Summary
An activity packed holiday, visiting all the highlights of Cuba, including Havana, Vinales Valley and colonial Trinidad. Enjoy a range of activities from kayaking on coastal lagoons to E biking through historic Havana.
Highlights
- E Bike through the bustling streets of Havana, exploring the city on two wheels.
- Kayak through the tranquil coastal lagoons at Cienfuegos, to observe pink flamingos
- Horse ride through the tobacco plantations in Vinales under the watchful gaze of the Mogotes
- Walk through the Escambray mountains, with cooling swims in waterfall pools
- Become a mixologist learning to make cocktails in King Charles’s favourite Havana bar.
The Details
As the largest and most diverse island in the Caribbean, Cuba is certainly the most fascinating destination in the Americas for those who enjoy an active holiday.
Offering a blend of stunning natural beauty, vibrant Latin culture, rich history, a friendly welcome and a dollop of socialist fervour, the island offers countless ways to stay active, to the Latin beat of music and dance.
We can tailor all our holidays to suit your requirements, and this suggested itinerary introduces a diverse choice of cycling, walking, caving, horse riding and dancing, however we can certainly focus on your main interest areas as we have so many options available for active holidays in Cuba.
Travel a little more independently with our private transfer service between each destination and local guides based in all the popular locations and you can add additional free time for your own pursuits.
Gallery
Suggested Itinerary
Arrival into Havana where one of our local team will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your Havana home for the next few days.
Your body clock will have you up early, ready early for a fascinating introduction to Havana, one of the world’s most unique and intriguing cities.
Meet up with our local guide for a stroll through the narrow, historic streets, likened by many to a living film set. Old Havana is a kaleidoscope of colour with a street life that is totally absorbing. Our guides know the city intimately and can also focus on unravelling the day-to-day life for the locals.
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After lunch in our favourite Cuban restaurant, a gleaming classic American convertible will pick you up for a sunset panoramic tour of Havana. A truly memorable way to see the sights as the sun sets and the city prepares for the evening ahead.
Ride a stylish E bike through the city enjoying its unique street life, passing through the imposing Revolution Square.
Weave slowly through the bustle of Old Havana passing the Capitolio building and freewheel down Prado, a favourite with street artists. Finish the ride along the majestic Malecon coastal promenade, known as “Havana Sofa” as the locals use the sea wall for their socialising.
Return to Old Havana and discover the intriguing history of the world-famous Cuban cocktails and follow in the footsteps of King Charles by making a few of your own with our mixologist.
The rum might help now, as its off for a fun, short salsa lesson, to learn the basic steps in a historic Old Havana studio, ready for those nights ahead dancing through Cuba.
Enjoy a guided horse ride through the valley and visit a working tobacco plantation to learn about the growing process and global fascination of the Cuban cigar.
After an organic farmhouse lunch, explore Santo Tomas caves, an exhilarating experience, with stalagmites and stalactites, underground pools and the occasional bat!
To finish a very active day, enjoy a leisurely sunset cycle tour exploring hidden parts of the valley.
Head along a bumpy country road to the island of Cayo Jutias, certainly boasting one of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches in Cuba.
There will be time swim and snorkel, and we can guide you to a unique spot to see the many starfish who seem to congregate here, the reason why remains a mystery.
Our friend serves up barbecued lobster on the beach, or we can arrange a packed lunch and drinks and there will be plenty of time to enjoy the Caribbean sun.
First stop is Las Terrazas National Park where the energetic can head up the short, but steep climb to Taburete Hill, the former training hill for Che Guevara and his Revolutionaries. There are other easier trails to enjoy, fully guided by national park guides who will explain about Fidel Castro’s visionary reforestation programme.
After lunch, its snooze time en route to the Zapata National Park, a region of mangroves and wetlands. The afternoon is yours for exploring the area and swimming in the Caribbean, before continuing to Cienfuegos.
As the sun rises it’s a perfect time for a Kayak tour through the shallow lagoons near Cienfuegos to visit a flamboyance of pink flamingos. Paddle with a local guide and its only in Cuba, where one passes the rusting hulk of a Russian submarine, hidden in the mangroves!
From the ocean to the mountains, next stop the picturesque El Nicho waterfalls, where water plunges more than 30 metres to a lovely natural pool. Continue through the foothills of the Escambray mountains to Trinidad, for many a highlight in Cuba.
Cycle on E bikes to Sugar Mill Valley, visiting the old plantation houses and watch tower where thousands of slaves toiled in the heat. It is certainly a location that causes some deep reflections on history.
Tour the centre of Trinidad, with its fascinating street life and stunning colonial buildings and cycle towards the coast, exploring the backwaters as you go.
Finish the ride with a cooling swim in the Caribbean and stay on and enjoy a sunset dinner here at our favourite beach restaurant.
Start the day with a stop at the delightfully rustic Casa del Café for a very natural morning coffee!
Choose from a selection of walks, from more leisurely strolls to longer trails exploring lesser visited parts of the Escambray mountains. All walks are fully guided with local nature guides who can also provide insights into mountain life in Cuba.
Bring your swimming gear as there are opportunities for cooling swims in waterfall pools and a rustic farmhouse lunch is included on all the walks.
Head through the foothills of the mountains, for the city of Santa Clara and visit Che Guevara's Mausoleum and the museum dedicated to his life.
After lunch its time to relax as you drive up the autopista to Havana and as it’s your last night, it must be show time!
After a farewell dinner enjoy your last night in Cuba. Book the world-famous Tropicana open air extravaganza of cabaret and costumes that takes you back to the 1930s. Or alternatively the “Legends of Cuban Music “ offering Cuban big band music.
Today is at leisure in Old Havana before a transfer takes you to the airport for your return flight home.
Alternatively stay a few days and head to one of Cuba’s beautiful beach areas to relax and enjoy some nautical activities such as snorkelling, diving , deep sea fishing and sailing .
Best time to go
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From £3,395 per person
The price is based on two people sharing a twin or a double room, activities as described and includes flights from the UK.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
