CYCLING CUBA

Day 1
Fly to Havana.

Day 2
Yumuri Valley. After breakfast visit the dominating Plaza de la Revolucion, with its images of the Cuban Revolution, whilst Buicks and Pontiacs cruise past with gleaming chrome and extravagant fins. We also visit El Capitolio; the famous National Capitol Building, which is superficially similar to United Sates Capitol in Washington D.C. Heading out of Havana, we transfer to Hershey Gardens where we can sort out the bikes. Our first ride is through Havana's province to the Yumuri Valley - this is a relatively easy ride to ease us into the holiday and help stretch those legs after a long flight. The route is almost flat and there are plenty of rural villages. Lunch is at "Rancho Gaviota" and after the end of the ride there is a short transfer to the hotel. If there is time it may be possible to visit the city of Matanzas (10km from the hotel). Ride approx. 31km. Transfer approx. 70km.

Day 3
Bay of Pigs. Transfer from the hotel to starting point (80km approx.) Riding through Matanzas province, the landscape is full of sugar cane and citrus plantations and the life, though hard, is quiet in the villages. Once we past the Australia Sugar Factory (where Fidel Castro set up his headquarters for the Bay of Pigs crisis) you enter the Cienaga de Zapata. The road is flat and is skirted by the swamp, once full of crocodiles. We pass Guama Crocodile farm and stop for a visitn and lunch. Continue on to the Bay of Pigs for overnight at Playa Giron, site of the failed invasion by CIA-backed Cuban Americans. Many of the beaches here are ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Ride approx. 64km. Transfer approx. 80km.

Day 4
To Cienfuegos. Continuing south to cross the island, our route today covers a variety of landscapes. We ride through the biggest swamps of Cuba (Zapata's Peninsula), and then cut through agricultural routes to reach the main road towards Cienfuegos. This is a day for discovering the rural heart of Cuba as we pass through small communities dedicated to agriculture and charcoal production. There is hardly any traffic on the route today and roads are a mixture of poor quality tarmac and compacted earth. At Entronque de Abreus we stop cycling and continue by bus to Cienfuegos Ride approx. 64km. Transfer approx. 90km.

Day 5
Trinidad. Today's ride takes us along the coast to Trinidad. This beautiful town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and is perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. There are many interesting museums, housed in old colonial buildings. Exhibits range from natural history and Indian artefacts in the Museo de Arqueologia Guamuhaya, to maps, photos and weapons relating to the struggles against counterrevolutionary gangs. A city tour with visit to "Palacio Cantero" and Museo Romantico, the city museum, is included. Ride approx. 87km.

Day 6
Catamaran trip. A change of pace today as we board a catamaran to explore the south coast of Cuba. We embark from the beach of Playa Ancon and sail across the Bay of Casilda to a small island, for a seafood lunch of fresh fish, lobster and shrimp amongst tame iguanas (lunch included). There is time for relaxation, snorkelling on virgin coral reefs and enjoying the Caribbean life! In the late afternoon we return to Trinidad for a second night, an evening visit to 'Casa de la Trova' is recommended for traditional Cuban music and salsa dancing.

Day 7
To Sancti Spiritus. Riding from the hotel we head inland towards the city of Sancti Spiritus. The road rises and falls through the beautiful scenery of the Alturas de Banao, where a mixture of coffee and cows are farmed, passing the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) which was once Cuba's most important sugar producing area. At the village of Manaca Iznaga we can stop to visit the farm house and the famous "run away slaves' tower, for a small entrance fee you can climb the 136 steps and enjoy the view. Once we've reached Sancti Spiritus, we enjoy some free time in the town's colonial centre and then transfer to Camaguey. Ride approx. 67km. Transfer approx. 190km.

Day 8
Granma Province. After an optional city tour of Camaguey, including the main plazas and the farmer's market (cost approx. CUC3), we now head towards the southern end of the island, and the day continues with a transfer to Las Tunas. Here we saddle up to ride across this lively and busy small city before continuing to Bayamo. This is the province of Granma, one of the island's most important regions from a revolutionary point of view and consisting mainly of the floodplain of the river Cauto (Cuba's longest). The area contains many sugar cane and rice plantations, and lies below the Sierra Maestra Mountains. The charming city of Bayamo is the capital of the province, and has a pleasant, relaxed ambience full of poignant monuments and revolutionary atmosphere. Ride approx. 63km. Transfer approx. 180km.

Day 9
Sierra Maestra mountains. Ride from Bayamo into the Sierra Maestra. As we head deep into the mountains, today's route is dominated by Pico Bayamesa (at 1,730m above sea level it is Cuba's third tallest peak). This is an area of stunning natural beauty and is rarely visited by tourists. After passing through numerous villages we reach our hotel. Ride approx. 67 km.

Day 10
To Santiago. The route today is quite long so is broken into a couple of riding stretches with transfers. Following an undulating country road through the foothills we head to Contramaestre, an attractive and lively local town devoid of tourists. A short transfer from here to Palma Soriano, then it's back on the bikes to ride to El Cobre. Those who wish can transfer from here, but you should feel fit enough now to make it all the way to Santiago! Santiago is rich in traditions, folklore and legends, making almost every street corner in the city famous. But it is at night that Santiago really comes alive. Ride to El Cobre approx. 65km (to Santiago approx. 83km). Transfer approx. 50km.

Day 11
Santiago. Santiago de Cuba is known as the city of heroes, for the important role it played in Independence and Revolutionary struggles. The morning is spent sightseeing, including the Moncada Barracks - where the opening shots of the revolution were fired on 26 July 1953 when Castro and his men attacked the barracks. There is a rich tradition of dance, music and festivals, largely based on the Afro-Cuban population. Late afternoon transfer to Holguin city. Transfer approx 135kms.

Day 12
To Camaguey. Today we have a short transfer after breakfast to Aguas Claras, our day's start point. Riding along quiet roads, one of the most beautiful rides of the holiday, we make our way to the small town of Maniabon via the north coast. From here we transfer 145km to Camaguey, the capital of the province. Ride approx. 64km.

Day 13
Majagua. We transfer after breakfast to the town of Majagua and enjoy a final cycle ride to the rural setting of Mayajigua, our base for tonight. The route today will be challenging as we make our way over the northern range of hills, but the support vehicle is on hand just in case! Ride approx. 55km. Transfer approx. 180km.

Day 14
Havana via Remedios. Today is a long day so we leave Mayajigua early in the morning and return by road to Havana first via Remedios, one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Cuba, then Santa Clara to visit the Che mausoleum and armoured train exhibition. The evening is free to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Havana. Transfer approx. 350km.

Day 15
Today there is a city tour of old Havana, described as a living museum, with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. We will lunch at the famous Hemingway haunt La Bodeguita del Medio, and have the chance to buy his favourite Mojito cocktail (made with rum, lemon, mint and sugar).We transfer to the airport for those on the group flight to London. Passengers travelling independently will leave the group in Havana.

Day 16
Arrive London.