Cycle Cuba!

Our tour starts today in Havana - home to salsa, mojitos, and revolutionary spirit. Cuba's capital is one of the most impressive cities in the Americas, almost frozen in time with crumbling tenement blocks and 1950s American Cadillacs rubbing shoulders with grand colonial buildings and monuments to the revolution. Due to the number of evening flights into Havana, our tour leader will meet you for a welcome meeting after breakfast at 8am on Day 2. Details of timings will be left in the hotel reception, as well as information about anything else you'll need for the day. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Havana's Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) which is around a 30-minute drive from the airport. A representative from our local partners in Cuba will meet you at Havana Airport and assist you with the transfer formalities. During our tour, we'll stay in 'casa particulares' (local guesthouses), a type of accommodation that's unique to Cuba. The industry began in the early 1990s when entrepreneurial homeowners would rent out rooms in their homes. The side hustle was initially illegal as communist Cuba didn't allow for private enterprises but was legalised in 1997. Today, it's common to find large casas that run as bed and breakfasts, however, the majority - particularly in Havana - are still a couple of rooms in the owner's house. This gives you a truly unique, local experience as no two casas are the same - you'll have ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and a delicious breakfast across the board but that's where the similarity ends. We choose to use these casas particulares as they give a truly authentic Cuban experience, an alternative to standard hotels, and a new perspective on local life. Whilst some casas still have live-in owners (giving you a great opportunity to interact with locals), others are entirely independent. In Trinidad, your casa might offer some outdoor space, however, in Havana, many are in communist-style apartment blocks. Your airport transfer will take you to a 'reception' casa in Havana (Hostal Saxo Habana: Ave 3ra, #56 entre E y F, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba), where you'll be met by the host and shown to your room in one of the other nearby casas. We use different casas for each group and all are located in the Vedado area of Havana. You'll find several restaurants and bars within walking distance and Old Havana is just a short taxi ride away. Check in is anytime after 4pm.

This morning, we'll gather for a welcome meeting at 8am before heading out to explore the Vieja District (old town). Havana is a patchwork of crumbling, colourful buildings and historical monuments and we'll take a relaxed walk to discover the most important sites and buildings. After lunch, we'll head off by bus to Soroa, nestled in the forested hills about an hour west of Havana. After checking in to our hotel, there might be time to stretch our legs on a walk, perhaps up to the top of a hill with views over the surrounding mountains and towards the sea.

Today, we'll take our first bike ride with an excursion into the surrounding hills. The ride is very rewarding - through almost tropical forests with plenty of flowers and interesting plants along the way - eventually leading us to the enchanting settlement of Las Terrazas, perched on the edge of a lake and the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Sierra de Rosario. This is an internationally acclaimed reforestation project and model '70s communist settlement, set in the mountains at altitudes of around 500 metres/1,640 feet where pine forests alternate with old coffee plantations. We'll have the opportunity to take a swim in a natural pool in the San Juan River before we have lunch when you'll have the chance to try Cuba's most original, community-run vegetarian restaurant. Afterwards, we'll head back to our hotel in Soroa by bus. Keen cyclists can do a few more miles if they wish. The support bus can only accompany short sections at the beginning and end of today's cycle route due to road conditions. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 21 kilometres/13 miles (300 metres/985 feet ascent).

Early this morning there'll be the chance to visit the splendid Soroa orchid garden. We'll start cycling downhill out of the Sierra, using smaller roads and a quieter section of Cuba's Carretera Central. We'll ride through picturesque countryside with rolling hills, palm trees and farmhouses in small hamlets, eventually arriving in the Cuban spa town of San Diego de los Baños. The surrounding virgin countryside and forests are fabulous. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 58 kilometres/36 miles (100 metres/328 feet ascent).

We'll continue cycling along Cuba's dramatic western mountain range, passing banana and coffee plantations and tobacco fields in one of the most remote rural areas of this trip. We'll stop at the Cueva de los Portales - a famous site in the jungle where Che Guevara set up headquarters during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Soon we'll catch a first glimpse of the Viñales Valley - one of Cuba's natural highlights and an area of outstanding beauty. The area is home to some of the most spectacular and colourful scenery in Cuba. Millions of years ago underground rivers cut tunnels through the limestone hills and when the roofs collapsed, strange hills or 'Mogotes' were left sticking up from the otherwise flat valley floor. In between the jungle-clad saw tooth karst mountains the rich, red soil has been worked into a patchwork of fields growing some of the best tobacco in the world - the raw material for the famous Havana cigars. The cycle distance today is 43 kilometres/26.6 miles if starting from Cueva de lo Portales and there is the option to extend this to 58 kilometres/36 miles by starting the ride from the hotel and paying a national park entrance fee directly (approximately 5 CUC ). Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 to 58 kilometres/26.6 to 36 miles (100 to 400/328 to 1,312 feet metres ascent).

We'll spend two entire days in this beautiful area. Today we'll start with an orientation tour of the Vinales Valley by bike, exploring the valley in depth as well as taking some time to stroll through Vinales itself - a small laid-back town with a charming main street built in neo-classical style, leaving the afternoon free to explore the area further. Those interested can visit the limestone cave 'Cueva del Indio' and the Botanical Gardens in Vinales. The support bus does not accompany the ride today but is on call if needed. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 25 kilometres/15.5 miles.

