Cuba cycling holiday
| country: | Cuba |
| trip type: | Moderate / adventurous cycling holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 8 Nov, 29 Nov 2009: 10 Jan, 7 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr |
| price: | From £1395 (15 days) excluding flights. Bike hire £150. Price includes twin accommodation, full tour service (guides, back up vehicles etc.), entrances fees to National Parks/sites and meals including refreshments en route (not lunch days 10 & 15) |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Two weeks of salsa and cycling, old cars and cigars, on the Caribbean's most vibrant island.
Our Cuban Wheels tour offers an unrivalled insight into fascinating Cuban life as over two weeks we journey by bicycle from the lesser-visited eastern side of the island through the heart of the island and to the far west before returning to Havana.
Our biking takes us literally on a 'revolutionary' journey through Cuba, which begins in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba the birthplace of the revolution, home to Cuban music.
From here we follow the dramatic and stunning southern coastline as we head west to Marea de Portillo and Niquero. Turning east again we pedal towards the imposing Sierra Maestre Mountains. Along the way we ride through deserted back roads, pass through remote villages and endless sugar cane fields before arriving in the mountain village of Santa Domingo, from where we trek into the jungle to visit Castro's hide out HQ at La Plata.
Heading north from here we visit the city of Camaguey before arriving in Trinidad, the most picturesque city in Cuba. We spend time here with local families before making our way through the mountains to Santa Clara, to visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum.
We then head north to Saroa and Pinar del Rio, where we round off our riding in fine style on the back roads around Vinales before returning to the city of Havana.
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change depending on the group's progres, road and weather conditions.
Our Cuban Wheels tour offers an unrivalled insight into fascinating Cuban life as over two weeks we journey by bicycle from the lesser-visited eastern side of the island through the heart of the island and to the far west before returning to Havana.
Our biking takes us literally on a 'revolutionary' journey through Cuba, which begins in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba the birthplace of the revolution, home to Cuban music.
From here we follow the dramatic and stunning southern coastline as we head west to Marea de Portillo and Niquero. Turning east again we pedal towards the imposing Sierra Maestre Mountains. Along the way we ride through deserted back roads, pass through remote villages and endless sugar cane fields before arriving in the mountain village of Santa Domingo, from where we trek into the jungle to visit Castro's hide out HQ at La Plata.
Heading north from here we visit the city of Camaguey before arriving in Trinidad, the most picturesque city in Cuba. We spend time here with local families before making our way through the mountains to Santa Clara, to visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum.
We then head north to Saroa and Pinar del Rio, where we round off our riding in fine style on the back roads around Vinales before returning to the city of Havana.
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change depending on the group's progres, road and weather conditions.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Cuba. At Havana airport, you will be met & transferred to the hotel. |
| Day 2: | Havana, Santiago de Cuba. Walking tour of Havana & evening flights to Santiago de Cuba, which serves as our base for the next two nights. |
| Day 3: | Santiago de Cuba. We pedal into the heart of the city to explore this fascinating place and then ride above the coastline to the old El Moro castle, a huge great fortress protecting the port of Santiago. After taking lunch in the El Morro restaurant we circle the historic port area, passing secluded coves and islands before heading back to the hotel. Our evening meal will be taken in a privately-owned paladar restaurant, which offers a unique glimpse at real Cuban home life, followed by cocktails, salsa & music. Cycling distance approx 30km. |
| Day 4: | Cycling South. Transfer to the outskirts of Santiago and start biking, keeping the mountains of the Sierra Maestra to our right and the stunning Caribbean Sea to our left. We explore and combine lunch with a dip in the very tempting blue waters. Our all-inclusive accommodation is set in on a hilltop location overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Cycling distance approx 65km |
| Day 5: | West to Marea del Portillo. Short transfer before starting cycling along the inviting coastal road with the waves a few feet away & plenty of opportunities to swim. Marea de Portillo lures us in the distance and our all-inclusive hotel, set in a very picturesque location, serves as our comfortable stop for today. Cycling distance approx 85km. |
| Day 6: | Inland to Niquero. Riding out from our hotel we head along the coast for a short before turning inland across the foothills of the Sierra Maestra to the charming provincial town of Niquero. This is the edge of the Parque Natural d'Embarque del Granma, the landing point for Castro, Che and the revolutionaries. A late afternoon excursion will show us some of the Park's highlights. Cycling distance approx 50-60km. |
