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Cycle Cuba: East

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Cycle Cuba: East

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Description

Experience Cuba from the perspective of two wheels as you cycle around the eastern coast of this laidback Caribbean island. Wander the colourful streets of Havana, cycling alongside vintage cars on your way to the verdant Bay of Pigs. Discover the UNESCO Word Heritage sites of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, pay homage at Che Guevara’s final resting place in Santa Clara, cycle the largely untouched pastures of Yumuri Valley and indulge in the picture-perfect beaches of resort town Varadero. Experience the Cuba that lies beyond the rum and cigar scene all from the saddle of your bike, with an expert local leader and likeminded riding companions.

Trip Name
Cycle Cuba: East
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
8
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Ride through Cuba’s everchanging landscapes and see the country from a unique perspective – from the charm of Old Havana, you’ll ride along small dusty farming roads to dramatic limestone cliffs and lush valleys.
  • See Caribbean Cuba on two wheels – a bike gives you unique access to parts of the island that are off the beaten track, like the incredible Caves of Fishes.
  • Cycle through the pristine valley of Yumuri – an untouched paradise far off the tourist track. Think rolling pastures, fields of palm trees, small forests and agricultural plots with views of the city and valley ahead.
  • Pay homage to the legendary Che Guevara – an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist – at his final resting place in the very heart of Santa Clara.
  • Indulge in some much needed sun, sand and sea on the buzzing beaches of Varadero. You have a full free day here to partake in optional activities like dolphin watching, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming and chilling out on the warm sands of the resort beaches.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Havana
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba. To make your arrival into Havana a bit easier, a complimentary transfer will take you from the airport to your accommodation (guesthouse). Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. As the group is sometimes spread between several (but nearby) guesthouses, your leader will leave a note for you explaining where to meet and what to bring. If you arrive early, consider hiring an open-top vintage American car and check out the sights while cruising the streets. After the meeting, your evening is free to relax or head out for an optional welcome dinner with your riding companions.
Day 2 - Bay of Pigs & Cienfuegos
Start the day with a bike fitting, then transfer to the Bahia de Cochinos (the Bay of Pigs) for your first ride. You’ll begin at Playa Larga – sitting at the head of the bay, this is one of the two beaches that was invaded by US-sponsored exiles in 1961. Cycle along the tree-lined eastern shoreline, past a flooded cave called Cueva de los Peces (the Cave of Fish) to the peaceful sandy arc of Playa Giron – the second beach that was invaded. Here, you’ll get to rest your weary legs in the crystal-clear Caribbean water. The bay boasts a deep underwater well and a huge variety of coral and fish – the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing dip. When you've finished swimming in the salty sea, simply cross the road and jump in the fresh waters of the nearby cenote – a flooded cave that’s full of tropical fish. After, head to Cienfuegos, where you’ll take a leader-led orientation walk to get acquainted with the area.
Day 3 - Trinidad
After fuelling up on breakfast this morning, you’ll set out on today’s bike ride to Trinidad. Cycle along the rolling hills and mango trees through the countryside to reach the sea. Sitting on the Caribbean coast, Trinidad boasts well-preserved Spanish architecture, large plazas and a big salsa scene, making it a popular destination. When you arrive, get acquainted with the town’s once-grand mansions, pastel-hued buildings, cobbled streets and gardens on an orientation walk. In the evening, why not practice your dance moves at one of the many live music venues or head to a folklore show at one of the open-air venues. Your local leader can suggest a few of the latest hotspots for a fun night out on the town.
Day 4 - Santa Clara
