The MĂŠrida cable car is a cable car system operating in Venezuela. It is the highest and second longest cable car in the world for only 500 meters, but it is in the first place because it is the only one that combines so much height with so many kilometers in length. The MĂŠrida cable car has 12.5 kilometers of route, reaching a height of 4,765 m.s.n.m. That is a few meters less than Mont Blanc, the highest point in Europe, and higher than any point in the United States (excluding Alaska); Making it an engineering work that was traditionally unique in its type and with more than 50 years of history. It goes from the city of Merida to the top of Mirror peak within the Sierra Nevada National Park in the Venezuelan Andes, specifically in the state of MĂŠrida, Venezuela.
The first Mérida cable car was planned in 1952 by a group of Venezuelan climbers called the Venezuelan Andean Club during the government
of
General
Marcos
Pérez Jiménez, in order to build a system that would facilitate the ascent to the Sierra Nevada of Mérida. The proposal was taken into account and the survey was carried out in order to develop the project in 1955. By 1956 the final route was drawn and for the following year the freight lift was already in operation until La Aguada station, which would serve as a transportation for the materials needed for the construction of the stations. The cable car was mostly built with French, Swiss and German support. By 1958 it was built at 50%. The work was completed in March 1960
thanks
to
the
support
of
Venezuelan labor and the foreign technical team led by the French specialist Maurice Comte. The work had a cost for the moment of its construction of 70,000,000 Bolivars that for the time amounted to about 16 million dollars.
Over the years, the Mérida cable car system has been updated ensuring it and ensuring its continuity over time. In December 2008, the Mérida Cable Car was inspected by the Austrian company Doppelmayr, an inspection that revealed an advanced wear on the guayas of the system and recommended to the Venezuelan Government the closure of the Cable Car in a definitive way. The Cable Car was closed at the beginnin g of
that
month
for
reasons of public safety and
the
asked
the
authorities inspection
company for a budget to completely system
and
renew
the
estimated
time of execution of the work.
Mukumbarí means in indigenous voice "place where the sun sleeps". This denomination was given by the first inhabitants to what today is known as the imposing Sierra Nevada. The new Mérida Cable Car System - Mukumbarí, is a luxury elevator that gives access to the most beautiful mountains in Venezuela. Unique landscape in the world, since it has six ecological units that go from the 1,577 meters above sea level
(m.s.n.m.) to 4,765 meters in a 12.5-kilometer course along its stretches that have state-of-the-art technology, converting it in the safest reliable cable car and is rated as the most modern on the planet.
Country: Venezuela Federal Entity: State Merida City: Merida Inauguration: March 1960 (Original Cable Car) Pre-commercial: reopening April 29, 2016 All Public: October 7, 2016 (Mukumbarí Cable Car) Operator (s): Ministry of Popular Power for Tourism Length: 12,5 Kilometers Number of stations: 5 operational Users for day 2760 Fleet: 8 cabins
Average speed: 5 m / s Travel time: 50 minutes Maximum Altitude: 4.765 m.s.n.m
Barinitas
is
the
gateway
to
the
MukumbarĂ, architecturally,
the
new station which has 6,357 square meters of construction,
draws
attention by the large corrugated cover that unifies all the buildings and squares that comprise it, with space on the periphery of this deck for the imposing group of existing trees that complement it. Inside this station are the boxes for the sale of tickets, organization and access to the booths; As well as services of commercial for
premises
handicrafts
souvenirs,
and
children's
playground, food fair, public toilets, nursing, bus stop and changing rooms for employees and
firefighters, in addition they are incorporating commercial premises and a gastronomic fair. The first station can accommodate than
800
more people
simultaneously in a modern
and
minimalist
tonic
infrastructure
with
neutral colors, which makes Barinitas a dynamic space. There will also be different local service shops and products of the highest quality that offer the public a wide variety of items such as: chocolates, wooden toys, strawberries with cream, clothes, sporting goods, natural food, wool and design handicrafts Graphic, among others that are accompanied by the nice MukumbarĂ Shop, where people can acquire souvenirs alluding to the new cable car. Another of the attractions that visitors and tourists can enjoy is a space dedicated to art and culture, as the structure in Barinitas houses
an
exhibition
renowned
of
meridian
illustrator Jesus Orion, who accurately and beautifully drew the
most
beautiful
birds of the Sierra Nevada.