Today is free for relaxing or to take an optional excursion to Cayo Levisa- a pristine, almost untouched island that makes you believe paradise truly exists. This is the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and enjoy a day basking in the sun on palm-fringed shores, completely disconnected from the outside world.. Alternatively, you may wish to take the bikes to explore more of the area around Vinales. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 20 to 45 kilometres/12.4 to 28 miles (optional).

We have a full day of travelling ahead of us today as we make our way to Cienfuegos. We'll start the day with a bus ride (approximately five to six hours) across western Cuba to the Bay of Pigs - infamous for the ill-fated invasion attempt by Cuban exiles who landed here in April 1961 with the help of the US government. This, together with the missile crisis a year later, led the Americans to conclude that only a total trade embargo against the island could discredit and ultimately oust Castro. However, Castro's Cuba continues to resist. We'll visit Cueva de Los Peces for a quick swim in this sinkhole or cenote that is connected to the warm Caribbean waters and has resident tropical fish. We'll then continue by bus (approximately one to two hours) to the elegant town of Cienfuegos, which was founded in 1819 by French farmers who had abandoned their plantations in Haiti after a slave rebellion led to formal independence there. The French brought their classical construction style of houses and quite an entrepreneurial spirit, thus triggering the sugar boom in the area. Depending on our arrival time into Cienfuegos, we'll either visit the town today or tomorrow morning. Our hotel tonight is a 15-minute drive from the town, on the outskirts of Cienfuegos. No cycling today.

We'll start our day with a quick exploration of Cienfuegos (if we didn't have time yesterday) before driving for around one hour to Guajimico where we'll commence today's cycling. Our ride will be set against a backdrop of the Sierra Escambray Mountains, getting ever more impressive as we get closer to Trinidad. We'll have a chance to stop en route for a swim in the Caribbean at Yaguanabo Beach before continuing by bike to Trinidad. The town became incredibly wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries and almost all the palaces and stately homes of the rich families remain, their grandeur undiminished by time and the cobbled stone streets add extra charm to this colonial gem. In the evening, we can head out to enjoy some of Trinidad's live music. One of the best spots is the Casa de la Trova where they play 'Trova' (Cuban Folk Music) and 'Son', the essence of Salsa. Those with some basic knowledge of Latin dancing (or at least the willingness to try) it's a great opportunity to practice. On arrival in Trinidad, we'll have a short orientation walk in town, exploring the central square and surroundings. Whilst in Trinidad, we'll stay in casas particulares - local homestay guesthouses. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 41 kilometres/25.4 miles (250 metres/820 miles ascent).

We have two full days to explore this wonderful town and its surroundings. Today we'll take a ride into the very scenic Valle de Ingenios (sugar cane valley) towards Santi Spiritus where we can see the old sugar mills. The support bus will accompany the ride and help take people back to Trinidad. There is the option to ride back unaccompanied. This afternoon we'll visit the colonial heart of Trinidad on foot and hopefully have the opportunity to hear some live music. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 37 kilometres/23 miles (230 metres/755 feet ascent).

Today is your chance to unwind and make the most of your time. If you're up for an adventure, consider an optional visit to Finca La Lima for an authentic Cuban cowboy experience. Spend the day with local farmers, milking cows and pressing sugar cane. Take a leisurely stroll to the creek for a refreshing swim or rent a pony for a delightful ride. Enjoy a typical Cuban lunch at the main farmhouse, featuring fresh produce and meat sourced right from the farm. We'll take care of your transportation to and from the farm, along with your delicious lunch. If you prefer a different pace, you can stay in Trinidad and immerse yourself in the lively culture by taking a salsa lesson, or simply relax on the stunning beaches south of the city. The choice is yours-enjoy your day however you please!

Just a few miles behind Trinidad looms the Sierra Escambray, one of the three main mountain chains in Cuba. It has peaks up to 1,100 metres/3,609 feet, an incredible abundance of tropical and semi-tropical vegetation on its slopes, and some of the best Cuban coffee is also produced here. Climbing up into the Sierra on the road from Trinidad is an experience, with slopes as steep as 20% (don't worry, we do this bit by bus!). However, those keen to take on a challenge (the most challenging ride in Cuba to be exact) might want to leave in the early hours of the day to give it a go before being picked up by the group later. We'll start cycling on the highest sections of the road with some ascent still to go, near Topes de Collantes, a village and mountain retreat built in the early 1950s. From the village, we'll have a scenic downhill through the jungle. Before leaving the mountains, we can stop at a local coffee farmer's home to enjoy a meal (not included) and see the process of coffee tasting and, of course, try it, too. We'll then head north, passing through the village of Jibacoa, before finally reaching Manicaragua where we'll finish our final ride. We'll then take a short bus ride to our hotel on the outskirts of Santa Clara. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.7 feet (350 metres/1,150 feet ascent).

We begin the day cycling from our hotel in Santa Clara to the Che Guevara Museum and Mausoleum, where we pause to pay our respects. From there, we continue along the Carretera Central, riding through small towns and immersing ourselves in the rhythm of local daily life. The ride concludes near the town of La Nuevas, followed by a coach transfer to Havana (approximately 3 hours/250 kilometres). Today's cycling route features a mix of paved and unsealed terrain, spanning a total distance of 37.8 kilometres (23.5 miles) with an ascent of 188.7 metres (619 feet).

Today is free to see more of Havana. You might like to take an optional cycle to explore the capital. Despite growing traffic, it's still a wonderful way to get to know the city. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 23 kilometres/14.2 miles (100 metres/328 feet ascent) (optional).

The trip ends after breakfast at our casa particular in Havana. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Havana at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Havana's Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel.