A comprehensive holiday taking in the very best of Cuba's eastern region known fondly as Oriente
Eastern Cuba is a much less visited region of Cuba, that really packs a punch. Explore the historic and revolutionary city of Santiago De Cuba, spectacular scenery in the Sierra Maestra mountains, and sleepy Baracoa.
Enjoy authentic Cuban music and dance, eat local in family run restaurants and finish the tour with time at one of Cuba's most idyllic beaches.
Eastern Cuba is a much less visited region of Cuba, that really packs a punch!
It has Cuba’s largest and highest mountain range, its highest peak at over 6400ft and Santiago De Cuba, the islands second largest colonial city, enjoying a Caribbean vibe and strong links to Fidel Castro and Revolution. Dotted throughout the region, delightful small colonial towns can be explored, including Gibara, Bayamo and Baracoa, the latter surrounded by wild sub tropical National Parks. There are miles of coastline ,some rugged with a mountain backdrop and other areas offering world class, beautiful beaches.
The locals lead a simple life here and are incredibly friendly and welcoming and their love of music and dance is strong, as is their pride of being from “Oriente” which is often scoffed at by the “Habaneros ” from Havana .
We can tailor your holiday to suit your interests and it can be extended with the chance to relax and explore a little independently. If you enjoy walking we can incorporate this into the holiday with both the Sierra Maestra and Baracoa offering some of the best trails in Cuba. For those who enjoy history or culture, music and dance, then extend by a day or two longer and exploring Santiago De Cuba would certainly be recommended. Alternatively enjoy a few days of relaxation in the Caribbean sun with the beaches at Guardalavaca a very popular choice in Eastern Cuba.
All our holidays can be fully guided throughout, or you can travel a little more independently and book a local guide for each visit or activity that you choose to enjoy. You can then use our private transfer service to move between each destination and add in free days for your own pursuits.
Arrive at Holguin, the gateway to Eastern Cuba for a warm " Oriente" Cuban welcome.
A private transfer will take you the short distance to the delightful and very typical town of Gibara, located on the north coast of Cuba.
Known within Cuba as the ‘Villa Blanca’ (white town), Gibara fights with Baracoa located further east for the recognition as the place in Cuba where Christopher Columbus first landed.
Enjoy a short tour of the town before heading to the provincial capital Holguin, famed for its many colonial squares and founded way back in 1545. Enjoy a guided walking tour here before lunch.
Relax this afternoon and enjoy absorbing the fantastic Cuban street life at your own pace.
This morning start the journey into the Sierra Maestra Mountains, passing small farmhouses and rural villages with wonderful mountain scenery.
After travelling the last few miles by a sturdy mountain truck, arrive at a small hamlet nestling deep in the mountains with views to Cuba’s highest and most sacred mountain, Pico Turquino.
After an early breakfast and the chance to stretch your legs around the village, take the truck up Cuba's highest road to start a trail to La Plata mountain camp.
Here lived Fidel, Che Guevara and a select band of revolutionaries, all now national heroes who evaded capture and were protected by the mountain communities as they planned their future for Cuba.
Continue to the absolutely delightful La Platica tiny community for an insight into mountain life, before heading back to grab that hammock for a relaxing evening and a home cooked Cuban meal.
This morning after a wander down the river for that last mountain experience, our driver will take you to Santiago de Cuba, making a detour to visit El Cobre,, a lovely small church nestling in the mountains and an important pilgrimage site in Cuba.
Arriving into the bustle of Santiago De Cuba, our local guide awaits for the absorbing tour, including a walk through the old city and time in the central square, where Fidel announced the success of the Revolution to the world !
Continue to see the final resting place of Fidel Castro at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, a simple mausoleum guarded 24 hours a day by young soldiers. Finishing the tour at the impressive Morro Cabana with amazing views across the ocean to the mountains and we suggest dinner tonight nearby at our friend Manuel's lovely restaurant.
This evening head to Casa De La Trova for live Cuban music and dance and follow in the footsteps of Paul McCartney who visited here on a private visit
After a busy and contrasting few days exploring Eastern Cuba, today can be free to relax , enjoy the sunshine and explore the the city at your pace
Departing early in the morning, experience one of the most interesting and spectacular drives in Cuba along the very south-eastern tip of Cuba.
Your journey passes close to the infamous Guantanamo Bay, where you can look through telescopes at the US Base, a thorn in the side of the Cuban Government .
Continue over the ‘La Farola’ the mountain road that links Baracoa to the rest of the island which was only completed in 1965, a huge project for Cuba and much anticipated for the locals in Baracoa who previously had to use the sea to connect.
On arrival at delightful Baracoa, a remote small town that is closer to Haiti than Havana, we do suggest a wander through the town before you relax for the evening
The energetic could team up with one of our walking guides to climb Baracoa's very own anvil shaped mountain called El Yunque, which seems to guard the sleepy town.
For those who prefer a more leisurely walk, this is possible as there are numerous trails through the National Park.
Also visit the Rio Toa, Cuba’s wildest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve and you can take an exhilarating boat ride up the river through some spectacular scenery in this remote part of Cuba.
Finish the day at a remote and unspoilt beach , where locals say manatees can be spotted in the crystal clear waters
Heading north across the island towards Holguin, the strong links of this region to Fidel Castro continue with a stop at the tiny village of Biran.
This is the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro and its possible to visit the impressive country house and walk through the grounds where the brothers were born into a comfortable family.
After arriving at your beachside hotel overlooking the beautiful palm fringed beach the remainder of the day is yours to relax.
Today is yours to enjoy the beach , grab a poolside spot and enjoy the varied facilities of the hotel , all whilst relaxing in the Caribbean sunshine .
The hotel operates with an all inclusive service, so meals, snacks and drinks are all included for you to enjoy today.
Your last day is free to relax at the hotel and take a last swim in the sea , before our driver will arrives to collect you for the airport for your return flight home
Modern and well furnished Casa in the centre of Santiago De Cuba, with comfortable, air conditioned rooms, patio and garden areas and attentive local service.
Villas and Casas
Centrally located and colonial in style , a small , pleasant hotel overlooking the main square with bar , restaurant and roof terrace
Hotels
A peaceful and comfortable private Casa in the heart of Cuba's Sierra Maestra mountains, offering 6 rooms, local home cooked meals and a range of guided activities
Villas and Casas
Range of bespoke private tours that not only cover the main sights , but also get under the skin of the city and see how life really is
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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.
A perfect blend of Cuba's best Caribbean beaches, time in the colourful cities of Havana and Tridad, Zapata's mangrove swamplands, time at Fidal's visionary Las Terras National Park, and activities in the mountains of Vinales
£2,695 per person
A dedicated walking holiday featuring the best walks in Cuba in addition to enjoying all the highlights of the island
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