Cuba is a country of amazing landscapes and great history. On this tour we cycle along beach-fringed coastlines, and through mountain ranges and dense, green tropical scenery. En route we visit colonial towns, including Baracoa in the far east, and historic sites such as the Bay of Pigs and the Che Guevara Monument. We also spend time in the lively capital Havana.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour in Havana
Our tour begins in Havana. Built around a deep natural harbour, Havana is one of the most impressive colonial cities surviving in the Americas today. Crumbling tenement buildings and 50s style American Cadillacs rub shoulders with white marble grandeur and the still audible echoes of the Cuban Revolution. The largest city in the Caribbean and Cuba’s political and cultural heart, it is the perfect place to start our journey.
Overnight Standard Hotel
2
Warm up ride from Playa Larga to Cueva de los Peces. Drive to Cienfuegos
This morning we depart the city and head towards the infamous Bay of Pigs. We then enjoy a relatively easy warm-up ride along the flat, following the Caribbean coast from Playa Larga down to Cueva de los Peces. From here we then resume our journey by road, travelling on to the city of Cienfuegos, where we have a chance to take in some of its impressive 19th century architecture on a walking tour of the centre, before continuing to our hotel at Cienfuegos Beach.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 km.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Cycle along the coast from Cienfuegos to Trinidad
Continuing south-east along the Caribbean Coast this morning we cycle on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad, one of the most bewitching heritage sites in the country. Founded in 1514, the town was a haven for pirates and slavers before the arrival of the French in the early years of the 19th century and today remains one of Cuba’s cultural gems. On arrival, the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy this beautiful setting.
Total cycling distance approximately 78 km. +/- 450m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
4
City tour of Trinidad. Afternoon free. Option to cycle out to Ancon Peninsula
This morning we enjoy a walking tour around Trinidad, taking in the lovely setting of the central square and the cathedral.The afternoon has then been left free to enjoy Cuba’s beautiful Caribbean coastline and the white sands of nearby Playa Ancon. For those still wanting to stretch their legs we also have the option to cycle out to the Ancon Peninsula (30 kilometres, unescorted).
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Cycle through the 'Valley of the Sugar Mills' and on to Santi Spiritus. Transfer to Camaguey
Leaving Trinidad after breakfast this morning we cycle through the historic landscapes of the Valle de los Ingenios, with its ruined sugar mills and infamous slave watchtower. By the middle years of the 19th century the valley was responsible for a third of all Cuba’s sugar production, before the wars of independence saw the mills destroyed. We cycle to the watch-tower of Manaca Iznaga, before continuing east, towards the city of Sancti Spiritus, another colonial gemstone. After a short visit to the city we then drive on to Camaguey, crossing through the central savannahs and cattle rich landscapes of Camaguey Province.
Total cycling distance approximately 73 km. +/- 400m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Cycle from Manzanillo through the Sierra Maestra foothills
Continuing east this morning we drive towards the city of Manzanillo in the Granma Province (four hours). We cycle from here always close to Carribean coast line and ride through authentic rural Cuba until reaching Media Luna village where we pack up and drive by bus (1h) across the Sierra Maestra foothills to our next night stop. The Sierra Maestra was the mountain country that served as Castro’s base of operations during the Cuban Revolution and its southern slopes provide the perfect backdrop to today’s cycle as we make our way towards the black sand beaches of Cuba’s southern coast.
Total cycling distance approximately 51 km. +/- 200m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Cycle along the coast and southern slopes of the Sierra Maestra to Chivirico
Today we enjoy a visual treat, as our bike journey takes us along a route that lies sandwiched between the southern slopes of the mountains and the azure waters of the Caribbean. We cycle from Marea de Portillo as far as Chivirico, where we then re-board our bus for the drive to our hotel in Santiago de Cuba. During the ride we are supported by a smaller minibus, as our own bus is too large to pass along the coastal road that we use.
