Cycle Cuba

Our tour begins in Havana. Built around a deep natural harbour, Havana is one of the most impressive colonial cities surviving in the Americas today. Crumbling tenement buildings and 50s style American Cadillacs rub shoulders with white marble grandeur and the still audible echoes of the Cuban Revolution. The largest city in the Caribbean and Cuba’s political and cultural heart, it is the perfect place to start our journey.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Havana boasts a sheer abundance of great buildings that reflect its importance centuries ago when all the Spanish galleons passed through with their freight of gold and silver, brought in from colonies in the Americas. During a relaxed walk through old town we will take in the most important sites and buildings. After lunch we head off by bus to Soroa, about an hour from Havana. After checking in there may be time for a walk in the area, perhaps up to the top of a hill with fascinating, open views into the surrounding mountains and towards the sea.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we get warmed up on our bikes with a first excursion into the surrounding hills. The cycling is very rewarding – through almost tropical forests with plenty of flowers and interesting plants along the way – and eventually we get to the enchanting settlement of Las Terrazas, perched around a lake and on the edge of the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Sierra de Rosario. This is an internationally acclaimed reforestation project in the mountains at altitudes of around 500 metres. Pine tree forests alternate with old coffee plantations. There is the chance for a swim in a natural pool in the San Juan river before we have lunch. Why not try Cuba's most original Vegetarian restaurant run by the locl community? After that we  head back by bus to our hotel in Soroa. Keen cyclists can do a few more miles if they wish. (Approx. 24km cycling; 300m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Early this morning thereis a chance to visit the splendid Orchid garden before we start cycling downhill out of the Sierra, using smaller roads a quieter section of Cuba's Carretera Central. We will cycle past picturesque countryside, with rolling hills, palm trees and farmhouses in small hamlets, eventually arriving in the Cuban spa town of San Diego de los Baños. The surrounding virgin countryside and forests are fabulous. (Approx. 55km cycling; 100m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We continue cycling along the dramatic western Cuban mountain range, passing banana and coffee plantations and tobacco fields in one of the remotest countrysides of this trip and will stop as well at Cueva de los Portales, famous site in the jungle where Che Guevara set up headquarters during the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. Soon we will see the first views the Viñales Valley – one of Cuba’s natural gemstones. The area is home to some of the most spectacular and colourful scenery in Cuba. Millions of years ago underground rivers cut tunnels through the limestone hills and when the roofs collapsed strange hills or “Mogotes”, were left sticking up from the otherwise flat valley floor. The iron-rich, red soil creates a patchwork of fields growing some of the best tobacco in the world – the raw material for the famous Havana cigars. (Approx. 45-65km cycling; 100/400m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We spend two entire days in this unique area, Today we will start the day with an orientation tour of the Vinales Valley explorein the valley in depth as well as taking some time to stroll through Vinales itself, a small laid back town with a charming main street built in neo classical style, leaving the afternoon free to explore further the area. Those interested can visit the lime stone cave ‘Cueva del Indio’  and the Botanical Guardens inVinales.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today is left free for taking it easy by the swimming pool or perhaps by booking an excursion to Cayo Levisa, an off shore island with lovely beaches.  Alternatively you may wish to take the bikes for some further exploration of the area.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today begins with a bus ride (approx. 5hrs) the Bay of Pigs, infamous for being the place of the ill-fated invasion attempt by Cuban exiles who landed here in April 1961 with the help of the US government. The result is well known and successful Cuban resistance, together with the missile crisis a year later, made the Americans conclude that only a total trade embargo against the island could hope to discredit and ultimately oust Castro. Castro’s Cuba keeps on resisting, however. We will visit Cueva de Los Peces for a quick swim/relax in the Caribbean before continuing to Cienfuegos. This town is a remarkable one, having been founded in 1819 by French farmers who had abandoned their plantations in Haiti after a slave rebellion led to formal independence there. The French brought their classical construction style of houses and quite an entrepreneurial spirit, thus triggering the sugar boom in the area. After a short visit we continue by bus to Guajimico for the night.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We start our day cycling with the backdrop of the Sierra Escambray Mountains getting ever more impressive as we get closer to Trinidad. We will have a chance to stop en route for a swim in the Caribbean at Yaguanabo beach before continuing by bike to Trinidad. The town became incredibly wealthy in the 18th & 19th century and almost all the houses and palaces of the rich families are still here, their grandeur still not diminished by time – the cobbled stone streets add an extra charm to this colonial gemstone. In the evening we should go out in town to sample the great live music to be found everywhere in Trinidad. One of the best spots is the Casa de la Trova where they play ‘Trova’ (Cuban Folk Music) and ‘Son’, the essence of Salsa. Those with some basic knowledge in Latin dancing – or at least the willingness to try it – will be most welcomed. On arrival we will have a short orientation walk in town exploring the central square and surroundings. (Approx. 45km cycling; 150m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We have two full days for exploring this wonderful town and its surroundings. Today we take a ride into the very scenic Valle de Ingenios (sugar cane valley) towards Santi Spiritus where we can see the old sugar mills. This afternoon we will visit the colonial heart of Trinidad on foot and hopefully have the opportunity of some live music.  (Approx. 30km cycling 100m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is left free to take a very rewarding Catamaran trip to one of the small off-shore islands Cayo Blanco– offering snorkelling in the reefs and a sea food meal on the island. Alternatively you can relax on the beaches south of Trinidad.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Just a few km from Trinidad rises the Sierra Escambray, one of the three main mountain systems in Cuba. It has peaks up to 1100 metres, an incredible abundance of tropical and semi-tropical vegetation on its slopes, and some of the best Cuban coffee is also produced here. Climbing up into the Sierra on the road from Trinidad is a unique experience, with slopes as steep as 20% (don’t worry, we do this by bus!). Those wishing to do the toughest cycling challenge to be found in Cuba may want to try by leaving at the early hours of the day and being picked up by group later. We start cycling on the highest sections of the road, near Topes de Collantes, a village and mountain retreat built in the early 1950s. From here it is one of the most scenic downhills through the jungle to be found anywhere in Cuba. Before leaving the mountains we can stop at a local coffee farmers family’s home to enjoying a good meal and see the process of coffee tasting, of course we will try it as well! Then heading north, passing through the village Jibacoa we finally reach the provincial town Manicaragua where we finish the cycling for today. We will take a short bus transfer to the hotel in Santa Clara. This town is one of the most important of the Cuban revolution, as it was here that Che Guevara had the decisive battle in December 1958 which led to the fall of Havana a few days later. (Approx. 35km cycling; 100m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The town is not ‘touristy’ but has the authentic feel of a busy Cuban provincial town. Its most remarkable site is the Che Guevara monument which we will visit together with a nice museum dedicated to the life of this hero of the Cuban revolution. Afterwards we continue by bus to Matanzas. Near here we get back onto the bikes for an afternoon ride into the Yumuri Valley, surprisingly still unknown to most western visitors. Abundant vegetation, palm trees, crops and plenty of birds are to be enjoyed while cycling through this last stretch of rural Cuba. Once getting on the coastal road we continue to the stunning Bacunayagua canyon with a great viewpoint and the allegedly best Pina Colada served anywhere in Cuba. Later its on to Havana by bus. (Approx. 21km cycling; 150m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today is left free to explore Havana however you may wish to take an optional cycle to explore the capital. In spite of growing traffic this is still a wonderful way of getting to know different parts of town. (Approx. optional 15km cycling; 100m ascent).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends in Havana this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast