Cycling Cuba

Day 1

The group flight arrives in the afternoon, a transfer will be provided to take you to our hotel. Land only clients will meet the group at the start hotel in Havana.Accommodation: Hotel Nacional (or similar)

Day 2

In the morning, we will have our bike fitting before we set off on a warm-up ride through residential and modern Havana. Today we will be joined by members of the Cuban Masters Road Cycling Club. This club is made up of veteran Cuban cyclists who regularly compete in races in their respective age groups and will give us an insight into competitive cycling in Cuba.We will cycle through various districts of the city, stopping along the route in the old town for a coffee and fruit juice at a small caf run by local residents, located in a typical urban residential community. From here well depart by bus and drive eastwards to begin our tour of the island. On the way towards Santa Clara, well stop to eat our picnic lunch before continuing to see the Che Guevara memorial site in Santa Clara. The pretty town of Remedios is our final stop today. Upon arrival we will visit a workshop, in which they prepare for the towns famous event celebrated every Christmas, Las Parrandas de Remedios. This is a very lively street parade where people from the local community participate. We will enjoy a group dinner tonight at a local paladar.Today's driving time is approx. 4 hours.Accommodation:Hotel Barcelona or Hotel Mascotte (or similar)

Day 3

After breakfast, we take a short transfer to just outside the town of Caibarien, where we start cycling towards Mayajigua. Along the way we stop for coffee at thehome of a Cuban family, where wewe canfind out about life in rural Cuba. The cycling route today is mostly flat as we head eastwards along a section of the countrys northern circuit. Despite the ride not being too challenging today, there is the likelihood of encountering a headwind when cycling in this direction. After lunch we transfer to Camaguey, where we check-in to our hotel located in the centre of town. A local historian will join us for dinner this evening, to discuss the history of Camaguey, the third biggest city in Cuba.Today's driving is approx. 4 hours.Accommodation: Hotel Colon (or similar)

Day 4

This morning we depart the hotel by bus, driving to Puerto Padre in Las Tunas province. Starting from the coastal Malecon road, we cycle out of town heading eastwards on undulating roads. We will be greeted by a Cuban family at the town of Delicias, welcoming us into their home and offering fresh fruit and coffee. We carry on riding from Uas to Aguas Claras, experiencing some climbs. Todays destination is the charming coastal fishing town of Gibara, where we will stay at a centrally located hotel. In the evening well take a short walk before dinner to meet local fisherman and learn about their way of life in this remote coastal town. Dining at a private restaurant, we will have an array of seafood specialities. The town is also the unassuming destination for an annual film festival, so this evening we will be joined by a local resident involved in the running of the festival.Today's driving time is approx. 2.5 hours.Accommodation: Hotel Arsenita (or similar)

Day 5

After breakfast we take a short transfer to the outskirts of Holguin before jumping on our bikes and starting cycling towards Biran. Todays route covers well-surfaced roads with some undulations and several fast downhill sections. Fans of Buena Vista Social Club will appreciate riding along the route that rose to fame in their song Chan Chan. In Biran we will explore a famous village with great historical significance as it is the birthplace of Raul and Fidel Castro. A farm visit will give us an insight about the sugar cane industry in Cuba. Afterwards we board the bus and transfer to Santiago. This evening we take part in a salsa class with Cuban dance partners, where each member of the group will have their own dance partner to assist in teaching salsa moves!Today's driving is approx. 3.5 hours.Accommodation: Hotel San Felix (or similar)

Day 6

Santiago de Cuba is known as the 'City of Heroes' due to the important role it played in the battles for both the independence and the revolution. The morning is spent sightseeing, including a visit to the Moncada Barracks where the opening shots of the revolution were fired on 26 July 1953 when Castro and his men attacked the barracks. We also visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where both Jose Marti and Fidel Castro are buried. No trip to Santiago would be complete without visiting Serrano park and joining a game of dominoes, which is probably the most common pastime throughout Cuba. For lunch today we will have a cooking class and learn about some traditional Cuban dishes. Expect a hands-on cooking experience, with detailed explanations and recipes to take home. After lunch, we leave the city behind and drive towards the green mountains of the Sierra Maestra, stopping to visit El Cobre, the most sacred pilgrimage site in Cuba. We will carry on our drive to our destination, El Salton.Today's driving is approx. 3 hours.Accommodation: Hotel El Salton (or similar)

