"SUNRISE HIKE TO THE LOS AQUATICOS" Tour

"SUNRISE HIKE TO THE LOS AQUATICOS" Tour

The Viñales Valley, a landscape declared a National Park since 1979 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, is undoubtedly one of the most visited sites in Cuba.

"Los Acuáticos" is a very quiet place in the mountains surrounding the Viñales Valley, where only two families live today, they are people who have their own traditions, habits impossible to describe in words even for the best writer or to print in images as best as possible with a camera, everything, totally worth seeing.

The community of Los Acuáticos is located on one of the mountain slopes of the Cordillera de los Órganos, in the westernmost province of Cuba, and was founded in 1943 by Mrs. Antonia Izquierdo, who, since ancient times, believed in the medicinal and therapeutic properties of water, to which the town owes its name. The last person who, by tradition, possessed knowledge of the curative effects of water passed away in 2002. However, although he did not pass on his legacy to other generations, the inhabitants of the community of Los Acuáticos continue to maintain their faith in this tradition. The excursion to Los Acuáticos is recommended not only from a cultural point of view, but also from a scenic point of view, since the 1 km stretch that covers the distance from the Dos Hermanas exit to the village, has a great diversity of native plant species, a perfect setting for the lifestyle and beliefs of the locals.

Description:

• An experienced local guide will pick you up at your hotel or hostel in the town of Viñales at around 5:30 a.m. to take you to Los Acuáticos, a natural environment that boasts one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Viñales Valley.
• Departure by taxi from Cuajaní, 5 kilometers west of the town of Viñales. From that point the ascent will begin through a mountain path for about 40 minutes.
• It is a walk along one of the most traditional trails of the National Park, which crosses the Viñales Valley.
• Once at the top of the Mirador, you are in the house of the last Los Acuáticos family that still lives on the mountain, they offer coffee, lemonade and mango juice.
• The sunrises incredible over the valle de la Penitencia. After sunrise, customers will be explained about the coffee plantation and process.
• After enjoying so much beauty and taking some time to relax in the silence and peace that the site offers, the descent will begin, the way back is beautiful and you can observe the vegetation and a large number of birds, many of them endemic.
• Viñales is a very special place because of its exuberant nature and offers numerous hiking trails. One of the most famous and popular is the sunrise hike to Los Acuáticos. It is a small community on top of a steep hill that was founded in this area in 1943. The community, over the years, after electricity was introduced in the area no longer exists as it was in its original form, but even today it is possible to visit a peasant house on the hill where a family still lives and still preserves those beliefs and traditions. They produce coffee, honey and offer short introductory tours to visitors. The community used to have a very interesting approach, believing in the healing power of water - the water is the source of the healing power - They led an isolated and self-sustainable life in the mountains, and still continue to believe that mountain water can cure all illnesses. Drinking water in Cuba is generally not of special quality, however, since its beginnings, the people of the Aquatics believed that the natural and pure water coming from the mountains had special healing properties and sounded as a very feasible alternative to take care of their lives. Unfortunately, there are hardly any people left who have been able to preserve this knowledge over the generations.
• The hike to Los Acuáticos is famous for the picturesque and unique views of the sunrise in Viñales: the sun slowly rises over the Penitencia Valley and the Palmarito Valley. From the top of Los Acuáticos, you can see the large mogotes characteristic of the area, with a rounded, tower-like shape.
• The hike to Los Acuáticos is not very difficult, but since it starts at 5 in the morning in the dark, it is always advisable to be accompanied by an experienced local guide. Mr. Arnaldo Gómez, From Casa Arcoíris al Valle, a very well-informed local with extensive knowledge of local traditions, cultures and stories who, on his way from the town of Viñales, will explain all the details of the flora, fauna and the history of the place.
• Generally the sunrises from Los Acuáticos are clear and completely cloudless, showing the most beautiful Cuban sky. However, nature does not always give us all its splendor. In cloudy dawns and with the sky almost completely covered in clouds, even the experience of this walk is unique and unforgettable, because the area is beautiful, very natural. The mogotes create a very special, almost surreal atmosphere, and the descent through the local fields and farms makes the walk always pleasant and interesting.
• Without a doubt, the clients will really enjoy this walk, one of the most picturesque natural wonders that Viñales has to offer.
• The return trip to the hotels in Viñales will begin around 8:30 am. At the end of the descent from the mountain, the taxi will be waiting and will take us to the town.

Difficulty degree: Medium.

Distance to cover by walking: 5.9 kms approximately.

Duration approximate of the tour(total): 3 hours approximately.

The price includes:

• Specialized guide services,
• Entrance fees to Viñales National Park,
• All visits and explanations.
• Round trip transportation service from the town of Viñales to Cuajaní, 5 kilometers west of the town.

The price does not include:

• Extra meals and beverages.
• Additional expenses that the client may have.
• Tips.