Walking holiday in Cuba









Description of Walking holiday in Cuba
This tailor-made walking holiday in Cuba is as challenging or relaxed as you wish it to be, making it suitable for both families with little ones (8 years & up) and seasoned trekkers who have the chance to indulge in more demanding hikes around Hanabanilla and Trinidad on request.
Over two weeks, you’ll take in all of Cuba’s best bits from the historic squares and fortresses of Havana, the museums of Santa Clara and the UNESCO world heritage town of Trinidad to the lush green valleys, rich red earth and limestone hills of its beautiful countryside.
Guided morning hikes through beautiful national parks, valleys and mountains are balanced out with leisurely lunches and afternoons adventures – whether that be a dip in a refreshing waterfall pool, a horse ride or the thrill of a tree top canopy zip ride.
Though you will cover much ground, you won’t feel like you’re just passing through as you have the chance to get to know the locals during cosy homestays and working farm visits along the way. From the organic farms of Santa Clara to the tobacco plantations of Viñales and the pioneering eco-villages of Terazza, you will gain a real insight into Cuban life, with the help of a local guide.
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Walking holiday in Cuba
Reviewed on 06 Oct 2022 by Ann and Neil Nosworthy
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hurricane Ian
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You need to speak and understand at least a little Spanish
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes it supported local people and supported conservation.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Hurricane Ian severely disrupted our itinerary and we also had a couple of difficulties with transfers that went wrong but they were not the fault of the operator. Kath stayed in frequent contact with us throughout
Read the operator's response here:
A little bit of Spanish goes a long way in Cuba. Our guides all speak English, and most homestay hosts can also manage some English. However, drivers for private transfers may not have any English at all and it is unusual for local people to speak much English unless they are involved in tourism in some way or another. We are very careful about how these Cuban tours are organised, and we make sure that all our locally engaged colleagues, private accommodation providers and any other small private suppliers are paid well. On this trip our clients go hiking and walking in national parks and reserves which we have visited ourselves, and which we know are professionally managed.We were aware of the two transfers which did not work out as planned but they were quickly resolved. Our director Kath Bateman was in very regular contact due to our concern about Hurricane Ian which hit the very area of the island where this tour was taking place. Our local team were in constant contact with Ann and her husband as well as ourselves so we were aware of any amendments made to their itinerary necessary for their safety and security.
Responsible Travel
Planet
When out on tour we encourage learning about the country we are travelling in, the local culture of the people we work with and the areas we pass through. Our guides and tour leaders hold informal talks with all groups to inform about and discuss with them all aspects of local life and the environment. This helps our visitors gain an understanding of the area and appreciation of the people who live there. All our specialist guides are professionally trained Cubans and they are treated and paid fairly. Where possible, we will provide items of hiking kit to our guides.The trek in Cuba is fully guided by a knowledgeable leader who instructs guests on the best way to travel responsibly whilst hiking. It is our policy to carefully dispose of all waste whilst we are on trek. All non-organic waste is carried out and organic waste is buried at a suitable depth.
Food is purchased locally and we use food products with as little packaging as possible, and encourage cooking with local products. We cook with gas and use recyclable glass as opposed to plastic wherever possible.
We encourage everyone to stay in local homes - casas particular - whilst we are in Cuba so that our clients have an opportunity to meet and spend time with local people to learn something of local life. It also enables them to use their Spanish language skills, even at a basic level. Importantly, this also ensures that monies are spent at a very local level and go into the pockets of Cuban households.
We support local Cuban businesses in every aspect of our trips - accommodation, transport, meals, drinks and activities - thus contributing directly to the local economy and community. We also regularly organise donations for local schools and educational projects. We recommend that clients consider donations of items such as toiletries, baby and childrens clothing, some medicines and luxuries such as soap to the families they visit and projects we support.
We also regularly provide donations to two youth theatre and drama companies in Santiago de Cuba, bringing material for costumes and stage make from the UK or buying essential items locally such as paint for props.
On our hiking trips, we encourage the donation of appropriate items such as hiking shoes or boots, small rucksacks, water bottles, penknives or torches and other such items for the specialist guides accompanying the tour.
People
We include accommodation in casas particulares where possible, so that our clients have an opportunity to meet and spend time with local people in their homes to learn something of local life. It also enables them to use their Spanish language skills, even at a basic level. Importantly, this also ensures that monies are spent at a very local level and go into the pockets of Cuban households and communities. All our specialist guides are professionally trained Cubans and they are treated and paid fairly. Where possible, we will provide items of hiking kit to our guides.We support local Cuban businesses in every aspect of our trips - accommodation, transport, meals, drinks and activities - thus contributing directly to the local economy and community. We also regularly organise donations for local schools and educational projects. We recommend that clients consider donations of items such as toiletries, baby and childrens clothing, any over the counter bought medicines to the families they visit and projects we support.
We also regularly provide donations to two youth theatre and drama companies in Santiago de Cuba, bringing material for costumes and stage make from the UK or buying essential items locally such as paint for props.
On our hiking trips, we encourage the donation of appropriate items such as hiking shoes or boots, small rucksacks, water bottles, penknives or torches and other such items for the specialist guides accompanying the tour.
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