Cuba Hiking Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Havana

Arrive in Havana at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecon (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered by walking.The Spaniard Diego Velázquez moved San Cristobal de la Habana in 1519 from its original site to its present location and the city remained a port of relative obscurity, within the empire, until gold and silver began to flow from New World mines back to Spain. Havana became the gathering hub for shipments of treasure from the ports of Cartagena (Colombia) and Veracruz (Mexico).Soon pirates turned their attention to the port and the city of Havana and its annual treasure trove became the number one target for the Dutch, English and French. Eventually the Spanish began construction of various forts and a protecting wall to repel the invaders. Nevertheless, the city was sacked in 1762 and held by the British under the command of Lord Albermale for nearly a year. Eventually, the Spanish exchanged the Florida territory in trade for the island. The end of the British occupation also signalled the beginning of more economic freedom for the islanders, as they were given the right to trade with cities other than Cadiz in Spain. The ensuing economic boom translated into steady growth in population and material progress.The main area of interest to visitors is La Habana Vieja (The Old City), where walking or a taxi tour are the best modes of transportation. Points of interest in this part of town include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is also located on the Plaza de Armas, which now houses the Museo de La Ciudad. You will find the oldest colonial fortress on the plaza’s northeast sector, the Castillo Real de la Fuerza, whose construction began in 1558.The city is home to various museums, and depending on your area of interest, there is practically a museum for everyone. One of the city’s (and the island’s) most prominent attractions though, are its music and clubs. Everywhere you go you will hear and feel the music and see people freely dancing in the streets. The island literally pulses with the beat and blend of Afro-Hispanic rhythms and movement.Please note: the heat of Cuba may affect you upon arrival, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply your body’s reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water and do not attempt too much in any given day.

Day 2 Havana / Viñales Village (B)

Meet your group at 9am at your start hotel today and hear a bit about your hiking adventure! Afterwards, we will enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana followed by a tour by bus of Modern Havana. We stop at an authentic Cigar Factory for an included guided tour.In the afternoon, we head west to Pinar del Río, the “Garden Province” of Cuba. Enjoy the scenic journey to the town of Viñales as we travel past tobacco farms, lush vegetation, and the unique pincushion limestone hills for which it is famous. Locally known as "mogotes", these spectacular loaf-shaped mountains were formed by seeping water wearing away at the limestone over a period of 250 million years. Spend the night in Viñales.Pinar del Río province has some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery in the country. The area is also the most famous tobacco-growing region in this, the undisputed world champion of cigar producing nations. Due to the richness of the soil, Pinar del Río accounts for 59% of Cuba’s tobacco plantation, with the first factory opening here in 1760. The small village of Viñales sits in a fertile valley, lined with mogotes, making for some spectacular views. On the main plaza is a cultural centre as well as a municipal museum, however most visitors to the area come for the views and the nearby outdoor activities. Because of the limestone geology the region has many extensive cave systems, formed by the slow deterioration of the limestone bedrock by underground rivers. The striking mogotes, as mentioned above, are reminiscent of the hills of Guilin in southern China, and are formed by the same processes.There is some free time in the late afternoon before we head to our hotel, a scenic spot just outside of the village.

Day 3 Mil Cumbres (B,L,D)

Journey to the protected reserve area of Mil Cumbres, west of Sierra de los Organos. Experience the region during our hike (approx 4-5 hours), including a visit the local community San Juan de Sagua. Take a snapshot of the rare endemic cork palm tree, a living Jurassic-era fossil in danger of extinction. Enjoy a box lunch, cool off in the river, take time to relax, and possibly brush up on your Spanish with the local children. Try some typical Cuban food in an included dinner at Hacienda Mil Cumbres. There is time for some quiet conversation at your campsite before retiring into your tent for the night.