Total cycling distance approximately 105 km. +/- 600m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
8
City tour of Santiago. Afternoon free. Option to cycle to Santiago Bay lighthouse
Founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in 1514, Santiago has been at the heart of Cuban culture and history since its foundation. Briefly the country’s capital, it rose to prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries, and during the Cuban Revolution earned itself the title of ‘Hero City of the Republic’. We take a tour of the city this morning, taking in some of the colonial monuments around the Plaza de la Revolucion. This afternoon there is an option to cycle out to the lighthouse that overlooks Santiago Bay, a distance of around 25 kilometres.+/-100m (unescorted).
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
9
Cycle from Imias village through the eastern mountain ranges. along 'La Farola', to Baracoa
Today presents us with our toughest ride, as we cycle through the eastern mountains to Baracoa. Departing Santiago after breakfast, we first drive by bus to the village of Imias, just past Guantanamo (2.5 hours). From here we then begin cycling, following the Caribbean coast as far as Cajobabo, before turning north and continuing up towards the Atlantic coast. As we leave Cajobabo behind we climb into the Sierra del Purial, travelling along the Farola Road, a winding, scenic highway that takes us through the tropical forests of the eastern mountains before descending steeply to the small, colonial town of Baracoa.
Total cycling distance approximately 66 km. +/- 1000m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Free day in Baracoa. Option to ride out to River Yumuri estuary
Lying in Cuba’s far south-eastern corner, sandwiched between two bays near Cabo Maisi, Baracoa was the first Spanish colony to be founded in Cuba. Originally it was only accessible by sea until 'La Farola' was built through the mountains in the 1960's. Today we have a full day to enjoy some of the many delights of this small, remote resort which include relaxing beaches and some interesting colonial architecture. There is also an option to take a ride to the mouth of the Yumuri River to the east of the town, a ride of some 56 kilometres. +/-200m (unescorted).
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
11
Cycle from Baracoa along the coast, passed the Alexander Humboldt National Park
Baracoa means ‘elevated land’ in the local Indian language and it is blanketed in some of the country’s most verdant forests. This morning we ride along the coast, travelling through Cuba’s lush, tropical scenery. The ride takes us past the Alexander von Humboldt National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most biologically diverse sites on earth. The road condition is not good in this area and we later switch to the bus to complete the journey on to Holguín, another three to four hour drive away.
Total cycling distance approximately 45 km. +/- 150m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
12
Cycle out of Holguin to the north coast along country roads. Transfer to Camaguey
Leaving Holguín early this morning we head north, towards the Atlantic coast near Puerto Padre. The ride today takes us along quiet country roads, passing through Cuba’s fourth largest province. The province produces a rich variety of crops, from corn and beans in the east to sugar in the central region, whilst the hills above the Rio Mayari are littered with coffee plantations. Reaching the coast later this morning we then meet with the bus for the onward drive to Camaguey, some 4 1/2 hours to the west.
Total cycling distance approximately 60km +/-150m
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
13
Cycle from Moron to Jaguajay. Visit Remedios and transfer to Santa Clara
After a 1h bus transfer our final day's cycling sees us riding up towards the Caguanes Peninsula in the northern corner of Sancti Spiritus Province. Our destination is Jaguajay, lying close to the Caguanes National Park, where we leave our bikes and continue onto the colonial town of Remedios by bus. Founded in 1524 and considered by many to be one of Cuba’s most picturesque towns, Remedios still retains something of the flavour of its 17th century heritage and we have a chance to explore some of the town before completing our day’s journey to Santa Clara.
Total cycling distance approximately 75 km. +/- 200m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
14
Visit the Che Guevara monument. Transfer to Havana for city tour
This morning we visit the Che Guevara Monument, the final resting place of one of the world’s most iconic figures and one of the country’s most emotive shrines to its revolutionary heritage. Continuing on to Havana (three hours), we then spend this afternoon exploring the heart of the old capital, wandering through the neo-classical architecture of the Vieja district and enjoying the baroque grandeur of the 18th century Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
15
Tour ends in Havana
The tour ends in Havana this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast