| Duration: | 12 Day(s) - 11 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Adventure Tours |
Cuba is one of the most beguiling travel destinations on the planet. Gorgeous neo-classical buildings, classic American cars, the best music and dance on the planet and super friendly locals put Cuba firmly on everyone’s bucket list.
Staying in Casa Particulare’s in Habana, Viñales, Trinidad, Santa Clara & Varadero we start our adventure in the heart of Old Habana. Airport transfer and welcome followed by full day guided tour to explore the city - classic convertible 50's car for your first hour to get your bearings and then various walking tour options around Old Habana depending on your particular interests.
On day 3, we leave Habana to explore Viñales for two nights & then Trinidad for two nights with horseback tours (option for walking or horse-drawn buggy if preferred), salsa lessons and much more. We then continue to Santa Clara to learn more about iconic Che Guevara and his contribution to the revolution, before enjoying some quality beach time in Varadero. A final night in Habana will round off an amazing 12-day-long Cuban adventure. This is a busy tour designed to maximise your time and give you an all-around view of Cuba - past and present!
Highlights:
1950's Classic American Car tour La Habana
Personal guided walking tour of Habana Vieja with a hip young guide
Horseback (horsedrawn cart or walking is an option too!) exploration of Viñales Valley
Cubanito Natural Park & Waterfall adventure in Trinidad
Che Guevara Mausoleum & Museum in Santa Clara
Centrally located Casa Particulare's in Habana, Viñales, Trinidad, Santa Clara & Varadero with fun, well-informed hosts and local guides
Airport transfers from Havana International Airport to/from your Casa Particular in Habana Vieja
All cross-country transfers Habana-Viñales-Trinidad-Santa Clara-Varadero-Habana in an air-conditioned bus or collective taxi
Day 1 - 2: Discover Habana
Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at your Casa Particular in the atmospheric heart of Habana Vieja ('Old Havana'), your guide will pick you up for a full day tour/exploration of La Habana.
There is a cluster of museums here including the Museum of the Revolution, but our walk will feature the beautifully preserved colonial plazas of Habana Vieja and neighbouring streets where Cubans live alongside visiting tourists, kids go to school, locals play games of chess or chequers in the street, sipping coffee from 'peso cafes' and all life seems to be happening in these atmospheric streets. Your Cuban guide will recommend some of the best bars for mojitos and live music and give you insights into how Cubans live today in this complex and beguiling country.
Mid-morning we pick up the pace as we are collected by a 1950s classic American car to explore some of the main features of the rest of the city. There are many options depending on your preference but we recommend buzzing through the city to the Plaza de la Revolucion, a scenic drive along the Malecon and under the 'tunnel' to the Fort del Moro (best views across the city) before returning to Old Habana for drop off in Parque Central in time for lunch.
There are many options for lunch and time for a siesta if you would like before continuing our exploration of Habana Vieja. In the late afternoon, your guide will drop you back off at your Casa by which time you will be comfortable in your new neighbourhood and buzzing with ideas for how to spend your first night in Habana!
Day 3 - 4: Discover Viñales
Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we take a comfortable air-conditioned bus to Viñales; three-hour drive west from Habana to the beating lung of Cuba sustaining some of the most productive plantations including world-famous tobacco crops. A UNESCO World Heritage destination in its own right owing to spectacular Karsc mountains and distinctive tobacco drying houses. The best way to explore the valley is a 1/2 day trek on horseback (walking tour OR taxi ride to 'Miramar' viewing point are optional for those who prefer not to ride a horse).
Enjoy the simplicity of life and breathe fresh country air as you meet friendly locals who welcome you with their generous smiles. Your local guide - who has limited English but is an authentic Cuban gaucho will take you on a gentle exploration of the valley on horseback; amazing contrast to the environment you have left behind in Habana.
Day 5 - 6: Discover Trinidad
Accommodation Name: Hostal Hermanos Reyes / Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you catch an early morning bus to the beautiful colonial town of Trinidad, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where time stopped back in 1850. After checking in to your new Casa Particular, take advantage of a free afternoon to wander around and see the numerous churches and beautiful colonial buildings of Trinidad. In the evening, take a salsa lesson with a local instructor!
After breakfast on your first full day in Trinidad, we begin our adventure with a 1-2 hour horseback ride (you may opt for biking, walking or taxi instead of horseback if you’d prefer - no extra charge - all options are accompanied by a guide.) Ride through the cobbled streets of Trinidad and into the rolling countryside, arriving at Cubanito Natural Park.
Enjoy a 30-minute hike along the scenic river with lots of opportunities for spotting birds and flora along the way. Arrive at the grotto and waterfall, where you can jump into the fresh clean waters of a deep pool surrounded by high rock walls. Swim through the waterfall and into the cave behind for a magical experience. After some chill time and a picnic or snack lunch (not included) we walk back to the horses for the ride back to your casa particular, arriving mid-afternoon.
NOTE: Please remember to bring your swimsuit!!
Day 7: Discover Santa Clara
Accommodation Name: Casa de Leonardo / Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we take the short drive inland to Santa Clara; a simple town in the centre of Cuba made famous for revolutionary events and the final resting place of Che Guevara. Half-day walking tour to savour historic landmarks before hitting the road again tomorrow for the beaches of Varadero!
Day 8 - 10 : Discover Varadero
Accommodation Name: Casa Marta Margarita / Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we take a scenic drive heading northwards to Varadero and some quality R&R featuring pristine Caribbean beaches. This peninsula has the longest continuous stretch of sandy beach in the Caribbean and is famous for a string of resort hotels. However, we will enjoy a more authentic environment of a Casa Particular in the small town of Varadero. Enjoy the short walk to sandy beaches by day and a laid-back atmosphere and variety of nightlife in the evenings. What better way to recover after a dusty spell on the road?
Day 11 – 12: Return to Habana & Departure
Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Breakfast
For our final night, we return to the familiar surroundings of Habana Vieja. Opportunity to explore and enjoy the amazing nightlife including salsa music and dance before we depart for the airport and home.
Perhaps sometime in the morning for some last-minute shopping before your airport transfer. We schedule a transfer to suit your flight departure time - early morning or later in the afternoon per your requirements.
If you would like an extra night or two in Habana then let us know and we will make this happen!
