Plizio Visual Lab

Pico Bonpland

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

peak

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Pico Bonpland is the fourth highest mountain in Venezuela, rising to an elevation of 4,880 meters within the Sierra Nevada de Mérida. The peak is named after Aimé Bonpland, the French botanist who accompanied Alexander von Humboldt during his scientific expeditions in South America. Together with its neighbor, Pico Humboldt, it forms a prominent twin massif separated by the La Corona saddle. Geologically, the mountain is composed of Precambrian gneiss, reflecting the ancient tectonic history of the northern Andes. Historically, Pico Bonpland was covered by significant glaciers, such as La Coromoto, but these have almost entirely vanished due to climate change. The climb to the summit is technically demanding and traverses through high-altitude paramo ecosystems characterized by frailejones plants. It stands as a testament to the 19th-century scientific efforts to document the Andean landscape.

Location: Venezuela
Top sights: Pico Bonpland · Pico La Concha

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	17	18	18	18	18	17	17	17	18	17	17	17
Rain mm	30	35	72	143	163	136	119	115	135	156	133	68

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Like neighboring peaks, access is from Mérida; the trail often shares the initial path with Pico Humboldt, starting from the Laguna de la Coromoto area.

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Best season

The driest months from December to March offer the best conditions for trekking and climbing, providing clearer skies and more stable weather patterns.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain consists of high-altitude paramos followed by steep granite walls and glacial remnants typical of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range.

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What to bring

Sturdy mountain boots, thermal layers, and rain protection are vital; specialized climbing gear is necessary for those attempting technical routes to the peak.

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Parking

Secure parking is available in Mérida, which serves as the primary gateway for all major mountaineering expeditions in the Venezuelan Andes.

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Safety

Sudness mists and freezing temperatures are common at this elevation; reliable navigation tools and professional guides are strongly recommended for safety.

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Time needed

A round trip to Pico Bonpland usually requires three to five days of trekking, often combined with a visit to the adjacent Pico Humboldt during the same trip.