Camino de Cuba

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 29 reviews.

Jan Hall

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written April 2013
A fascinating but hectic experience of both nature and culture. The walking becomes increasingly more challenging despite relatively modest distances. I found the trip to be quite expensive with a good proportion of meals not included and little opportunity to fend for yourself.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Sierra Maestra mountains (both the trek to Pico Torquino and the visit to Fidel's command centre). However, the country is so different from Britain that there is always something of interest, whether walking, travelling (looking out the window) or sight-seeing in one of the historic towns.
What did you think of your group leader?
Tony was friendly and very knowledgable, imparting lots of information, but I was not always able to hear everything he said over the microphone on the minibus.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring cleansing gel and lots of wet wipes for your hands as many of the toilets do not flush and sometimes there is no running water. If there is water, be prepared for it to be cold!
Make sure you have and keep plenty of small denomination coins - you will need it for tips everywhere you go, including the toilet!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I enjoyed all the walking but it was all inland. Since Cuba is an island, perhaps a coastal route could be included in the itinery?
venetia stent

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written February 2013
A very interesting trip with 7 days of walking although only 2 were tough and visiting the historic towns of Cuba, We saw an amazing amount in the 2 weeks, A great value holiday without any hassle.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of Pico Turquino was a great feeling as we had started at 5.10am in the dark and got to the top at 8am.
The cocktails were wonderful, not that alcoholic or perhaps we just got used to them, mojitos and pina colada.
Havana was fantastic exploring the old town and Central Havana.
Visiting Santa Clara, Che's mausoleum and the Sierra Maestra commando camp were interesting and made one want to know more about Che as a person.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader Freddy, was particularly fantastic we all thought he was amazing organizing meals for us when we had free time, taking us to clubs for music and salsa, an excellent spotter and identifier of birds and above all so patient.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Must take wet wipes for time at bunk houses and when water systems fail. Be prepared for food that is not great, except on a few meals which were the highlight, lobster in Trinidad,
A head torch essential if using poles for the climb of Pico turquino.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We all loved staying in the old style hotels although there was not always availability, so had to prepared for hotels although clean not that great atmospherically. Soviet style utalitarian,
It would be good if Exodus had a link up with a school in the east of Cuba which we could have visited.
helen wallbank
CAMINO DE CUBA

