CAMINO DE CUBA

Day 1
Start Havana, arriving in the evening and transfer to our hotel. Those not flying with the group from London will meet up with the group at the hotel

Day 2
We have a city tour of old and new Havana, Cuba's capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. This is a busy and bustling, energetic capital. Old Havana is described as a living museum with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces, this is the finest surviving Spanish colonial complex in the Americas. Preserved by a combination of minimal war damage, post revolution restoration work and the millions of dollars invested since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. We also visit the Plaza de la Revolucion with its images of the Cuban Revolution. We will take time to try a Mojito cocktail and lunch (included) in one of Hemingway's old haunts, La Bodeguita del Medio. In the afternoon we drive to Villa Clara province, where our hotel is located on the shores of Lake Hanabanilla in the Escambray Mountain range.

Day 3 - 4
We take a boat across beautiful lake Hanabanilla (approx. 30 minutes) and then have three day walks exploring Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, in the heart of the Escambray Mountains, about 700 metres above sea level. We walk through farmland, local villages and pine forests. One walk will include a visit to El Rocio waterfalls and there will be opportunities to swim in natural river pools. Depending on the time of year the walks are of 5-7 hours duration. Each night will be spent in a different campsite and a Russian truck may be used to get to the start of one of the walks.

Day 5
Drive in Russian 6x6 truck to the starting point of the Caburní trail, which takes us to some magnificent waterfalls with a lovely swimming spot. We then continue on a steep path to visit the Vegas Grandes waterfalls with a brief stop for snack at Julio's farm. We then walk to the hotel which is located in a natural setting where Cuba's national flower, the mariposa blanca or 'white butterfly' lily can often be found. (Approx. 5 hours walking). In the afternoon we have a short drive to Trinidad.

Day 6
We drive to Trinidad to visit this beautiful town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. We have some time sightseeing and exploring the quiet cobbled streets. Exploring Trinidad is like entering a time warp, the cobbled streets and horse drawn transportation take us back to Colonial Times. There are many interesting museums housed in old colonial building to visit. In the afternoon we may have the chance to swim in the Caribbean Sea and lie on the beach. In the evening we recommend a visit to Trinidad's Casa de la Trova for traditional Cuban music and dancing.

Day 7
Today we have the long drive the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, a spectacular national park within Cuba's highest mountain range. This region is well known as Fidel Castro's base of operations during the Cuban Revolutionary War. High in the Sierra is Comandancia La Plata, the secret mountain hideout of Castro and Che Guevara, used for planning the war in the 1950’s and as the base of Radio Rebelde, used to provide information for the revolutionaries.

Day 8
After breakfast we take a short drive to the village of Santo Domingo, nestled deep in the Sierra Maestra. We spend a few hours in the morning exploring the area, mingling with locals or take a short horse trek. After lunch we depart by jeep for the 15 min drive up to Alto de Naranjo, 950m. We spend 9 hours walking to Comandancia La Plata (Fidel's headquarters in the Sierra Maestra). The rest of the afternoon is free to relax.

Day 9
A tough undulating and uphill walk along the stepped Pico Turquino trail takes us to Aguada de Joaquin (altitude 1360m.) for lunch, dinner and overnight stay. (Approx. 5 hours walking).

Day 10
Early breakfast. Climb Joaquins peak (1680m). Rest and then continue along the ridge to Pico Regino (1685m). Then final ascent to Pico Turquino (1974m) crowned by the monument to Jose Marti the Cuban national hero (3 hours ascent, tough for the first 40 minutes then less steep). We then commence our long descent taking 5-6 hours to sea level following stepped paths. We pass Cuba Peak and descend 3-4 hrs to a hut called La Majagua for a late lunch before continuing the final hour down to the coastal road at Las Cuevas. Time for a welcome dip in the Caribbean before we transfer to Santiago de Cuba. Santiago rivals Havana in literature, music and politics, and is rich in traditions, folklore and legends making almost every street corner in the city famous. (Approx 8-9 hours walking).

Day 11
Santiago de Cuba is known as the city of heroes, for the important role it played in Independence and revolutionary struggles. During our time here we visit Revolution Square, El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks - where the opening shots of the revolution were fired on 26 July 1953, when Castro and his men attacked. We will spend today exploring this historic city

Day 12
A long drive as we head further north through Camaguey Province, giving us a chance to see the rural heartland of Cuba. We will pass through citrus and sugar plantations. The land here is very flat, and therefore is ideal for grazing, making this province the largest beef producing region in the island. We visit Camaguey, capital of the province. There will be time to explore the historic city, characterised by tinajones - large, earthen jugs, found in the squares, churches and gardens, originally used to store water during the drought periods. Continue to Villa San Jose del Lago in the Sancti Spiritus province

Day 13
Walk through Jatibonico's mountain range, to Valle Alunado, the moon shaped valley farmed by descendents of tobacco workers who emigrated from the Canary Islands. Continue to Loma del Mirador (414m), Yaguajay municipality's highest mountain. After a picnic lunch in a river canyon and a chance to swim, we drive to Santa Clara, arriving at around 4 this afternoon. Santa Clara was the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution in December 1958, just before Fidel Castro took Havana. Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the revolution.

Day 14
This morning we visit the armoured train museum and the Guevara monument in Santa Clara and then drive for approximately 4 hours back to Havana.

Day 15
Free morning in Havana and those on group flights will be taken to the airport for their return journey to London.

Day 16
Arrive London.