The Cycling - Introduction
Cycling is the most enjoyable way to explore the island of Cuba and meet the local people as you travel. This holiday has been planned to keep vehicle transfers to a minimum, ensuring that you have plenty of time to soak up the culture and countryside at a relaxing pace.
This holiday also allows you some flexibility on all cycling days, thanks to our two guides and vehicle support (see below). This is helped by staying in some places for 2 or 3 nights – it lets everyone explore with the guides on our carefully planned rides, but you also have the option of not cycling.
So if you want to relax, explore the streets and cafes of on foot, or have a lazy morning after a big night of salsa and mohitos the night before, it’s easy enough to arrange.
Usual daily distances:
36 - 66km
23 - 41 miles
Ride Description
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Day 1 - Arrival
Saturday
If you are flying to Cuba from the UK or mainland Europe the flights generally leave in the morning and, with the 5 hour time difference, arrive late afternoon into Havana. It’s a short 30-minute transfer to our hotel, which is right on the waterfront in the Miramar district of the city.
The hotel has plenty of space for you to relax in, a good bar and café, and a full-size sea-water swimming pool with views across the bay. For those people who are renting bikes, we may have time to set them up this afternoon, otherwise, we’ll do it in the morning.
For those on their own bikes, our guides are expert mechanics and will help you to get everything together after your flight. This evening we stay in the hotel to rest and recover from the journey.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Dinner
Cycling: 0 miles, 0km
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Day 2 - Exploring Havana
Sunday
A relaxed start lets us get bikes set up correctly, ready for a spin along the historic waterfront and into the city. If you’d prefer to miss the cycling today then the support vehicle can take you and our expert local guide right into the old town to explore some of the markets, squares and cafes at an easy pace. Havana is renowned for its architecture, influenced by the colonial Spanish. Some places are beautifully restored while others enjoy more of a faded grandeur.
Our local guide is an expert on the history of the city and can bring to life its culture and heritage.
For those on bikes we pedal along the waterfront – The Malecon - then cut across into the labyrinth of streets and crumbling Spanish haciendas to wind our way into the old town.
This is a great chance to experience the life, colour, noise and excitement of Havana life, right up close. With most streets being one way, and narrow, it is safe cycling and a really enjoyable way to explore.
We all get together in the Old Town for lunch at a great restaurant on the corner of one of the old plazas. After the meal, and a chance to relax to the sounds of the house band over a good local coffee, we set off again to the vast Plaza de la Revolucion. Again, we can cycle or travel in our support vehicle, as we wind through the city and high onto the square above the old university.
The exploration ends back at our hotel, with plenty of time for a swim, freshen up and then a change before dinner. Near to the hotel are some of the best private restaurants in the city and we’ll head to one of these for supper this evening. This is your chance to try some great Cuban dishes, including superb seafood and even venison from the central mountains, barbeque grilled to perfection.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Cycling: Up to 25 miles, 40km
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Day 3 - Coastal Ride to Trinidad
Monday
Setting out from our hotel in the comfortable, air-conditioned support vehicle we travel across this narrow island to the south and east. The mostly flat journey passes through farmlands on quiet roads, then brings us to the south coast.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we saddle up for a flowing ride along the edge of beaches, palm groves, coastal forests and rocky coves, all the way to our hotel in Trinidad. Those who are feeling fit have the option to extend their ride with a circuit that takes in the sleepy fishing village of La Boca and the mangrove swamps of the Ancon peninsula. This is also the perfect ride to watch a stunning sunset over the sea.
This evening we head into the heart of Trinidad to enjoy dinner at either one of the private restaurants or even a “paladar” – local houses that are set up to cater for group meals, with some advanced notice! The experience of eating in someone’s home, usually dining on fantastic fresh product caught / picked / prepared just for you, is a fabulous part of any Cuban experience. After supper, we can wander through town to the “Casa de la Musica” (house of music) to enjoy live Cuban bands, while we sit under the stars with a cool drink or two.
