Family Adventure Holiday In Cuba

Built around a deep natural harbour, Havana is one of the most impressive cities in the Americas. It's also one of the most exciting: the modern city is a fascinating mix of old and new, with crumbling tenement blocks and 1950s American Cadillacs rubbing shoulders with grand colonial buildings and monuments to the revolution. Wherever you go there is music - the hypnotic rhythms of salsa, trova and son can be heard in every bar, street corner or 'casa de la musica'. Founded in 1519 the city became the gateway for the Spanish conquests of Mexico and Peru, when its strategic location at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico saw it eclipse Santiago as the country’s capital. American influence in the 20th century came to an abrupt end in 1959, when Fidel Castro and his fellow revolutionaries expelled the Americans and set the country on its socialist course into the history books. Today we arrive and check into our city centre hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel Swimming available

What better way to get a feel for this vibrant and fascinating city than to cruise the streets in classic 1950s American cars, a colourful legacy of pre-revolutionary days? Our route takes in the beautiful, neoclassical architecture of Havana’s Vieja (Old) district and the art deco buildings along the waterfront (Malecon) and drive through the Vedado and Miramar suburbs, where kids play baseball below rusting street lights. In the afternoon we get active with a salsa dance lesson: a chance to learn the basics of Cuba’s most characteristic dance style.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Leaving Havana we head west to the beautiful Vinales valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most famous tobacco fields in the world. The valley sits in the Sierra de los Organos mountains, where millions of years ago underground rivers cut tunnels through the soft limestone hills leaving behind strange hills or ‘mogotes’ that rise like cliffs from the rich, red soil of the valley floor. We take a short guided walk through this remarkable landscape, passing immaculate tobacco fields and beautifully tended fruit and vegetable gardens, pausing to visit local farmers and see for ourselves the intricate process of harvesting, drying and finally rolling the classic Cuban cigars. The valley floor is dotted with simple, colourful farmhouses, each with its characteristic thatched-roof tobacco drying barn. Most of the farming is still very traditional and you can expect to see the fertile soil still being ploughed by oxen. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

We have left the day free to enjoy this incredible landscape at your leisure. You may want to explore more of the valley on foot, on one of the many hiking trails, or perhaps see a wider area by hiring a bike. Alternatively you may want to visit the Cueva del Indio, the largest cave system in the country, filled with surreal rock formations and subterranean pools, or the extraordinary Mural de Prehistoria, where a vast mural depicting the evolution of life has been painted onto the cliff. Or for a change of scene you could take an excursion to the beautiful white sand beaches of Cayo Levisa on the north coast.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Today we head east into the Sierra del Rosario at Soroa. We visit the beautifully tended orchid garden here, located on a steep hillside with views over the surrounding mountains. More than 700 orchid species are grown here (including one that smells of chocolate!) along with many other quite fascinating plants. Nearby is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by dense, green forest which is rich in birdlife and home to many butterflies. We continue from here the short distance to the village of Las Terrazas.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Las Terrazas is a small village in the heart of the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The region used to be severely deforested so in 1968 an ambitious regeneration project was started. The hillsides were terraced (to reduce rain erosion) and millions of trees were planted. Now the area is covered in thick tropical vegetation, with the distinctive tall, white trunks of the majestic royal palm standing out against its rolling green hillsides. We set out this morning with a local naturalist guide to walk through the rich flora and fauna of Las Terrazas, finishing two or three hours later at a small waterfall with rockpools, perfect for a refreshing swim. The rest of the day is left free to enjoy this beautiful area. A popular option is to do the exhilarating zip-wire course: three long wires take you flying over the tree-tops, the lake and even over the red-tiled rooftops of Las Terrazas village. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Heading east across Cuba, we drive through giant citrus and sugar plantations and out into the flat marshlands of the Zapata Peninsula. We stop at the Cueva de los Peces (Cave of the Fish), a 70 metre deep flooded cave whose subterranean tunnels connect it with the nearby sea. We stop for lunch here and a swim before continuing to the infamous Playa Giron - the Bay of Pigs. This seemingly quiet, rural area propelled Cuba onto the world stage when the CIA backed an abortive coup attempt by Cuban exiles that resulted in humiliation for the Kennedy administration, the death and capture of some 1400 soldiers and the immediate elevation of Fidel Castro to hero status. We visit the museum here to learn how a 20th century superpower was humbled by a supposedly ragtag army of disorganised rebels, an event that practically threw Cuba into the waiting arms of the Soviet Union. We then drive to Cienfuegos, another beautifully preserved colonial city with UNESCO World Heritage status. On the last leg of today's long journey we skirt the edge of the wooded Escambray Mountains with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean on our right, arriving at our hotel just outside the beautiful Spanish colonial town of Trinidad. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Swimming available

