Pico Bolivar Climbing
In one of Venezuela's most impressive national parks, Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada, you will find the highest peak of the Venezuelan Andes, Pico Bolivar with an altitude of 5007 meters above sea level. It is one of the most popular peaks to climb. On the summit you will find a bust of Simon Bolivar, the national hero. It’s a real technical climb, and it requires rope, harnesses, carabinas and security helmet all year round. Ice and snow equipment (crampons and ice axes) are a must during the rainy season, when the normal climbing route Weiss gets full of snow.
Pico Bolivar 5 days / 4 nights |
POR EUR |
Itinerary
Day 1. Merida - Laguna Coromoto
The normal expedition lasts 5 days and follows a “U” shaped route known as La Travesia. We start the hike at one of the entrances to the Sierra Nevada National Park in La Mucuy at an altitude of 2300 mts. The first day we will enjoy an approximately 5 hours hike through the cloud forest. This is an area of dense vegetation, huge ferns, tall trees, bamboo, streams and rivers. We arrive at Laguna Coromoto (3300mts) where we camp for the night. ( - / L / D )
Day 2. Llanos
Today day it’s a four hour hike to reach Laguna Verde (3900 mts) at the base of Pico Humboldt. The path is more steep and rocky than on the first day and the scenery changes to the typical Paramo vegetation with small plants and many frailejones (Espeletia), a plant with white soft leaves. We camp next to Laguna Verde. ( B / L / D )
Day 3. Laguna Timoncito
On this day we leave for the high mountain trek known as La Travesia working our way south towards the base of Pico Bolivar. We scramble up a slope of loose rocks and also out of the Paramo region. We camp next to Laguna Timoncito (4700mts). ( B / L / D )
Day 4. Summit Bico Bolivar
The fourth day is the big day!! We reach the summit of Pico Bolivar (5007mts) after a steep climb that needs all the necessary equipment like rope, harness and helmet (crampons and ice axe during the snow season). ( B / L / D )
Day 5. Back to Merida
The fifth day we return back to Merida either by cable car or by a 7-9 hours hike out of the high country. ( B / L / - )
Please note, this tour can be done all year long but the best months for climbing are from November to March.