Trinidad is a beautiful town, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its tiled roofs and cobbled streets. It is also very hospitable and safe – at night you can see everyone on the streets, doors wide open, neighbours chatting and music, conversation and laughter pouring from every window.
Accommodation: Casa Particular
Location: Trinidad
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Cycling: Up to 23 or 28 miles, 36 or 45 km
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Day 4 - Valle de los Ingenios and Trinidad
Tuesday
This morning we roll down through the edge of Trinidad to the road that takes us into the Valle de los Ingenios. There are amazing views from the impressive Mirador en-route, looking out across the lush plantation lands that were once the second most important sugar cane growing areas of Cuba.
We ride on through the valley past the restored hacienda of Manaca Iznaga and on to a lovely old farmstead down a quiet backroad. This sleepy spot is deep in the valley with the old steam railway running past it.
We can enjoy fresh, home ground coffee from the farm, or fresh lemonade, as we relax on the veranda. The cycle ride back winds through sugar cane plantations before lunch at a traditional restaurant.
You can then choose whether to cycle back to Trinidad or go by bus, to give you more time to explore the town. You could also choose to pedal out to one of the quiet beach areas for a swim and relax before returning to our hotel. Followed, of course, by a great night out in Trinidad.
Accommodation: Casa Particular
Location: Trinidad
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Cycling: Up to 23 or 37 miles, 36 or 60 km
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Day 5 - Topes de Collantes National Park
Wednesday
Today we leave the coast and head into the mountains, with each person having the choice of travelling up in the bus or going for the early start option and the challenge of climbing the twisting road on your bike. Journeying up we get fabulous views back across the rolling foothills and out to the Ancon peninsula and sea beyond, especially from the lookout point, perched high in the hills (from where semi-keen cyclists can also begin their ride).
Once at the village of Topes de Collantes, we check in to our hotel, have lunch, then meet our local nature guide for a walk through the national park. There are several routes to choose from, each giving the chance to discover the wild beauty, waterfalls, birdlife and peace that Topes has to offer.
If you prefer to relax instead of a walk then there’s a lovely coffee house that’s run by a local co-operative, with views across palm-fringed ridges and forests. This region is known as a “Grand National Park” in Cuba because it covers a vast region of the Escambray Mountains, an area of great scientific importance for its mountain flora and fauna.
The main National Park office is in the centre of Topes de Collantes village and acts as a training centre for all of the region’s qualified nature guides.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Topes de Collantes
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Cycling: An optional challenge ride 16 miles 25km
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Day 6 - Escambray to Santa Clara
Thursday
This morning we ride straight out from our hotel and onto a beautiful ridgeline that offers views across the pristine wilderness, as far as the eye can see.
This rolling road is one of the most beautiful routes on the island, as we descend head through coffee plantation lands where the pickers often relax at the roadside, eager to chat with passing cyclists!
This cycle ride is quite easy-going with miles of winding descents on almost unused roads. The combination of lush palm trees and citrus fruit groves start to take over from the montane forests as we reach the plains and pedal towards the little town of Manicaragua.
This is where we load up the bikes for the short drive to the city of Santa Clara and the Che Guevara Memorial – one of the most important cultural sights in Cuba. We drive from here to our hotel, where you can relax by the pool, enjoy a drink and get ready for supper.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Santa Clara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cycling: 27 miles 42km
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Day 7 - Soroa
Friday
Today we transfer westwards to the ecological reserve of Las Terrazas and the lovely hotel at Soroa, set in the heart of a dense tropical forest. Once here we check in to our hotel, with its beautiful grounds and large swimming pool. You can then choose whether you wish to relax or be active, with choices including the walk alongside the Manantiales River to the high waterfall (which you can swim under), a visit to the Orchid Gardens, or heading out for a hike to a small summit nearby, with panoramic views.
The Soroa Orchid Gardens are home to one of the largest collections of Orchids in the world and a favourite spot of Hemmingway’s during his time in Cuba.
