| Starts | Havana, Cuba |
|---|---|
| Ends | Havana, Cuba |
| Region | South America & Central America |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Havana & Finishing: Havana
Welcome to Cuba! Bienvenido a Cuba! Arrive at Havana's Jose Marti International airport, where you'll be transferred to your guesthouse. Your arrival transfer must be pre-booked. Please ensure you provide your arrival flight details at least 15 days before the start of the trip. In the evening, at approximately 6pm, you will meet your leader and the other members of your group for a pre-tour briefing. Please expect a letter or a phone call on Day 1 from your leader to confirm the time and place of your meeting. Please come to this meeting with your passport, travel insurance and next of kin information. The briefing is followed by an included group dinner.
Day 2 - Starting: Soroa - Vinales & Finishing: Soroa - Vinales
This morning your leader will take you on a walking tour of the lovely Old Havana. You'll go to the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Your entry fee to the Camera Obscura lookout at Plaza Vieja is included. Afterwards you will drive west to Soroa, where you'll enjoy some lunch and tour the beautiful orchid garden. A local expert will take you on a private tour of the gardens to identify the bird and plant species of this diverse area. You will easily see why the valley is known as the rainbow of Cuba. Continue on to Vinales, where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape.
Day 3 - Starting: Vinales & Finishing: Vinales
You will taken on a guided walk through the farm lands of Vinales, which you'll soon see is home to some extraordinary scenery – some of Cuba's best. Learn more about the tobacco industry and see a farmer whip a world class cigar in seconds. Take part in an informal Spanish lesson so you can converse with the friendly locals. Later, perhaps enjoy the porch rocking chair and soak up the slow, old-world pace of rural Cuba as oxen plod gracefully along the streets.
Day 4 - Starting: Cienfuegos & Finishing: Cienfuegos
Prepare for a long travel day as you board the comfortable bus to Cienfuegos, stopping on the way in the Bay of Pigs. First, learn about the botched US Military counter-revolutionary invasion in the Giron Museum then stop at the monumental bay itself, for a swim in the crystal clear water or simply sit back and try to imagine that such a battle played out in this location. Then it is just a short drive to Cienfuegos, one of Cuba's prettiest coastal spots. While you're here you will visit the Palacio del Valle, Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. Its grandiose carvings in Venetian alabaster strike an impressive pose in this beautiful seaside city.
Day 5 - Starting: Trinidad & Finishing: Trinidad
Take the short drive to Trindad. During a guided walk of the town, take in its eye-catching combination of cobblestone streets, colourful houses and old-fashioned locals. It's a great town to explore on foot, and almost every scene offers superb photographic opportunities – from residents relaxing with huge cigars on their doorsteps to old Chevrolets cruising by. In the afternoon, embrace the rhythm and learn a few steps in a salsa dancing class. In the evening take a trip out of town to a local farm for a homely and festive dinner. Be welcomed with the local drink; Canchanchara made from 'fire water', local honey and lime juice. There will even be a private band serenading you and your fellow travellers as you dine.
Day 6 - Starting: Trinidad & Finishing: Trinidad
Today is a free day in Trinidad. For some beachside fun and perhaps a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon. Just be careful you don't stand on a sea urchin. At some point while you're here, a great activity is to go to a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open-air venues. Cuba has a rich and varied music and dance tradition that draws roots from Spain, Africa and France, and this is your chance to experience it all first-hand, from the Mambo to the rumba.
Day 7 - Starting: Havana & Finishing: Havana
On your way back to Havana you will stop in at Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum. Here you'll see the statue of the iconic revolutionary leader looming. In the museum that accompanies the mausoleum, you'll find an intriguing spread of photos and other ephemera related to Che – letters, medical devices, firearms. Afterwards, continue to the capital to see outer-Havana in a convoy of classic American vintage cars for a Havana city tour (1 hour urban adventure) that cruises via points of intrerest such as the Malecon, Revolucion Square and ending in the suburb of Vedado to drop you at the infamous Hotel Nacional. Your leader will take you around the historic grounds and the photo wall of fame. Perhaps for the final night of celebration, enjoy a cocktail in their bar overlooking the malecon.
Day 8 - Starting: Havana & Finishing: Havana
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
View Dates
