Bicycle tour of Cuba

Welcome to Cuba! Our adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6:00 PM in Havana. If your flight arrives before this time, we will have some time to explore the city on our own, we could take a walk in Havana to discover its colorful mix of 1950s American colonial architecture. Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as, a cigar factory tour, bike rental in Havana, or an American vintage car tour.

This morning, we'll embark on a short car journey to Vedado to meet our support crew (about 15 minutes), and then we'll hop on our bikes. We'll take our new wheels for a spin on a pleasant 2-hour ride from suburban Havana to Old Havana, passing by John Lennon Park, the Grand Theatre, and the Capitol along the way before returning to Old Havana. We'll enjoy a lunch at a bar before stretching our legs with a guided walking tour of Old Havana, visiting the four most historic squares. We'll wrap up our stroll with a 360-degree panoramic view of Old Havana through the eyes of the Camera Obscurer, the only one of its kind in Latin America and the Caribbean, before heading to Soroa in the support vehicle (about an hour and a half). Known as the 'rainbow of Cuba', Soroa is a lush landscape of flora and fauna. As the sun sets, we'll enjoy dinner, then perhaps head to a local guesthouse for a cocktail and an introduction to the curious charm that Cubans have for the game of dominoes. Beware, the locals (and our support team) are extremely competitive and have spent countless hours honing their skills!

This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular Orchid Garden of Soroa, located a short drive away. Set among seven acres, this serene oasis of flora features 250 varieties of plants native to Cuba and numerous bird species. Later, we will pedal westward (on well-paved roads), sharing the roads with local traffic: tractors, vintage American cars, old Ladas, and horse-drawn carriages, until we reach a picturesque hillside lake. We'll take a quick drink break before stopping near the San Juan river for lunch and a refreshing swim. We will continue by vehicle to the small but renowned lakeside eco-village of Comunidad Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve nestled in beautiful green surroundings and home to a vibrant artistic community. We'll grab a coffee near the main square and then visit the former house of the famous Cuban musician Polo Montanez. We will return to Soroa (about 30 minutes) and spend the evening relaxing, playing billiards, or perhaps taking the opportunity to improve our domino skills.

We will reach the hillside Cueva de los Portales, where the legendary Che Guevara stayed and trained the western army of the Cuban revolution (about 1.5 hours). From there, we will continue by bicycle to the town of Vinales, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nestled among low mountains, this wonderfully remote area is reminiscent of the karst limestone landscapes of Vietnam and is the perfect place for cycling with very little traffic on the roads. We will push the pedals up a short climb and be rewarded with spectacular views before continuing to meet the delightful Mama Luisa, an expert farmer who will offer us a delicious local meal (and a hug!). Afterwards, we will reach a tobacco farm where we will meet another grower who will show us how tobacco is dried and then rolled into cigars: here we will have the opportunity to buy this Cuban specialty directly from the producer. We will jump back on the support vehicle and return to Vinales in time for a delicious 'farm to table' experience at a hillside restaurant. The food here is 100% organic and locally grown, and although drinks are not included, we will only pay for the mixers because the rum is free, classic Cuban! Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as a salsa lesson or a tour of the local spots of Vinales.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Mural de la Prehistoria inspired by Diego Rivera (about 10 minutes). Painted on a cliff at the foot of the Sierra de Vinales, the huge and captivating mural took 18 people and four years to complete. From there, we will leave the imposing limestone rocks behind as we pedal towards the sublime Cayo Jutias, taking smaller roads through dry and flat farmlands, with barely a vehicle in sight, until we reach the surreal white beaches and blue waters of Cayo Jutias. After the tour, we'll stretch out on the shore and enjoy a packed lunch and fresh fruit juice. Then we'll enjoy somefree time to relax: we'll swim in the warm waters or perhaps walk to the nearby beach where locals often park their beautiful vintage cars on the sand. After a while, we'll get back on the support vehicle to Vinales (about 2 hours). The rest of the evening will be at our disposal: why not try one of the many venues with live music or salsa all night long.

After breakfast, we will drive to the viewpoint to admire the view of the Vinales Valley before descending to the plains where we will begin our final ride: pedaling through rural landscapes, passing many small towns and communities along Cuba's smoothest asphalt, before finishing atop a small hill. Celebrations will be in order as we enjoy one last delicious meal before boarding our transport for the short journey (about 2 hours) back to Havana. Upon arrival in Havana, we will say goodbye to our bicycles and our support team before checking into our guesthouse. We will make the most of a free afternoon to get to know the charming capital of Cuba again, perhaps visiting the Jose Marti Memorial Tower or our guide can help us organize a final group meal in one of the many paladares of Old Havana.

Today will be a free day to explore the cosmopolitan capital of Cuba before meeting our new travel companions at a welcome meeting at 18:00. The evening will then be free to relax or enjoy an optional welcome dinner to get to know our new riding mates a bit better. Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as, Classic American car tour of Havana - Urban Adventures (guide and transportation included), Buena Vista Social Club show, or half-day Ernest Hemingway tour.