The gardens contain over 700 species of orchid, of which 250 are endemic to Cuba. The park is a national monument, and covers an area of 35,000 hectares, although the main gardens can be visited in an afternoon with advice and endless stories and facts from one of the local guides.
Accommodation: Hotel/Casa Particular
Location: Soroa
Meals Included:Breakfast and Dinner
Cycling: 0 miles 0km
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Day 8 - Across the Sierra del Rosario
Saturday
This is one of the standout rides in Cuba as we first climb the ridge of the Cordillera de Guaniguanico range then wind down through the biosphere reserve of Sierra del Rosario. As vultures soar overhead and forests of palm trees spread out towards the coast you’ll be sailing down the quiet road all the way to San Diego de Nuñez village. The locals here see few visitors, let alone cyclists, so it’s a great place for a break, a drink and a chance to see more of village life.
Here we join the coast road and spin along to the tiny port of Palma Rubia, where the main 66km ride ends as we load up the bikes and drive on to the Viñales Valley.
However, keen cyclists might decide to pick up the pace in the afternoon and ride all the way to the hotel with one of the guides – spinning through the tobacco fields and orange groves in the cool hours (with the support vehicle ready to return and collect us if we’re running late!)
Once at Viñales we check in to our hotel and freshen up, before heading into the centre of town to explore the nightlife. For those people who are interested in salsa, we can usually organise lessons for either tomorrow or the next day at the Viñales Cultural Centre. This is the hub for local music, dance and entertainment – a great place to head for in the evening as the best local dancers hit the floor to the sound of bands from all over western Cuba.
Accommodation: Hotel/Casa Particular
Location: Viñales
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Cycling: 41 miles (option to extend up to 68 miles) 66km or 110km
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Day 9 - The Viñales Valley
Sunday
Riding out from the hotel we spend today on a leisurely journey through the Viñales region. This valley is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its lush valley floors scattered with farms, with giant limestone karsts, called Mogotes, rising up everywhere. We’ll visit the botanical gardens, the Prehistoric Mural (painted on a mountain side) and the Palenque Caves on our circular route.
If you prefer not to ride, or have a salsa lesson booked for the afternoon, then we can help you to organise your own day out in Viñales, or leave you free to explore at your leisure. By this stage in a tour, it is good to have a few days in one place, so you can unpack, relax and set your own pace.
Viñales is the perfect place to do this, staying in a lovely hotel with a wide range of things to do by day and night. Your guides will have an itinerary to follow, to ensure that you get the most out of your time here, but if you prefer to do your own thing then that is also fine.
Accommodation: Hotel/Casa Particular
Location: Viñales
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 23 miles with options to do more or less Up to 36km
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Day 10 - Cayo Levisa
Monday
Today is your chance to relax on the beach, swim in the warm sea, or take a stroll along the shore as you explore the small, pristine island of Cayo Levisa.
After breakfast, we drive to a small port (just 45 minutes away) to catch the boat to Cayo Levisa. Once there you have the day to yourself. The beach itself is lovely and you can walk a couple of kilometres along the forested shore to the far end of the island.
There is a small bar and restaurant on the island and this is where we have lunch, usually oven-baked fresh fish, as you might expect.
After the cycling of the past few days, this is a great chance to completely unwind. The boat back to the mainland leaves an hour or so before sunset, allowing us to get back to our hotel then head intoViñales for dinner, drinks and dancing.
For those who are hooked on cycling and enjoy watching the sun come up on an early morning bike ride, today is the perfect chance to do just that. It’s 54km from hotel to port and if we leave early there’s time to do this at a steady pace as the boat to the island leaves at 10am. The support bus will come along with the group and pick up any riders who are running out of time, or who simply prefer to take photos in the lovely morning light as they cruise through the villages, fields and plantations.
Accommodation: Hotel/Casa Particular
Location: Viñales
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cycling: 33 miles - Optional dawn ride to the beach 54km
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Day 11 - Grande Caverne Santo Tomas
Tuesday
Today we ride out through Viñales to the largest cave network in all of Latin America, with 18km of galleries over 3 levels. Caverna de Santo Tomas, one of the largest cave systems in Cuba. We don our hard hats and head torch and follow local speleologist who will guide us through 2 of the 3 levels for up to 2 hours of exploration of this extensive cave system.