Day 4 El Caimito/Mil Cumbres (B,L,D)

Travel by bus to the point where we begin our day's hike. Walk to the rangers' station at the bottom of the one of the area's "mogotes", or loaf-shaped limestone mountains, known as El Caimito. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch before continuing our hike across the river, through this once-volcanic region. Enjoy majestic views from an altitude of 200 m before returning to our tents at the campsite at the Hacienda in the afternoon. There are some moderate hills to walk up during the hike, but they are not steep. While there are portions of the hike that are shaded, you may still find this area quite hot. You may wish to take advantage of the option to relax and take a dip in the area's natural pools.Total hiking distance approx 15km.

Day 5 Viñales Valley (B,L)

Today we will travel by bus to begin our walk through the Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Known for being a photographer's paradise, the Viñales Valley is rich with dense tropical vegetation, exotic native plants, and endemic species of wildlife. Perhaps you might be lucky enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of the unique Cuban mockingbird (Cuban solitaire).The flat surface of the valley is a perfect mix of traditional culture and old-fashioned cultivation. Enjoy a visit to this spectacular area scattered with tabacco fields, taro, and banana crops intertwined amidst small rural homes.Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue our trip further west to the surrounding sierra and the Santo Tomás cave system (locally known as La Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás). Explore this vast system of caverns stretching more than 45 km and encompassing 8 levels.

Day 6 Cayo Jutías (B)

Following breakfast at the hotel, we travel by bus to Cayo Jutías, where we will spend some quality time relaxing and exploring the beautiful white beach with crystal clear water. Option to swim or snorkel in the nearby coral reef.Cristobal Colón (Columbus) found the main island of Cuba in October of 1492, following a route indicated by the Arawak people he first encountered in the Bahamas. Looking for the fabled Cipango, he noted in his log book that this newly found island was one of the most beautiful he had ever set eyes upon. The Spanish settlement and exploitation of the island began in earnest with the founding of towns such as Baracoa, Santiago and Havana. The Arawak population was soon decimated by both disease and enslavement and the Spanish replaced the native work force with African slaves.Though they did not find the metal treasures found in other conquered lands such as Mexico, Bolivia and Peru, the island did become a hub for the transportation of the New World wealth and treasure, via galleons, back to the Old World. It soon became the focal point for pirate activity in the Caribbean and eventually the islanders began to export their own wealth in the form of agricultural produce such as tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee.The unique blend of cultural traditions on the island continues to this day, with vibrant rhythms and a rich heritage of literature and dance. The island’s character is also influenced by the social injustice of its past and the present generation’s efforts to address that situation.Cuba, and Cubans are unique among Latin Americans in many ways, and though the country has been a magnet for sun seeking tourists for some time, it is only slowly opening up to less traditional tourism. We sincerely hope you will take the opportunity to explore this uniquely beautiful and captivating land and its friendly and open people.

Day 7 Santa Clara / Topes de Collantes (B,D)

Venture by bus to Santa Clara, a key city in the Revolution, where we will take an included visit and guided tour of the Che Guevara Memorial. After our sightseeing in Santa Clara we make our way to our hotel in Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve in the Sierra del Escambray (Escambray Mountain Range). Enjoy dinner at the hotel.Santa Clara is probably best known as the home of the statue of Ernesto Che Guevara at the Plaza de la Revolución. The remains of Che and his comrades who fell in Bolivia are interred in the mausoleum at this site.Santa Clara was founded in 1689 by Spaniards hoping to evade the pirate raids on the coastal cities. Today it is a modern, industrial centre and holds a special place in the history of the revolution as the first large city to be liberated by the Revolutionary Forces in December 1958.About 18 men, under the command of Comandante Ernesto (Ché) Guevara, fought against more than 400 heavily armed Batista government troops and captured the armoured train. There is a large monument deditcated to the derailing of this train full of armaments that was essential to the triumph of the revolution. Both the monument and the site are referred to as 'Tren Blindado'. The Museo Histórico de la Revolución chronicles the Battle of Santa Clara, and it is here that a gargantuan statue of El Ché was erected to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the revolutionary hero’s murder in Bolivia.

