Classic Cuba cycling holiday
Description of Classic Cuba cycling holiday
This two-week classic Cuba cycle holiday gives you the chance to really get your teeth into fascinating Cuba. We’ll start with a cycling tour of Havana; a rich mix of colonial charm, modern Latin culture and Cuba’s recent revolutionary history. From Havana we cycle to Las Terrazas, a lush biosphere reserve in the Sierra del Rosario mountain range. Over the next couple of days we will cycle through stunning rural scenery in Pinar del Rio, the best tobacco-growing area in the world, fitting in time for a day cycle to Cayo Jutias, an idyllic Caribbean beach on the province’s northern coast.
We then head to central Cuba, stopping in Santa Clara, an icon of the Cuban revolution and Che Guevara’s final resting place. On the island’s southern coast we visit irresistible Trinidad and the surrounding Escambray mountains, then cycle west along the coast to elegant Cienfuegos, stopping to visit its elaborate botanical gardens. Just west of Cienfuegos we’ll visit the infamous Bay of Pigs before taking some time out to snorkel in a nearby natural pool. Our last days in Cuba take us north, cycling westwards through dramatic valleys until we reach the northern coast and Playa Jibacoa, before returning to Havana.
You’ll need to be reasonably fit to undertake this journey, as you’ll cycle between 23km and 77km a day, with a couple of days out of the saddle to recuperate. We use experienced local guides on all our trips, and you’ll spend a few nights in casas particulares (homestays), which will provide valuable insight into everyday life in Cuba.
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Reviews
2 Reviews of Classic Cuba cycling holiday
Reviewed on 02 Feb 2019 by Nicole Ebert
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Biking the skyline-stunning views, learning from the tour guide about the history and life in Cuba now.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Cuba is NOT flat! Very doable but check out the distance and topography to make sure it is right for your fitness level - though the bus is a nice option to have :-). Bring snacks with you as difficult to buy in Cuba.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think the holiday did benefit the local people as we stayed at small casas and ate at local restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, tour guide and drivers were fantastic! Things were well organized and the tour operator easy to contact and work with.
Reviewed on 10 Dec 2018 by Catherine Feniak
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our trip to Cuba was a wonderful blend of spectacular scenery, historical and
cultural learning, active exploration, and seaside relaxation.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Banking is challenging! Bring extra Canadian dollars to exchange for CUCs.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Staying in the Casa Particulares is an excellent way to get to know Cuban
people and to support their entrepreneurial initiatives.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We really enjoyed our cycling holiday. Our guide, Jacson and our driver were
well organized and offered excellent support to each member of our group.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Though biking in itself is a carbon free activity, we also do all we can to make sure our cycling trips have as little adverse effect on the surrounding environment as possible. Where possible, we only use minor roads and well-established trails and make sure we dispose of our litter responsibly.We recycle at every opportunity; we will give leftover plastic bottles from your trip to local communities who use them to sell home-made fruit juices at food markets. Any tyres and other spare parts which can no longer be used on our bikes are also donated to locals.
On this trip you will visit Las Terrazas biosphere reserve, Cuba’s first ever self-sufficient community dedicated to the research and protection of the local ecosystem. Included in the price of your trip is the entrance fee to Las Terrazas, which goes directly to the community’s ongoing environmental initiatives.
Similarly, entrance fees to places such as Topes de Collantes nature reserve park and Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens contribute to the maintenance and preservation of local plant and wildlife.
On day 11 you get the chance to snorkel in Caleta Buena, a protected natural pool that forms part of Cienaga de Zapata National Park. Cienaga de Zapata is the largest and best-preserved wetland in the Caribbean, home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, including the bee hummingbird, the world´s smallest bird, and the endemic Cuban crocodile. Your entrance fee to Caleta Buena will contribute to the maintenance and protection of Zapata swamp´s rich ecosystem.
People
We believe that Cuba’s most attractive quality is its people, and we like to give our clients as many opportunities as possible to interact with Cubans. On this trip you spend a few nights in casas particulares (homestays), where you will get the chance to better understand the realities of daily life in Cuba. Not only this, but when you use a casa particular, your money goes straight into the local community, rather than into the pockets of multinational corporations. Similarly, where possible we use locally-run restaurants, paladares, where profit stays within the community.We discourage hand-outs to beggars and instead give our clients the opportunity to make donations to appropriate organisations during their travels. Your guide will be happy to advise.
Our guides are very proud of their country and will take every opportunity to further your knowledge of Cuba´s rich culture and history. Historical highlights on this trip are Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, the Bay of Pigs and of course, Havana. Entrance fees to sites such as Che Guevara´s mausoleum in Santa Clara and the Bay of Pigs museum are included in the tour price and help preserve artefacts and monuments integral to Cuba´s unique heritage.
In many of the places we visit there will be handicraft stalls selling locally-produced artisanal goods such as lacework, musical instruments and jewellery. Whilst biking your guide will also stop at stalls selling local fruit and sweet treats.
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