It is composed of 4 sections that completed the 12.5 km route. The sections are: First stretch: New Barinitas Station in 2015 Barinitas Station (1,577 m) La MontaĂąa Station (2,436 m) From the Chama River Canyon, it moves from above and in pursuit of the highest. The Meseta of Merida next to its neighboring towns Tabay, the Parish and Ejido. You can see a beautiful view of the city and opposite you can see the "giant asleep" (the face of the Indian), that mountain in the form of the face of a giant lying down, looking up. Second tranche Second station of the cable car of Merida: La Aguada. La
MontaĂąa
Station (2,436 m) La Aguada Station (3,452 m)
Cloudy jungle High Andean to the high paramo’s, where the “El Toro Peak” (4,756 m) emerges. The Sierra Nevada National Park and, to the north, the “Sierra de la Culata” National Park, in the heart of the Venezuelan Andes. During this journey, down you will have the valleys of Mérida and upwards you will see the Bolivar peak, the highest point of Venezuela. Third tranche La Aguada Station (3,452 m) Loma
Redonda
Station (4,045 m) The moors. Here you can see more than 86 species of
“frailejón”,
an
exclusive plant of the mountain range of the Andes. To the front, we see the north flank of the Bolivar Peak and, below, you can see the road that leads to the village of “Los Nevados”, on the other side of the mountains. At Loma Redonda station, you will begin to feel the altitude and the cold. It's already over 4000 meters! Remember to walk slowly to get accustomed to your body height. It can also be a good time for a hot chocolate. If you wish, you can buy your ticket for the fourth section of the cable car that will take you to Pico Espejo (4.765 m.s.n.m.). This stretch is
spectacular. You will feel the closeness of the summit, and when you look down you will see the lagoons of La Negra and la Colorada. On the right, you will see the Cerro El León. Fourth tranche Loma Redonda Station (4,045 m) Pico Espejo Station (4,760 m) Bolivar Peak (4,980 m). When you reach, the top and exit the station, head towards
a
viewpoint
where there is a statue of the Virgin of the Snows from where you can see opposite the Bolivar Peak and to the sides the “Humboldt” Peaks and “Bomplant”. The Bolivar peak is very close, however to get there it takes 6 hours, to be trained and in perfect physical condition. Towards the opposite side of where it arrived (South), you can get to see Barinas on a clear day. At the top, you can see and touch the snow, and why not? Throw a snowball at his fellow travelers.
In the mirror peak, some guides will offer to take you on a small excursion. Do not waste that opportunity! It is a small walk around the station. They will give you information of interest. You will see some beautiful landscapes such as la lagoa “la negra� and a statue of Francisco de Miranda. You will also have the opportunity to climb a rock (if you wish), or shout to hear the echo.
If you like to exercise, you can stay at the Loma Redonda station and walk to the village of “Los Nevados” (about 5 hours). It only requires a special permit that can be requested at the Barinitas station. You can also skip a cable car ride and get to La Aguada station (just over an hour). Unfortunately, it is very frequent to get the whole cloudy route. The best
time
December
of
year
is
and
between February.
However, between July and September there is more snow. If you go up early in the morning, you will be more likely to have a clear time. If you are in Mérida for several days and see that the mountain dawned clear, do not hesitate for a moment: get on the cable car! that day enjoy the Cableway “Mukumbarí” is the best option. And enjoy Merida from the top.
The Mukumbarí Cable Car Schedule is from Wednesday to Sunday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Tickets for the Mérida cable car are purchased at the ticket offices located at the Barinitas base station of the same cable car.
Tariffs differ according to the nationality of the user. While the Venezuelans pay a very reduced price of 3,500 Bs. Foreigners are charged the amount of 50 dollars and must pay by credit card which is charged in US currency. All persons must present their laminated identity card or identity document (passport, ID) in the case of foreigners at the time of purchase of the ticket.