We will move to the Bay of Pigs, better known as Bahia de Cochinos, for our first bike tour (about 30 km). We will start at Playa Larga; located at the end of the bay, this is one of the two beaches that were invaded by the United States-sponsored exiles in 1961. We will cycle along the tree-lined eastern coast, passing an incredible flooded cave called Cueva de los Peces (the Cave of Fish) until we reach the peaceful sandy arc of Playa Giron - the other beach that was invaded - where we can rest our tired legs in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. The bay boasts a deep underwater sinkhole and an exceptional variety of corals and fish: it is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing dip. For an added surprise, once we finish swimming in the salty sea, we will simply cross the road along the beach and dive into the refreshing waters of a beautiful cenote, a flooded cave full of tropical fish. Afterwards, we will head to Cienfuegos. We will depart for an orientation walk with our leader before a free evening to spend as we wish.

After breakfast, we will set off for a 60-kilometer bike ride to Trinidad. We will pedal along gentle hills and pass by mango trees in the peaceful countryside before approaching the coast with its breathtaking views. Located on the picturesque Caribbean coast, Trinidad is an extraordinary destination for many visitors. With its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, large squares, and vibrant salsa scene, it's not hard to see why. We will get to know the once grand homes of the city, the pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets, and beautiful gardens during an orientation walk. In the evening, why not practice our dance steps in one of the many venues with live music or attend a folk show in an outdoor venue? Our tour guide can suggest some of the latest hotspots for a night out in town. Those who wish can participate in optional activities not included such as, Palacio de Valle, Museo Romantico, Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos.

Now that we have experienced the tranquil coast and the picturesque towns of Cuba, today we will discover the lush tropical side of the country at the Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. This heavily protected nature reserve is a wonderland covered with jungle of limestone mountains, waterfalls, caves, caverns, and an incredible flora and fauna. We will drive north of Topes de Collantes (about 31 km), stopping at the Mirador del Escambray to enjoy a fantastic view of Trinidad and the Caribbean, then we'll get on our bikes and explore the Guanayara section of the reserve by bicycle. We'll avoid a long climb and start from the Mirador del Hanabanilla to admire extensive views of Lake Hanabanilla before riding about 10 kilometers on mixed asphalt and gravel terrain, both inside and outside the reserve. We'll have lunch with the locals before a swim in a natural pool next to a beautiful waterfall, then continue for another 20 km before getting on the support vehicle and following the tracks to the mausoleum and memorial of Che Guevara. We will observe the bronze statue of Che with his rifle and learn about his incredible life before arriving at Santa Clara, where we will enjoy an orientation walk with the group leader.

After breakfast, we will drive for 2 and a half hours east towards the province of Matanzas and the small town of Jovellanos where we will start our cycling for today. Fortunately, the province is largely flat, with a huge swamp to the south, rocky terrain to the northwest, and coral atolls and mangroves to the northeast. We will discover part of this vast province with a 30 km bike tour, enjoying mostly flat roads that pass through small towns and citrus and sugarcane plantations before arriving in the seaside port city of Cárdenas. This is a historic city where many things happened for the first time in Cuba, including the first raising of the modern Cuban flag. It is also considered the Cuban city of bicycles due to the number of cyclists in the city. From here it's just a short drive (30 minutes) to the tourist resort of Varadero and its beautiful beaches. Our accommodation for tonight is a bit more authentic compared to the series of all-inclusive resorts lining the coast: we will stay in a guest house in Varadero.

We will discover the Cuban version of beach life with a free day in Varadero. After the last intense days of cycling, some free time in the sun and on the sand will definitely be a welcome change of pace. We will ask our tour guide for information on possible water activities and optional excursions offered. Kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling are all popular options. Perhaps we'll embark on a dolphin-watching expedition or take a boat trip to the nearby mangroves where flamingos, crocodiles, parrots, and other wildlife can be found. Alternatively, we might just find a stretch of golden sand, grab a pina colada, and enjoy the wonderful views. Alternatively, if we wish to explore further on our bike, we can do that too: we'll let our cycling leader know the evening before so that the bike is not packed away.

Today we will leave early as we drive (about 45 minutes) towards Matanzas before getting on our bikes to explore the historic city and then continue towards a little-visited paradise not far from the famous beaches of Varadero: the Yumuri Valley. Hidden behind the hills that line the northern borders of the province, our 20-kilometer bike tour of the Yumuri Valley will reveal an extraordinary mix of rolling pastures, palm fields, small forests, and agricultural plots, with views of a faded colonial town and of course the beautiful valley itself. The road in the valley is poorly maintained as it is virtually deserted and free of traffic, which means there are frequent potholes, but this only enhances the feeling of cycling through a part of Cuba that few tourists have ever experienced. This is the last scheduled bike ride for the trip, so we'll make sure to enjoy it. Afterwards, we will head to the city of Matanzas, the capital of Matanzas province, for a guided walking tour with our leader. Although slightly rough around the edges, Matanzas boasts a fantastic literary and musical heritage. It is known for its poets, Afro-Cuban folklore, and as the birthplace of danzon and rumba (two important Cuban dances). Then it will take 2 hours by car to return to Havana. Let's take a closer look at Old Havana on a guided walking tour led by our leader, ending at an excellent microbrewery where we will toast to the end of our active adventure with a cold beer.

After breakfast our journey will have come to an end! Goodbye beautiful Cuba!