Cuba with the Locals

Welcome to Cuba! The largest island in the Caribbean, Hemingway’s much-loved abode and one of the last planned economies in the world. You will soon to discover that Cuba is all that and much, much more, but first sit back, relax, and enjoy your first night in Havana. You’ll be staying in a Casa Particular in Old Havana or Vedado district. Rooms are simple but comfortable with en-suite bathrooms. 

In the evening, you can meet your fellow travellers for dinner.

You will spend the day on a walking tour of Havana. The old town is compact and easily discovered on foot. Listen out for the music which is such an important part of Cuban identity. You have an included lunch today in a local restaurant. In the afternoon enjoy visiting the Rum museum and the Museo de la Revolution.

Dinner will be in a local restaurant tonight. 

This morning you head to Viñales in the West of Cuba (approx. 3 hours).  After enjoying the panoramic views of Viñales Valley, head straight for Viñales Town for lunch and a walking tour.  

Later, you check into your “casa particulares” in Viñales, have time to freshen up before meeting a local guide who takes you on a light trek (Sendero Valle del Silencio) through this enchanting countryside, famous for its mogotes, or karsts, which were created in the Jurassic Period when the ceilings of the massive cave system fell, leaving the steep walls which turned into these unique mountains.  This is where the world’s finest tobacco is grown and you walk through tobacco plantations, learn how it’s grown and visit tobacco vega.

 You will finish the walk at Wilfredo’s Organic Farm, high on the hill above Viñales to enjoy the sunset and a delicious organic dinner.

Today get a feel for the surrounding rural countryside of Viñales Valley, learning about the lives of the local residents as well as Cuba’s crops and famous export – tobacco. On arrival in Viñales you will start our walk at La Ermita Hotel where you can use the facilities. 

From here follow a wide partially shaded trail through undulating terrain containing many species of trees, stop for a visit at the Visitors’ Center and at Los Jazmines view point. The route descends and then follows along the valley floor, through tobacco farms and root vegetable fields. You stop to meet a local farmer who will show you how tobacco is grown, harvested and ultimately made into exquisite cigars. The region of Pinar del Rio is known to have the most fertile land in Cuba and as such is the tobacco growing capital. Today’s included lunch will be a packed-lunch picnic. 

The trek finishes in a local café close to Dos Hermanas “mogotes”. From here it is a short transfer to the accommodation close by.  

This evening enjoy dinner with the group at a local Paladar in Viñales Town.

Moving on head to Las Terrazas UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, tucked away in the Sierra del Rosario mountains. The community is in a natural area of around 5000 hectares which has been developed as a sustainable rural economy for eco-tourism. Created after the Revolution to replant the area which had suffered badly from over-foresting, it's now a haven for migrating birds from the north. 

Set off on an easy walk through the forest, looking for endemic birds such as Cuba’s beautiful Tocororo, with gorgeous red, white and blue wings. Today lunch will be at the cafetal "Buena Vista". 

After lunch walk along the road to the Las Terrazas community, passing pine forests and crossing the bridge over the lake to reach the community.  After a visit, walk up and check in to La Moka hotel.  At night head out for dinner to restaurant "Fonda de Mercedes"

Today is a long driving day heading to Hanabanilla via Santa Clara in the centre of the island, stopping for a lunch in Santa Clara (included). Santa Clara is the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. In December 1958, Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution, Batista fled Cuba soon afterwards. 

Visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara, who died in Bolivia in 1967, but was laid to rest in Santa Clara alongside his comrades thirty years later. The museum attached to the Mausoleum has many of his former belongings and is a fascinating insight into one of the 20th Century’s most revered icons.

After lunch head towards Hanabanilla in the Escambray Mountain Range. You will appreciate the remarkable change between the landscape of the wetland and the mountains.

Overnight in Hanabanilla hotel. From the hotel you can enjoy the wonderful view across Lake Hanabanilla.

