Sierra Nevada National Park. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Every corner of Venezuela offers plenty of special places whose landscapes are just breathtaking. And after going over the nature’s bounty that is Guayana region, the three states comprising the Andean Region—Trujillo, Mérida, and Táchira—provide the highest sceneries in the country.

The longest mountain range in the world goes into Venezuela’s southwestern part and bestow it with a mixture of valleys, plateaus, steppes, and snowy peaks, reaching its uppermost point on Bolívar Peak with 5,007 meters (16,427 ft). However, the tropical seasons are practically the same on this region as they are in the rest of the country, which turns it into a paradise of abundant hydrography and lush vegetation known for a very cool, humid weather.

Mucubají, Mérida. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

This region is economically characterized by a solid agricultural and livestock sector alongside an appealing tourism industry, which has allowed many mountain towns and villages to thrive even in the hardest times.

On the other hand, extreme sports such as mountaineering and hiking are popular in areas such as the Páramo de Los Torres (Valera municipality, Trujillo state), surrounded by seven lagoons at an altitude of 3,450 to 3,700 meters above sea level whose temperatures range from 5 °C to 13 °C. Another well-known destination in that state is La Teta de Niquitao, the highest point of the state with 4,006 m and 16 lagoons of glacial origins.

Regarding Táchira state, there are four national parks in its territory: Chorro El Indio, El Tamá, Tapo-Caparo and Páramos del Batallón y La Negra, all of them perfect for hiking and climbing. Being one of the most economically active areas and having many natural attractions, it offers an extensive hotel network. Even outside San Cristóbal, Táchira’s capital city, the avid traveler will find inns in almost every town.

Mérida. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

In the case of Mérida, its urban space as well as its countryside holds a number of charming landmarks. The capital city’s Cathedral represents one of the most beautiful in the country, and Los Chorros de Milla is one the most famous parks in the whole country thanks to its beautiful waterfalls, lakes, flora, and fauna.

Around the city of Mérida are many towns such as Timotes, Chachopo, Apartaderos, San Rafael de Mucuchíes, Los Aleros, Tabay, Mucubají, and Santo Domingo, all of them bounded by beautiful Andean landscapes, picturesque structures and a wonderful climate.

For those reasons and more, if you are looking for the perfect place for week-long escapades on the mountains, Venezuela’s Andean region is your destination to go.