“COMANDANCIA LA PLATA + PICO REAL DEL TURQUINO (FROM SANTIAGO DE CUBA)” Trekking Tour (3 days / 2 nights)

• Category : Overnight tours
• Modality : Landing tours
• Duration : 3 days / 2 nights
• Departure time : 05.00 hrs
• Tour guide : Yes
• Children are allowed : Yes
• Languages spoken : Spanish, English, French and German

“COMANDANCIA LA PLATA + PICO REAL DEL TURQUINO (FROM SANTIAGO DE CUBA)” Trekking Tour (3 days / 2 nights)

Description:

In the mountainous massif of the Sierra Maestra is located the Pico Real del Turquino, the highest peak in Cuba with 1974 meters above sea level. This elevation is part of the natural and historical heritage of the country. The client has the possibility of crossing the mountain from north to south or vice versa, at a distance of 25 km enjoying the natural scenery, endemic species, both plants and animals, surrounded by lush vegetation and very pleasant temperatures that will make your climb a full and unforgettable enjoyment.

Pico Real del Turquino, the highest summit in Cuba is accessible from Santo Domingo 65 km from Bayamo, 1 hour and 15 minutes and from Las Cuevas, 3 hours (130 km) from Santiago de Cuba. Using the north side, you can reach Santo Domingo, base of the mountain, from there to the Turquino peak, is 18 km but the first 5 km a 4WD jeep is used and then walk for the next 8 km, after 4-5 hours to Aguada del Joaquin shelter (Camp), there a small lunch and 1 hour break you can go try to reach the summit, the very same day, (5 km more, 10 km there and back Aguada del Joaquin the shelter, if you feel like you can do it and arranging with the guide, or go the next day early in the morning. There is one issue about it, if you reach the peak the 1st day, you save time because, the 2nd day you can leave the Aguada del Joaquin early in the morning and you would be back in Santo Domingo by noon, otherwise you would have to walk for 23 km, 10 km round trip from the shelter and 13 back to Alto del Naranjo, this option most of the time you are arriving around 17:00 hours in Santo Domingo.

The tour has a 1 level difficulty. We start in Bayamo from your hotel or casa headed towards Santo Domingo, in the Sierra Maestra, after 1 hour and half drive with stops for pictures we arrive to the entrance of the Turquino National park. At Flora y Fauna office we meet the local guide that will be with you for 2 days. Pico Turquino is 18 km from Santo Domingo but the first 5 km a 4WD vehicle is used to get to Alto del Naranjo. An 8 km hike to La Aguada del Joaquin shelter (4-5 hours). If you feel like you can do it you can climb the summit that very same day after the small lunch 5km to the top and 5 km back to the shelter, where you sleep overnight, if not you will do it the second day, that way you walk 18 km the second day.

North to South hike, you can cross the mountain from Santo Domingo through Pico Turquino arriving in Las Cuevas, and from there we supply transport to Santiago de Cuba, Chivirico, Marea del Portillo or Bayamo, you don’t have to worry about your carry or heavy luggage (bag pack or suit case) we keep it and deliver to you at the end of the hike, it doesn’t matter which destination. The arrival time to Las Cuevas point its between 12 noon and 15:00 hours, it depends also on the time you start at Aguada del Joaquin shelter, in total 16 km, the last 11 km you go down the hill, which sometimes can be difficult or painful on your knees. There is no public transport schedule so that’s why we provide transport from Las Cuevas to any destination.

Program:

1st. Day.

Departure from the city of Santiago de Cuba to the province of Granma, crossing the towns of Contramaestre, Santa Rita and Bartolomé Maso until arriving at the information center in Santo Domingo, brief explanation about the route, departure to the Alto del Naranjo. Begin trekking to Comandancia La Plata, return to Alto del Naranjo and continue to La Platica where you will have a picnic lunch, visit the community and then camp. We walk a total of 7.5 km.

2nd Day:

6:00am: Breakfast and departure to Aguada del Joaquín Camp (1364 masl), where we enjoy a Creole lunch, dinner and camping. We hike 6.5 km.

