CAMINO DE CUBA

16 days from GBP1,649 to GBP2,149 including flights

Tripcode: TAC

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly London to Havana, arriving in the evening. Those not flying with the group from London will meet up with the group at the hotel. We transfer to our hotel in the heart of old Havana.
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 little 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 - 5: We take a boat across beautiful lake Hanabanilla (approx. 30 minutes) and then have two daywalks 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 exuberant 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. 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. Then continue on a steep path to visit the Vegas Grandes waterfalls with a brief stop for snack at Patato's farm. Lunch at Julio's cave (a local farmer) and 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).
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. There are many interesting museums, housed in old colonial buildings, with exhibits ranging from natural history and Indian artefacts in the Museo de Arqueologia Guamuhaya, to maps, photos and weapons relating to the struggles against counterrevolutionary gangs. In the afternoon we may even have a rare chance to swim in the Caribbean 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: Long drive to 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 Commandancia 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: Breakfast then depart by jeep for the 15 min drive up to Alto de Naranjo, 950m. Walk to Commandancia La Plata (Fidel's headquarters in the Sierra Maestra). Approx 3 hrs walking. The afternoon is free to relax, horse ride and/or swim in the river.
Day 9: Breakfast and then jeep to Alto de Naranjo. A tough undulating and uphill walk along the stepped Pico Turquino trail takes us to Aguarda de Joaquin (altitude 1360m.) for lunch, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Early breakfast at 0600. 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). Now commences 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. But it is at night that Santiago really comes alive. (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. After lunch we drive north to Villa Pinares de Mayari, 26 km from the town of Mayari, in the Sierra Cristal mountain range.
Day 12: In this area of cool mountain temperatures rainforest grows adjacent to pine forest. After a truck ride we walk through mixed forest and coffee plantations to El Guayabo waterfall - the highest and the most beautiful in Cuba. The nearby Altiplanice de Nipe, a flat-topped massif, was where Fidel Castro spent a lot of his time in his youth. We continue by truck to Hacienda La Mensura and visit the exotic animal centre where Guapeti, black antelope and deer are bred. Return to the Hotel.
Day 13: 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 14: Walk through Jatibonico's mountain range, to Valle del Alunao, 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. Continue to Jatibonico's river for a picnic lunch and swim. Drive back to the Hotel for a swim in the thermal pool and free time. (Approx. 5 hours walking).
Day 15: Drive to Santa Clara city. 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. We visit the armoured train museum and the monument of Che Guevara. Continue on to Havana, arriving in the late afternoon with free time in the capital for last minute souvenir shopping and a final chance to soak up the atmosphere of old Havana. We take an evening flight to London. Those not flying with the group will leave us in Havana.
Day 16: Arrive London.