The Ultimate Cuba Tour - Cuba

14-Night Escorted Tour | May 2020 – October 2020

Introduction

A 14-night fully escorted tour that has been carefully designed from over 25 years of experience of tour planning in Cuba.

You will gain a fantastic insight into Cuba, one of the most unique destinations in the world. Our fully escorted tour, led by an experienced guide will cover all the most important sights of the Island, but also allow you to discover the real Cuba!

We have included a number of unique highlights into the tour itinerary that most other tours on the market do not offer.

These include:

• An afternoon cruising the streets of Havana in a chauffeur driven old American car

• A visit to a famous working cigar factory in Havana

• A visit to the fascinating Museum of the Revolution

• Dinner at the restaurant La Fontana in Havana, a unique experience

• A visit to the Las Terrazas National Reserve with a chance to spend time in the local community

• A weekend in Trinidad, when the live music scene is at its best!

• A short trek to La Plata, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes, situated deep in the Sierra Maestra mountains

• A Visit to Santiago De Cuba, a passionate and revolutionary city, home of the Mausoleum of Fidel Castro

• Two nights in Baracoa, one of the best places to visit in Cuba and not on many itineraries!

• Visit the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro at their former farm at Biran

• Wander the streets of enchanting Sancti Spiritus

• A tour to the beautiful El Nicho national park

• A visit to the charming French influenced small colonial city of Cienfuegos

General Information

• This tour has been designed for small groups so to maximise the experience for guests

• Unlike many other tours, this tour is guaranteed to operate when there are 2 or more guests booked, do check with us for latest availability

• This tour operates year-round offering a great choice of departure dates

• The tour will be guided in English throughout • Maximum group size can be up to 21, but usually with an average of 6 to 14 guests

• Minimum age of 14 years old required

• This tour is designed and created by Captivating Cuba, and is marketed by us, other tour operators and travel agents in the UK & Ireland

• As an extension to the tour, it is possible to arrange to continue your journey to the beach resorts of Jibacoa and Varadero, or further afield or alternatively return to Havana for some extra nights at leisure

Itinerary

Sunday | Day 1 - Havana

After a welcome at Havana airport, a transfer will take you to your accommodation confirmed for the tour, well located in Old Havana. Depending on the time of arrival, there may be the chance to take a wander through the local area and sample Havana’s amazing street life before retiring to bed ready for the tour ahead.

Overnight in Havana.

Monday | Day 2 - Havana

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast, you will meet our guide for the first time at your accommodation at 8.30/9.00am and head to one of Havana’s fascinating working cigar factories, to see where Cuba’s famous cigar brands are still hand made by the local workers. Experience first-hand the stages in production from the dried tobacco leaves, to the famous branded boxes being ready for export around the world.

You will then continue to the Museum of the Revolution, housed in the former Presidential Palace offering a fascinating insight into Cuba’s revolutionary history. Lunch will then be served in one of our favourite restaurants in Old Havana.

After lunch, there will be a fascinating, guided leisurely walk through Old Havana, visiting the four famous historical squares, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas. Absorb the atmosphere and amazing vibrancy of Old Havana and explore the narrow bustling streets which many have described as walking through a film set! You will experience an interesting insight into Old Havana where your guide will ensure you have seen the sights but also some hidden, but fascinating locations away from the normal tourist routes.

In the afternoon you will explore the other areas of central Havana in Old American vintage cars. Be chauffeur driven through the city in fantastic vehicles dating back to the 50s, a thrilling way to enjoy this unique city.

The cars will take you to the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, through the downtown Vedado district of the city, and then on a spectacular drive along the Malecon, Havana’s seafront promenade. Next, past the elegant mansions and embassies in Miramar district as the tour then heads further into fascinating residential areas that are far from the main tourist areas. You will then enter the ‘Bosque De La Havana’, a beautiful tropical woodland and park area with the Almendares River running through and known as the lungs of Havana. This area of parkland is a beautiful place to drive through and you can stop to take photos and explore the area.

Your old American cars will drop you at bustling and vibrant tapas bar, visited in 2019 by HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, where there will be an authentic Cuban cocktail making lesson and homemade tapas will be provided for a light meal. With great food and service, it is a fitting end to a fabulous day. For those that would like to visit the world-famous Tropicana open air cabaret show that dates back to the 1930’s, you can pre-book your tickets before arriving in Cuba (or on arrival in Cuba, subject to availability).

For those guests adding this optional extra, after dinner you can head off to the show. Your guide can also recommend bars and music venues in the city for those that might want to enjoy the evening independently.

Overnight in Havana.

