Jeep Safari "NATURE TOUR BIRDWATCHING IN EL ENIGMA DE LAS ROCAS TRAIL"

Jeep Safari "NATURE TOUR BIRDWATCHING IN EL ENIGMA DE LAS ROCAS TRAIL"”

In your visit to Ciénaga de Zapata National Park by jeep, you will be able to contemplate the numerous species of both migratory and endemic birds that come to this wonderful Cuban site, its geological formations, its beautiful coral reefs and most importantly the people who are dedicated to the research and care of the flora and fauna that make this wetland a Biosphere Reserve.

The main attraction of this trail is the karst and the associated features, diverse plant formations with a predominance of semi-deciduous forest. Presence of tectonic faults with water of great transparency. Abundant presence of both migratory and endemic ornitofauna. A path of high degree of difficulty, is made on foot through rocky deformations and flooded caves where you can observe birds and reptiles.

Itinerary:

• Pick up at the hotel.
• Visit the Enigma de La Roca trail.

Values of the area where the ¨Enigma de La Roca trail¨ is located:

The area is part of the largest karst drainage system in the country: the Cuenca de Zapata or Cuenca Sur of Matanzas province, whose catchment area occupies mainly the southern slope of the province and the southwestern end of Cienfuegos. The circulation is carried out through preferential drainage lines, associated with tectonic dislocations, along which the superficial karst forms (dissolution-sinking dolines) are oriented, interconnected by drainage ducts in the direction of the sea.

As a result of the karst processes of sinking blocks and collapse of the zenithal part of the dolines, segments of different forest formations appear associated (mangrove, marsh grass, semi-deciduous forests, coastal xeromorphic scrub, rocky and sandy coastal vegetation complexes), which generate a great variety of habitats and ecosystems in specific geographical areas, with a high generic diversity from the floristic and faunistic point of view. The flora exhibits two local endemics of high importance to the area, (Behamia roigii and Xiloma sp.).

In the flooded caverns there are specimens of blind fish of the genus Lucifuga (L. dentata and L. nova) of great ecological importance and significance for the conservation of Cuban phreatic and cavernary ecosystems, as well as the recently discovered local crustacean-endemic: Speleonectes gironensis, which is also a relict species; and within the vertebrates a small toad (Bufo florentinoi), described in 2007. Bordering the area are coastal coral reefs, with live coral cover values above the average recently reported for Cuba's main reefs (22-39 %) and presenting high heterogeneity and species richness.

The area is of great historical and social importance, due to the warlike events that occurred in the area in April 1961 and for having more than 10 archaeological sites in its interior.

• Lunch at El Pesquero restaurant in Playa Larga hotel.
• Return to the hotel.