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When the Spanish first arrived to what is now known as Tabay, they only saw ruins. One night the Chama River flooded and raged over the village destroying all, except one young Indian who told them: “ta ba ahí, ta ba ahí”, which means in modern translation: Tabay, Tabay. In the area surrounding Tabay, there are a few settlements such as: La Mucuy, La Capea and Mucunutan where you can visit with, and see the talented work of many local artists. Beautiful handicrafts made of: wood, glass, clay, wool and a wide variety of other native materials, are available.
As you travel up to Aguila’s Peak, you’ll find many villages with restaurants where you can taste the traditional plates of the area. To get to the peak, use the Trasandina Road , which is the highest paved road in all of Latin America. The views can only be described as breathtaking!
Mucuchies is a beautiful town, 28 miles from Merida city. It is a very important town, because of it’s importance in agriculture. In addition, Mucuchies is historically known as the town where Simon Bolivar, our national hero, received as a gift, his dog, named Nevado, as a present from an Indian of the area called : Tinjaca. One of the most important stops on this route is the little
chapel of the Virgin Coromoto, located in a small town called: San Rafael de
Mucuchies, which is the highest town in Venezuela, at 3.340 m.a.s.l. This chapel was
completely built of stone, If you continue your trip on this route you’ll visit Aguila’s Peak , at 4.047 m.a.s.l. Here you’ll find a nice shelter where you can warm yourself and have a nice hot cup of Venezuela coffee, or a traditional drink, like the “Canelita”. From there you can visit the Mifafi valley, where if you are lucky, you might see a Condor flying over head. In this valley, the Andean Condors are known to feed and nest |
Only 3 miles from Tabay, is a small settlement of
great religious tradition called Cacute. Here you can learn of the legend of the
Holy Jesus Child of Cacute. These are the things, that over generations, help in the
creation of a distinctive culture. These mountains, the towns and the people are
conservative. Things change slowly which more clearly defines and preserves
their culture. Because of the beauty and accessibility of the area around Tabay, it
has become a prime tourist area with many deluxe hotels, posadas, and scenic-view cabins
available for the night, week or longer. Here, you will also find many fine houses
built, owned and lived in by people from many foreign countries! 
One of the most popular mountain towns is Mucuruba. Well
known because of its traditional celebration each December the seventh. This beautiful
Mucuruba event, in honor of the Inmaculada Concepcion, its called “The Night of the
19,000 Candles”. People from all over the State come and light candles as the
party progresses through the whole night. They have come to pray, dance, eat and
celebrate. It’s a great party, and tourists are always welcome and free
to join in the celebration.
without any concrete, by only one man: artist, Juan Felix Sanchez. It’s
a wonderful historical artistical treasure that leaves a strong impression of what just
one man is capable of doing. 
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES DE ASTRONOMIA
FOUNDATION (C.I.D.A.)