From Cuba’s coast, you’ll discover the country’s lush, tropical side at Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. This heavily protected nature reserve is home to jungle-covered limestone mountains, waterfalls, caves, grottoes and diverse flora and fauna. Drive north of Topes de Collantes, stopping at Mirador del Escambray on the way for the fantastic view of Trinidad and the Caribbean. From here you’ll climb on the bikes and explore the Guanayara section of the reserve. Avoiding the long climb, you’ll start at the Mirador del Hanabanilla for sweeping views of Lake Hanabanilla before a section of mixed tarmac and gravel terrains, both within and outside of the reserve. Sit down for lunch with the locals, then take a swim in a natural pool beside the waterfall. Ride on, then board the support vehicle for the drive to Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Check out the bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle and learn about his incredible life before arriving in Santa Clara, where you’ll take an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings.
Day 5 - Varadero
After breakfast, drive east towards Matanzas province to the small town of Jovellanos where you’ll begin today’s ride. This province is largely flat, with an enormous marsh to the south, rocky terrain to the northwest and cays and mangroves to the northeast. Uncover part of this vast land on a bike tour, enjoying mostly flat roads as you pass through small towns and citrus and sugar cane plantations before arriving in the maritime port city of Cardenas. This is a historical city where many things happened for the first time in Cuba, including the first ever raising of the modern Cuban flag. It’s also considered to be the Cuban city of bicycles! From here, it’s just a short drive to the resort town of Varadero. Your accommodation for tonight is a bit more authentic than the string of all-inclusive resorts that line the coast – you’ll be staying in a Varadero guesthouse.
Day 6 - Varadero
Experience Cuba’s version of beach life with a free day in Varadero. After the past few cycling-heavy days, free time in the sun and sand is bound to be a welcome change of pace. Ask your leader about possible water-based activities and optional excursions on offer. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling are all popular options. You can also head out on a dolphin-watching expedition or take a boat trip to nearby mangroves where flamingos, crocodiles, parrots and other wildlife can be found. Alternatively, simply find a patch of golden sand, grab a pina colada and enjoy the glorious views. Alternatively, if you want to explore further on your bike, just let your leader know the night before so the bike doesn't get packed away.
Day 7 - Havana
Today is an early start as you drive to Matanzas for today’s bike ride. Explore the historic city then ride on to a seldom-visited paradise not far from Varadero’s popular beaches – the Yumuri Valley. Tucked behind the hills that line the province’s northern edges, your bike tour will reveal a scenic mix of rolling pastures, fields of palm trees, small forests and agricultural plots, with views of a faded city and the valley itself. After, head to Matanzas city – the capital of the Matanzas province – for a guided walking tour with your leader. As part of Matanzas literary and musical heritage, the city is known for its poets, Afro-Cuban folklore and as the birthplace of danzon and rumba (two important Cuban dances). Later this afternoon, you’ll say goodbye to your bikes and return to Havana. When you arrive, take a closer look at Old Havana on a leader-led walking tour, finishing up at a micro-brewery where you can toast to the end of an excellent active adventure.
Day 8 - Havana
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after checking out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you have not already organised a transfer to the airport, your guesthouse can usually arrange one for you – please discuss this with them the day before you need to depart.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-11-202401-12-2024AUD $ 2,555-
15-12-202422-12-2024AUD $ 2,115-
29-12-202405-01-2025AUD $ 2,053-
12-01-202519-01-2025AUD $ 2,529-
02-02-202509-02-2025AUD $ 2,120-
23-02-202502-03-2025AUD $ 2,120-
16-03-202523-03-2025AUD $ 2,200-
13-04-202520-04-2025AUD $ 2,120-
27-04-202504-05-2025AUD $ 2,120-
13-07-202520-07-2025AUD $ 2,038-
12-10-202519-10-2025AUD $ 2,038-
26-10-202502-11-2025AUD $ 2,038-
09-11-202516-11-2025AUD $ 2,038-
23-11-202530-11-2025AUD $ 2,120-
14-12-202521-12-2025AUD $ 2,200-
28-12-202504-01-2026AUD $ 2,445-
11-01-202618-01-2026AUD $ 2,380-
01-02-202608-02-2026AUD $ 2,470-
22-02-202601-03-2026AUD $ 2,470-
15-03-202622-03-2026AUD $ 2,470-
12-04-202619-04-2026AUD $ 2,570-
12-07-202619-07-2026AUD $ 2,380-
11-10-202618-10-2026AUD $ 2,380-
25-10-202601-11-2026AUD $ 2,380-
08-11-202615-11-2026AUD $ 2,470-
22-11-202629-11-2026AUD $ 2,570-
13-12-202620-12-2026AUD $ 2,570-
27-12-202603-01-2027AUD $ 2,570-

Accommodation

Standard Guesthouse (7 nights)

Transport

Bicycle (optional e-bike on request),Support Vehicle (Bus)

Map

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