Day 7

An early start for a short walk in the mountains with a local guide, as we pass through the tropical forest and coffee plantations before stopping for coffee and fruit at a local farmer's home. We return to our hotel to prepare for a challenging ride from the hotel through the Sierra Maestra. Heading deeper into the mountains, today's route is dominated by Pico Bayamesa -at 1,730m above sea level it is Cuba's third tallest peak.This is anarea of stunning natural beauty that is rarely visited by tourists. After passing through numerous villages we reach our hotel in Bayamo, where we can relax after one of our hardest rides. This city is where the Cuban national anthem was composed in the mid-19th Century and is one of the original 7 'villas' founded by the Spanish conquerors. In the afternoon, we enjoy a tour of the city with the traditional transportation of a horse and cart. During this tour we will have several stops at different sights so you can gain insider knowledge from local Cubans as you enjoy discovering Bayamo. This evening we visit a local paladar for dinner.Accommodation: Hotel Royalton (or similar)

Day 8

With a long day ahead of us, we start early today, leaving Bayamo by bike. We exit the city passing through agricultural towns and sugar cane plantations, on a fast and flat ride cycling westwards towards the coast. On route we will stop in the town of Yara to find out about Cubas national sport, baseball. We will visit the stadium and our guide will explain the importance of the sport in the culture of the island. We carry on cycling to Manzanillo, stopping to have a packed lunch by the water in a small park at the end of the coastal road. From here we transfer to our final location for today, Camaguey the youngest UNESCO heritage site in Cuba. Characterized by 'tinajones' large, earthen jugs found in the squares, churches and gardens that were originally used to store water during drought periods. Upon arrival you will be taken on a tour along the four plazas by bicitaxi, whizzing around in true Cuban style!Today's driving is approx. 3 hours.Accommodation: Hotel Colon (or similar)

Day 9

After breakfast we will travel by bus to Banao. Once we reach Banao, the group will start cycling along a scenic route to the town of Trinidad. On our journey, we stop to visit a group of women from the local community, who are keeping regional traditions alive by teaching textile handicraft making to younger generations. When we arrive in Trinidad, we enjoy a welcome drink at Casa de Alberto our groups hub for the next two days. In the afternoon explore the town of Trinidad with a local resident, adding a different perspective to the walking tour. Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, it is one of the best-preserved colonial towns of the island. Exploring Trinidad is like stepping back in time, the cobbled streets and horse drawn transportation whisks you back to colonial times. The tour of the city will also include a visit to the Casa Templo de Santaria de Yemaya where we will find out about the Santeria Afro-Cuban religion. In the evening learn how to make the perfect mojito at a cocktail making class. Local Cuban bar staff will provide a tutorial before judging the group to see who has made the most authentic Cuban drink. Today's driving is approx. 3.5 hours.Accommodation: Casa Particulares in Trinidad

Day 10

On today's ridewe will be joined by members of the Trinidad Cycling Club, wtih plenty of time to chat and interact as we all cycle to the fishing village of La Boca, a popular spot with local fisherman going about their daily business. Our ride continues to Playa Ancon, a classic white sand Caribbean beach, where weather dependent we have a picnic lunch. For those who wish to, there will be swimming opportunities before we cycle back to Trinidad. On our return, we will visit the workshop used by the Trinidad Cycling Club to learn more about the local cycling culture as well as finding out how they maintain bikes without having easy access to spare parts. In the afternoon we join the Santander family and enjoy a pottery making class. Here we will learn the skills that have been passed down by several generations of this Cuban family before making our very own pottery with the guidance of a family member. This evening we enjoy dinner at a private paladar with a local collective of musicians that will perform interpretations of classic Cuban Trova songs.Accommodation: Casa Particulares

