Biking Cuba
8 days from Havana to Havana
From $ 1499
Duration8 days
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Leave the resorts of Varadero behind and discover the real Cuba on this eight-day active adventure. Get your blood pumping cycling the hills of the Guaniguanico and El Rosario mountain ranges and marvel at scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture. With its lush scenery, vibrant rhythms, and incredible beaches, this active cycling adventure will have you exploring a side of this island few get to know.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Havana
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Havana
    Ages: 12+
Biking Cuba - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Havana

Start place: Havana

Arrive in Havana at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the casa and enjoy the city. Your CEO will organize a short meeting in the evening.
Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included to the tour's starting point, a "casa particular" (Cuban home used as a bed and breakfast), for an authentic Cuban experience. It is important to note that Cuba tends to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and infrastructure are generally old and may not have been maintained to the highest standard. Elevators, internet and A/C often break down, things happen very slowly and water pressure and hot water can be minimal. Cuba is an amazing place to visit but to fully enjoy and relax, western expectations should be left at home and your sense of adventure should be your guide.

End place: Havana

Day 2: Havana/Viñales

Start place: Havana

Leave Havana this morning and drive to the small village of Viñales. This region is one of the most stunning in Cuba, know for its mogotes (large limestone pincushion hills) that make for spectacular views. In the afternoon, get fitted on a bike and hop in the saddle for the first ride in the area. Although we're not covering much distance today, it's a great opportunity to get accustomed to the conditions and prepared for the days ahead.

After the ride, enjoy some free time in Viñales and opt to go caving, hiking, or relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley. Viñales is the base for the next three days of cycling, so unpack and get comfortable. Have dinner in the hotel and meet with the CEO in the evening to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

Today's riding distance: approx 31km, with elevation gains of 340m
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. This trip is considered a 'Moderate' cycling level and requires good fitness and skill level. Expect daily cycling to be between 20-65 kms on a mixture of paved and rustic roads to experience the true Cuban countryside – you never know when you may end up sharing the road with vintage cars or horse-drawn carriages! Heat and humidity can add unique challenges to cycling in Cuba, but a support vehicle will accompany the group for all biking segments in case you get tired and want to hitch a ride.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Viñales
Cayo Levisa is the quintessential white-sand Caribbean beach that has yet to be found by most travellers to Cuba on an island just off the mainland. Enjoy time this afternoon to relax, go for a swim, or snorkel. Later in the afternoon, return to the mainland and hop in the support vehicle for a lift back to Viñales.

Today's riding distance: approx 60km, with elevation gains of 535m
Cycle through the hilly terrain of the Pinar del Rio province while heading north. The ride leads to the docks at Palma Rubia to catch a ferry to Cayo Levisa for a day of blissing out on the beach. Enjoy free time to relax before returning to Vinales for the night by ferry and private vehicle.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Viñales
Today's ride brings us into the heart of Cuba's tobacco growing region. Start the day in the town on Pons, where we hop in the saddle and begin the day's journey. Cycle through the city of Pinar del Rio before continuing past tobacco vegas to the small town of San Luis. See first hand why this village has a reputation of producing the best tobacco in the world during a tour and lunch at one of the farms.

After lunch, get a lift back to Pinar del Rio in the support vehicle. Due to the richness of the soil, Pinar del Rio is home to 59 percent of Cuba's tobacco plantations, with the first factory opening in 1760. Visit a tobacco factory to watch cigars being produced before returning to Vinales for the night.

Today's riding distance: approx 60km, with elevation gains of 525m
Get immersed in Cuba's tobacco growing region while cycling to San Luis, a village famous for producing the world's best tobacco. Enjoy lunch at one of the local vegas (farms), followed by a visit to a tobacco factory in Pinar del Rio, before returning to Viñales.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Viñales/Soroa
Today's ride leads to Cueva de los Portales, a cave where Che Guevara commanded Cuba’s occidental army during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Take time wandering the grounds and check out some of Che's artifacts that were left behind. Later, transfer to your accommodation in Soroa.

Today's riding distance: approx 47km, with elevation gains of 560m
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. After, transfer to Soroa in the support vehicle.
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Soroa
In 1968, Fidel Castro started what was known as a green revolution: reforesting the Sierra del Rosario mountains that were logged by Spanish conquistadors, along with nurturing nearby land damaged by hurricanes, to try and improve the lives of citizens living in this remote region. This also marked the birth of Las Terrazas, a small eco-village that is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Start the day back in the saddle and cycle from Soroa to Las Terrazas. Throughout the ride, stop at some local communities to see rural Cuban life and learn about the history of the region. Most of the cycling today is moderate, with one steep hill to climb. After arriving in Las Terrazas, enjoy free time to explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Go for a hike, bird-watching, or wander through the open studios and pottery workshops of this vibrant art community.

Today's riding distance: approx 18km, with elevation gains of 300m
Cycle from Soroa to Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its lush, green surroundings and thriving art community.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Soroa/Havana
One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecon (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered on foot. After arriving back to the city, go on a walking tour of Havana's highlights. Revel in the bustle, history, and rhythms of this fascinating Caribbean capital city.
Travel back to the capital and enjoy a walking tour of Havana, including a visit to the rum museum and the dreamy Fusterlandia neighbourhood to check out the street art.

End place: Havana

Meals: B, L
Day 8: Havana

Start place: Havana

Depart at any time.

End place: Havana

Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Havana Homestay, Havana
  • Arrival transfer
  • Guided cycling with support vehicle (6 days)
  • Cayo Levisa day trip
  • Traditional cigar factory visit in Pinar del Río
  • Cueva de los Portales visit
  • Las Terrazas visit
  • Havana city tour
  • Fusterlandia visit
  • Informal Spanish lesson
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Bicycle, Private vehicle, Support vehicle, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Casas particulares (homestays) (7 nts)

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