Highlights of Northern Trail

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Northern Trail. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Cities of interest of Caracas - Manaus

Caracas
Caracas The capital of Venezuela is a dynamic and bustling city which has developed into a vast concrete sprawl with the aid of the petro-dollars that power the Venezuelan economy. Its attractions include the birthplace of Simon Bolivar who helped to liberate half the South American continent from the Spanish, the colonial district of El Hatillo and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the City University of Caracas. The university was built between 1940 and 1960 to the design of the architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva and is an outstanding example of the Modern Movement in architecture. The campus includes masterpieces of modern architecture and visual arts, such as the Aula Magna with the Clouds of Alexander Calder, the Olympic Stadium, and the Covered Plaza which have been integrated into a clearly articulated ensemble. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

Caracas

Caracas

The capital of Venezuela is a dynamic and bustling city which has developed into a vast concrete sprawl with the aid of the petro-dollars that power the Venezuelan economy. Its attractions include the birthplace of Simon Bolivar who helped to liberate half the South American continent from the Spanish, the colonial district of El Hatillo and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the City University of Caracas. The university was built between 1940 and 1960 to the design of the architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva and is an outstanding example of the Modern Movement in architecture. The campus includes masterpieces of modern architecture and visual arts, such as the Aula Magna with the Clouds of Alexander Calder, the Olympic Stadium, and the Covered Plaza which have been integrated into a clearly articulated ensemble.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

Merida
The city of Merida is located in the west of Venezuela, situated in a lush valley surrounded by snow-capped Andean peaks known as the 'Five White Eagles'. Merida is a fast-growing city with a number of attractions in the town including the cathedral, colourful market and the Government Palace on the Plaza Bolívar. Its main attraction however is as a base to explore its beautiful surroundings. The mountains around Merida can be explored by trekking, horse riding and mountain biking and for more adventure you can try paragliding and canyoning.

Merida

The city of Merida is located in the west of Venezuela, situated in a lush valley surrounded by snow-capped Andean peaks known as the 'Five White Eagles'. Merida is a fast-growing city with a number of attractions in the town including the cathedral, colourful market and the Government Palace on the Plaza Bolívar. Its main attraction however is as a base to explore its beautiful surroundings. The mountains around Merida can be explored by trekking, horse riding and mountain biking and for more adventure you can try paragliding and canyoning.

Manaus
Manaus is located deep in the rainforest where the two great rivers Solimoes and Negro merge to form the Amazon River. The city grew rich on the rubber boom and the legacy of this time is seen in the Teatro Amazonas opera house which still hosts opera and ballet, Palacio Rio Negro and the old British customs house. Today the capital of the region is expanding as a free trade zone and it is the launching point for trips into the Amazon rainforest or boat rides along the Amazon River and its tributaries. Close to Manaus you can see the 'Meeting of the Waters' phenomenon, where after merging the black waters of the Negro and the muddy brown waters of the Solimoes do not mix and run side by side with a clearly defined colour contrast.

Manaus

Manaus is located deep in the rainforest where the two great rivers Solimoes and Negro merge to form the Amazon River. The city grew rich on the rubber boom and the legacy of this time is seen in the Teatro Amazonas opera house which still hosts opera and ballet, Palacio Rio Negro and the old British customs house. Today the capital of the region is expanding as a free trade zone and it is the launching point for trips into the Amazon rainforest or boat rides along the Amazon River and its tributaries. Close to Manaus you can see the 'Meeting of the Waters' phenomenon, where after merging the black waters of the Negro and the muddy brown waters of the Solimoes do not mix and run side by side with a clearly defined colour contrast.