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cobbled streets and Spanish architecture of Trinidad make it one of Cuba's most impressive and best preserved colonial towns. It was founded in 1514 but only came to prominence when French settlers fleeing the slave revolt in Haiti began arriving in the early years of the 19th century. These plantation owners built sugar mills in the nearby Valle de los Ingenios and the region quickly became responsible for a third of all Cuba’s sugar production, generating huge wealth for the town. We will walk through the lovely streets, squares and markets of the old town and visit the cathedral, leaving the afternoon free to enjoy more of Trinidad or perhaps visit the nearby beaches of Playa Ancon.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

A short drive on steep, switch-back roads leads us into the densely wooded Escambray Mountains, to the Topes de Collantes nature reserve. We transfer onto an open-sided 4WD truck which takes us deeper into the reserve, then set off on foot through the forests with our naturalist guide. Our trail takes us along a ridge with panoramic views on all sides, then into a valley cut deep by the Guayanara River. Our guide will point out the rich and varied flora and fauna along the way, including the rare Cuban trogon, Cuba's national bird, whose red, white and blue plumage mirrors the national flag. After a walk of around 3 to 4 hours we arrive at our 'hacienda', set in a beautiful valley. Lying alongside a river with bathing pools, Hacienda de Gallega is a converted farmstead with a dining area, a bar, simple toilet and shower facilities and some flat terraces where our tents will be set up. Surrounded by beautifully tended flowerbeds and the forests of Topes de Collantes, this is a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful place to stay. After lunch there's the chance to walk along the river to the Salto de Rocio waterfall, a 3 hour round trip, through an area rich with trogons, hummingbirds and woodpeckers. Close to the waterfall there are rockpools where we can swim and - for the intrepid - swing out Tarzan-style on a liana overhanging the deepest pool. In the evening we eat a wholesome dinner at the hacienda then settle down to sleep overnight in our tents. Generous 2-man tents are provided along with foam mattresses and blankets, but we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag (or at least a sleeping sheet) in addition. If you prefer you can sleep out on the verandahs at the hacienda, under the eaves, rather than in a tent. Please note you can travel by truck to the hacienda if you prefer not to walk today.

Overnight Simple Hacienda Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A full day in the Escambray Mountains, exploring more of the Topes de Collantes nature reserve. In the morning we drive by truck to the start of our 3 to 4 hour walk. We follow a trail through forests and valleys, past streams and glades with flowers, butterflies and darting hummingbirds. Further on we reach La Batata, a cave through which an underground river gurgles, gently carving out rock pools. The water rarely exceeds 20°C so the swimming is exhilarating here! We walk on until we reach the beautiful, isolated Hacienda Codina, set in a green valley with manicured gardens all around. The traditional hacienda has a pleasant bar and verandah, with rocking chairs to sit back and enjoy the view. We enjoy a leisurely lunch in the dining area, surrounded by colourful flowers and birds, then rest through the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon we explore a short nature trail close to the hacienda, with rare orchids and unusual medicinal plants. At one point the trail actually passes through a cave (Cueva del Altar), emerging on the other side of the hill to beautiful views over the distant Caribbean. Later we have dinner, enjoying another traditional home-cooked meal, before settling down for the night in our tents (or, like last night, you can choose to sleep on the verandahs of the hacienda). Once again you can skip the walk today and travel to the hacienda by truck if you prefer.

Overnight Simple Hacienda Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We return by truck to the park headquarters, then continue by bus to the historically important city of Santa Clara. Here we visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum, the final resting place of one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable revolutionary figures. After lunch we continue our journey north towards the Atlantic coast. We pass through the picturesque town of Remidios and cross the impressive El Pedraplen causeway to our beach-side hotel at Cayo las Brujas, where we stay for the next three nights. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner Swimming available

These two days have been left free to make the most of the idyllic coastline at Cayo las Brujas, and the surrounding area. For many the beaches of Las Brujas are amongst the most serene and beautiful in all Cuba's northern keys, combining the best elements of relaxation and natural charm. Part of the Fauna Reserve of the Northern Keys, the region is home to flamingos and endemic lizards, along with 250 species of flora, many of which are endemic to the area. There are various options available during our time here, giving you the chance to be as active or relaxed as you like. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner Swimming available

In the morning we drive west back to Havana. The rest of the day is free either to enjoy exploring more of Havana, perhaps wandering through some of the artisan markets looking for souvenirs to take home, or relax around the lovely pool at our hotel. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Our tour ends today in Havana. Most passengers will have the chance to enjoy one last day in Havana before the overnight flight back to the UK.  

Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available