Vuelta a Los Paramo 4 days / 3 Nights

Description.
This trip to the most traditional highlands in the Mérida Mountain range, considered sacred sites by the pre-Hispanic populations, takes the traveler through its principle ecosystems, ecological strata, in the midst of the wide and majestic mountains, with their characteristic cold climate, landscapes of glacial origin speckled with lakes and giant frailejones (giant rosette) at more than 4.000 meters altitude. This is the opportunity to get to know the main land uses of the area, such as potato and wheat crops seen in the fields plowed by oxen; old mills; and threshing floors.

Characteristics:
4 days of Andes excursion.
1 National Park visited.
1 Singular ecosystem of cold tropics explored.
3 Communities benefited by the visit.
29,5 km route
4.000 maximum Altitude
600 slope

Day 1: Mérida - Llano El Hato. Mérida
Arrival. Land transfer to the Llano El Hato community, at altitudes of 3.400 m.a.s.l. in full páramo. Characteristic rural Andean landscapes, molded by human intervention and the wheat culture with cultivated small holdings, stone walls and mud homes. In the afternoon, the possibility of visiting the National Astronomy Observatory in Llano del Hato (optional) exists. Lodgings in the Mucuposada Santa Barbara.

Day 2: Llano El Hato - Mitibibó.
Travel through páramo agricultural landscapes (3.400m to 3.300m)
Noon journey, from the Mitibibó agricultural watershed to the Valley of El Banco. During the excursion, we observe a typical agricultural potato watershed and cross the limit of the cultivated strip to bury ourselves in the highlands. Lodgings in the Mucuposada El Trigal.

Day 3: Mitibibó - Misintá.
From the cultivated areas to the radiant páramo (3.300m to 3.358m)
All day trip. We join the El Banco agricultural watershed with the Misintá watershed. To do so, we cross the high Andean strata at the Alto de Muruzoque and arrive in the middle of a glacier landscape spotted with lakes and giant failejones at altitudes of 4.000 meters. We travel over an ancient King's Highway, a path used from the time of the Spanish colonization and constructed over roads created by the pre-Hispanic natives. These roadways permitted the exchange of supplies and merchandise. Arrival to the Misintá community and lodgings in the Mucuposada El Nidal del Gavilán.

Day 4: Misinta - Mérida.
Enjoy a place surrounded by silence, tranquility, high mountains and flowers from the garden of Doña Rosa. Mid morning we return to the city of Merida by vehicle.

Community Suppliers, Mucuposadas.
• Mucuposada Santa Bárbara, Llano El Hato.
Located at an altitude of 3,450 m, in the upper reaches of Quebrada Mitibibó, lies this cozy house of adobe walls, tile roofs and a double courtyard, reflecting the Spanish influence in the colonial architecture. This Mucuposada has three multiple rooms, with private bathroom and hot water. Its owners, offer their delicious homemade food and friendly service.

• Mucuposada El Trigal, Mitibibo.
The Mucuposada El Trigal is located in the community of Mitibibó at 3,400 meters altitude. Their owners Irene and Venancio offer typical home for up to 17 people which are divided into three cozy rooms with private bathroom and hot water. The house has central courtyard, orchard and gardens. The traditional Andean food and good humor enliven family stay.

• Mucuposada El Nidal del Gavilán.
El Nidal del Gavilán is located in the community of Misintá 3,358 meters. Among Mountains, freshness and cries of hawks, Doña Rosa and her children, Rosalba and Juan Carlos, invite you to enjoy your cozy home, with capacity for 12 people. The women of the house are fine cooks and traditional Andean food becomes a treat to enjoy sitting on the patio with typical multiple plants. The colorful garden flowers photographs requests.