Venezuela: Sierra de Nevada NP – Laguna de Mucubají

Sierra Nevada National Park is another massive reserve protecting the high altitude ecosystem of the Venezuelan Andes. This is the high-altitude Paramo is a unique tropical alpine tundra ecosystem found only in the northern Andes of South America. Laguna de Mucubaji is one of the largest and most iconic glacial lakes here, sitting at an elevation of 3,550 m (11,650 feet) and presenting the classic paramo landscape. The vegetation here is quite unique, with the most iconic plant being the Frailejón with thick, velvety, silver-gray leaves that insulate it against the harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Other species are varied succulents and micro plants adapted to the super harsh environment.