“To the Valley of the Mills and the Alturas de Banao Ecological Nature Reserve” Tour

• Duration: 7 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 the Alturas de Banao Ecological Nature Reserve” Tour

Description:

The Valley of the Sugar Mills, was the largest sugar producing region in Cuba during the 17th and 19th centuries, the causes were due to the favorable natural conditions, its fertile lands and available ports for shipping. It is composed 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.

The Alturas de Banao Ecological Reserve in the Escambray Mountains is one of the regions in central Cuba where conservation projects for endemic and threatened flora and fauna are carried out. These mountains are home to more than a thousand species of plants of different genera and families with high endemism. Important populations of the fauna find refuge in them such as the Cotorra and the Catey. The area is characterized by its intramontane valleys, rivers, waterfalls and its unique relief with dome-shaped peaks.

Its main attraction is the hiking to recreational areas such as La Bella Waterfall, and camping in La Sabina and Jarico. The Banao-La Sabina path allows you to go on foot or by mule to reach a beautiful wooden house that is a comfortable hostel. There are signposts and interpretive signs in the area that seek to preserve and maintain biodiversity and natural, historical and cultural resources that coexist with the presence of archaeological sites such as the Cave of the Purial, the Cave of Jarico II or the Farallones del Garrote.

You can enjoy the waterfalls and swim in the natural pools during the tour. The photography of the place is of great importance for those who visit the sacred natural temple.

Details of the program

• We begin 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.
• You will be able to enjoy restaurants with Cuban Creole food, music and fruits of the place (optional).
• Arrival to the Ecological Reserve Alturas de Banao, enjoy the waterfalls, flora and fauna of the emblematic nature of the place,
• Return to the city, the park, the lawn or the client's accommodation.

Client's pick-up place: At the address of the hostel where you are staying or in the reference place (municipal library, located in Martí street, in front of the bank and a very popular ATM cash withdrawal place). Departure by taxi 8:45 a.m.

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.