Horseback Riding "Finca Yegua Blanca"
Over
the roof of the Andes.
Travel and Adventures on horsetrek.
In the highest mountains of Venezuela.
The most beautiful sites of the Andes.
The warm hospitality of its inhabitants.
Come and
discover the magic lands of the Andes with Sylvie et Jacky, who have been
living for many years in the mountains of Mérida. The charm of this land,
combined with their fondness for horses, has captivated them. For over ten years
they've been sharing this passion with their guests.
All the tours leave
from the FINCA YEGUA BLANCA, located at 2000 m. high. There, you
will find a lovely view of the Sierra Névada
de Mérida, especially the Humboldt
glacier, an agreeable and surprising climate where strawberries grow at the
foot of banana trees, the blue lupines surround trees, a host to multiple flowering
bromeliads, and the song of the thrush blends itself with the buzz of the hummingbird
and the tucusito.
In this idyllic location, they raise and train their horses. They maintain the
saddles and the hooves themselves, and they also shoe their horses so that the
rider and his/her horse get the best comfort possible.
They speak French, Spanish, English and German.
They also
offer lodging for those who don't go horseback riding. A peaceful moment surrounded
by the enchantment of nature. Perfect for children. Warm and
humble hospitality, family cooking, as natural as possible (the best
homemade bread).
You'll sleep in old fashion beds.
The path winds through
steep trails, passing hundreds of frailejones (Espeletia),
miraculous plants of these high meadows, going through colorful woodland, with
giant ferns, following the course of a ravine sparkling with trout, the roar
of waterfalls, silences, enchanted lagoons and the ever mysterious mist.
In the sky, an eagle is looking endlessly for its prey.
A mixture of the often subtle smells, and scents of nature, the sweat of the
horses, the leather, the smoke of the campfire.
Nights are spent in
tents, in a cave, in an old forgotten mountain house or, sharing the basic life
of the parameros (mountaineers).
The horses are of a local breed, sure footed, and resistant.
They are accustomed to the difficulties of the path as well as the altitude
which can rise above 4000 meters.. Occasionally one needs to lead
the horse on foot.
The variety and magnificence
of the landscape and the skill of the horses provide moments of strong, deep
emotions, which will contribute to delight the riders, be they beginners or
experts. Apart from
the numerous Andean trekking routes available, and the highest (4700m) and longest
cable-car in the world, Mérida is also a good place to practice paragliding.
A four-hour- drive outside Mérida leads you to Los Llanos, land of the
Venezuelan cow-boys. Blessed with the most varied fauna of South-America, the
immense plains, which can be discovered by car, horseback riding or canoe, will
overwhelm the safari-photo amateurs and, weather permitting, those who love
rafting.
If it is your desire, we can help you organize you stay
YEGUA
BLANCA RANCH OFFERS YOU THE FOLLOWING TREKS:
Valley de la Mano Poderosa (3 hours)
The shortest excursion can be done
by anyone in three hours , of eight years or older. The tour
includes picnic lunch, surrounded by nature.
You will be seduced by the variety of scenery along the way. The
trail goes through pasture and the cloud forest, with a
wonderful ecosystem of epiphytic plants (orchids, bromeliads,
anthuriums), mosses and ferns, crossing the river now and then;
revealing the best views of the Sierra Nevada and the Valley La
Mano Poderosa (valley of the powerful hand). With a little luck
you can hear the grunt of the very rare local vegetarian bear
called the "oso frontino".
The horses are adapted to each rider’s level of experience, with
comfortable saddles, certified bilingual guides and basic
instructions for mountain horseback riding.
Reservation must be made one day in advance, giving with the
participants’ weight, age and experience.
Bring sport shoes, long pants, warm clothes and raincoats (just
in case).
Half-day
tour (5 hours)
We climb an old camino real up to the
Páramo El Escorial 3000m high, where we have our picnic, enjoying
a vast panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada. Then we return to the Ranch.
One-day
cavalcade (8 hours)
We take the same road as in the half-day tour and then, starting at
3000 m, the path begins to get narrower and wilder, surrounded by frailejones
up to Quintana (ancient abandoned house) where we rest and eat. Return
to the Ranch.
Bivouac
in the mountain (2 day / 1 night)
The first day, we ride up to Quintana where we stay overnight. After morning
breakfast, we visit a few small lagoons which overview Mérida and
then, we undertake our way back to the Ranch. There is a daily average of
4 hours horseback riding and the option to extend the trek the second day.
This tour includes 2 picnics, 1 supper and 1 breakfast.
Starting
those 3 treks, we climb half-an-hour on foot, leading our horses by
their halter. This is the first contact for the rider with their horse.
It is recommended you bring along casual boots for walking, pull-over and
raincoat. For the overnight treks, we suggest that you also take along your
own sleeping bag.
To help
us choose the best partner for each one we would need to know weight, height,
age, nationality and experience or lack of it of each member.
Getaway
to the Andes
El
Rodeo
(3 days)
First day: Yegua Blanca Ranch
- La Victoria. We cross the rain forest of Raiz de Agua (orquideas, bromeliads,
arborescent ferns (maporas)) to reach the Páramo La Victoria - 3000
metres high - with its typical vegetation. We sleep overnight in a tent. Average
of 5 hours horseback-riding.
Second day: La Victoria - El
Rodeo. We enter the upper mountain. The vegetation is scarcer, stone stairs,
difficult steps for your mount until you arrive at cueva del Rodeo - 3600
m. high -. Average of 3 hours mountain riding.
Third day: Return to base camp
along the same path. Variables depending on experience level and weather.
We sleep at the farm.
Los
Aranguren (5
days)
This trek takes us twice above 4000 m.
First day: Yegua Blanca Ranch
- La Victoria
Second day: La Victoria - El
Rodeo
Third day: El Rodeo - Los Aranguren.
We ride over the mountain pass of Cardenillo - 4100 m - to get down to one
of the most beautiful valleys of the Sierra Nevada, Los Aranguren - 2900 m
high - with an old stony path, small wood of coloraditos. Six hours riding.
Fourth day: Day of rest, possibility
to fish for trout.
Fifth day: We come back through
the mountain pass of Cardenillo - 4100 m - down to the Yegua Blanca Ranch
where we spend the night. 8 hours riding.
Gavidia
(6 days)
This tour , which also takes us twice above 4000 m, gives you the opportunity
to enjoy a full round trip of mountain riding. Each stop-over offers a different
landscape. After 3 days on horseback , we reach "el Valle de los
Aranguren"
where we stay overnight.
Fourth day: El Valle - El Altico
de los Aranguren. The road takes us through the Don Alfonso glen, lovely canyon
that gives access to the mountain pass. 3 hours riding.
Fifth day: We pass over Santo
Cristo pass - 4100 m - down to the small village of Gavidia -3100 m - (farming
population). 5 hours.
Sixth day: Gavidia - Yegua Blanca
Ranch: Gradual return to civilization. Night at Yegua Blanca Ranch. 8 hours
riding.
During the
trek, the necessary supplies are carried around by mules guided by native muleteers.
These three circuits require
some previous horse riding experience and team spirit . It is important to arrive
at the Yegua Blanca Ranch the previous night to get to know each other and the
horses before departure. Transportation is included in the fare.
It is recommended to bring
along casual boots to walk, warm coat, hat, raincoat, sun cream and sleeping
bag.
To choose the best
partner for everyone, we would need to know weight, height, age, nationality
and experience level. If you send us all this information when you reserve any
of the tours we propose, we would be grateful.