Tuesday | Day 3 – Vinales Valley & Las Terrazas

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast, you will leave Havana and head west to the immensely picturesque Vinales Valley, an area protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its outstanding natural beauty, dominated by unusual limestone mountain formations called ‘Mogotes’. 

The valley is also the home of Cuba’s tobacco plantations and during your time in Vinales, there will be a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio cave system, and a visit to a typical tobacco drying house to see how the tobacco crops are turned into the world’s best cigars. A fabulous unique lunch will be served at a local organic farm affording wonderful views across the valley and you can learn a little more about the farm and its organic methods which attracted the attention of President Obama when he visited Cuba.

In the late afternoon you will leave Vinales and head to Las Terrazas National Park an area of outstanding natural beauty which is protected as one of Cuba’s most important National Parks. After settling in at the Moka Hotel for the night, there will be a short tour of the National Reserve, local village and an introduction to the eco-activities and farming practices that take place here.

There will be another unique dinner tonight at the organic vegetarian restaurant in the village which uses only locally sourced organic ingredients.

Overnight in Las Terrazas

Wednesday | Day 4 – Santa Clara & Trinidad

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast, you will leave Las Terrazas and head past Havana, down the very ‘quiet’ motorway towards the east, where our first stop will be to explore Santa Clara, a city of major historical significance in Cuba.

You will visit the final resting place of Che Guevara at the very symbolic mausoleum with time to visit the museum dedicated to his life, as well as Tren Blindado, a small museum and the iconic remains of the government train that was attacked by Che Guevara and his revolutionaries, a significant turning point in the Cuba Revolution. The city itself has a delightful, small colonial centre and enjoys a large student population who add to the vibrant and friendly nature of this important Cuban city.

A light lunch will be offered in a local restaurant in the centre before you take the picturesque road through the Escambray Mountains towards Sugar Mill Valley where the 145ft Manaca Iznaga Tower stands as a silent witness to Cuba’s history of slavery where over 30,000 slaves worked in the sugar plantations overlooked by the tower! A ghostly visit. As the day draws to a close you will head along the picturesque road to Trinidad, preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, for a two-night stay and dinner will await in one of our chosen casa particular restaurants.

Overnight in Trinidad.

Thursday | Day 5 - Trinidad

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast there will be a comprehensive tour of the center of Trinidad including a visit to the History Museum focusing on a family’s life in Cuba in the 1800s, and the you can sample the unique Trinidad rum and sugar cane cocktail at La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th Century, beware delicious but very strong!

After lunch in a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon will be free to relax in the city, or perhaps take a taxi to the nearby Caribbean beach of Playa Ancon and enjoy the beach and perhaps even sunset there. Dinner tonight will be at a local private restaurant. It is the final evening in Trinidad, and dancing to local live music is a must so feel free to visit one of Trinidad’s growing number of bars and listen to some excellent live music!

Overnight in Trinidad.

Friday | Day 6 - Bayamo

Breakfast at accommodation.

An early departure today as you leave Trinidad and travel alongside the foothill of the Escambray Mountains and head towards the east known locally as ‘Oriente’. The journey takes you through central Cuba where the flatlands allow for large government farms producing sugar cane and a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables.

The journey passes through many towns and villages with bustling and fascinating street life.

Along with coffee stops, lunch will be taken at a local restaurant along the way before arriving at the picturesque small city of Bayamo. Known locally as ‘La Heroica’ due to its long history of revolutionary battles against the Spanish in the 19th Century and Batista’s troops during the last revolution.

On arrival there will be the opportunity to enjoy a short walking tour of this picturesque and friendly city. The tour focuses on the leafy square of Parque Cespedes, named after the ‘Father of Cuba’, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, born overlooking the square. In fact, he announced Cuba’s first independence from Spanish rule in the same square in 1868. Overnight in Bayamo.

Saturday | Day 7 – Sierra Maestra Mountains & Santiago de Cuba

Breakfast at accommodation.

This morning you will travel deep into the Sierra Maestra Mountains, passing small farmhouses and villages with wonderful mountain scenery. Later in the morning, you will arrive at Villa Santo Domingo, nestled deep in the mountains with views to Cuba’s highest and most sacred mountain, Pico Turquino.

Upon arrival, the jeeps will take you higher into the mountains for a walk deep into the forests to La Plata**, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes. You can discover the various hidden buildings including Fidel’s actual house and the radio station from where they launched the Revolution. Continuing the trail, there is an option to visit the tiny mountain community of La Platica.

