Jeep Safari "ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK + MAGUANA BEACH"

Jeep Safari "ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK + MAGUANA BEACH"

We offer a wide selection of panoramic tours of the most important sites of Cuba's history, culture and contemporary life. So this is a gift for those seeking adventure on their Cuba vacation.

Description

Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, a World Heritage Site, is a protected area of Cuba located in the provinces of Holguin and Guantanamo. It has an area of 79,680 ha and is one of the most important sites for the conservation of endemic flora in the entire western hemisphere.

Values of the area

The Park's levels of biodiversity and endemism are the highest in the Antilles and among the highest in the world. The territory has exceptional examples of the development of karst forms and systems ("pseudokarst") on non-carbonate lithologies; it is one of the best and most complete examples of the tropical rainforests of the neotropics. The park contains 2% of the world's flora species. It has a flora of 905 endemic species, almost 30% of those reported for Cuba. Of this total, 343 are exclusive to the region. Of these endemic species there are botanical jewels among which five carnivorous species stand out, one of them is the only one of epiphytic habit in Cuba (Pinguicola lignicola).

The forests are home to a large number of endemic, resident and migratory bird species, such as parrots (Amazona leucephala l.) and the endangered catey (Aratinga euops). Among the vertebrate species are the royal woodpecker (Campephilus principalis bairdi), the wilson's sparrowhawk (Chondrohierax wilsoni) and the Cuban solenodon (Solenodon cubanus). There is also a colony of manatee (Trichechus manatus m.)The park is the largest center of reptile diversity. Among the amphibians is the genus Eleutherodactylu, with 97.4% endemism.

The invertebrate fauna includes the mollusk species Polimyta picta, Xenopoma hexidersoni, Caracolus sagemon, Corida purpuragula and Cuba; other species include the scorpions Centruroides anchorellus and Rhopalurus junceus, both of which are of conservational and biomedical importance. The myrmecofauna (ants) has an approximate endemism of 50%, very high for this group of insects.

Program

• Departure from the city of Baracoa along the northern coastline to the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park with English/German/French speaking guide service and refreshments included.
• Arrival at the visitor's center of Bahía de Taco to have a general information about the biodiversity values of the Park.
• Time for photos.
• Walk along one of the trails to observe the fauna and flora, with great endemism. During the tour it is possible to interact with farmers of the community.
• Shallow rivers are crossed on several occasions.
• Bathing time.
• Once the trail is finished, transfer to Villa Maguana, for bathing time at Maguana Beach.
• Return to the city.