There are several ways to climb the mountain. In my opinion the best way is to go from Merida with a jeep in 20-30minutes to the entrance of the Sierra Nevada National Park. The entrance is in "La Mucuy" (2130mts.). From there you go through tropical forest, cloud forest and bamboo forest to Lagoon Coromoto (3200mts.). Next day you go to Lagoon Verde (4000mts.). From here you start the north-west route at the next day. If you want go the normal route I would suggest that you go to Lagoon El Suegro (4200mts.). It is a walk of 1 hour more. But it is easier the next day to climb to the top. After climbing to the top go the same way back or go the Traverse to Pico Bolivar. Information about that see at the page of Pico Bolivar.