Written February 2013
Cuba is different. Probably different from anywhere you’ve been before, and that’s what makes the trip worthwhile. It’s fascinating because of the history of the island, and to see just how the society does, or in more acurately, doesn’t function.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
In researching this holiday I read many times, ‘Go and go now.’ Tourism has been promoted for about 15 years now, as a result Cuba is changing. If you want to see life in a time capsule then the advice is good. If you’re at all interested in the history, curious as to why the American government is so hostile, want to see a place which has no advertising (there’s nothing to buy), and, away from the towns, more horse drawn vehicles than motors, then you’ll love it.
What did you think of your group leader?
On the history part, our tour guide, Alex, was brilliant. He gave us the full whack from the original natives, through the Spanish colonisation, the introduction of sugar cane and slavery, the war of independence, the president/dictator period, the American involvement, the revolution, the mass exodus of the wealthy to the US, the soviet involvement, the American embargoes, the terrible effect of the soviet collapse, finally to modern day, and the adoption of tourism as a way out of their economic problems.
It sounds dry stuff but it helped pass the time on the coach journeys. It also gives you the background as to why the multiracial, multicoloured populace all mix-in together now without any colour predudice, why most of them revere the Castros (Che, of course, is regarded as a demigod), and why Cuba is as it is. The fact that they have put two fingers up at the US for over 50 years and are still surviving, is awesome.
Alex was a great guide; intelligent, informative, fun, and drop-dead gorgeous.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a money belt and change at least half your cash when you reach your first hotel. Thereafter you will be leaving/arriving at the hotels when the cambio offices are closed.
Take a lot of muesli/energy bars.
Take a torch and wet wipes.
Mossies like me, but whilst I didn’t find them to be a problem here, one of our group was bitten very badly; mossies or something else, I don’t know. Be safe, use repellant on legs and cover-up at dusk.
I found walking poles a necessity.
I wouldn’t bother with extra nights in Havana. In a day and a half you will see all that there is to see.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There are downsides to this trip;
Eco tourism is pretty new. The camping and bunkhouses were as expected- very primitive, but I hadn’t expected the majority of the hotels we stayed in to be so poor. The bed linen was clean, even so I checked my bed for bed-bugs each night (it’s a habit since a bad experience in France) I didn’t find any, and actually I don’t think that Cuba has a bad name for them, but I did see some pretty awful mattresses.
It’s not cheap. Two of us spent £600 on meals, drinks, entry fees, and tips.
The food is poor; very high on carbs and very monotonous. You’ll be sick of rice & beans and if you’re vegetarian, you’ll be clucking by the time you leave. The private restaurants are way better, get your guide to take you to as many as possible.
There are long coach journeys through not very interesting countryside, though you do see how they live and work.
The walking is tough for this grade. I’m quite fit but found it hard work because of the humidity. Also the stepped paths in the Srra. Maestra were made for people with much longer legs than me. Quite a few of our group didn’t do the final push up to Pico Turquino; it was bad weather and getting to base camp was tough enough.
All of which would count for nothing if the scenery had been good enough. For me it wasn’t. The best part of the trip was around Vinales in the west. It’s pretty, with very interesting limestone formations. The rest was fairly unspectacular walking, though of course there’s the other aspect; the old colonial town of Trinidad, and the jungle hideout of Che and the Castros. etc.
This trip does allow you to visit the real Cuba, and see how the people live in a totalitarian, communist country. If you’re looking for something different, then go. Am I glad I went? I think so.
Phil Brookes

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written December 2012
Amazing introduction to Cuba - its people, history, scenery, music and rum! Couldn't have been a better mixture of walking, eating, drinking, chatting, sightseeing - perfect!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My first swim in the Carib sea, finding lion fish under rocks and a stingray just a few feet offshore, and the accompanying perfect sunset!
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan-Carlos is The Man - accept no other! Friendly, informed, flexible, patient, cheerful, encouraging - all you want from a guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trekking is harder than it sounds - Pico Turquino is under 2000m but it's a hard, sweaty, sticky slog, mostly on slippy muddy steps - in many ways I found Kili in October an easier walk. Also you WILL be scammed - not huge amounts of money but it's relentless - be prepared, be cheerful, and remember we are FAR richer than virtually EVERYONE you'll see.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just do it! Cuba is a unique place, but will change fast once the American embargo is lifted. It'll still be a wonderful destination (cars, climate, rum, music etc!) but now's the time to catch it.
Judy Robinson