Upon your return to the beautiful and peaceful tiny mountain village, lunch will be served, then there will be a little time to relax and explore or wander along the river and watch the day draw to a close over the mountains, before setting off to Santiago de Cuba one of the most important cities in Cuba. After your evening arrival into Santiago de Cuba, you can settle in at your accommodation and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant at your leisure.

Overnight in Santiago de Cuba

Sunday | Day 8 – Santiago de Cuba

Breakfast at accommodation. After breakfast, you will spend the day with a full exploration of Santiago de Cuba, a city of crucial importance throughout Cuba’s history.

Visit the Moncada Barracks, the location for what many describe as the start of the Revolution and the small Museum that depicts Fidel Castro’s attack on the barracks on 26th July 1953. Next visit the central square, Parque Cespedes, surrounded by historic buildings, including the Ayuntamiento, where Fidel Castro gave his victory speech when the revolution was won in January 1959.

There will also be a visit to the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, a most important site in Cuba and the final resting place of Fidel Castro, one of the world’s most recognised leaders. His simple, but powerful mausoleum is constantly guarded and there will be a chance to stay for the impressive changing of the guard ceremony.

The cemetery also contains the final resting place of Cuba’s national hero Jose Marti, as well as a number of other important revolutionary and historical figures including the Bacardi family. There will then be a visit to Calle Heredia, one of the city’s liveliest streets, Padre Pico Street, made famous by the intense games of draughts played by the locals.

A visit to Santiago de Cuba cannot miss the Castillo del Morro, a historical fortress offering fantastic views across the Caribbean Sea and the impressive Sierra Maestra mountains. Enjoy a traditional Cuban lunch at a restaurant next to the fortress offering stunning views of the coastal scenery. In the evening, dinner will be served in the hotel and the remainder of the evening will be free to relax, and maybe wander through the centre of Santiago de Cuba or visit a local music club such as the famous Casa de la Trova.

Overnight in Santiago de Cuba.

Monday | Day 9 – Guantanamo & Baracoa

Breakfast at accommodation.

Departing the hotel early in the morning, you will take one of the most interesting and spectacular drives in Cuba. Firstly, you will head to the city of Guantanamo made famous globally for two very different reasons, firstly the ballad Guantanamera taken from a poem written by Cuba’s national hero Jose Marti and secondly, for the US base and now Camp X Ray only 15 miles from the city. You will stop in the city where you can sense the presence of the nearby base!

The tour will continue along the very south-eastern tip of Cuba where at times the scenery is almost desertlike, and then you will take ‘La Farola’ to Baracoa. Before 1965, Baracoa was reached from Santiago only by boat, but a Revolutionary feat of engineering secured a road across the mountains on which you will travel. The scenery is amazing, and you will make some stops to admire the view. Look out for local farmers selling fresh fruit and cocoa at the roadside!

Close to Baracoa lunch will be served on a picturesque and unspoilt beach with time to take a paddle or swim! On arrival to Baracoa there will be time to relax and unpack before an early evening stroll through the picturesque centre of Baracoa, reputedly the place where Christopher Columbus first landed in Cuba and where they say the remains of his cross still lie in a local church.

After dinner at the hotel, you will have the chance to relax in one of the local music bars where you can mix with the locals, some of the friendliest in Cuba.

Overnight in Baracoa.

Tuesday | Day 10 - Baracoa

Breakfast at accommodation. After breakfast, you will travel to Rio Toa, Cuba’s wildest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve. There will be a chance to enjoy an exhilarating boat ride up the river through some spectacular scenery of this remote part of Cuba.

The day will continue with a visit to Finca Duaba. Lunch will be served at this Cuban farm which is surrounded by lush tropical scenery and the location of Cuba’s cocoa plantations. Take a guided walk through the farm and learn a little more about Baracoa’s famous chocolate production.

Late afternoon, you will return to Baracoa with time to relax at the hotel. After dinner at a local restaurant, you can enjoy the local sights and sounds of Baracoa at night at your leisure!

Overnight in Baracoa.

Wednesday | Day 11 – Biran & Holguin

Breakfast at accommodation.

You will leave Baracoa today and head back over the spectacular La Farola road towards Santiago de Cuba before heading north across the island towards Holguin province. An interesting road that, after leaving the motorway, passes through many pleasant towns and villages before you stop at the tiny village of Biran in the foothills of the Nipe Mountains. Biran is the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro who both became iconic world leaders and you will see the house where the brothers were born, which is also the final resting place of their parents. A very traditional Cuban lunch will be served in a local countryside restaurant offering excellent home cooked cuisine from Eastern Cuba.

