7 days Cycle Cuba

After decades of communist rule, Cuba is finally getting its time in the Caribbean sun

Feel the rum-filled breeze from the back of two wheels on this cycling adventure through Cuba’s west.

from €1,988pp

DURATION (7 Days) STYLE (Original) PHISICAL RATING 3 (Cycling)

Dates of travel

Traveling Between 14/11/2021 - 20/11/2021

Departure Days Sunday

Adult Price€1,988.00

Child Price--

Infant Price--

What's Included

Dates of Travel: Nov 14th - 21st 2021 (More dates available throughout 2021/22)

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle (Bus)

Accommodation

Guesthouse (6 nights)

Included activities

Cycling Outer Havana

Havana - Leader-led Walking Tour of Old Havana

Las Terrazas - Eco-village Visit

Soroa - Orchid Garden (entrance fee and guide included)

Las Terrazas - Casa de Polo entry

Vinales - Tobacco farm visit

Vinales - Beach excursion to Cayo Jutias

More Information

Accommodation Transfer Flights (Flights from Dublin)

Meals Tours as per itinerary + Services of a professional Travel Director throught your journey

* Prices are per person. Price is subject to availability and change without notice. Terms & Conditions apply.

Cycle Cuba, CU

Itinerary

Day 1: Havana

Bienvenido a Cuba! To make your arrival into often chaotic Cuba a bit easier, a complimentary transfer from the airport to your accommodation (guesthouse) is included with your trip. Then, enjoy free time until your welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early there are a wealth of options for you to enjoy in Havana. For a fascinating insight into the Cuban Revolution check out the Museum of the Revolution, indulge your inner literary fan on an Ernest Hemingway tour, join the locals for a stroll past the fading facades along the iconic oceanside Malecon or hire an open top vintage American car and simply cruise the streets and boulevards of Havana. After the meeting, why not get to know your riding companions over an optional group dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Havana - Half-day Ernest Hemingway Tour (guide and transport included) - CUC70
Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide included, no transport) - CUC12
Havana - Morro Castle (entrance fee included, no guide, no transport) - CUC3
Havana - American Vintage Car Tour (guide and transport included) - CUC55
Havana - Revolution museum (entrance only, no guide, no transport) - CUC5
Havana Bike Hire - Ruta Bikes - CUC20

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. As the group is sometimes spread between several (but nearby) guesthouses your leader will leave a note for you explaining where to meet and what to bring.

During the group meeting, your trip leader will ask you if you would like to contribute to the snack kitty. This is usually 20 CUC per person. The snack kitty is spent on water, fruits, and local-made snacks. It is not a compulsory kitty, although as these can sometimes be hard to come by in Cuba in remote areas, the kitty is designed to make the purchasing of snacks easier and more convenient for you. If there are any leftover funds, they will be returned to you at the end of the trip. You can find out more information from your leader upon arrival.

Day 2: Soroa

Take a short drive to Vedado this morning to meet your support crew (approximately 15 minutes) and be fitted to your bike. Take your new wheels for a spin on a 2-hour leisurely ride from Outer Havana back to Old Havana, passing John Lennon Park, the Grand Theatre and the Capitol building along the way before finishing back in Old Havana. Enjoy lunch in a nearby cafe before stretching your legs on a guided walking tour of Old Havana, taking in the four most historic plazas. Finish your walk with a 360-degree panoramic view of Old Havana through the eyes of The Camera Obscurer – the only one of its kind in Latin American and the Caribbean, before heading to Saroa in the support vehicle (approximately 1.5-hours). Known as the 'rainbow of Cuba', Soroa is a flourishing landscape of flora and fauna. As the sun sets, enjoy dinner, then perhaps head to a local guesthouse for cocktails and an introduction to the curious fascination the Cuban’s have with the game of dominos. Be warned, the locals (and your support team) are fiercely competitive and have spent countless hours honing their domino skills!

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Cycling Outer Havana
Havana - Leader-led Walking Tour of Old Havana

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

The riding distance today is approximately 12 kilometres (7 miles) and is mostly flat with an elevation gain of 80 metres (260 feet). The road conditions are 100% tarmac and in mostly good repair.