3rd Day:

5:30am: Breakfast and continue the ascent to Pico Turquino. Brief rest and descend to the village of Las Cuevas in the south of the Sierra Maestra facing the Caribbean Sea, where a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Palma Mocha River and a Creole lunch awaits for you. You will walk 16 km. In the same place you will board the jeep to go to Santiago de Cuba.

Included in the tour:

• Transfer service by jeep from the city of Santiago de Cuba to Santo Domingo and from Las Cuevas to the city of Santiago de Cuba.
• A local tour guide (Spanish, English, French).
• Jeep service from Santo Domingo to Alto del Naranjo round trip.
• Guided visit for 3 days to Turquino National park facilities.
• Entrance fee to Turquino National park.
• Entrance fee to the General Command of the Rebel Army in La Plata. Declared National Monument.
• Picnic lunch on the 1st day and breakfast on the 2nd day and breakfast and lunch on the 3rd day.

Places of interest: Santo Domingo town - Alto del Naranjo view point (950 msnm) - La Platica comunity (1 000 msnm) - La Aguada del Joaquín (1 364 msnm) - Turquino peak (1 974 msnm).

Difficulty degree: High.

Distance to cover in the tour (car drive, round trip): 328.5 kms approximately (round trip) + 10 kms in jeep from Santo Domingo to Altos del Naranjo (round trip).

Shuttle transport time: 6.10 hrs approximately (round trip).

Distance to cover in the Trek (round trip): 26 kms approximately.

Maximum height to cover in the tour: 1 974 meters approximately.

Duration approximate of the tour(total): 3 days - 2 nights.

Maximum capacity of Turquino National Park: 20 pax.

Minimum capacity of Turquino National Park: 7 pax.

Important note: The distances and times of realization of the tour vary according to the starting point.

Recommendations for the realization of this tourism:

The client should bring comfortable clothes for camping days, as well as strong footwear suitable for mountaineering, likewise if camping is done they will bring their tent and sleeping bag.

Facilities of the Turquino National Park where the tourist will be able to stock up:

• Santo Domingo (liquids)
• Alto del Naranjo (snacks, fruits, etc.)
• La Platica (meals, breakfasts, camping)
• Pico Cuba (meals, breakfasts, camping)
• La Majagua (liquids)
• Las Cuevas (snacks, liquids, etc.)

RULES OF CONDUCT FOR THE TURQUINO NATIONAL PARK:

These rules of conduct will be mandatory for both visitors and guides:

• Do not leave the limits or trails established for each area or place and strictly comply with the indications of the specialized guide.
• Do not litter or throw garbage except in the places provided for this purpose.
• Do not extract any element from the natural environment.
• Not to damage or disturb the flora and fauna of the area.
• Be respectful of the traditions, customs and lifestyles of the residents in the local communities and adjacent to the areas with which they communicate or intend to photograph.
• Do not smoke or make use of fire except in the areas established for this purpose.
• Do not make noise indoors or outdoors.
• Respect the speed limits established for means of transportation and keep them within the vehicular areas.
• It is forbidden to introduce plants or animals in the areas to be visited.

ASSISTANCE, RESCUE AND EVACUATION:

In case of accidents:

1. Immediate communication by plant or telephone of the La Platica community. If the accident occurs in the section La Platica - Palma Mocha - Cuatro Caminos, return to La Platica, for which a liaison will be sent to go to the aid with men, hammocks and mules.
2. If the accident occurs in the Cuatro Caminos - Alto de Lima stretch, the distance will be estimated and we will proceed to descend by Cuatro Caminos - Santana - Jeringa, for this a link will be sent and we will give aid with means such as hammocks, mules and food as the case may require.
3. If the accident occurs in Alto de Lima - Aguada del Joaquín, the Aguada will be communicated quickly to inform the situation of the problem and adopt rescue measures.
4. In all cases, first aid measures will be applied.
5. The Unit has a transport system and mules to guarantee a possible transfer to medical offices in the area and hospitals.
6. For further assistance, there is an ambulance located in Santo Domingo and in the case of the southern zone, there is a transport to take cases to the hospital located in Ocujal del Turquino.

TIPS : • Recommended: Comfortable clothes, walking boots, raincoat, sunglasses, cap, solar protection, insect repellent, photographic camera, water bottle and a snack.