Day 7 - Drive to Camaguey

After a short truck drive to the entrance, we rejoin our bus and leaving the Escambray Mountains behind we stop at the Valle de los Ingenios (valley of sugar mills) and the Manacas Iznaga Tower.

The 45 metre (147 ft) tower was constructed in 1816. According to experts, the bell that formerly hung on top of the tower announced the beginning and the end of the work day for the slaves and was also used to sound an alarm in case of fire or slave escape.

Later we visit Sancti Spiritus for lunch, one of the original seven settlements founded by Diego Velasquez when he claimed Cuba for Spain, and visit the local market.

We then continue on a long drive across the flattest province in Cuba – Ciego de Avila.The Llanura de Jucaro Moron (plain) is mostly used for agriculture, predominantly cattle ranching, sugar growing, citrus fruit production. Our journey continues up into the hills of the Sierra de Cubitas where beef and dairy cattle roam.

 We reach the provincial capital of Camaguey in the late afternoon.