Day 3: Soroa/Las Terrazas

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular Soroa Orchid Garden, located just a short drive away. Set among seven acres, this serene oasis of flora features 250 plant varieties native to Cuba as well as numerous species of birds. Afterwards, cycle west (on well-paved roads), sharing the streets with local traffic: tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas and horse-drawn carriages, until you reach a picturesque hillside lake. Take a break for a quick drink before stopping by the San Juan River for lunch and a refreshing swim. Continue by vehicle on to the small but renowned lakeside eco-village of Comunidad Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve set in beautiful green surrounds and home to a lively art community. Grab a coffee near the main square then visit the former home of the celebrated Cuban musician Polo Montanes, and current studio of the famous modern artist, Lester Campa. Return to Soroa (approximately 30 minutes) and spend the evening relaxing, playing pool, or perhaps take the opportunity to improve on your domino skills.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Las Terrazas - Eco-village Visit
Soroa - Orchid Garden (entrance fee and guide included)
Las Terrazas - Casa de Polo entry

Meals Included

Breakfast
Lunch

Special Information

The riding distance today is approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) undulating with a couple of steep hills at the start, and an elevation gain of 450 metres (1500 feet). The road conditions are 100% tarmac – mostly in good repair but some are broken and in a poorer condition.

Day 4: Viñales

Drive to the hilly Cueva de los Portales, where the legendary Che Guevara stayed and trained the Western Army of the Cuban Revolution (approximately 1.5 hours). From here, cycle on to the UNESCO-listed town of Vinales. Set among low-lying mountains, this beautifully remote area is reminiscent of the limestone karst scenery of Vietnam and is the perfect place to ride with very little traffic on the roads. Push your pedals a short distance uphill and be rewarded with spectacular views before continuing on to meet the delightful Mama Luisa, a seasoned farmer who’ll provide you with a delicious local meal (and a hug!). Afterwards, ride to a tobacco farm where you’ll meet another farmer who’ll show you how tobacco is dried and then rolled into cigars – here you have the chance to purchase this Cuban speciality directly from the maker. Jump back into the support vehicle and return to Vinales in time for a delicious farm-to-plate experience at a hillside restaurant. The food here is 100% organic and grown locally, and although drinks aren’t included, you only pay for the mixers as the rum is free, classic Cuba!

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Vinales - Tobacco farm visit

Optional Activities

Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (per hour) - CUC10
Vinales - Live Music Venues (Entrance fee only) from - CUC2

Meals Included

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Special Information

The riding distance today is approximately 46 kilometres (28 miles) undulating with a couple of steep hills at the start, and an elevation gain of 575 metres (1890 feet). The road conditions are 90% tarmac – mostly in good repair but some are broken and in a poorer condition, and 10% gravel.

Day 5: Vinales / Cayo Jutias

After breakfast, drive to the Diego Rivera-inspired Mural de la Prehistoria (approximately 10 minutes). Painted on a cliff at the foot of the Sierra de Vinales, the huge eye-catching mural took 18 people four years to finish. From here, leave the towering limestone karsts behind as you cycle to the sublime Cayo Jutias, traversing smaller roads through dry and flat farmland, with barely a vehicle to be seen, until you reach the surreal white beaches and pale blue waters of Cayo Jutias. After your ride, stretch out on the shoreline and enjoy a packed lunch and fresh juice. Then enjoy free time to relax – swim in the warm waters or perhaps walk to the neighbouring beach where the locals often park their beautiful old cars on the sands. After some time to soak up the atmosphere, take the support vehicle back to Vinales (approximately 2 hours). The rest of the evening is at leisure – why not try one of the many live music venues or salsa the night away.

Note: In late 2019 the road to Cayo Jutias was closed for repairs with no formal timeframe on it's reopening. Until it reopens we will visit a different beach nearby.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Vinales - Beach excursion to Cayo Jutias

Meals Included

Breakfast
Lunch

Special Information

The riding distance today is approximately 63 kilometres (39 miles) undulating at the start and then relatively flat towards the end, and an elevation gain of 342 metres (1120 feet). The road conditions are 70% tarmac – the majority of which are in a poorer condition, and 30% gravel.

Day 6: Havana

After breakfast, drive to the nearby lookout point for a view of the Vinales Valley before descending to the flat plains where you’ll begin your final ride – cycling through rural landscapes, passing many small towns and communities along some of the smoothest tarmac in Cuba, before finishing on top of a small hill. Celebrations are in order as you enjoy one last delicious meal before re-boarding your transport for the short drive (approximately 2 hours) back to Havana. On arrival in Havana, bid farewell to your bikes and your support team before checking into your guesthouse. Make the most of a free afternoon to reacquaint yourself with Cuba's charming capital, perhaps visit the Jose Marti Memorial Tower or your guide can help organise a final group meal in one of the many paladars in Old Havana.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Havana - Jose Marti Memorial Tower (entrance fee) - CUC2

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

The riding distance today is approximately 42 kilometres (26 miles) lightly undulating, and an elevation gain of 320 metres (1050 feet). The road conditions are 100% tarmac – mostly in good repair.

Day 7: Havana

Your Cycle Cuba adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no more activities planned and you're free to depart after breakfast.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

If you have not already organized a transfer to the airport your guesthouse can usually arrange one for you – please discuss this with them the day before you need to depart.

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