After breakfast set off from the hotel directly for the trek around Hanabanilla Reservoir.  The trail skirts around Hanabanilla lake for a couple of kms before narrowing into a forest path which leads up into the hills surrounding the lake.  At times the path is steep and can be slippery after rainfall, but mango, white guava and palm trees give cool shade.  Expect to see the Cuban National Bird, the Tocororo, and many others who make their habitat in the lush tropical vegetation. After lunch there is the opportunity to climb the path to the “Mirador” or viewpoint and later take a short boat transfer to return to the hotel. 

This evening enjoy dinner at a local paladar located in the small community close by the hotel.    

After checking out and you set off by boat across beautiful lake Hanabanilla (approx. 45minutes). You arrive at Cortina de Jibacoa where the walk starts. You then begin to explore Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, in the heart of the Escambray Mountains, about 700 metres above sea level. The walk continues along well managed trails through farmland, local villages and exuberant pine forests and coffee plantations, and arrive at La Gallega’s farm in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon the walk continues along the banks of the Rio Melodioso to El Rocio waterfalls where there will be opportunities to swim in natural river pools. 

Walking back to La Gallega’s you get on a Russian truck for a bumpy transfer to Topes de Collantes National Park Hotel where we spend the night.

After breakfast, set out directly from the hotel on the Vegas Grandes walk, a rewarding hike. The route first passes through the main town before cutting off into the forest and leading downhill to the beautiful Vegas Grandes waterfall and natural pool. Here you’ll have time to swim, relax, and enjoy this peaceful spot surrounded by lush vegetation.

Afterwards, the walk continues back up a steep hill to Mi Retiro Hacienda for a well-earned lunch. For anyone who prefers not to walk all the way down to the waterfall, there is a lovely shaded spot along the route to sit and relax while the rest of the group continues. Overall, it’s a scenic and enjoyable walk with flexible options, perfect for taking in the natural beauty of the Escambray Mountains.

You are staying staying in Casas Particulares in the Old Town and within walking distance of Trinidad’s best bars, restaurants and squares where live music venues which spill out onto Trinidad’s streets every night. 

Trinidad is like a town lost in time with its pastel-coloured houses and cobblestoned streets.  Trinidad was an important producer of sugar, Cuba’s “white gold” and thousands of Africans were forced into slavery to work in the fields and sugar factories, making a few landowners extremely wealthy. They made their homes in Trinidad, built churches, created lovely squares. 

This evening you can stroll into town for dinner accompanied by live music and mojitos!

After breakfast, take a short transfer to Cabagán, and head into the mountainous countryside for a day of relaxing, swimming and exploring Cuban Cowboy life!  

Spend the day in Finca La Lima, a privately owned cattle and arable farm which rears goats, sheep and cows and grows typical Cuban crops such as sugar cane, black beans, rice and root vegetables.  The farmhouse sits on top of the hill, and you have views across the countryside from all sides.  On the full day visit to La Lima farm, you ´ll have the opportunity to swim in the local creek, milk a cow, make “guarapo” (sugar cane juice) and enjoy a typical Cuban meal cooked the traditional way over charcoal.

Later this afternoon return to Trinidad where you can wander through the streets of Trinidad and discover its beauty. Dinner is in a local paladar in the centre of town.    

Today head back to La Habana stopping on the way to visit Cienfuegos.  This city is known amongst Cubans as 'The Pearl of the South' and its colonial centre was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. Cienfuegos is the only city in Cuba founded by French migrants fleeing the slave revolution in Haiti in the early 19th century.   After a morning visit to Cienfuegos City and Botanical Garden continue the journey and stop for sandwich lunch at paladar "Las Palmas" on the way. Upon arrival in Havana, check in to your accommodation for the night.   

In the evening regroup at the casa and embark on a tour of Havana in iconic 1950’s classic American cars. The tour will feature the lush woodlands of ‘Parque Almendares’ as well as Revolution Square and Malecon coastal road before ending in the Old Town. There will be a special last dinner together at a paladar restaurant with cocktails to toast to a wonderful day in Cuba! 

After breakfast in the hotel there will be free time before leaving for the airport later in the day. There should be plenty of time for a walk to Old Havana for anybody who so desires. It is a short transfer back to the airport.

We arrive back in the UK.