Highlights of Cuba

We take a walking tour to the historic heart of Havana. Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1982, the old town, or ‘Habana Vieja’, has been handsomely restored and features unique Baroque neoclassical architecture. Our tour will take in many of Havana’s sights, including a visit to Plaza de Cathedral, Plaza Vieja and the old City Walls. Lunch will be in a local paladar restaurant.

The day will also include a visit to the Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s home in Cuba and now lovingly kept as it was when he lived there, and a visit to the Hotel Ambos Mundos where the author lived for more than two years.

We’ll also ride out by bus to Cojimar, where Hemingway moored his boat ‘El Pilar’, and enjoy a refreshing drink at one of his favourite restaurants, ‘Las Terrazas’, which overlooks the ocean. The fishing village is full of memories of the great American novelist and he kept a home close by for more than 20 years. We round off the day with a tapas dinner and cocktail making class.

Driving distance – approx. 210km

We drive west, past plantations and cultivated fields, to the beautiful Viñales Valley. We’ll enjoy lunch and a cigar rolling demonstration at a typical Cuban farm.

Our afternoon walk along the Palmarito trail takes in the spectacular scenery of the valley, with its limestone mogotes and their sheer cliffs. This is a traditional farming area and we stop at a small community to see how they cultivate tobacco, root vegetables and coffee. Distance: 4 miles (6½km), no ascent.

In the evening, a further walk along the Sendero Valle del Silencio in this enchanting countryside will prepare your appetite for dinner at Wilfredo’s Organic Farm. Set in a beautiful hilltop location overlooking the town we will hopefully witness a marvellous sunset as we enjoy our meal. Distance: approx. 2 miles (3km), no ascent.

Today we start early and with a packed breakfast to walk along the Acuaticos trail, heading up into the hills around Viñales for sunrise. Distance: approx. 5 miles (8km) with 800 feet (243m) of ascent.

We continue into the heart of Cuban tobacco country and drive through the provincial capital, Pinar del Rio, to visit a tobacco factory where famous cigars are hand-rolled according to traditional methods. We head to the ‘vega’ of a famous Cuban tobacco producer, where we visit the farm and learn about the subtle art of producing fine tobacco. We’ll have lunch at the ‘vega’ before returning to Viñales, where the rest of the day is at leisure before dinner at a local paladar.

Today is mostly a travel day (approx. 6 hours over approx. 500km) as we head towards central Cuba. We’ll visit Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve to learn about the reforestation programme started in the 1970s and take a short trail, La Serafina, in the hopes of spotting local birdlife. Distance: approx. 4 miles (6km).

After lunch on an old coffee plantation, we continue to Santa Clara. If time allows today, we’ll visit the Che Guevara memorial, resting place for Che and sixteen of his men who were killed in action in 1967 in Bolivia, and have dinner at the hotel.

If we didn’t have time to visit the Che Guevara memorial, we’ll do this today before departing for the city of Remedios, located about an hour to the northwest of Santa Clara.

Well off the beaten path and forgotten by most tour operators, Remedios is one of the oldest towns in Cuba – now a National Monument town – and the 17th century colonial architecture dominates this peaceful town. We’ll take in the city and its historic centre on a relaxed tour. The key attraction is the main square with its colonial church, ‘Iglesia Mayor’ of San Juan Bautista, which possesses thirteen beautifully decorated gold altars.

We continue to the beautiful Northern Cays of Cuba and our all-inclusive hotel, where we’ll have lunch and the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Today, take some time to relax in the resort. Enjoy the hotel’s facilities or explore the nearby area – perhaps a swim in the sea or a short walk along the white sand beaches or through the nearby tropical woodland.

Driving distance – approx. 180 km in total.

After breakfast we travel to the Escambray Mountains, where we’ll walk along the banks of the Hanabanilla Reservoir, along the Guanayara Trail, and through coffee and fruit plantations. This is the least accessible – we travel to the start of the walk by truck – but by far the most rewarding hike from Topes de Collantes, and there is a steep descent to the El Rocio waterfall.

We’ll arrive at La Gallega ranch, a traditional rural hacienda, in time for a simple country lunch before we continue our journey to Trinidad and our accommodation. This evening we’ll have dinner at Alberto’s House and enjoy an authentic Cuban experience. Distance: 3 miles (5km).

Today we travel out of Trinidad to visit the Valley of the Sugar Mills (‘Valle de los Ingenios’). This fertile plain, with the Sierra del Escambay in the distance, is carpeted in the green hues of sugar cane. The valley is dotted with ruins of 19th century sugar mills.

We visit the Manaca Iznaga estate where we can wander through the ruins and climb the seven-storey tower for wonderful views. The tower was built by a Sugar Baron, to keep an eye on his staff working in the Sugar Plantations.  

We also take a walking tour of the historic heart of Trinidad and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez, Trinidad is has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1988, because of its historical importance, as it was once the centre for the sugar trade and its cobbled streets and lovely architecture bear witness to its former glories.

Tonight, you have a free evening to explore at your own pace and enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choice surrounded by the colourful evening atmosphere of the town.

Today is a free day. There are many options including taking a visit to Playa Ancon, joining a catamaran trip to the offshore cayes, or exploring the charming streets of Trinidad a little further. A picnic lunch is provided today, and dinner will be together as a group at a local paladar.

Driving distance approx. 90km

After breakfast we drive to the Hanabanilla Hotel and begin our walk around Hanabanilla Reservoir, this time along the La Atalaya trail. During the walk you will see typical country houses of the area, before finishing at Lago Hanabanilla from where we will be taken by boat to Rio Negro for lunch. Distance approx. 4.5 miles (7km), with some rough sections of ascent and descent.

After lunch, transfer 1½ hours to Cienfuegos Bay, and check into our hotel.

After breakfast we set off for visits to the city, Cienfuegos Botanical Garden and the Orchid Garden Macradenia, Palmira.

Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s most charming cities. Set on the shores of a huge natural bay, the city was originally one of Cuba’s most important harbours. It was settled by French immigrants fleeing the slave uprisings of Haiti, the city has elegant boulevards and classical homes, as well as spacious squares and one of Cuba’s most famous theatres (Teatro Terry).

We will explore the city with a sightseeing tour, including visits to the theatre and the main square before having lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch you’ll have some free time before returning to your hotel and our evening meal in a local paladar.

Driving distance approx. 260km

Today we return to Havana. We stop en route at the Zapata Swamp and in Caleta Buena; here, we can see a natural sea pool with tropical fish, enjoy a swim and have lunch.

We continue to Playa Giron, or the Bay of Pigs, the site of the final battle between Fidel Castro’s forces and the counterrevolutionary army and visit its museum to learn about the US/CIA involvement in the anti-Castro movement.

This evening we’ll enjoy a cocktail at El Floridita, one of Hemingway’s old hangouts, and round off the evening with a special lobster dinner in Old Havana.

A final day in Havana is free for independent exploration. Perhaps explore Habana Vieja further, or head out to Havana’s other main areas, Centro Habana – offering a glimpse into real-life Cuba – or the Vedado neighbourhood. You might enjoy a walk along the Malecon, Havana’s atmospheric waterfront promenade. This is a favourite gathering spot for the residents of Havana.

In the evening we enjoy a 1-hour tour in classic American cars before our last group meal in a centrally located paladar.

Our final morning is at leisure,. After lunch, our with-flight guests transfer to Havana airport to begin our return journey back to the UK.

With-flight guests arrive back in the UK.