ARRIVE AT HAVANA

Bienvenido! Welcome to Cuba. It doesn’t matter what time your flight arrives into Havana since we deliberately keep the first day of your 8 Day/ 7 Night Private Cuba tour relaxed and flexible. We’ll arrange your airport transfer and one of our representatives will meet you at the airport before whisking you to your accommodation in Havana.

Havana is the ideal starting point for our 8 Day Private Cuba Tour as is it representative of the country as a whole mixing a faded grandeur of its colonial architecture with lovingly maintained buildings that have seen better days. There’s so much life here, and if you’ve ever read anything about Havana, you’ll notice that the word “vibrant” is used a lot. You’ll soon see that it’s a highly accurate description of the Cuba capital. An overnight stay at hotel.

HAVANA SIGHTSEEING

Breakfast at hotel. Your guided foray to see Old Havana this morning is on foot, so after your hearty Cuban breakfast we recommend pulling on a pair of good walking shoes. As part of the tour you will visit La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana (described by the novelist Alejo Carpentier as ‘music set in stone’) and famous landmarks such as the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (now home to a restaurant) and the Plaza de Armas, complete with a statue of Manuel de Cespedes, one of the leaders of the independence movement. You will also have the opportunity to admire the exteriors of two of Havana’s best museums – the Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. An overnight stay at hotel.

HAVANA - VINALES

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Havana after breakfast and transfer west to Viñales in Pinar del Río, the “Garden Province” of Cuba. Head out on the first ride – a circular route around Viñales, cycling past the famous mogotes (limestone pincushion hills) of the region.

Your guide will take you on a walking tour of Viñales township and the surrounding farmlands by foot or by bicycle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 in recognition of the areas traditional farming practices and architectural legacy, followed by lunch at the Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso organic farm. You’ll see how tobacco is farmed, and witness a cigar rolling demonstration – one of the highlights of our 8 Day Private Cuba tour. The rich sweet scent of the leaves in the drying house is a memory that will stay with you for a long time, as will the views from the lookout point at Los Jasmines.

While in the national park you’ll also get to see the 120 m long mural de la prehistoria painted over one of the park’s magote hills by artist Leovigildo Gonzalez Morillo.

Your evening back in Havana is left free for you to take in some of the capital on your own, though of course your guide will be happy to give you recommendations of where to eat or dance the night away, and will be happy to make bookings on your behalf and host you of requested. An overnight stay at hotel.

VINALES - PLAYA LARGA

Breakfast at hotel. Cycle to the historic Cueva de los Portales, a cave that was used by Che Guevara as the headquarters of the Cuban Army during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Later, transfer to Playa Larga. An overnight stay at hotel.

PLAYA LARGA - TRINIDAD

Breakfast at hotel. Cycle to Playa Giron to visit the museum here and learn about the area's important history. Hop back on our bikes to cycle to Caleta Buena for lunch. Cool off in the refreshing turquoise waters before transferring to the World Heritage Site of Trinidad. An overnight stay at hotel.

TRINIDAD SIGHTSEEING

Breakfast at hotel. Navigate through the bustling streets of central Trinidad and depart for the small fishing village of La Boca. Continue on the route that enjoys the alluring scenery of the Ancon peninsula coastline and indulge in a picnic lunch on the golden sands of Playa Ancón. Spend time relaxing or swimming in this idyllic location. Cycle back via the small port of Casilda and take advantage of free time in Trinidad. Tonight, join the group for a fun and informal salsa class with Cuban dance partners. Soak up the lively atmosphere of Trinidad and opt for a night out to enjoy all the sights and sounds the town has to offer. An overnight stay at hotel.

TRINIDAD - SANTA CLARA

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Trinidad, cycling to the town of Manaca Iznaga, a Unesco World Heritage Site known as the Valley of the Sugar Mills. Wander the town's plaza and browse the artisanal market for souvenirs. Visit the G Adventures-supported project, Proyecto Manacú before continuing on to Rio Seibabo for lunch. Later, transfer to Santa Clara. An overnight stay at hotel.

SANTA CLARA - HAVANA, DEPARTURE

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara this morning before traveling back to the capital. Enjoy a cycling tour of Havana, reveling in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city.

Day Eight of the tour is time to say goodbye, with no scheduled activities, but plenty of chances to explore the city at your own leisure depending onto your scheduled flight time. Should you find yourself with some free time, your guide will obviously give you suggestions about what to do, and help you make any arrangements. You could, of course, simply perch yourself in one of Havana’s sublime plazas and watch the world go by. Please download our ‘To do in Havana’ brochure for more information about the options available to you.

When the time comes around, we’ll arrange transport back to the airport to catch your departing flight.