Day 8-10 Codina Park / Guanayara Park / El Cubano (3B, 3L, 3D)

Now we are off for 3 days of walking through the beautiful surroundings of central Cuba, complete with waterfalls, streams, a great variety of flora and fauna, and a few hills along the way. This area generally benefits from a micro climate that is cool and humid with lush vegetation known for it's therapeutic virtures.Day 8, we venture into Codina Park, just 5km from Topes de Collantes. This park is home to caves, picturesque landscapes including orchids and bamboos. After settling in at the night stop, spend the night camping under the stars.Day 9, we continue with some trekking in Guanayara Park. We walk along the river until we reach "El Rocio" (The Dew) waterfall, an ideal spot to cool off with a swim. We will be camping again tonight.Starting off the day with a transfer by truck to the trail on Day 10, we will explore the area known as "El Cubano." El Cubano is located 250m above sea level, and after a nice hike, you will reach a river perfect for a quick swim. In the afternoon, we'll have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking Ancon Peninsula just outside of Trinidad.

Day 11 Island of the Iguanas / Topes de Collantes (B,L,D)

Island of the Iguanas is a little lost island off the coast of Cuba. Travel to the Peninsula Ancon Marina and take a boat across to the island, weather permitting. Tour around the island, and enjoy a relaxing lunch on the beach, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling. Return in the evening and sleep in Topes de Collantes.

Day 12-13 Trinidad (2B)

Enjoy breakfast on board while our boat returns to the mainland, and continue our journey by bus to Trinidad. Spend some free time for the next day exploring the unique architecture of this beautiful colonial city. Learn about the historic importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with an included city tour. Be sure to check out the Casa de la Musica at night for some dancing under the stars.Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is home to lovely Spanish-style churches and great museums.La Villa de la Santísima Trinidad was founded by Velásquez in 1514 and the defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, attended over the settlement’s first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernán Cortés recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. It is a charming, small town with the green mountains of the Sierra del Escambray in the background, and the turquoise waters and pure white, sand beaches of the Caribbean Sea just a short distance away. The town and area also saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad chronicles the struggles of this period in the town’s history.Trinidad is the hub of the cultural activity, and you are never out of earshot from a group of musicians playing local salsa or son. The town also has the requisite Casa de la Trova, a mainstay of Cuban musical culture in every town, the Palenque, Las Ruinas, Teatro de Brunet, the Artex, the nightlife, the conga lessons and salsa lessons.Those visitors who wish to pursue outdoor activities will find Trinidad a haven for horseback or bicycle riding (don’t expect any modern mountain bikes though!). If an unspoiled, white sand beach sounds like what you're looking for, try snorkelling or diving in nearby Playa Ancón, just 12 km (7.5 miles) from town.The nearby Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) is where you will see some remains of the island's vast sugar cane plantations. The beautiful green landscape has attracted visitors from around the world who visit it for enjoying its historical and cultural attributes. Valle de los Ingenios was fairly inactive until the 1800s, when French refugees fleeing a slav revolt in Haiti landed here en masse and brought with them sugar cane cultivation. The new residents settled and farmed in the valley. Wealth flowed into the local economy from sugar cane cultivation and the area produced one third of the country’s sugar at one point. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town’s once grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought iron grill work and cobblestone streets.Indeed, the last three centuries have not only changed the landscape, but have left about 73 architectural and archaeological sites to be explored. There is a landscape of archaeological remains and architectural ruins that exemplify the town's vernacular and industry: the boiler house, the dregs house, the manor house, the slave quarters, warehouses, stables, distilleries, tile factories, bell towers, as well as other masonry works to dam and conduct the water of brooks and cisterns used in the recollection of rain water, among others.

Day 14 Havana (B)

After breakfast travel by bus back to Havana to find those last minute Cuban treasures to take home, and enjoy one last night on the town.

Day 15 Havana (B)

Depart Havana at any time.