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416 224 5225info@solwaystravel.com Solways Travel
622 College Street, Suite 201B
Toronto ON M6G 1B4, Canada
Cuba Cross Over – Bicycle Tour
Day 1: Arrival to Havana
We will welcome you at the airport of Cuba’s capital Havana. Together we will arrive at our hotel in the old part of Havana, where you will spend the first two nights of your Cuba trip. Accommodation: hotel Plaza or similar.
Day 2: Explore Havana
In the morning we start exploring the hotel’s surroundings during a guided walk. We will visit the Malecon and many other interesting sights in the Habana Vieja quarter. In the afternoon we shall visit a cultural project inside the “Casa del Tango” and will participate in a little fiesta.
Day 3: Havana - Viñales
During our tour, we will take a straight route to Puente del Mariel (25 km). After lunch, the trip will continue towards Viñales. Driving on narrow roads through the valley, one can admire the uniqueness of the surrounding landscape. After approximately 10 km drive, we arrive at our hotel, which is situated in a picturesque Mogote valley. Accommodation at the hotel Rancho San Vicente or similar. Total: 35 km.
Day 4: Viñales – Puerto Esperanza
Today’s tour heads for Puerto Esperanza. We will set off by taking the same route to Viñales. It is a narrow road and can be steep at times, but all cyclists manage to pass it. During the whole tour, plenty of greenery and the beauty of Cuban nature will surround us. From time to time we pass little villages, one of which, San Cayetano, is especially remarkable. This very old village has a little church dating to the 16th century and is worth a short visit. Continuing our journey, at noon we arrive at Puerto Esperanza, situated directly at the sea. The town seems to be stuck in another time because tourism has not arrived yet and so we have the chance to get an insight into a real Cuban village with many colonial houses. The city bridge had a very important function in the 1800s: during these times all the gold that was mined in this region was taken across it. Gold digging and trading boomed and it is because of this that Cuba’s second train line leads to Puerto Esperanza. Nowadays production of tobacco and fishing are the main industries of the village. Here we shall lunch together at a cosy restaurant. Your afternoon is free. Either you can relax after the first stage of your trip, or you can discover the town on foot, or even the unique countryside on a horse back. Overnight stay at the hotel Rancho San Vicente or similar. Total: 38 km.
Day 5: Puerto Esperanza
In the morning we get back on our bikes and follow a little path which leads us through beautiful landscapes and to “Comunidades” (communes) which developed after the revolution (approx. 10-15 km). It is a must to stop at “fincas” where some of the best tobacco in the world is produced. We get to know locals which plough the tobacco as well as women who select tobacco leaves according to their quality. En route we refuel ourselves at a selected restaurant. We spend the night at the hotel Rancho San Vicente or similar.
Day 6: Puerto Esperanza - Cienfuegos
Today’s ride takes us to Cienfuegos, where we should arrive at our hotel by noon. After lunch we explore the charming town by bike. It is a clean and peaceful place that has unique and interesting architecture influenced by the Louisianans. Accommodation at the hotel Jagua or similar. Total: 10 km.
Day 7: Cienfuegos – Trinindad
On the way to Trinidad we cycle at the foot of the mountains of the Sierra del Escambray. There are several inclinations that can be managed well by every cyclist and are rewarded by views over fantastic vegetation. After the day’s ride we can admire the beauty of the buildings surrounding the Plaza Major in Trinidad. Later, we shall return to our hotel where you can spend the evening at your own leisure. Accommodation at the Hotel Las Cuevas or similar. Total: 25 km.
Day 8: Trinidad
During a walk through Trinidad we will hear many interesting stories about the "Golden Age” of the sugar boom and its benefits for the city. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. It is worthwhile to take a coco or bici taxi to Playa Ancón, where you can relax, swim or go snorkelling. You are accommodated once again at the Hotel Las Cuevas or similar.
Day 9: Trinidad
Day 9 of our tour is free of activities so you can plan it as you wish. We recommend an excursion to Valle de los Ingenios. The fertile plateau with its surrounding hills of the Sierra del Escambray owes its name to the sugar mills (ingenios) built at the beginning of the 19th century. There is a little railway leading to Manaca Iznaga, originally used to watch the slaves while working in the sugarcane fields. Also, you will be able to notice the social structures built during the boom of the sugar industry. Overnight stay at the hotel Las Cuevas or similar.
Day 10: Santa Clara
Today’s destination is Santa Clara. But first, our ride takes us through a charming mountain landscape with woods of pines, eucalyptus and broad leafed trees. The cycling paths are a bit stony and steep at times but are manageable by all. We take a break in the town of Topes de Collantes (800m above sea level) which is renowned for its extra clean air and its sanatorium. In the afternoon the tour continues to Santa Clara through a fascinating landscape. Accommodation at hotel Granjita. Total: 30 km.
Day 11: Varadero
Our cycling trip continues to Varadero situated on the peninsula of Hicacos. Here you can find Cuba’s longest and heavenly looking beach with crystal clear waters. It is no surprise that it is called Playa Azul. Accommodation at Villa Tortuga. Total: 30 km.
Day 12: Free Day
Today there is no bike tour on our itinerary. You can either choose a quiet beach area to relax, or you go for a walk to explore Varadero and its varied restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping malls. Accommodation at Villa Tortuga..
Day 13: Matanzas
Our first destination is Matanzas, the capital of the province of the same name. There you will find the fourth largest port for sugar export in the world, and Matanzas is considered to be the most important industrial city in Cuba. After a break we ride along the Yumurí river and continue our trip to Havana through amazing countryside. Accommodation in Habana Vieja at our hotel Plaza. Total: 45 km.
Day 14: Free Day
Day 14 is at your own disposal. Overnicght at Hotel Plaza.
Day 15: Departure e Adiós Cuba!
In the evening, transfer waiting for you will take you to the airport.
Services included:
- 14 overnights including Breakfast Board
- 5 x Lunch
- 1 x Dinner
- Multilingual and experienced tour leader
- Available mini-bus along the way
- All transfers as per itinerary, in air-conditioned mini-vans
- Bike rental
Notes:
- If a hotel mentioned in the itinerary is already fully booked, we reserve the right to book another accommodation of equivalent standard.
Prices:
| Departures Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mar 07 & Mar 28 & Apr 25 & May 23 Jun 20 & Jul 11 & Aug 01 & Aug 22 Sep 19 & Oct 17 & Nov 14 |
||
| Price in CAD | |
|---|---|
| Double Room | 1465 |
| Single room supplement | 117 |
| High-season supplement | 138 |
| Seasons | ||
|---|---|---|
| High Season | Low Season | |
| Mar 07 & Mar 28 Aug 01 & Aug 22 |
Rest of the Year | |
| No Single Supplement Melias Las Americas 6 Nights | $715 +220 tax |
| Jun 26 -Jul 02 , All Inclusive | |
| Discover Cuba Cuba Total 12 Nights | $1729 |
| Jun 20 -Jul 04 , Breakfast | |
| Discover Cuba Cuba en Bici 7 Nights | $885 |
| May 16 -Dec 21 , Breakfast | |
| Vacation Package Sol Sirenas Coral 7 Nights | $485 +220 tax |
| Jun 26 -Jul 03 , All Inclusive | |
622 College Street, Suite 201B
Toronto ON M6G 1B4, Canada
