El Guafe Natural Archaeological Trail, Niquero
Go along the gorgeous natural trail El Guafe and discover a whole Subtaíno hamlet that inhabited the island thousands of years before the Conquest.
El Guafe Natural Archaeological Trail
© Granma.Travel
Located in the Desembarco del Granma National Park, it is in the beautiful interpretative trail El Guafe.
Along this natural trail, starting 7 kilometers to the main entrance of the park, known as Portada de La Libertad, it goes into routes passing by a lush forest where birds lovers will have the chance to enjoy the Tocororo, the national bird, the Cuban bullfinch, the Cuban emerald or the West Indian Woodpecker, among many others.
During your trip you’ll be able to observe the most typical reptile, the Cuban worm lizard. Its cylindrical body is covered with flakes and it is quite curious; It is not normally more than 10 centimeters. Regarding the flora stand out the gorgeous renowned flowers known as Ball Moss.
But, what makes El Guafe a real historic treasure are its archeological reserves, the most important in Cuba.
Along the visit you’ll be able to observe a Subtaíno or potter-farmer hamlet, that still preserves the remains of old ceremonial and funerary sites, dating back to thousands of years before the arrival of conquerors in the 16th century.
From all the important sites of this hamlet, the most atttractive one is the Ídolo del Agua Cave dedicated to the deity Atabey, sculpted in stalagmites in the middle of a small water mirror, only illuminated by the winter sun once per year, on December 22nd.
This route has a duration of more or less two hours, where you’ll admire in the middle of nature a complex of ceremonial and funerary caves, witness of the Agroalfarero and Preagroalfarero groups that were settled in the island before the colonizers arrived.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this treasure preserved in the heart of the Desembarco del Granma National Park..
More information:
Location:
Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma, Niquero. Granma, Cuba.
Interactive map:
Granma
What to see:
- Bayamo
- Céspedes Park
- San Salvador Major Parish Church
- Paseo Bayamés Promenade
- Ventana de Luz Vázquez Window
- Casa de Estrada Palma House
- San Juan Evangelista Tower
- Cupaynicú Botanic Garden
- Dos Ríos
- Sierra Maestra Range Great National Park
- Comandancia General de La Plata High Command
- Santo Domingo
- Manzanillo
- Céspedes Park
- Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción Church
- Manzanillo Theater
- Niquero
- Alegría del Pío
- Desembarco del Granma National Park
- Cabo Cruz
- El Guafe Natural Archaeological Trail
- Pilón
Beaches:
Museums:
Other nearby destinations:
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