Day 11

This morning we are joined by our new friends from the Trinidad Cycling Club forthe firstpart of our ride on the coastal road. Literally sandwiched by the mountains and the sea, the road clings in sections to the shimmering Caribbean. We stop at Rancho La Vega farm to have fruit juice or coffee.Today's route passes small communities and crosses bridges over picturesque bayswithsome short sharp hills. The road then undulates through mango groves until it reaches the Botanical Garden of Cienfuegos, where we stop to relax and take a break in the serene, natural environment. Our ride finishes here, just outside the city of Cienfuegos, andfrom here we will be transferred by bus to our casas. Tonight, we enjoy a Cuban themed evening which will include Cuban music, delicious roast pork, rum and dominoes prepared by our fabulous host Lily.Accommodation: Casa Particulares

Day 12

This morning we depart by bus to the village of Navarra, from where we will start our ride. Todays route covers a variety of landscapes this is a day for discovering the rural heart of Cuba as we pass through small communities dedicated to agriculture and charcoal production. We ride through the Zapata Peninsula the biggest marshland in Cuba, stopping at Playa Giron for a chance to learn about the CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. This region of the Zapata Peninsula is a national park and swamp, providing a habitat for some of the most important bird species of Cuba. Afterwards continuing by bus to Playa Larga, well stay in casas particulares. For our evening meal tonight, we will be joined by a local nature expert who will talk to us about the natural landscapes and characteristics of the area.Today's driving is approx. 1.5 hours.Accommodation: Casa Particulares

Day 13

This morning, a short transfer to Jaguey Grande takes us to our starting point. Today we ride alongside citrus plantations at the heart of the island, arriving in time for a country lunch at Finca Coincidencia, an organic farm in the centre of Matanzas province. The property is home to a family venture that combines farming, art and eco-friendly agricultural methods. In the afternoon, we transfer north to the city of Matanzas where we visit a pharmaceutical museum and talk to a local expert to learn how Matanzas was well known for its innovative treatments and the legacy that still exists today.Today's driving time is approx. 2 hours.Accommodation: Hotel Velasco (or similar)

Day 14

For the final ride of the tour, we depart directly from the hotel in Matanzas, climbing out of the city as we leave and head westwards. On the first section of the route we may encounter some road traffic. After we turn towards the town of Ceiba Mocha and begin the climb to Picadura Valley pass, well soon find ourselves in peaceful and beautiful surroundings where we can enjoy valley views and the occasional small village. One of these is an old traditional sugar cane village, where we will stop to learn about the historical importance the industry had on Cuba. We will carry on cycling until we reach a lookout point, from there we are rewarded with a long stretch of flat and downhill roads that take us all the way to the Caribbean coastline. We will end the ride at the beach, arriving in time to have lunch at a hotel. Make the most of an all-inclusive pool bar and have a well-earned swim and cool down in the water! From Playa Jibacoa we drive back to Havana in time for a city tour in classic cars. Visiting both the old and new areas of the city, we discover the distinct neighbourhoods of the capital, stopping at points of interest. Feel free to ask questions about why the streets of Cuba are filled with classic American cars manufactured in the 1950s and how on earth the owners manage to maintain them!Afterwards we will head back to our hotel to get ready to go out for our farewell group dinner at a paladar in Havana.Today's driving time is approx. 1.5 hours.Accommodation: Hotel Nacional (or similar)

Day 15

This morning we have a walking tour of Old Havana the heart of Cuba's capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. Havana is a busy, bustling, energetic capital, and one of the finest colonial cities in the Americas with narrow streets, spacious plazas and glorious architecture. There is an air of faded grandeur about the place with paint peeling off buildings. The area of Old Havana is often described as a living museum, with its marvelous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. During our tour we visit a ration store, food market and artisan market for a chance to buy some souvenirs. We will finish this tour by visiting the Velo Cuba cycling project which is run by an inspiring group of Cuban women who rent bikes and promote cycling as a form of transport. During our visit we will find out how they use limited resources to help fix peoples bikes up so that they are roadworthy and about teaching children of La Habana Vieja how to ride!Those on group flights will transfer approx. 30 - 40 minutes this afternoon to Havana airport for the return flight to London. Everyone else is free to leave or make onward travel arrangements.