| Day 7: | To Santo Domingo. Leaving Niquero on the support bus we head inland. Our biking route today takes us well away from things; we head cross country through a network of dirt roads, through paddy fields, sugar cane plantations and secluded villages, with the Sierra Maestra in the distance. We arrive at the beautiful and tranquil spot of Santo Domingo, set high in the mountains by the riverside. Cycling distance = approx 55km. |
| Day 8: | Trek to La Plata. A fascinating trek to La Plata, the secret jungle base used to control the revolution by Castro himself, and now a museum. Short afternoon transfer to the peaceful town of Camaguey, our destination. |
| Day 9: | Transfer day. Bici-taxi tour of Camaguey and then load the bus and head to Trinidad, one of the jewels of Cuba. Lunch at Manacas Iznaga and cycle into Trinidad stopping en route for coffee and ice cream. Bicycle tour of Trinidad. For the next two nights we have a chance to experience real Cuban culture by staying with local families in casa particulares. Cycling distance approx 16 Km. |
| Day 10: | Trinidad. Rest day. Visit this beautiful city and enjoy the white sandy beaches and clean turquoise water of the local Playa Ancon before enjoying the colourful and interesting nightlife. |
| Day 11: | To Santa Clara. We point our wheels towards the Sierra del Escambray in the north of Trinidad. We pedal our way along a route surrounded by lush and virtually untouched forest vegetation. Some climbing is followed after lunch by a glorious descent into Manicaragua. Short transfer to the historic city of Santa Clara, place of culminating battle of the revolution and home to the Che Guevara mausoleum, which we hope to visit late in the afternoon. Cycling distance approx 40km. |
| Day 12: | Transfer to Vinales. Plenty to see (sugar cane crops, sugar mills, the occasional cowboy as well as the classic cars and Cuban life) as we pass through the towns and villages, stopping on route for lunch and a swim. Arrive Vinales late afternoon, relax by the pool before dinner. |
| Day 13: | To Soroa. Short transfer and a superb day riding through the imposing magotes, visiting huge caves and sampling the dirt roads as we make our way through agricultural lands, palm trees and real working tobacco plantations. This truly is some of Cuba’s finest scenery, and a great day’s cycling. Cycling distance approx 35km. |
| Day 14: | Into the hills. We ride out from Soroa heading for lunch at La Terrazas, an eco development and a great place to learn about the local environment, and to visit an old coffee plantation. After lunch we pedal along a high rolling ridge towards a deserted lake, and the end of our journey. Transfer to Havana, for a night out. Cycling distance approx 50km. |
| Day 15: | Havana. Free day & evening flight. |
travellers' tales
Every day was an adventure so it's difficult to pick a highlight. We cycled a day off road around the country side in the south-east of the island which was great fun. (more)
this tourism business was Highly Commended small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
We start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Whether abroad, or just as importantly at home, the start point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting their environment and their culture. Our cycling trip in Cuba is as much a way of experiencing the life, history and culture of this fascinating island as it is about a great cycling holiday. As well as our own guides, we have local guides who, through their stories, memories and experience will help you to understand this unique way of life. Our trip takes us on a journey through the history of Cuba. We visit many sites of great importance to the revolution; we take a city tour of Santiago de Cuba with local expert guides, stay in the provincial town of Niquero – the landing point for Castro, Che and the revolutionaries, visit Santa Domingo – the secret jungle base used to control the revolution by Castro himself, and stay in Trinidad – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The trip will allow you to experience the lives of the people of Cuba and we choose a variety of accommodation to help you experience the many different sides of Cuban. For many people, one of the highlights of the trip is staying in casa particulares, homestays with local people who will welcome you into their homes and give you a unique insight into their lives. During the trip we will eat in paladors, local restaurants run by local people, reflecting the changing political atmosphere and of course we take the time to learn about local tradition by watching local bands and learning salsa dancing.
Cycling around Cuba enables us to visit isolated towns and villages well-off the normal tourist track. We take time to visit la Terrazas, an eco-development near Soroa which helps us learn about the local environment and way of life past and present. We deliberately keep our group sizes small with up to12 people, which minimises environmental impact and allows our groups to interact with the local communities.
For all our trips we off-set emissions for staff and guide flights, office energy and vehicle usage and recycle our office waste. We offer all our customers with the opportunity to off-set their emission for flights.