Experience the colorful, diverse Cuba up close on this varied round trip with accommodation in private accommodation with Cuban families: let yourself be guided on unusual city tours to the most beautiful places in Havana's old town and experience Cuba's lively capital from a bird's eye view, enjoy the secrets of the Cuban cocktail and the snorkeling and diving paradise Playa Larga as well as the classic Trinidad with its picturesque surroundings. This version of the round trip ends in Varadero.
Day 1 (Mon) : Havana
Reception and welcome at Havana airport or pick-up from your hotel in Havana. Then transfer to your accommodation. Dinner on your own.
Travel time today: 30 min
Day 2 (Tue): Havana on wheels (B, L)
The morning begins with a ride in Havana's typical bicycle cab, the “Bicitaxi”. On a tour of the 4 most important squares in Old Havana, you will immerse yourself in the colonial past of this city steeped in history. To escape the midday heat for a moment, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, a so-called “paladar”. A cool mojito for refreshment is of course a must! Afterwards, let yourself be chauffeured along the bay in a horse-drawn carriage to the heart of Havana, the “Parque Central”. Here you can marvel at Cuban architecture in all its splendor. Many historic buildings such as the Havana Capitol, the emblematic building of the “Teatro Alicia Alonso” theater and the historic Hotel Inglaterra are located here. The colorful vintage cars from the 1950s, which have been converted into cabs and are lined up directly in front of the park, make for a perfect photo backdrop. Make yourself comfortable in the back seat of one of these “Almendrón” (American vintage car) and lean back while you enjoy a panoramic drive through the picturesque city and get to know the other more remote parts of the city. Past the “Plaza de la Revolución”, through Havana's green lung, the “Bosque de la Habana”, to the Miramar villa district. To round off the day, let yourself be enchanted by the ride along the famous Malecón!
Day 3 (Wed): Art and rhythm (B, D)
Today's motto is “Passion for art”. The morning begins with a visit to the Romerillo Museum, a community initiative under the direction of Kcho, one of the most famous contemporary Cuban artists in the world. You will then visit the rehearsals of the “Havana Queens” dance ensemble, where you will be given an introduction to the most important Cuban dances. The tour continues to the San Isídro district. As you stroll through the alleyways, visit the galleries of independent young artists and the stores of independent entrepreneurs. Nearby is the largest arts and crafts market in Cuba, “Almacenes de San José”. Here you will have time to stroll around the stalls and perhaps buy a souvenir or two. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, a meal awaits you at “Casa Miglis”, which will be accompanied by a dance performance by the “Havana Queens” dancers, whom you met in the morning.
Day 4 (Thu): Havana - Soroa - Viñales (B, L)
Today we head into the countryside along the tobacco route towards the province of Pinar del Río. Stopover in Soroa and visit to the orchid garden with over 350 species and cocktail in the “Cloud Castle” with a wonderful view over the landscape. Afterwards, head to Patio Pelegr'n, a support program by the artist Mario Pelegrín. Prepare lunch together with Pelgerín and his team. In the afternoon, panoramic tour through the Mogote Valley with its imposing conical cliffs, the Mogotes, and the picturesque village of Viñales, where time seems to have stood still. Visit to a tobacco drying house, a Casa de Veguero. Afterwards, free time to explore the village of Viñales.
Travel time today: 2 hrs 30 min - 3 hrs
Day 5 (Fri): Viñales - Playa Larga (B, L, D)
Today a longer drive to the south coast of the island. From Viñales you now head to the sea to the Cienága de Zapata, the largest wetland in the Caribbean state. On the way there, you will stop for lunch and later visit the “Casa del Zunzún”, the patio of nature lover Mr. Bernabé. The patio is a refuge and migration corridor for a wide variety of bird species, including the “Zunzuncito”, the smallest bird in the world. After a short drive you reach the “Cueva de los Peces”, known as the deepest and most beautiful “cenote” in Cuba. This lagoon is connected to an extensive underwater cave system that stretches more than 30 km from Playa Larga to Caleta El Toro. Optionally, you can spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach near your accommodation. Dinner at the casa particular.
Travel time today: approx. 5 hrs 30 min
Day 6 (Sat): Playa Larga - Cienfuegos - Trinidad (B, L)
In the morning you drive along the Bay of Pigs to Playa Girón, the scene of the failed 1961 invasion by exiled Cuban mercenaries and the US Air Force. Next stop is Cienfuegos, a beautiful city founded by French settlers, characterized by wide avenues and its neoclassical style. Visit the Terry Theater, built in 1890, the Parque Martí and the boulevard. After lunch in a paladar (private restaurant), drive along the south coast to Trinidad - a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique colonial architecture built during the sugar trade era in the 19th century. Get to know the city better on a short city tour through the cobblestone streets typical of Trinidad.
Travel time today: 3 hrs 30 min
Day 7 (Sun): Sierra del Escambray - Cuban natural landscapes (B, L)
The Cubans are proud of their natural resources, which is why many places are protected by extensive environmental laws. Today's destination is the Sierra del Escambray National Park. This beautiful area is home to almost half of the endemic bird species and is also where the best Arabica coffee in the country is grown. In the morning, you leave Trinidad behind you and follow a winding road to a typical farm where you come into contact with nature. There are also beehives to marvel at and, of course, a small sample of the tasty honey. A path leads to a waterfall that flows into a natural pool. The crystal-clear water is perfect for a dip! Later, a traditional lunch is served in the hacienda's garden. Afterwards, you can relax comfortably in the hammocks and enjoy an exquisite coffee. Then it's back to the accommodation.
Day 8 (Mon): Trinidad - Santa Clara - Varadero (B)
After breakfast, drive to the Valle de los Igenios with a visit to the slave tower. Then continue to Santa Clara, where Ernesto Ché Guevara won his greatest victory and found his final resting place and memorial. Santa Clara is one of the most famous colonial cities in Cuba and is inextricably linked with the Comandante, whose tomb is located here in Santa Clara. The famous Ché led the battles of the Cuban revolution to victory and is the hero of the time. Visit the monument and the Tren Blindado from the Revolutionary War. Then drive to Varadero for your beach extension or to Varadero airport. Departures can be booked from 18:00 at the earliest.
Travel time today: 3 hrs 30 min - 5 hrs
Notes:
The road conditions in Cuba do not meet European standards. It is therefore often necessary to drive slowly and this may result in longer journey times. The Mausoleum (Ché Guevara Monument) is closed on Mondays and may also be closed on other days without prior notice. We cannot guarantee the opening hours. However, the monumental memorial itself with the imposing statue of Ché is worth a visit in itself.
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary with the same scope of services!
