Merida Cable Car Guide

Visiting Merida without getting on its cable- car, would be like going to Rome and not seeing the Vaticano or going to Paris and not visiting the Tour Eiffel. This cable car consists of four sections for a total length of 12.5 km. (longest in the world) reaching an altitude of 4765 m. (highest in the world). This altitude is higher than any point in Europe and USA excluding Alaska.

The first section starts at Barinitas station (1577m) and ends at La Montaña station (2577 m.) As you look down from here Merida City openly displays its beauty. Looking upwards you will easily see El Gigante Dormido (The Sleeping Giant) a so-called mountain for closing resembling this shape.

The second and third sections reach La Aguada station (3452 m.) and Loma Redonda station (4045 m.) respectively. As you look down along these sections, you may see Merida valleys and upwards the Pico Bolivar (the highest point in Venezuela)
In Loma Redonda station you will begin to feel the cold and the height. At this point you are higher than 4 000 m. above sea level. Remember to slow down your pace to get used to the altitude. Maybe it is the right time for a cup of tasty hot chocolate. If you feel like going higher, you can buy your ticket for the last section, which will take you to Pico Espejo (Mirror Peak - 4765 m.) Along this section you can sense the summit closeness and as you look down you will see the two lagoons La Negra and La Colorada. On your right you will have Cerro El Leon (Lion Mountain).

As you reach the summit and leave the station, go towards the viewing point where you will see the statue of Virgen de Las Nieves (Virgin of the Snow). From there you may clearly see Pico Bolivar (Bolivar Peak) facing you between Pico Bomplandt and Pico Humboldt. Though Pico Bolivar may look pretty close, it will take you a six-hour walk to reach it, not to mention the outstanding physical and emotional conditions this kind of excursion demands.