Walking In Cuba

Overnight Standard Hotel

A tour of this most fascinating of cities this morning takes in some of the highlights of Havana’s Vieja (Old) district and the art deco architecture along the coastal Malecon and through the Vedado and Miramar suburbs, where kids play baseball below rusting street lights. On foot we’ll investigate the Vieja district with its beautiful neoclassical buildings at the Plaza de Armas and its sumptuous baroque Cathedral. Havana truly is a city in which to immerse yourself fully and after our brief orientation tour this morning, the afternoon has been left free to continue exploring at your leisure. You may wish to visit the City Museum, or the captivating Museum of the Revolution, where you can find the revered hull of the Granma, the boat that brought Castro back from exile and onto the world stage in 1956. You may wish to return to old Havana and enjoy a stroll through its cobbled streets, stopping to enjoy a mojito at a local bar, or perhaps wander through the stalls of the street markets in search of a bargain or two. Cooling breezes blowing in from the Caribbean freshen a lively sunset stroll along the Malecon, where fishermen and locals take in the magical setting before the imposing ramparts of its old Spanish forts.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we head east across Cuba, we drive through giant citrus and sugar plantations and out into the Zapata Peninsula. Further on‘cenotes’ or pools created by the ceiling collapse of the underground rivers dot the landscape and provide wonderful swimming opportunities. Later we visit the Playa Giron and the nearby museum dedicated to the infamous ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion, where a US supported attack by Cuban exiles failed to overthrow the Communist regime. Our journey then skirts the edge of the wooded Escambray mountains, hugging the coastline with views over the sparkling turquoise waters and arrive, where we will stay outside of the beautiful Spanish colonial town of Trinidad.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we wander through the old centre of Trinidad. In the early 19th century French settlers, fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti, landed and started to grow sugar cane in the Valle de Los Ingenios. This crop generated considerable wealth and consequently the town had to be regularly defended from pirates. The street layout is said to be deliberately complicated so as to confuse them! This afternoon is free to relax on nearby Playa Ancon, or continue to wander through Trinidad’s lovely colonial streets: a paradise for photographers.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A short bus trip up a steep, switch-back road leads us into the lushly vegetated Escambray Mountains we arrive at the Entrance to Topes, here we transfer to truck which will take us to the start of our 12km trek which takes us into a valley cut deep by the Guayanara River. Along this section of the route good views unfold over Embalse Habanabanilla – Cuba’s highest lake. We may stop along the way to see coffee growing and talk to some of the locals. After about 4 hours walk we arrive at our hacienda, set in a rocky valley. The afternoon is free – however we recommend the 5 km round trip (approx 3hrs) to the Salto de Rocio waterfall, in an area flush with trogons, hummingbirds and woodpeckers. We follow a river-side track beside which 7 species of tree fern, bromeliads, and orchids grow. On arrival, adventurous swimmers can enjoy waterfalls and pools, while others may choose to relax on the banks. Please note that walks may be harder depending on weather conditions and those preferring not to walk can travel with our support vehicle. The accommodation at the haciendas is simple, with foam mattresses provided for sleeping out on the verandahs under overhanging eves. The peace and quiet of the night with its canopy of stars should ensure a good night’s sleep! Tents may be available.

Overnight Simple Hacienda Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we start with a short truck drive before starting a four hour trek (approx 8km) up through an unspoilt land of forest, watereroded valleys, rushing waterfalls and underground rivers. There is pine forest and paths bordered by mahogany and hibiscus. You may see Humming birds flash past, darting from flower to flower searching for nectar. 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 trek on until we reach an isolated, century old hacienda set in a lush valley where we have lunch. In the afternoon our local guide takes us on a circular interpretative trail, discussing the orchids and medicinal plants we find en route. At La Cueva del Altar we walk through a cavern, emerging on the other side of the hill to beautiful views of the Caribbean (approx 1.5km). Later we have supper – enjoying wonderful Cuban hospitality, and settle down for the night. The accommodation is similar to last night’s hacienda.