The journey will continue to Holguin, founded in 1545 and now one of the largest cities on the island. After checking into the centrally located hotel there will be a little free time. In the evening there will be a visit to ‘Loma De La Cruz’ a local hill affording excellent views across the city which at night is a very picturesque location. You can climb the 458 steps to the top for those looking for a pre-dinner workout, for the rest, we can take you up in the vehicle. Dinner will be served in the pleasant and simple hilltop restaurant.

Overnight in Holguin

Thursday | Day 12 – Holguin & Camaguey

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast this morning, the tour leaves Holguin and travel west towards Camaguey passing through the quieter Las Tunas province and the small provincial capital of Las Tunas. After an interesting drive through many smaller Cuban towns and villages, on arrival into Camaguey lunch will be served in a local restaurant in the city.

Camaguey is known for its delightful pedestrianised colonial centre with a maze of alleyways and shaded plazas, as well as an abundance of historic and ornate cathedrals, some with a very European design. After lunch there will be a tour of Camaguey where you can discover why the colonial centre was established so differently from other Cuban cities and enjoy learning more about this hidden gem that is less visited in Cuba.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the city and dinner tonight will be available in the hotel.

Overnight in Camaguey.

Friday | Day 13 – Sancti Spiritus

Breakfast at accommodation. The journey today continues to Sancti Spiritus, one of the smaller cities in Cuba and one that features an attractive colonial centre and uniquely a river running through the city. Sancti Spiritus is a delightful, quieter place to spend a day and on arrival you will enjoy a short tour of the colonial centre and lunch will be served. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the city and its peaceful squares and historic streets.

In the evening there will be a fun opportunity to head to a local casa to assist in preparing a traditional Cuban meal, you will then get to enjoy this authentic home cooking, alongside some insightful conversation about food and Cuban life in general with the local members of the casa. Overnight in Sancti Spiritus.

Saturday | Day 14 – El Nicho & Cienfuegos

Breakfast at accommodation.

An early departure from Sancti Spiritus takes you towards Cienfuegos, with a visit en-route to El Nicho Park, a marvel of nature, with waterfalls and natural pools in an area, hidden among the mountains and one of the most beautiful spots in Cuba. A paradise which combines the green of the vegetation, rivers, the Black Creek waterfalls, where water can plunge more than 30 meters, and you will reach the area by taking a very scenic route through many quaint rural villages.

During the tour, you can take numerous walking paths with ‘El Reino de las Aguas’, a gentle hiking trail of 2 km (1.2 miles). Observe the flora and fauna and enjoy swimming in the cool river pools at the end of the walk as well as a rustic local lunch which will be served at the falls.

After visiting El Nicho, you will continue on to the French influenced small colonial city of Cienfuegos, which sits overlooking a picturesque bay. On arrival there will be time to take a stroll through the colonial centre and along the seafront ‘malecon’ promenade. Tonight, the last night of an amazing adventure through Cuba, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Cienfuegos

Sunday | Day 15 – Cienfuegos & Havana

Breakfast at accommodation.

After breakfast and some free time in Cienfuegos, you will head to Havana with the first stop at the airport for those taking flights home or to onward destinations such as Miami, Mexico, The Cayman Islands, Toronto. There will also be the opportunity to stay for extra nights in Havana city or the nearby beach areas of Jibacoa and Varadero, and you will be dropped at your accommodation after the stop at Havana Airport. Please talk to us to get inspiration and discuss ideas if you wish to continue your holiday. Tour concludes.

Holiday Name : The Ultimate Cuba Tour 
Reference : CAP

Accommodation Included

• Havana 2 nights at a recommended casa particular or Iberostar Parque Central both on B&B basis**

• Las Terrazas 1 night at the Moka Hotel on HB basis

• Trinidad 2 nights at a recommended casa particular (night 1 HB, night 2 B&B basis)

• Bayamo 1 night at the Royalton Hotel, on HB basis

• Santiago 2 nights at the Melia Santiago, on HB basis

• Baracoa 2 nights at the El Castillo Hotel or similar (night 1 HB, night 2 BB)

• Holguin 1 night at the Hotel Caballeriza on B&B basis

• Camaguey 1 night at the Gran Hotel or similar, on HB basis

• Sancti Spiritus 1 night at the Hotel El Rjjo or similar on HB basis

• Cienfuegos 1 night at the Hotel Union or similar on BB basis

If you would prefer alternative accommodation, please contact us.

Transportation and Guide Included

• All transportation as required in the itinerary using fully air-conditioned transportation

• The services of an English-speaking guide from Day 1 to lunchtime on Day 6

• The services of an English-speaking guide from lunchtime Day 6 until Day 15

Restaurant Lunches and Dinners Included

Breakfast is included throughout the tour and will be taken at your accommodation.

