Guided Tour through Vinales Valley
Our tour is an unique introduction to the UNESCO preserved World Heritage site of Vinales Valley with a few exclusive extras added ! It’s the perfect start to orientate yourself with this fascinating rural region in Western Cuba.
For those not staying overnight in Vinales, the tour can also be enjoyed from Havana, with an early departure from the capital.
The tour starts at the impressive viewpoint where you can look down on the valley, dotted with tobacco drying houses and the spectacular karst limestone scenery.
Drive through the Dos Hermanos Valley with the limestone ‘Mogote’ cliffs towering above and make a short stop at the Pre-History Mural. This 120-metre-tall painting, one of the largest al fresco paintings in the world, was commissioned by Fidel Castro in 1961 and depicts the images of the pre-historical time in Vinales. For some its a wonderful piece of artwork commission be Fidel himself, for others an eyesore of coloured paint on a beautiful Mogote cliff.
Strolling into the valley visit the world-famous tobacco plantations where the guide describes the process of the production of the tobacco leaves for Cuba’s cigars. Visit a small local farm, meet the farmer and enter a special selection house where the tobacco leaves are graded for use in the different brands of Cigar. Continuing to the El Palenque De Los Cimarrones, a cave in the cliffs that recreates one of the nomadic homes set up by runaway slaves giving an insight into the Afro Cuba religion in Cuba in the 19th Century.
The caves of El Indio are the next visit, which were discovered in 1920 and are thought to have been a refuge of the Guanahatabey Indians as well as a burial site, and after walking through the caves system, a 400m boat ride returns you into the heat of the day.
Lunch can be taken at the award winning organic farm restaurant at Finca Paraiso, for a tasting menu where numerous local dishes are prepared for you to try and share. This family run cooperative was recognised by President Obama on his now famous visit to Cuba, and the owners were invited to the White House to receive an award for both environmental and entrepreneurial achievements. Learn all about the farm practices from the local farming team as well as their challenges when farming organically in Cuba.
