Day 1: UK - Havana
Arrival at Havana s International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight accommodation at Hotel Plaza or similar in Old Havana on BB basis.
Day 2: Havana-Pinar del Rio
After breakfast transfer to Pinar del Río, the famous tobacco region in western Cuba. Pinar del Río is quiet and cosy compared to Havana, where nothing sits still. Once there, you will visit a tobacco factory and go on a tour of the town. Lunch at Hotel Aguas Claras. After lunch, we will prepare our bikes for the start of the bike tour. The afternoon ride will take us to the Viñales Valley. Here, the legendary tobacco is grown among the crags and rocks of the steep cliffs. Viñales Valley is a place of exceptional beauty, dotted with odd
shaped Mogotes (limestone mountains) and numerous caves. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Aguas Claras.
Day 3: Cycle to Cayo Jutías - Paradise Secluded Beach!
After breakfast we will set off on a ride to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sierra de Órganos, which lies in the Northwest. The picturesque beach of Cayo Jutías is situated on a little island connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway. Once there, we can have
lunch on the beach, hire a boat or have a swim in the beautiful sea. After relaxing you can either take the bus or cycle back to Viñales to the Hotel Rancho San Vicente, where we’ll be having dinner and spending the night. Biking distance: 55 km.
Day 4: Ancón Valley
Today we will take the Jagua Vieja Road to Palma at Ancón Valley - a 30 km tour of quaint landscapes and untouched valleys. En route there is the possibility of visiting the country lodge where Fidel Castro held secret reunions during the Cuban Revolution. We will have a picnic lunch in the lush valley and then be taken to our next destination which will be the Hotel Aguas Claras which is nestled in idyllic surroundings which are perfect for a short hike or walk. This is where we will have dinner and spend the night. Biking distance: 30 km.
Day 5: Soroa
After breakfast we will be taken to Cueva de los Portales. This beautiful area was the hideout that Che Guevara used during the 62 standoff with Kennedy and this will be the site for our picnic. After the picnic we will visit the caves and then we will start the day s bike ride to Soroa over the Carretera Central. The route is one that will take us 45 km to the northeast, past characteristic little villages. In Soroa, we recommend paying the famous orchid gardens a visit. Dinner will be at the Hotel Villa Soroa where we will also spend the night. Biking distance: 45 km.
Day 6: Las Terrazas
Morning cycle to Las Terrazas. Today s trip is only 20km long. The community we will visit can be found in Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO protected rural area of sustainable
development. The river San Juan and its little waterfall flow through the thick forest where one can see little lakes, ruins and coffee plantations from the 19th century and sulphurous sources. Most farmers in Sierra live in communities which were formed in the course of a government program in 1968. The most well known is Las Terrazas. The name comes from overgrown terraced fields which are typical of this region. The 900 inhabitants of this community live off the timber industry and eco tourism. En route we will have a little picnic lunch. Dinner will be taken at a farmhouse. Accommodation: Hotel el Moka. Biking distance: 20 km.
Day 7: Havana
In the morning we return to Havana. Our guide will take us for a city sightseeing tour on which you can get your final few lasting impressions of the old city of Havana and the Spanish-Andalusian architecture, framed by the tropical sun and lush vegetation, which is characteristic of Habana Vieja. Overnight accommodation at Hotel Plaza on BB basis.
Day 8: Adiós Cuba!
After breakfast you have the opportunity to explore Havana on your own before the transfer takes you to the airport.
NOTES:
English speaking guide throughout.
All transfers in a mini-bus.
Bike rental is included, helmets are excluded.