LAGUNA MUCUBAJÍ, LAGUNA NEGRA, LAGUNA LOS PATOS, PICO MUCUÑUQUE (4 679 M)
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After a quick passage to Inparques, which will relieve you of some bolivars, you access the lake of Mucubají lying at 3 550 m above sea level, surrounded by frailejones and often… fog. It is the second largest lake in the Andes, the first being the Laguna Santo Cristo, 2 hours of mules from Mérida. Mucubají Lake is very generous with tasty trout, which can be fished from March to October, subject to a permit you will get to the ministerio de Agricultura y Tierra (about 50 Bs. F the year). Its waters come from the melting of the quaternary ice.
If you decide to camp here, you will be charged a few hundred bolivars per person per night, and 20 Bs. F per tent. There is no shower but you use the sink and toilets to débarbouiller you. Remember that in December temperatures fall easily below 0 ° C.
If you decide not to camp, continue 1 hour towards Laguna Los Patos, a rise that you will be rewarded by the fact that in all likelihood you will have the lake and surrounding area for you alone. If you're insatiable, you're going to plant a flag at the top of Pico Pico, but try to get up-to-date information from Inparques on the way to go because it's really not clear in places.
In the vicinity of this lake, it is possible to rent mules to explore the surroundings, that is, the first Laguna Negra (Black Lake) in 1 hour 30 round-trip (40 Bs F), a splendid mountain lake of glacial origin, its name is due to the shadows that reflect it. The path runs through the magnificent landscapes of the Venezuelan páramo. If you walk, count 2 hours and try to leave early in the morning to avoid fog.
The co-operative coopérative proposes other routes, such as Laguna Patos (2 hours round trip, 50 Bs. F) or 3 hours on foot, Laguna Victoria (2 hours 15, 50 Bs F) or a small walk at Mirador (30 Bs. F). The presence of a guide is mandatory for all exits (40/50 Bs. F). Open from 6 am to 16 pm.