Overnight Simple Hacienda Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today after a sort ride to the entrance we have a full days drive to Bayamo in South East Cuba. En route we will have a brief stop in Sancti Spiritus for lunch before we continue to Camaguey. We continue towards the beautiful mountains landscapes of the Sierra Maestra to Bayamo.Lying in the Granma Province, this is a region infused with the revolutionary zeal that has been such an integral part of Cuban life since the late 19th century. It was on the beaches of Granma that Fidel landed in December 1956 to start his journey on the long road to freedom, and the mountains inland are scattered with reminders of its revolutionary heritage.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we will continue further into the Sierra Maestra to Bartolome Maso, a small village lying besides the Rio Yara, amongst the cloud forest landscapes of the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, and provides us with an ideal base from which to explore these captivating mountains. On arrival we can either take an invigorating walk or jeeps up the steep asphalt road to Alto de Naranjo from where we start todays walk (950mts). We follow in the famous footsteps of Che, Fidel and the rest of the revolutionary heroes, who for two years fought a protracted guerrilla war amongst these beautiful highlands. For much of 1957 the guerrillas kept on the move, playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Batista’s troops, as they tried to gain a foothold after the unsuccessful uprising against Batista the previous year. Then in 1958 they set up a permanent base in the foothills of Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest peak. This base of operations came to be known as La Comandancia de La Plata (1000mts) and its location deep in the heart of this lush jungle landscape makes it one of the country’s most fascinating and authentic experiences. A remarkable testament to the resolve and spirit of the revolutionaries, it captures a snapshot in time of one of the most pivotal periods in Cuba’s history, one that was to have worldwide repercussions in later years. It was here that Fidel Castro began to formulate his plans for the future of the country and the site presents us with a captivating glimpse of life during those dangerous and heady days of the late ‘50s. There is a small museum and press office, a field kitchen and the command centre itself, complete with a fridge with bullet holes! From here we trek back to Alto de Narango where you can walk or drive down depending on your energy levels to our accommodation. Total walking time: approx 4 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we start with an early drive to Alto de Naranjo where we begin our trek up Pico Turquino (1972m), across the Sierra Maestra. Over the coming days we trek through landscapes that take us from high mountain ridges and through rain forest. Our first day sees us heading east, following the La Plata trail up towards Pico Turquino, crossing landscapes blanketed in pines and mosses, giant ferns and wild orchids to our overnight stop at the Aguada do Joaquim. Please note tonights accomodation is in basic dorm style rooms.

Overnight Simple Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we start our ascent to Pico Turquino (1972m) the highest peak in the country, we will have several rest stops on this climb. If the weather conditions are favourable the views along this section are truly outstanding and at the top of Pico Turquino we can see the bronze bust of Jose Marti, dragged up here by Castro’s charismatic mistress, Celia Sanchez in 1952. Marti was the 19th century hero of the Cuban independence movements and a man who to many is little short of a saint. From here we will return to the Aguada do Joaquim where we will spend the night our second night at the refugio.

Overnight Simple Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we will continue our descent to Alto de Naranjo (8km) from where we will meet our vehicles which will drive us to Bartolome Maso form where we will re join our bus and set out to Santiago which has been at the epicentre of revolutionary ideals since the time of Cespedes. Founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in 1514 the city has been at the heart of Cuban culture and history since its inception. Briefly the country’s capital, it rose to prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries, with first the arrival of Spanish settlers from Jamaica, then French plantation owners from Haiti. The region saw much of the fighting in both wars for independence and it was in Santiago that success against Batista’s forces was finally, and very publicly, acknowledged by Fidel Castro on January 1st 1959. Little wonder then that the city has earned itself the moniker of ‘Hero City of the Republic of Cuba’. The city itself is an eclectic mix of all the best and worst of Cuban life. Its colonial architecture glimmers in attractive shades of pastel, whilst its Afro-Caribbean mix affords it the unmistakable vibrancy of a true city of the revolution. This afternoon we will take a tour of Santiago city, taking in the Plaza de la Revolucion with it’s fine monument to the heroes of the Independence wars and the remarkable cemetery where independence hero José Martí is buried we will also visit the Sta.Ifigenia cemetry. At the Moncada Barracks we visit the site of Castro’s unsuccessful attempt to instigate a general uprising against Batista, an attempt that saw him tried and imprisoned (entrance optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This Morning we set heading back North to the city of Camaguey, on arrival you may wish to take a city tour on one of the local bicitaxi's and we also recommend a visit to the bustling farmers market.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we will start on a full days drive to Havana, stopping on route at Santa Clara to visit Che's Mausoleum, one of Cuba's most  revolutionary landmarks. We will then continue to Havana where we will enjoy a free evening to enjoy the vibrant night life of havana Vieja.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we transfer to Las Terrazas perched on the edge of the Unesco Reserva Biosphera Sierra del Rossario. This entire region is a testament to reforestation, taking an area that has been ravaged by fire and agricultural incompetence and turning it into a bio reserve of staggering diversity. In Las Terrazas we discover some of Cuba’s most diverse and verdant natural landscapes, where we have time to wander through tropical forest and swim in jungle waterfalls. We will have an included lunch here before a free afternoon to relax and explore further.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Our tour ends in Havana after breakfast, although clients travelling back on the group flight to London will have the day free before transferring to the airport later this afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast