“To the Valley of the Mills and Ancon Beach, An Unforgettable Day” Tour

• Duration: 8 hrs
• Departure time: 08.45 hrs
• Tour guide: Yes
• Children are allowed: Yes
• Languages spoken: Spanish, English and French

“To the Valley of the Mills and Ancon Beach, An Unforgettable Day” Tour

Description

The Valley of the Sugar Mills, was the largest sugar producing region in Cuba during the 17th and 19th centuries, the reasons were due to the favorable natural conditions, its fertile lands and available ports for shipping. It is made up of three different valleys: Meyer, San Luis and Santa Rosa. This region of the country extends over 100 square miles and contains over 75 old sugar mills. Playa Ancon is considered the best in the southern Cuban coast, a beach of fine white sand, calm and crystalline waters, this is the ideal place to enjoy quiet sea baths, sunbathing and all kinds of facilities, as well as the practice of water sports and snorkeling.

Program Details

• We start the tour with an explanation from our guide about the itinerary to follow.
• Visit to the Red Pottery House, owned by the Santander Family, where you can see the process of making replicas of the porrones used to distill sugar molasses in the sugar mills.
• Visit to the Mirador del Valle located at the height of a mountain where you can see beautiful views of the San Luis Valley, the Escambray mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
• For adventure lovers you can take aerial photos from a Canopy (not included) and go deeper into history.
• Visit the Manaca Izaga hacienda, where the ruins of this old sugar mill, its original boilers and bells are located. Inside is the Manaca Tower, 43.5 meters high, where you can appreciate splendid views of the valley. In La Casa de la Hacienda is the Trapiche built in 1877 (machine for the extraction of cane juice, original of the mill. We will also be able to see the smithy, the infirmary and the slave quarters, which are unique in Cuba due to their architectural typology.
• We will visit the San Isidro de Los Destiladeros sugar mill, the best preserved in these days, where you can find the Casa Hacienda in excellent condition and the three-level tower used as a lookout point and bell tower. There are the ruins of the hydraulic system to supply the mill and the new system known as Tren Jamaiquino for cooking sugar. All this facilitates the understanding of the process of obtaining sugar.
• Visit to the Hacienda Guáimaro sugar mill that achieved more sugar production in its time. There are relics from archaeological excavations, as well as a great exhibition of objects used by the hacienda owners of great historical and cultural value, (the Chapel with the original Bible written in Latin and covered in gold threads and plated with emeralds, as well as the graphic history of the Borrell family. The hacienda house has the walls covered with floor to ceiling mural painting with romantic and neoclassical themes of the time by an Italian artist of that time. They include landscapes and portraits with a fine artistic finish.
• Visit Ancon Beach, where you can take a sea bath, relax and watch the unparalleled spectacle of the sunset.
• Return to the city, to the park, to the lawns or to the client's accommodation.
• End of the excursion.

Customer pick-up point: At the address of the hostel where you are staying or at the reference point (municipal library, located on Marty Street, in front of the bank and a very popular ATM cash withdrawal point).

Departure by taxi 8:45 a.m. Visit to the red ceramic factory of the Santander family. Visit to the Valle de los Ingenios viewpoint, visit to the Manaca Iznaga hacienda, San Isidro de las Destilerías and Guáimaro.

Departure to Playa Ancon time to swim and enjoy the beach.

Return to Trinidad.

TIPS: • Recommended: light clothing, sunglasses, water and light meals with sweet and protein, hats or caps, hard tennis or hiking boots and sandals, other protective for seasons rain, solar protection and photographic camera.