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

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

The Valle de los Ingenios is a living museum of the former sugar trade of the 18th and 19th century. The Valley of the Sugar Mills is known as Valle de los Ingenios to the Cuban people and technically is comprised of three different valleys — Meyer, San Luis and Santa Rosa. This region of the country extends more than 100 square miles and contains more than 70 former sugar mills.

The Cuban sugar empire lasted from the late 18th to the late 19th century. At its peak, 50 sugar mills were concurrently in operation, producing 140,000 sugar cane arrobas per 32 acres. Part of the reason the Valley of the Sugar Mills was ultimately named a UNESCO World Heritage Site is because these sugar plantations were closely tied in with the slave trade that was rampant at the time. It's estimated that some 80,000 Africans were brought to Cuba to work specifically on these sugar-producing farms during that time period.

In the Guamuhaya massif, right in the center of Cuba, is located one of the most beautiful landscapes of the island known as Alturas de Banao, a place that covers more than six thousand hectares and where natural, historical and cultural attractions are mixed. In a small town located 50 kilometers from the city of Trinidad and 30 kilometers from the city of Sancti Spíritus, between the elevations that form the Sierra de Banao with heights between 100 and 800 meters above sea level, the Reserve is located Ecological Lomas de Banao. The area is characterized by its intramontane valleys, rivers, waterfalls and its singular relief with domes in the shape of a dome. Some 900 species of higher plants find a place here, of which more than 150 are considered endemic. Its main attraction are walks to recreational areas such as La Bella Waterfall, and camping in La Sabina and Jarico. This ecological reserve stands out for its great biodiversity by having more than 260 endemic species of the country, which proliferate in this area thanks to the application of various environmental protection programs that guarantee their conservation. The set of hills of the area, some of more than 600 meters above sea level, holds more than a thousand species of plants of different genera and families with a high endemism. Among these is the Sabina, which gives name to one of the trails, and the Biological Center, where different research projects and conservation studies are carried out. It is a true paradise for walkers and bird watchers, where the history of the largest of the Antilles is combined with a panorama that also holds great natural and ecological values.

Lomas de Banao is a protected area of national significance due to the high degree of conservation of the ecosystems that house a large number of local endemics. Important populations of the fauna find refuge in them like the Cotorra and the Catey. They are characterized by their beautiful intramontane valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and especially, by its relief with domes in the form of domes, due to the development of karstic phenomena that take place in the area. To date, more than 900 species have been reported of plants. It is considered a classic location of botanical collections for researchers of Cuban flora. Among its forests you can find precious and exotic woods such as cedar, mahogany, yellow júcaro, walnut, charcoal ebony and jiquí. Among the species, more than 150 Cuban endemics are reported. Among them some typical of Banao. 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. The Banao-La Sabina trail allows you to walk or mule to rent there (optional) to get to a beautiful wooden house that is a comfortable shelter. There are signs and interpretive posters in the area, which seeks to preserve and maintain biodiversity and natural resources. Historical and cultural sites that coexist with the presence of archaeological sites such as the Cueva del Purial, the Grotto of Jarico II or the Farallones Del Garrote. The client can enjoy the waterfalls and bathe in the natural pools during the tour. The photograph of the place is of great importance for those who visit sacred natural temple.

Description:

Those who visit the City of Trinidad are captivated by its beauty and colonial splendor. Hence the importance of knowing the history of the San Luis Valley, where sugar was produced in big mills with the predominant slave labor of Africa. Providing its owners with great wealth that gave birth to the great palaces that we enjoy today as we walk through its streets, giving rise to the start of the Trinitarian Sacarocracy.

• The tour begins with an explanation of the Guide on the itinerary to follow. Walking through the streets of Colonial Trinidad.
• Visit to the Ceramic Red house, of the Santander Family, where the client will enjoy a large collection of handmade elements made by the family in red ceramic, copy of the porrones used to distill the sugar molasses in the sugar mills and see the production process, you can also buy souvenirs.
• Visit to the Mirador del Valle nestled in the height of a mountain that will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Luis Valley. For adventure, lovers can take aerial photos from a canopy (not included) and go deeper into history.
• Visit to Manaca Izaga, there are the ruins of this old mill, its original boilers and bells. The Manaca Tower, the main attraction with its 43.5 meters high and architectural elegance of its design, national monument, is the most beautiful of its kind in the country. In La Casa Hacienda preserved until today is the Trapiche built in 1877 (machine for the extraction of cane juice, original of the mill.) There is the blacksmith's shop, the infirmary and the hamlet of the slaves that constitute by their architectural typology unique exhibitions in Cuba.
• You can enjoy restaurants with Cuban Creole food, music and local fruits (optional).
• Visit Banao Heights Ecological Reserve and explanation in the visitor center, path to the cascade of Bella in mule or walking, bath time.
• Return to the city, to the Cespedes Park or accommodation of the client.
• End of the tour.

Customer’s pick-up location: in the address of the hostel where they are staying or in place of reference (municipal library, located in marty street, in front of the bank and place of with drawal of cash in ATM very popular). Departure in taxy 8:45 a.m. Visit to the Santander family red ceramic factory. Visit to the viewpoint of the Valle de los Ingenios, visit to Manaca Iznaga, visit to the Alturas de Banao Ecological Reserve, enjoy its natural beauty. Then I return to Trinidad.