After a packed lunch we get back on our bikes and set off towards Pons where we leave the Viñales Valley and take a left towards Pinar del Rio Town. The road undulates gently until we reach Maria Isabel ( approx. 40 km from Viñales ) where we climb a steep, but mercifully short, hill.
Once this hill has been conquered the road descends gently towards the Provincial capital – Pinar Del Rio.
Pinar del Rio town is the capital of the eponymous province, probably the most famous producer of tobacco in the world and our hotel for the night is situatied in the centre of town.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Viñales
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cycling: 40 miles 64km
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Day 12 - Vega Robaina
Wednesday
A day of exploring the best tobacco country in the world. Departing from Pinar del Rio towards San Luis, then turn towards San Juan and visit the world-famous tobacco “Vega” of Hector Luis – the youngest ever Habano Man in Cuba. Hombre Habano is the award given for the quality of tobacco grown in a season. It is the most important honour in the profession.
Setting off along the Carretera Central from your hotel and riding out of Pinar del Rio, we head to day for the “Mecca” of tobacco growing. The villages of San Luis and San Juan y Martinez are "the" place for tobacco and producers of the finest quality leaves which become the wrappers ( the outslde leaves ) to the world’s best cigars.
This mornings ride is only short so we can reach Hector Luis’s “vega” in good time and enjoy a tour and learn all about tobacco production at his tobacco farm. We'll have lunch in his farm too – a typical Cuban country lunch served family style.
After the visit and lunch in the Vega, we continue buy bus to Soroa for dinner and overnight
Accommodation: Hotel/Casa Particular
Location: Soroa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cycling: Short morning group cycle around the area
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Day 13 - Las Terrazas then Havana
Thursday
After breakfast, we cycle out for the final time, on the backroad through the Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve. This protected nature reserve is filled with palm forests, rushing streams and a huge array of bird and plant life.
It is also the home to a community that works to preserve and protect the important environmental heritage of Cuba.
The cycle ride ends at the old hilltop hacienda of Cafetal Buenavista for a superb lunch, where they even serve Soroa wines if you want to try the local produce! For the last time, your support crew will load up the bikes while you drink in the views, before the short drive back to Havana.
Here we check in to our hotel, with plenty of time to freshen up before meeting up for drinks and dinner in one of the great restaurants in the old town which is a short taxi journey away.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Cycling: 14 miles 22km
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Day 14 - Exploring Havana
Friday
From the hours before sunrise to the small hours of the morning, Havana is a city that deserves to be discovered and explored. Your two guides will help you to figure out what to do, where to go and how to get the most out of your time here – unless of course you prefer to just head out and explore, or find a great rooftop terrace to relax on!
There are many things to see in Havana, but favourites include a self-guided dawn photographic tours in the old town. the Partagas cigar factory tour and the Museum of the Revolution. However, you may just prefer to wander the bustling streets and open squares of the old town, looking for bargains in the old prints and books stores or market stalls.
Note: Opera and Ballet – the Havana Opera House is truly impressive and if you enjoy this kind of entertainment it is something not to be missed.
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: Havana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 0 miles 0km
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Day 15 - Havana then home
Saturday
From our hotel, you can easily jump in a taxi and head out and explore some more before we transfer to the airport. This is usually the time to head for cigar and rum shops to buy those last-minute “cultural souvenirs!” If you have brought your own bike then this morning our guides will help you to pack it away, ready for flying, if you have not already boxed it up with their help.
We will transfer you to the airport in the afternoon, to tie in with the airlines flying to the UK. If you are using other flights then we can either adapt the transfer to fit or organise an additional minibus for you.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Generally flights from Cuba to the UK and Europe go through the night. With the deduction of 5 hours due to the time difference it means arriving back in the UK on Sunday morning.