Backroads & Beaches of Cuba (EXCN)

Duration: 8 days (may vary)
Areas: Cuba
Tour types: History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife, Walking & Trekking

Description

Colonial Havana & the Cordillera range
After a day exploring many people's favourite city in the Americas we travel a short distance west for a totally different experience to the community of Las Terrazas, located in the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Here we have the chance to gently explore the hills on foot, visit the ecological research centre or simply relax.

Traditional Market towns & the Caribbean
We head into the rural western province, home to the world's finest tobacco, through a landscape which has barely changed over the years. Sugar cane gives way to paddy fields; pine forests alternate with citrus. We overnight just outside Viñales. The town is graced with fine neo-classical buildings, its streets alive with cyclists, horses and carts. Heading further west onto the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, there is the opportunity to swim, snorkel, scuba dive or go birdwatching.

Viñales & offshore Cayes
The limestone outcrops (Mogotes) of Viñales are, without doubt, the most scenic part of Cuba. Rising from the valley floor they dominate the fields beneath. We explore on foot the tobacco fields and drying sheds. Leaving this beautiful area behind we take a ferry over to Cayo Levisa, blessed with beautiful sand, azure water and offshore coral reefs before heading back to Havana.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Havana.

Day 2

In Havana; city tour; free afternoon.

Day 3

Drive to Las Terrazas; afternoon exploratory walk.

Day 4

In Las Terrazas; visit Soroa, swim in jungle falls.

Day 5

Drive to Viñales; visit 'Mogotes'; optional visit to Santo Tomas Caves.

Day 6

Excursion to Biosfera Guanahacabibes; visit beaches.

Day 7

Drive to Atlantic coast; ferry to Cayo Levisa; relax on island; drive to Havana.

Day 8

End Havana.