Day 15 - Havana and Tour Ends

In the morning we take a ride in an old American car to new Havana and the Revolution Square.

Day 14 - Walk in Vinales; drive to Havana

This morning we take a walk through the valleys of this remarkable landscape to El Palmarito (approx 3hrs) with the Mogotes towering above us.

We pass through tobacco fields and may see the odd drying barn.

We visit a tobacco farm where we see a cigar being rolled.














This afternoon you will have free time for personal exploration and to visit Cueva del indio, one of the largest cave systems in the Americas.

Later this afternoon we return to atmospheric Havana. We enjoy a final dinner, and probably a dance, together in old Havana.

Day 13 - Visit Cayo Levisa

This morning we make our way to the north coast. Arriving at the ferry for Cayo Levisa, part of the Archipelago los Colorados, we take a short hop across to the island.

On the island, you may snorkel or just relax on the beach before returning to the mainland and then returning to Viñales later in the afternoon.

Day 12 - Bus to Viñales via Soroa

Today after our visit to the Mausoleum, we head on to the Viñales region.

We travel to the lush rainforest of Soroa with its orchids and waterfalls, before continuing on to Viñales, one of the most famously picturesque areas of Cuba.

Millions of years ago underground rivers cut tunnels through the limestone hills and when the roofs collapsed strange hills or ‘mogotes’, with interesting and sometimes unique vegetation, were left sticking up from today’s flat valley floor.

The iron-rich, red soil creates a patchwork of fields growing some of the best tobacco in the world - the raw material for the ubiquitous cigars.

Day 11 - Drive to Santa Clara

Today we leave Santiago behind for a full days drive towards Santa Clara, the home of Ché’s Mausoleum, where we break our journey and spend the night.

This stop allows us to visit one of Cuba’s most famous revolutionary landmarks. The museum will be closed when we arrive however we will visit it in the morning before heading to Vinales.

Santa Clara was chosen as the location in remembrance of Guevara's troops taking the city on December 31, 1958, during the Battle of Santa Clara. The result of this final battle of the Cuban Revolution was Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fleeing into exile.

Nearby, in another part of the city, a Fulgencio Batista military supply train derailed by Guevara during the battle also remains in its original location.

Day 10 - In Santiago De Cuba

Surrounded by hills and looking out over the Caribbean, Santiago has been the epicentre for revolutionary ideals since the time of Cespedes. Many of the colonial buildings and museums of Cuba’s second city are painted in attractive, traditional pastel shades.

This morning we have a guided tour of Santiago city. We take the bus to the Plaza de la Revolucion with it’s fine monument to the heroes of the Independence wars, visit the remarkable cemetery where independence hero José Martí is buried and then the Moncada Barracks (entrance optional) which Castro and 118 students unsuccessfully attacked in 1953.

 The afternoon is left free for personal exploration – we recommend a visit to El Morro fort (optional), one of the best preserved in Cuba, affording us remarkable views over the harbour right across to the Sierra Maestra, possibly for the cannon firing ceremony at sunset. We have this evening to enjoy Santiago’s famous nightlife.

Day 9 - Visit La Comandancia de la Plata; drive to Santiago de Cuba

A convoy of jeeps carry us up a steep ashphalted road to El Alto de Naranjo at 950mts.











From this trailhead we walk 3km (6km return) through virgin rainforest to La Comandancia de La Plata where Fidel Castro and Che Guevara took refuge after an unsuccessful uprising against the Cuban dictator Batista on 2nd December, 1956.

This mountain hideaway became the revolutionaries’ headquarters until Batista fled Cuba in 1959. 

After lunch we drive directly inland towards the lively former Cuban capital of Santiago.

Day 8 - Bus to Bartolome Maso

The morning is free to wander in Camaguey, or you may want to do this by bicitaxi.

We recommend a visit to the bustling farmer’s market.






Later, our journey continues east to La Plata in the Sierra Maestra mountains. These are the highest mountains in Cuba built from volcanic and other metamorphic rocks.

Finishing with a short jeep drive we arrive at our cabins for the night in Bartolome Maso.

Day 7 - Drive to Camaguey

After a short truck drive to the entrance, we rejoin our bus and leaving the Escambray Mountains behind we stop at the Valle de los Ingenios (valley of sugar mills) and the Manacas Iznaga Tower.

The 45 metre (147 ft) tower was constructed in 1816. According to experts, the bell that formerly hung on top of the tower announced the beginning and the end of the work day for the slaves and was also used to sound an alarm in case of fire or slave escape.

Later we visit Sancti Spiritus for lunch, one of the original seven settlements founded by Diego Velasquez when he claimed Cuba for Spain, and visit the local market.

We then continue on a long drive across the flattest province in Cuba – Ciego de Avila.The Llanura de Jucaro Moron (plain) is mostly used for agriculture, predominantly cattle ranching, sugar growing, citrus fruit production. Our journey continues up into the hills of the Sierra de Cubitas where beef and dairy cattle roam.

 We reach the provincial capital of Camaguey in the late afternoon.

Day 6 - In Topes de Collantes

A short bus trip up a steep, switch-back road leads us into the lushly vegetated Escambray Mountains.
From the entance we have a short truck drive to where we start our 8km trek.

This takes us into a valley cut deep by the Guayanara River. Along this section of the route good views unfold over Embalse Habanabanilla – Cuba’s highest lake.

We may stop along the way to see coffee growing and talk to some of the locals.




After about 4 hours walk we arrive at our hacienda, set in a rocky valley.








The afternoon is free – however we recommend the 5 km round trip (approx 3hrs) to the Salto de Rocio
waterfall, in an area flush with trogons, hummingbirds and woodpeckers.

We follow a river-side track beside which 7 species of tree fern, bromeliads, and orchids grow. On arrival, adventurous swimmers can enjoy waterfalls and pools, while others may choose to relax on the banks.

The accommodation at the haciendas is simple, with foam mattresses provided for sleeping out on the verandahs under overhanging eves. The peace and quiet of the night with its canopy of stars should ensure a good night’s sleep! Tents may be available.

Day 5 - Drive and trek to Topes de Collantes

This morning we start with a short drive before starting a four hour trek (approx 8km) up through an unspoilt land of forest, water eroded valleys, rushing waterfalls and underground rivers.

 There is pine forest and paths bordered by mahogany and hibiscus. You may see Humming birds flash past, darting from flower to flower searching for nectar.

Further on we reach La Batata, a cave through which an underground river gurgles, gently carving out rock
pools. The water rarely exceeds 20°C so the swimming is exhilarating here!

We trek on until we reach an isolated, century old hacienda set in a lush valley where we have lunch.

In the afternoon our local guide takes us on a circular interpretative trail, discussing the orchids and medicinal plants we find en route. At La Cueva del Altar we walk through a cavern, emerging on the other side of the hill to beautiful views of the Caribbean (approx 1.5km).

Later we have supper – enjoying wonderful Cuban hospitality, and settle down for the night.