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written December 2012
A trip incorporating some very tough walks, early mornings and long days. Unfortunately, for me, not as enjoyable as I had hoped although Cuba as a country is great. Whole trip felt quite hectic - read the trip notes carefully!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Cuban people and the feeling of safety whether in the country or city. Visiting Castro's hideout in the Sierra Maestra and learning about the revolution and other Cuban history. Spending a day on a catamaran trip out to a small coral reef and "iguana island". Finding our way around Havana for a couple of days, just enough to start to "feel" the city and enjoy everything it has to offer.
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan Carlos was excellent. We learnt so much from him and he was always ready to answer questions. It's always good to hear points of view from a local person.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As above, read the trip notes very carefully. The hikes up/down Pico Turquino are arduous to say the least (I elected not to go to the very top) mostly on uneven rough steps. Take walking poles and don't attempt this trip if your knees might be a problem. 95% of this walk is in forest so don't expect much in the way of views. We had to carry our own hike luggage from La Platica to the car park (about 1km mostly steep uphill). Those that went to the top had to be ready to walk at 5am and we finished that day at La Platica around 5pm with an hour for lunch. The bunkhouse at Aguada de Joaquin is VERY basic, probably the worse I have ever stayed in. The loo absolutely stank and made many of us feel very queasy. There is no water apart from bottled drinking water - take antiseptic gel, wet wipes and tissue/loo paper. The humidity means nothing dries overnight, be prepared to wear sweaty, dirty clothes for a couple of days.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have to admit I was in the minority - most of the others would not be so harsh about this trip. Walking in Vinales was lovely but the other 2 areas were hard work. We were up most days at 6.45 - luxury in Havana not to rise until 8! Didn't really get as much interaction with Cubans as I would have liked, not the sort of walking where you just met people en-route. Vinales offered some great views but not really so with the other hiking. Cuba is not the place to see wildlife. We saw a few birds and a tame tree rat but that's pretty much it apart from iguanas, tree rats and hermit crabs on our island trip. I loved swimming in the sea and would have liked more opportunity to do that. I was also hoping to get a salsa lesson or two but it just didn't happen. I don't think anybody could relate to the "B" trip grading. The walks are definitely more strenuous than this indicates and overall it is a busy, tiring trip. I certainly had wonderful moments and would recommend Cuba but unfortunately this was not the right trip for me. I would have preferred longer more scenic walks at a lower level and more time in the evenings to relax. It was hotter than I expected for December with temps regularly in the 30s and humidity of 65% which made the walking very hard work. Try to drink even more than you are given for each walk - buy extra.
Celia Cornell

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written December 2012
This trip lived up to my expectations of being a challenging trek and providing lots of cultural experiences.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Initially, I thought I would not be able to manage the Pico de Tourquino hike but the first few days walking helped me gain confidence in my ability. On the day, we set off from the mountain hut at 5am with torches to begin our ascent. It was tough but our guide Jorge set a good pace and we were all able to keep up. Reaching the summit and having our group photo taken by the statue of Jose Marti made up for the sore muscles. It has to be said that going back down was almost as difficult.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader, Juan Carlos, was great. He had a keen sense of humour, was always cheerful, and managed to keep the group happy. He dealt with the various setbacks, ie hotel closures and changes to accommodation, so that the group understood the need for the 'changes to plan'. He organised entertainment for us wherever possible and introduced us to the Cuban way of life.
Our guides in the three walking areas were also very good, especilly Jorge in the Sierra Maestra. He constantly cheered us on with talk of 'undulations' and helped us to reach the peak. He was very knowledgable on the plant and bird life in the national park.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
travellers should understand that there are times when things don't go to plan in Cuba. One needs to be adaptable and to be prepared for last minute changes. The accommodations were mostly of the highest quality, especially in Camaguey and Havanna. However, the mountain huts were very basic, thankfully only for 2 nights.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
As most goods such as clothing and toiletries are very expensive for Cubans, try to take some small items as gifts for hotel staff and guides.
Richard Beale

CAMINO DE CUBA

Written November 2012
A fascinating trip which combined trekking and the culture of the real Cuba in a very effective way
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There are several: climbing Pico Turquino; meeting Cuban people; the traditional music and the food in the private restaurants.
What did you think of your group leader?
Tony was very friendly and informative. As a group we had many questions all of which he was able to answer and he gave us a good insight into the Cuban way of life. One small criticism was that on the walk up to Pico Turquino he didn't seem to be ready to attend to one person who slipped over but fortunately didn't suffer any serious injury. He did inquire about her welfare that day and subsequent days however.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You need to be reasonably fit for the trekking as mentioned in the trip notes especially for Pico Turquino. The ground is often uneven and the weather was very humid except in Havana. The first bunkhouse used for Pico Turquino is very basic-no hot water and make sure you take toilet paper!
It can be confusing remembering what meals are to be provided each day so make sure you take the trip notes with you and have enough cash in advance where you are expected to pay for them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It would have been better if we had had a welcome meeting as a group on the first evening in Havana especially for the single people on the trip.
It can be confusing remembering what meals are to be provided each day as there is a wide variation from day which keeps the initial cost of the holiday down but you need to ensure you have enough cash when in the remote areas.

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