TOUR SUMMARY

• Duration: 15 days starting/finishing in Havana
• Tour focus: Cuban life, local contact and culture, Cuban music and stunning natural highlights
• Accommodation: 14 nights hotels and family stay, twin share
• Transport: flight, bus and minivan
• Group Size: Max 12 + Cuban Adventures tour leader throughout

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Venture amongst the spendorously crumbling architecture in Havana
• Enjoy local Cuban homestays
• Soak up the stunning landscape and outdoor activties of Baracoa
• Feel the beat of Cuba's vibrant local music scene
• Snorkel, dive and swim at Trinidad's stunning white sand beaches

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Havana
Arrive in Havana at any time. Today is the arrival day of the tour so there are no planned activities and you can check into the hotel and relax or go and explore the city. One of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Wander through old Havana and sit on the famous sea wall (malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly 'Habaneros'.

Days 2-4 Baracoa
When Christopher Columbus first encountered Cuba it was here, and he duly noted in his log-book that this was the most beautiful land that human eyes could set upon. You will understand what he meant when you see the beaches and verdant mountain landscape that surround Baracoa. Situated on a beautiful bay with the mountains of the Sierra del Purial in the background, Baracoa was the first settlement founded by the Spanish in Cuba, and was only accessible by sea until the end of the 1960s. There are numerous options for outdoor activities in the nearby mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and beaches. The wide variely of seafood that can be found in Baracoa can be described as nothing short of sumptuous.

Days 5 & 6 Santiago de Cuba
A spectacular drive through lush mountains of eastern Cuban, along the coast, then past the region’s most controversial leasehold of Guantanamo Bay, brings us to Cuba’s second largest city. Santiago de Cuba is known as the “cradle of the Revolution” and is home to much of Cuba’s famed music, like the Son. There are also museums, colonial churches and buildings of more recent historical importance, such as the Moncada Barracks, which are well worth exploring.

Santiago de Cuba has a very vibrant traditional music scene, which will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves. Culturally, Santiago has a different feel to the rest of Cuba, undoubtedly coming from the mix of French speaking slaves from Haiti and its proximity to Jamaica.

Days 7 & 8 Camaguey
Cuba's third largest city lies about half way between Santiago de Cuba and Havana - about a 7 hour bus ride from Santiago de Cuba. Camaguey was designed in the 17th century to disorientate potential invaders such as pirates and plunderers, so the street layout is a jumble of narrow alleys where no two streets are parallel. There are large parks, various private art galleries, and a thriving market garden, and one will enjoy strolling through this city. This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition, and like just about everywhere in Cuba, there is plenty of night time entertainment to be had.

Day 9 to 12 Trinidad
After a 5 hour bus ride we reach the Caribbean Sea and the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad, which is home to numerous churches and many beautiful colonial buildings. We are near the lovely Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) and Playa Ancón, where you can enjoy long stretches of unspoiled, white sand beaches. Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming in waterfalls and horse-riding are other optional activities.
The nightlife in Trinidad is probably the most accessible and intense in all of Cuba, with numerous live music venues and many dance performances everyday of the week, all amongst the enchanting setting of old colonial buildings and the cobblestone streets.

Day 13 Havana via Santa Clara
We return to the capital via Santa Clara, where we visit a huge monument of Ernesto Ché Guevara. Here there is also a museum dedicated to his amazing life, and memorial commemorates his death and that of the revolutionaries who were murdered along with him in Bolivia.

Day 14 Havana
We have one whole day here before our final evening of the tour. Options are to take a walking tour of the Old town with a local guide or to find your own adventure.

Day 15 Departure day
If you have more time to spend in Cuba before flying out, the tour leader can suggest a number of excellent options for spending a few extra days, and give you details on how to get there and where to stay.

Notes - Itineraries for the tour of Cuba can and do change during the course of the year due to a variety of reasons. We are not always able to advise you in advance of these changes. We ask for your understanding and flexibility in these cases.

IS THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

This adventure takes in the best that Cuba, with a huge range of activities and cultural experiences. It is a physically undemanding trip, however some of the long travel days, combined with the very hot, humid, tropical weather, can make it tough at times.

Though it is this uncensored view of Latin America that makes the trip so special and all the more exciting. The hotels used in this trip are generally simple but comfortable and wherever possible, locally run.

The trip focuses on Cuban culture, and the diversity of this stunning Caribbean island with it's unique history. There is also plenty of time to swim, snorkel and pursue individual interests.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE

• All breakfasts
• Tour leader throughout
• Flight from Havana to Baracoa
• All land transport during the itinerary
• All hotel accommodations* (twin share)

 * Additional accommodations can be arranged at the clients' request

PAYING LOCALLY

Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you whilst saving you money. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.