Trinidad and Tobago Hiking El Tucuche Climb & Morang Basins

The climb to the summit of Mt El Tucuche (937 metres) is always a memorable and breath-taking experience. Some do it for the pleasure of adventure, accomplishment and to improve one’s fitness. At an altitude of 937 metres (3072 feet), it is the second tallest peak and just 4 metres shorter than El Cerro Del Aripo. Of the two mountains, El Tucuche is the preferred choice because of its fantastic sceneries and geological location, latitude 10.7333 and longitude 61.4166.

El Tucuche distinguished by its two altitudinous peaks visible from miles around. It’s grandeur prominent from Lluengo Village in the Maracas St.Joseph Valley and on the North Coast in the vicinity of Rincon Road.

Tucuche is an Amerindian word that refers to the hummingbird and on the slopes there are several species. Some common names are the copper-rumped, black -throated mango, white-tailed sabrewing, tufted- coquette, white - chested emerald and Rufous-breasted Hermit.

The Golden Tree Frog (Phyllodytes Auratus) found on El Tucuche lives inside the water bracts of the giant bromeliad plant where there is a high elevation of 800-940 metres. This frog is endemic to Trinidad however its survival threatened by forest destruction and man's intervention.
The summit can be access from many directions, but the preferred and shortest route is from Hobal Trace in the Maracas St.Joseph Valley. The trek to the summit will take 1 ½ - 2 hours depending on one’s fitness. The first Peak has fantastic views of Las Cuevas while getting to the second is more challenging but there is splendid scenery of Maracas Bay. A colorful flower growing on the second peak is the Psammisia Urichiana with its red trumpet petals and yellow tips. On the return downward, there is the option to divert from the main path and descend to the Morang River for a refreshing dip in the pools. This route passes through abandon cocoa and tonka bean estate, and it is the source of the Maracas St Joseph River.