Mount Tamana

Mount Tamana is the tallest hill in the Central range with an elevation of approximately 1,017 feet/ 310 meters. Its geological formation primarily consists of coral limestone which prompt the belief that it was previously a coral reef that raised above sea level thousands of years ago. The hill features an extraordinary cave system, consisting of two distinct chambers which houses an estimated population of five hundred thousand to 1.5 million bats. In Trinidad there are currently 70 species of bats and these caves house twelve species, including frugivorous (fruit-eating) , insectivorous (insect-eating) and vampire bats. 

The trek to the Bat caves takes approximately  20 minutes uphill. To venture higher up the mountain to the Mt. Tamana Summit takes an additional 30 minutes, where you are greeted with splendid views of the Northern and Central range. 

• Participants will meet guides at the Corner of Tumpuna Road and Churchill Roosevelt Highway Arima in the vicinity of the gas station for 3:30pm and depart at 3:40pm. 

• The estimated drive to the parking spot in Tamana is approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour. (The roads are bad but drivable at various points along the way.) 

• Participants will park their cars and walk approximately 10 minutes to the beginning of the trail. 

• Participants will arrive at the beginning of the trail in the afternoon around 5pm. 

• Participants will trek 20 minutes uphill to the caves, take a brief rest then continue uphill for another 30 minutes to reach the summit. 

• Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic views until dusk then will head back to the mouth of the cave to experience the spectacular emergence of thousands of bats. During this spectacle, you will feel the the wind of hundreds of bats flapping all around you. 

• After this thrilling experience  participants will descend downhill for a wildlife night walk through the forest where your guides will help you spot critters and give you an up close encounter, so you can take photos and videos while learning about them. 

• There is a possibility see and encounter species such as the Black-tailed tree boa/Cascabel (Corallus ruschenbergerii), Mapepire balsain (Bothrops cf atrox), Trinidad Chevron tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei) , Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion (Tityus trinitatis), a variety of amphibians, Stick insects, Geckos and much more. 

• Participants will then return to their respected vehicles at 8:30pm and follow guides on the drive back out to the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. 

Please note that participants would not be allowed to venture within the various cave chambers to avoid disturbing roosting bats. 

Highlights

• Bat cave --Observe bats emerging from the caves 

• Summit views 

• Wildlife encounters 

• Assembly: 3:30 PM  at the Corner of Tumpuna Road (Not Tunapuna) and Churchill Roosevelt Highway Arima. 

• Driving time to parking spot: Approximately 50 mins- 1 hour 

• Parking spot to the start of the trail: Approximately 10 minutes (flat walk) 

• Hiking time to bat caves : Approximately 20 minutes (uphill)

• Hiking time to summit from caves: Approximately 30 minutes (uphill) 

• End time: 8:30 pm