12 Day Tour of Habana, Viñales, Trinidad, Santa Clara & Varadero

Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Welcome Cocktail

Airport transfer to your Casa Particulare in the atmospheric heart of Old Havana. Provide us with your flight details - date, time & flight number - and we will have our driver waiting for you in the main public arrivals area of the airport with a sign with your name on it. On arrival at your Casa Particulare, welcome drink and introductions. If it is not too late in the day 'welcome camino' to introduce you to your neighbourhood and show location of practical services such as banks for money exchange, wi-fi hotspots and nice local bars & restaurants.

Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast at your Casa Particulare your guide will pick you up for a full day tour/exploration of La Habana. There are a cluster of museums here including the Museum of the Revolution, but our walk will feature the beautifully preserved colonial plazas of Habana Vieja and neighbouring streets where Cubans live alongside visiting tourists, kids go to school, locals play games of chess or chequers in the street, sipping coffee from 'peso cafes' and all life seems to be happening in these atmospheric streets. Your Cuban guide will recommend some of the best bars for mojitos and live music and give you insights how Cubans live today in this complex and beguiling country.

Mid morning we pick up the pace as we are collected by a 1950's classic American car to explore some of the main features of the rest of the city. There are many options depending your preference but we recommend buzzing through the city to the Plaza de la Revolucion, a scenic drive along the Malecon and under the 'tunnel' to the Fort del Moro (best views across the city) before returning to Old Habana for drop off in Parque Central in time for lunch. There are many options for lunch and time for a siesta if you would like before continuing our exploration of Habana Vieja. Late afternoon your guide will drop you back off at your Casa by which time you will be comfortable in your new neighbourhood and buzzing with ideas for how to spend your
first night in Habana!

Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we take a comfortable air-conditioned bus to Viñales; a three hour drive west from Habana to the beating lung of Cuba sustaining some of the most productive plantations including world famous tobacco crops. A UNESCO World Heritage destination in its own right owing to spectacular Karsc mountains and distinctive tobacco drying houses. After settling into your new Casa and a short lunch it’s time to explore the valley. Enjoy the simplicity of life and breathe fresh country air as you meet friendly locals who welcome you with their generous smiles. Your local guide - who has limited English but is an authentic Cuban gaucho will take you on a gentle exploration of the valley on horseback; an amazingly contrast to the environment you have left behind in Habana only hours earlier [for those who prefer not to ride a horse, alternative options are a walking tour OR taxi ride to 'Miramar' viewing point].

Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast

Free day - your local host has suggestions should you wish to further explore the local area including a network of caves under the Karsc mountains or markets with locally crafted ‘artesania’.

Accommodation Name: Hostal Hermanos Reyes / Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you catch an early morning bus to the beautiful colonial town of Trinidad, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where time stopped back in 1850. After checking-in to your new Casa Particulare, take advantage of a free afternoon to wander around and see the numerous churches and beautiful colonial buildings of Trinidad. In the evening, take a salsa lesson with a local instructor!

Accommodation Name: Hostal Hermanos Reyes / Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast on your first full day in Trinidad we begin our adventure with a 1-2 hour horseback ride [for those who prefer not to ride a horse, alternative options are biking, walking or taxi; all options accompanied by a guide]. Ride through the cobbled streets of Trinidad and into the rolling countryside, arriving at Cubanito Natural Park. Enjoy a 30 minute hike along the scenic river with lots of opportunities for spotting birds and flora along the way. Arrive at the grotto and waterfall, where you can jump into the fresh clean waters of a deep pool surrounded by high rock walls. Swim through the waterfall and into the cave behind for a magical experience. After some chill time and a picnic or snack lunch (not included) we walk back to the horses for the ride back to your casa particular, arriving mid afternoon.

NOTE: Please remember to bring your swimsuit!!

Enjoy a siesta and some quiet time before sampling Trinidad’s legendary and distinctive nightlife including dancehalls featuring salsa ‘casino’ and a huge nightclub inside a cave on a hillside overlooking town.

Accommodation Name: Casa de Leonardo / Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we take the short drive inland to Santa Clara; a simple town in the centre of Cuba made famous for revolutionary events and the final resting place of Che Guevara. Half day walking tour to savour historic landmarks before hitting the road again tomorrow for the beaches of Varadero!

Accommodation Name: Casa Marta Margarita / Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast we take a scenic drive heading northwards to Varadero and some quality R&R featuring pristine Caribbean beaches. This peninsula has the longest continuous stretch of sandy beach in the Caribbean and is famous for a string of resort hotels. However, we will enjoy a more authentic environment of a Casa Particulare in the small town of Varadero. Enjoy the short walk to sandy beaches by day and a laid back atmosphere and variety of nightlife in the evenings. What better way to recover after a dusty spell on the road?

Accommodation Name: Casa Marta Margarita / Meals Included: Breakfast

Free days.

Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Breakfast

For our final night in Cuba we return to the familiar surroundings of Habana Vieja. Opportunity to explore and enjoy the amazing nightlife including salsa music and dance before we depart for the airport and home.

Accommodation Name: Casa Leonel, 362 O'Reilly / Meals Included: Breakfast

Perhaps some time in the morning for some last minute shopping before your airport transfer. We schedule a transfer to suit your flight departure time - early morning or later in the afternoon per your requirements.