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Spanish Lagoon is a protected wetland with a beautiful trail running alongside. Learn about the mangroves and the flora and fauna that thrive there. You will see ancient shell middens from Amerindians of thousands of years ago up to the early 1900’s old gold smelter at Balashi. The star of the show is Aruba’s Burrowing Owl nests, the most photogenic animal on the planet. A walk you will remember forever.
Transportation is not included, but if you hae booked private transportation we will pick you up at your hotel/Airbnb accommodation anywhere in Aruba and drive you to our starting point at TeleAruba in Pos Chiquito
We will arrive at the local TV sender called Telearuba at the begging of the Spanish Lagoon in Pos Chiquito, where you will get a short briefing introduction to the team and the tour.
From there we will hike up along the bridge overlooking the whole Spanish Lagoon area. Best spots for your vacation sightseeing pictures.
At that point, you will see one of the 7 shell middens located at the Spanish Lagoon that has been carbon-dated between 1465 – 1280 BC.
We will pass along one of the oldest Aloe Farms at the top before we head back down to meet the trail again.
Proceeding inland along the mangrove trail you will see quite different flora and fauna as this is our only inland water area on the island.
You will also see a point in the trail where they loaded the barges with the gold to take out to the ships over 100 years ago.
At the end of this amazing trail, we will pass by the protected “Shoco” nest area. If we are very lucky and very quiet we can see these amazing creatures. Aruba’s national symbol is the Shoco. This burrowing owl is only found in Aruba and is the most photogenic animal on the planet. A true pleasure to see.
Then we will show you the old ruins of the Balashi Gold smelter. Much it is still there to see.
There is a great story of the haunted Frenchman’s Pass that you will hear first as it is located next to the headwaters.
We then take you for Lunch / Dinner at one of our favorite local Restaurants at Ricardo’s Restaurant
Enjoy our totally Private Spanish lagoon tour with Lunch at Ricardo’s Restaurant Included.
Hike along the Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail inland to the headwaters where you will find the ruins of the old gold smelter neighboring the haunted Frenchman’s Pass. Well informed and enjoyably personal guides will lead you along this mangrove laced trail while explaining all there is to know about this rarely visited part of our island. There is a fantastic amount of flora and fauna, plus many of the island’s birds nest there. Spanish Lagoon is the most substantial part of the protected Aruba wetlands and the only inland water you will find on the island.
After exploring the old Balashi Gold Mill Ruins, we will take you to visit the “Shoco” nests. The Shoco athene cunicularia arubensis is our renowned burrowing owl. These beautiful birds are only found in Aruba and have the distinction of being Aruba’s national symbol. With their magnificent bright yellow eyes, they are the most photogenic animal on the planet. We then transport you to Kibaima Grill for a lovely lunch overlooking the Spanish Lagoon up to the hills of Arikok National Park.
Along with the guided walking tour and lunch, round trip transportation and water refills are included.
If you are looking to get out into nature and expend a little energy, this walking tour is something you can’t pass up.
Private Tour
Cultural, Informative, Nature, Scenic, Physical, Bird Watching
4+ hours incl. The Total Experience
8:00am
Easy / Moderate Walking
Wherever you are staying
Includes; Fruits & Water during the tour & Lunch at Ricardos Restaurant Ocean front at Eagle Beach
are included as well as coffee and tea plus water refills during the tour. Alcohol is available for purchase. PLEASE NOTE: Restaurant may be subject to change.
Sneakers, comfortable shorts or pants for walking, tee shirt, camera, hat is optional. Please bring your own water bottle. Sunscreen – reef safe.
This tour is physically active and general health is necessary. Guests must be able to walk long distances. Children ages 5 and under cannot participate ( except for a previous approval by our Guide – Call us direct). This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Spanish Lagoon is a protected wetland with a beautiful trail running alongside. Learn about the mangroves and the flora and fauna that thrive there. You will see ancient shell middens from Amerindians of thousands of years ago up to the early 1900’s old gold smelter at Balashi. The star of the show is Aruba’s Burrowing Owl nests, the most photogenic animal on the planet. A walk you will remember forever.
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