• Day 2 Lunch at La Imprenta Restaurant, Havana or similar Light Tapas at Jibaro Bar, Havana

• Day 3 Lunch at Organic Farm Restaurant, Vinales Las Terrazas Dinner at La Romero Organic Vegetarian Restaurant, Las Terrazas

• Day 4 Light Lunch at a local restaurant Santa Clara Dinner at chosen Casa Particular Restaurant, Trinidad

• Day 5 Lunch at El Barracon inTrinidad or similar Dinner at Local Private Restaurant, Trinidad

• Day 6 Lunch at local restaurant, Camaguey Dinner at Hotel Royalton, Bayamo

• Day 7 Lunch at Villa Santo Domingo Hotel, Sierra Maestra Mountains Dinner at Hotel Melia Santiago De Cuba, Santiago De Cuba

• Day 8 Lunch at Morro Castle restaurant Santiago De Cuba Dinner at Hotel Melia Santiago De Cuba, Santiago De Cuba

• Day 9 Lunch at Manglito beach restaurant, Baracoa Dinner at hotel restaurant, Baracoa

• Day 10 Lunch at Finca Duaba restaurant, Baracoa Dinner at Buen Sabor restaurant, Baracoa

• Day 11 Lunch at Finca Biran restaurant, Biran Dinner at Loma De La Cruz restaurant, Holguin

• Day 12 Lunch at Campana de Toledo restaurant, Camaguey Dinner at Gran Hotel, Camaguey

• Day 13 Lunch at local restaurant, Sancti Spiritus Dinner at casa particular, Sancti Spiritus

• Day 14 Lunch at El Nicho Natural Park A farewell dinner at a specially chosen local restaurant in Cienfuegos

Entrances Included

• Day 2 Cigar Factory, Havana

• Day 2 Museum of the Revolution, Havana

• Day 2 Old American Car Tour, Havana

• Day 2 Cocktail making lesson Havana

• Day 3 El Indio Limestone Cave System, Vinales Valley

• Day 3 Tobacco Drying House, Vinales Valley

• Day 3 Las Terrazas Nacional Park, Las Terrazas

• Day 4 Che Guevara’s Museum and Mausoleum, Santa Clara

• Day 4 Tren Blindado, Santa Clara

• Day 4 Manaca Iznaga, Sugar Mill Valley, Trinidad

• Day 5 History Museum, Trinidad

• Day 5 La Canchanchara, Trinidad

• Day 7 Entrance to Sierra Maestra National Park, Sierra Maestra

• Day 7 Entrance to La Plata Revolutionary Base, Sierra Maestra

• Day 8 Entrance to Moncada Barracks, Santiago de Cuba

• Day 8 Entrance to Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, Santiago de Cuba

• Day 9 Entrance to Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba

• Day 10 Entrance to Finca Duaba, Baracoa

• Day 11 Entrance to Casa de Fidel, Biran

• Day 14 Entrance to El Nicho National Park

Important Information

Guide services commence (i.e. the point at which the tour becomes ‘escorted’) from day 2 at approx. 9am. Guide services conclude (i.e. the point at which the tour stops being ‘escorted’) on the morning of day 12

• Any timings and order of activities provided are for guidance only, and may vary considerably due to local availability, constraints and demand

• As our tours are set up many months in advance, changes can occur to accommodation, restaurants and places to be visited as a result of changes in the local provision of services in Cuba. This is especially apparent in the winter season as Cuba continues to cope and change as a result of unprecedented global demand for the island, as well as a rapidly emerging USA visitor market that is both politically and commercially important to the Cuban Government and Tourism Authorities

• Please refer to the end of this document for important information on required mobility and fitness required for this tour. Please talk to us if you have any concerns and we can advise you further

• On rare occasions, where this tour departs with six passengers or less, there will be a dedicated guide service in each location visited rather than the same guide travelling with the group throughout the tour. In this instance guides will be very experienced English-speaking specialists. Customers will be informed before departure if the tour will be operating with local guides instead of one guide throughout.

Not Included

•Dinner on arrival day

• Lunch or dinner on last day

• Tips (discretionary)

• Drinks (soft drinks/alcohol)

• Services of a porter / assistance carrying baggage

• Laundry

• Telephone calls, WIFI / internet

• Local camera / filming fees

• Costs when on ‘free time’ e.g. taxis arranged locally or optional extras

• Travel insurance / medical insurance

From Guide Price ,
All prices and details are subject to change and availability.
Prices start from £2,495

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