy. Through tropical forest we hike uphill for several hours going over to cloud forest, bamboo forest and finally reach the green transparent clear Laguna Coromoto at the exit of the woods. Camping.
Day 2: Laguna Coromoto - Laguna Verde
(3200 m - 4000 m/ 6 Km / 3.00 - 5.00 hours walking).
The path turns out to be quite rocky and steep today. We'll pass "el puente quemado" and are forced to make little climbs on all 4 legs to get over the huge rocks from the glacial period. We camp somewhere close to Laguna Verde. Snow-white Humboldt thrones close at sight.
Day 3: Laguna Verde - Laguna Timoncito
(4000 m - 4600 m/7,5 km/ 4 - 7 hours walking)
From beautiful Laguna Verde we hike west to laguna El Suero and face a steep uphill on loose rocks called "Chomahoma". Once on top we enjoy excellent views and we have reached the traverse altitude. We cross over through a rock or snow landscape to Laguna Timoncito.
Day 4: Pico Espejo - Pico Bolivar o Timoncito - Pico Bolivar
(4765 m - 5007 m / 2 - 3 Km return / 4 - 10 hours walking, climbing and rappelling)
The day you wont forget has just begun. Catwalks, steep climbs, abysses, oxygen-lack or in other words vertigo sensations mixed with short breath and cold sweat is the program for the non-climbers. You are assured with harness, rope, helmet and learn to trust a professional guide. In the rainy season ice axes and crampons will have to be used too. Weather conditions and physical resistance determine if you need 4 hours or the whole day for the climb. Arassari Trek groups have a maximum of 5 tourists on this adventurous trip. Our drop out rate is approx. 10% in the dry season and around 30% in the rainy season. But weather conditions alone make it a 50% chance in the rainy season. If possible we try to make it back to Loma Redonda the same day - an extra 2-4 hours hike, but cutting up a bit the last days knee-killer.
Day 5: Pico Espejo - Loma Redonda - Teleférico - Mérida
(4765 m - 4045 m, 2 -4 hours walking and then down by cable car to Mérida 1650 m in 1 hour approx.)
If the cable car shouldn't be working people have to walk down another 5 to 8 extra hours making the last day the longest of all.
With the cable car working Pico Bolivar can be done in just 1 day ! Taking the first cable car in the early morning, climbing the peak and coming down with the last cable car in the afternoon
Combine this adventure trip with the crossing down to the Llanos and maybe a class 4 river raft at the end.
PICO BOLIVAR: 5 d / 4 n (climbing and trekking)
PICO HUMBOLDT: 4 d /3 n (climbing and trekking)
PICO PAN DE AZUCAR: 3 d /2 n (trekking)
PARAMO DE LOS CONEJOS Y CARA DEL INDIO (3days/ 2 nights multiadventure)
ROUND HUMBOLDT TREK: 5 d /4 n (trekking)
PRECOLOMBINA: 6 d /5 n (trekking)
CONDOR TO CROCODILE: 6 d /5 n (trekking)
LOS PICOS & CONDOR TO CROCODILE: 13 d /12 n (climbing and trekking)
