"VALLEY OF THE INGENIOS" Tour

"VALLEY OF THE INGENIOS" Tour

Founded by Spanish colonizer Diego Velasquez as the third settlement of the island, the colonial gem of Trinidad is nowadays one of the best preserved towns of the Caribbean and the second in Cuba to earn a UNESCO listing after Havana. After Hernan Cortes set sail from here to discover Mexico, the city became incredibly wealthy through the sugar trade and the exploitation of slave labor in the cane sugar mills of the Valle de los Ingenios. Much of the heritage remains visible today and can be explored in and around the colorful cobblestone streets of Trinidad.

Trinidad is the best preserved colonial town in Cuba and the Valle de los Ingenios is a living museum of the former sugar trade of the 18th and 19th century. This UNESCO site is located at the southwestern coast of Cuba, in the Sancti Spiritus province, in the center of the island. Originally founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez, most buildings in Trinidad date from the time of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. The UNESCO inscription happened in 1988.

Description:

• Pick up in air-conditioned vehicle and guide service.
• Departure to the Mirador del Valle de los Ingenios. On the way, panoramic view of the port and the fishing village of Casilda.
• Stop at the Mirador to enjoy beautiful views of the San Luis Valley, the Escambray mountains and the Luis Valley, the Escambray Mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
• The Valle de los Ingenios, a true archaeological monument of the sugar industry. In the valley are preserved numerous ruins of the facilities related to the manufacture of sugar, such as The valley preserves numerous ruins of the facilities related to the manufacture of sugar, such as the sugar mills, the barracks and summer houses.
• Panoramic bus ride through the area, along the way you can see vestiges of the old sugar production and some rural villages.
• Visit to the Manaca-Iznaga hacienda, originating from what was once the sugar plantation founded in the 18th century, in the former century, in the old Corral de Manacú, is located north of the road that connects the city of Trinidad with Sancti Spíritus. Trinidad City with Sancti Spíritus, only 14 kilometers from the first one. It is possible to observe the typical structures of this type of agricultural complex: sugar factory, a house of housing, slaves' barracks, that became with the passage of time in hamlet, as well as a watchtower, this architectural work was built in the XIX century and declared by the National Commission of Monuments of Cuba like National Monument of the nation on October 10, 1978, date in which also was granted this distinction to the neighboring historical center of Trinidad.
• Return to the city to visit the Casa del Alfarero (Potter's House) where the best of Trinidadian pottery is displayed.
• Afterwards, we arrive to the Historic Center through the main streets of the city, including the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza Real del Jigüe; where the foundation of the city and the most emblematic places of the place are explained.
• A visit to La Canchánchara with a typical drink tasting is included.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Free time in the handicraft market.
• Return.