WESTERN CUBA CYCLING

Fast Facts

When: All year

Tour: 14 days

Hotels

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1: Arrival in Havana

Arrival at the International Airport of Havana. Optional transfer to your accommodation in the old part of Havana, where we will spend the first two nights of our trip.

Day-2: Havana

After breakfast we will have a meet and greet with our tour guide. Afterwards we start exploring Havana with a guided city walk. We will visit many interesting sights of 'Habana Vieja' the old part of the city. We will have lunch in a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the community project Casa del Tango. Evening at leisure.  (breakfast, lunch)

Day-3: Havana - Vinales

Today we will make our way to the Vinales Valley. On our journey we will discover the tobacco plantations, fields of crops, and exclusive flora and fauna of unequalled beauty. Once arrived there we will prepare the bikes for our first bike tour and to then continue our trip driving on narrow roads where we can admire the uniqueness of the surrounding landscape. After lunch and approximately 20 km ride, we will arrive at our hotel, which is located in a picturesque 'Mogote' valley. Accommodation at the Hotel Rancho San Vincente. (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day-4: Puerto Esperanza

The tour heads for Puerto Esperanza. We will set off by taking the same route to Vinales. During the whole tour, plenty of greenery and the beauty of Cuban nature will surround us. From time to time we pass little villages, one of which, San Cayetano, is especially remarkable. Continuing our journey, at noon we will arrive at Puerto Esperanza, located directly at the sea. The city bridge had a very important function in the 1800s: during that time all the gold that was mined in this region was taken across it. Gold digging and trading boomed on those days, the reason why Cuba's second train line leads to Puerto Esperanza. Nowadays production of tobacco and fishing are the two main industries of the village. Here we will have lunch together at a cozy restaurant. The afternoon is free at your own disposal. You can either relax after the first stage total 38 km cycling) of your trip, or you can discover the town by foot. Overnight at Rancho San Vicente. (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day-5: Vinales

In the morning we get back on our bikes and follow a little path which leads us through beautiful landscapes and to 'comunidades' (communes) which developed after the revolution. It is a must to stop at Incas where some of the best tobacco in the world is produced. We get to know locals who plough the tobacco as well as women who select tobacco leaves according to their quality. En route we refuel ourselves at a local restaurant. We will spend the night at Rancho San Vicente after the ride of approx. 50km. (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day-6: Vinales - Cienfuegos

The ride takes us to Cienfuegos, also known as the Perl del Sur. On the way we will visit Parquet Guam, a natural place of singular attraction that is located in the Coinage de Zapata's. We will take a boat through the Laguna del Tesoro that lies in a picturesque landscape with many water canals, mangrove forests and palms. You may visit a crocodile farm nearby. You will have the opportunity to have lunch in any local restaurant. Then we will go on to Cienfuegos. Located at the central South coast of the island we will explore this charming town by bike. You will discover Cienfuegos as a clean and peaceful place with its unique and interesting architecture influenced by the Louisianans. Accommodation at Hotel Jaguar. Daily stage: ca. 10km. (breakfast)

Day-7: Cienfuegos - Trinidad

On the way to Trinidad today we cycle at the foot of the mountains of the Sierra del Escobar. There are several inclinations easily to be managed by every cyclist. You will be rewarded by stunning views of fantastic vegetation. After the ride we can admire the beauty of the buildings surrounding the Plaza Major in Trinidad. Later, we will check in at our hotel where you can spend the evening at your own leisure. Accommodation at the Hotel Las Cuevas. Dinner included. Daily stage: ca. 25 km. (breakfast, dinner)

Day-8: Trinidad

During a walk through Trinidad we will hear many interesting stories about the 'Golden Age' of the sugar boom and its benefits for the city. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. It is worthwhile to take a coco or bike taxi to Playa Ancon, where you can relax, swim or go snorkelling. This night we will stay at Las Cuevas. Dinner included. (breakfast, dinner)

Day-9: Trinidad

Today is free of activities so you can plan it as you wish. We recommend an excursion to Valle de los Ingenios. The fertile plateau with its surrounding hills of the Sierra del Escambray owes its name to the sugar mills built at the beginning of the 19th century. There is a little railway leading to Manaca Iznaga, originally used to watch the slaves while working in the sugarcane fields. You will moreover be able to notice the social structures built during the boom of the sugar industry. Overnight at Las Cuevas. Dinner included. (breakfast, dinner)

Day-10: Trinidad - Santa clara

Our destination today is Santa clara (ca. 30km) which takes us through a charming mountain landscape with woods of pines, eucalyptus and broad leafed trees. The cycling paths are a bit stony and steep at times but are manageable by everyone. We take a break in the town of Topes de Collantes - 800 m above sea level - which is renowned for its extra clean air and its sanatorium. In the afternoon the tour continues to Santa clara through a fascinating landscape. Accommodation at Hotel Los Caneyes with dinner included. (breakfast, dinner)

Day-11: Santa clara - Varadero

Our cycling trip continues to Varadero (ca. 30 km), located at the Peninsula de Hicacos. There you will find Cuba's longest and beautiful white sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, called Playa Azul. Accommodation at the all-inclusive Hotel Villa Tortuga. (All Inclusive.)

Day-12: Free Day

Today there is no bike tour on our itinerary. You can either choose a quiet beach area to relax, or you may go for a walk to explore Varadero with its various restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping malls. (All Inclusive)

Day-13: Varadero - Matanzas - Havana

Our first destination is Matanzas, the capital of the province of the same name. There you will find the fourth largest port for sugar export in the world. Matanzas is considered one of the most important industrial cities in Cuba. After a break we ride along the Yumuri Valley and continue our trip to Havana through amazing countryside. Accommodation at Hotel Plaza. Daily stage: ca. 45 km (breakfast, dinner)

Day-14: Departure

This morning is free at your disposal. You can stroll through Havana Vieja for souvenirs to take back home. In the afternoon you may either be transferred to the airport (optional) for your return flight back home or continue to your connecting Hotel. (breakfast)

End of services

What's Included

Price includes

Airport transfers by private vehicle
Three four or five star hotels with breakfast
All sightseeing tours, entrance fees, guide, transportation
Guide, their wages, insurance and expenses

Price Excludes

International flights, departure taxes and any excess baggage charges.
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Expenses of a personal nature such as bottled drinks, mineral water, morning and afternoon teas etc laundry etc.
Extra expenses and/of additional days caused due to unexpected events (such a flight delays, porterage because of land slides and other natural events.)
Entry Visa if applicable
Tips and gratuities
Single supplements if applicable

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