“Pico Real del Turquino” Trekking Tour (2 days / 1 night)

• Duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Departure time: 07.00 hrs
• Tour guide: Yes
• Children are allowed: Yes
• Languages spoken: Spanish, English and French

“Excursion to Pico Real del Turquino” Trekking Tour (2 days / 1 night)

Description:

The Pico Real del Turquino, is the highest point above sea level on the island of Cuba, with a height of 1974 meters, accessible from Santo Domingo. It is located in the center of the Sierra Maestra, the biggest mountain range of Cuba. The mountain rises above a scenery of rivers, forests, valleys and peaks. To reach it, it is necessary to go up and down, sometimes through abrupt landscapes, other times through paths that facilitate the passage, along an exclusive well preserved landscape with a great variety of species of flora and fauna.

To go up we use a 4WD jeep for 5 kms to get to Altos del Naranjo and then we walk for 8 km, after 4-5 hours we arrive at the Aguada del Joaquin campsite, where you can enjoy a small lunch and 1 hour of rest, to regain strength and then you can try to reach the summit, the same day, (5 km more, 10 km to and from the camp Aguada del Joaquin, if you feel strong, you can organize with the guide how to do it, or simply go the next day early in the morning. Depending on the time chosen to climb it, the time of arrival in Santo Domingo the next day will depend.

The route has a difficulty of 1 level and the pick up will be from your hotel or rental house to the entrance of the Turquino National Park. Duration of the tour is one hour and a half.

Walk from North to South, you can cross the mountain from Santo Domingo through Pico Turquino arriving at Las Cuevas, and from there we provide transportation to Santiago de Cuba, Chivirico, Marea del Portillo or Bayamo, you don't have to worry about your load or heavy luggage (bag or suitcase) we will store it and deliver it at the end of the walk, no matter what destination. The arrival time at Las Cuevas is between 12 noon and 3:00 pm, it also depends on the time you start the final climb at the Refugio Aguada del Joaquin, in total 16 km, the last 11 km are descended from the top, which can sometimes be difficult or painful for your knees. There is no public transportation schedule, so we provide transportation from Las Cuevas to any destination.

Included in the tour:

• A local tour guide (Spanish, English, French)
• Transport from Bayamo to Santo Domingo and back.
• Jeep service from Santo Domingo to Alto del Naranjo round trip.
• Entrance fee to Turquino National Park.
• Guided visit during 2 days to the Turquino National Park facilities.
• Lunch on the first day and breakfast and lunch on the second day.

Difficulty level:Medium to high

Distance to cover in the route (car, round trip): 102 kms approximately + 10 kms in jeep from Santo Domingo to Altos del Naranjo (round trip).

Time of transport of transfer: 3 hours approximately (going and return).

Distance to cover in the walk (round trip): 26 kms approximately.

Places of interest: Santo Domingo town - Mirador Alto del Naranjo (950 masl) - La Platica Community (1 000 masl) - La Aguada del Joaquin (1 364 masl) - Pico Real del Turquino (1 974 masl).

Difficulty level: Medium - High.

Maximum height to cover in the route: 1 974 meters approximately.

Approximate duration of the route (total): 2 days - 1 night approximately.

Important note:The distances and times of the tour vary according to the initial point of departure.

TIPS: • Recommended: Comfortable clothes, walking boots, raincoat, sunglasses, cap, solar protection, insect repellent, photographic camera, water bottle and a snack.