“To the Valley of the Mills and the Alturas de Banao Ecological Nature Reserve” Tour
General Information
- Category: Half day tours
- Modality: Landing tours
- Duration: 7 hrs
- Departure time: 08.45 hrs
- Tour guide: Yes
- Children are allowed: Yes
- Languages spoken: Spanish, English and French
Program Details
“To the Valley of the Mills and the Alturas de Banao Ecological Nature Reserve” Tour
The Valley of the Sugar Mills was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998 because of its links to the slave trade generated by the sugar farms in the area during that period. This place is a living museum of the ancient sugar trade of the 18th and 19th centuries and gave birth to the great palaces that we enjoy today as we walk through its streets giving rise to the emergence of the Trinitarian Aristocracy.
Lomas de Banao is a protected area of national significance for the high degree of conservation of the ecosystems that are home to a large number of local endemics. Important fauna populations find refuge in them such as the Cotorra and the Catey. They are characterized by their beautiful intramontane valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and especially, by their relief with dome shaped peaks.
Among its forests you can find precious and exotic woods such as cedar, mahogany, yellow vine, walnut, carbon ebony and jiquí. Among the species, more than 150 Cuban endemics are reported. It is an excellent place to show different ecological processes. The high endemism of amphibians and reptiles also stands out and fossil remains of monkeys and sloths exclusive to Cuba have been found.
Description
- The excursion begins with an explanation from the guide about the itinerary to follow.
- Visit to the Casa de la Ceramica Roja, owned by the Santander family, where the client will enjoy a large collection of handcrafted items made by the family in red ceramics, and will also be able to purchase souvenirs.
- Visit to the Mirador del Valle located at the height of a mountain that will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Luis Valley. For the adventure lovers you can take aerial pictures from a Canopy (not included).
- Visit to Manaca Izaga, there are the ruins of this old mill, its original boilers and bells. It has the Manaca Tower, the main attraction with its 43.5 meters high and architectural elegance of its design, a national monument, is the most beautiful of its kind in the country
- You will be able to enjoy restaurants with Cuban Creole food, music and local fruits (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.
- End of the excursion.
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: • Light clothing, sunglasses, swimwear, 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.
• The collected may be delayed up to 15 minutes depending on the number of hotels and punctuality of customers. Customer should be informed on sales desk to avoid disagreements.
• This tour operates without a minimum number of passengers. Holiadventure will reconfirm 48 hours before the departure of your tour. If the supplier decides to cancel, Holiadventure will offer you an alternative tour or fully refund the cost of your tour.
• Level of complexity: Low.
• No need to present identification (passport or tourist card) for the tour, thus avoiding losses or damage thereto.
Cancellation Policy • In case of cancellation up to 72 hours before the departure time of the excursion, a penalty of 10% of the excursion fare will be charged. • Regarding cancellations made between 72 and 24 hours before the departure time of the excursion, a penalty of 50% of the excursion fare will be applied. • Cancellations reported within 24 hours before the departure time and No-Show (no presentation at departure time), a penalty of 100% of the excursion fare will be applied. • Booking fees and credit card surcharges cannot be refunded in case of cancellation.