Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre Map

Cuba Libre Map

Cuba Libre

Walking through the pincushion hills, wandering amongst orchids and lush mountain coffee plantations—see another side of the island on this week-long tour through the ‘Garden Province’ of Cuba. Tour a tobacco plantation, snorkel crystal-clear waters full of colourful coral and search for the pirates of lore along the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. Soak up local culture in a homestay for an immersive experience that travellers rarely get to know. Let our experienced CEO lead you off the beaten path and discover the cultural treasures of Cuba.

What’s Included

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Havana

Arrive at any time.

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.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

18:00

Tonight, the adventure begins. Feel free to explore — but make sure you’re back in time to meet your group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your trip.

Day 2 Havana/Viñales(1B)

Visit a cigar factory in Pinar del Rio. Spend time exploring the beautiful valley.

Travel into the Pinar del Rio province to the small town of Viñales, beautifully located in a fertile valley surrounded by the unusual mogotes, or limestone pincushion hills.

Arguably one of the prettiest natural areas in Cuba, there are myriad opportunities to enjoy the area— go horseback riding, hiking, or simply sit back and enjoy the view.

While you’re here, visit a “vega” or cigar factory, to see how the famous Cuban cigars are made.

Private Vehicle

Havana – Viñales4h190km

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private ride.

Cigar Factory Tour

Viñales

Pinar del Rio is tobacco country. Fans of the ubiquitous Cuban cigar will be hard-pressed not to be impressed by this tour. See fields of green plants punctuated by thatch roof drying huts, then witness a demonstration of how the cured leaves are hand-rolled, cut and packaged. Prepare for the smell. The smell of tobacco is heady and headache-inducing. Buy a box to bring home to friends. Or smoke them all by yourself.

Day 3 Viñales

Enjoy a free day in the area. Opt to go caving, hiking, biking, horseback riding, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley.

Free Time

Viñales Full Day

Don’t waste a minute—get exploring.

Optional Activities

Cave Exploration

Viñales

The limestone terrain of the area in the Pinar del Rio province is perfect for creating massive cave systems. Opt for an excursion to visit one or two and explore these unique underground caverns.

Hiking

Viñales

The countryside around Viñales is lush, fertile and punctuated with mogotes – limestone “haystack” hills. Hire a guide or head off with some friends to explore the area. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. You may stumble upon a cave with an underwater spring. Dive in and cool off.

Horseback Riding

Viñales

Saddle up and hop on your horse as you set off to explore the lush valleys of Viñales. Ride past farmers working in their fields of coffee and tobacco. See the mogotes – limestone hills – on the horizon. Stop at one of the many caves in the area, head inside and take a dip in the cool natural pools.

Day 4 Viñales/María la Gorda

Travel to María la Gorda, a UNESCO beach town. Opt to go on a sunset boat ride, go snorkeling or relax on the beach.

In route to María la Gorda, opt to stop and tour the world-famous Robaina Tobacco Plantation.

Maria la Gorda’s location on the Northwestern tip of Cuba offers some of the best sunsets, beaches and marine life you will find in Cuba, an ideal place for water sports.

Private Vehicle

Viñales – María la Gorda5h170km

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private ride.

Optional Activities

Robaina Tobacco Plantation

María la Gorda

The world-famous Robaina Tobacco Plantation is located outside María la Gorda. “Vegas Robaina” cigars bear the name of the property of the best Cuban tobacco grower, Don Alejandro Robaina, whose family of tobacco growers set up in the tobacco region of San Luis during the mid-1800s. This area has the finest tobacco plantations and wrapper tobacco of the Vuelta Abajo region.

Visit the plantation and learn more about tobacco production, Cuban cigars and this interesting family.

Day 5 María la Gorda (1B)

Enjoy an excursion to Cabo San Antonio with a visit to the Roncalí lighthouse.

From María la Gorda, head out to Cabo San Antonio, a protected area famous for the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beach. After learning some information about the region, visit the Roncalí lighthouse. Enjoy some free time on the beach.

Cabo San Antonio and Roncalí Lighthouse Excursion

María la Gorda

Cuba’s westernmost tip benefits from the region’s warm crystal-clear waters, with sea bottoms full of varied treasures — like reefs and shipwrecks. The peninsula was declared a Biosphere Reserved by UNESCO in 1987. Known for the famous Roncali Lighthouse marking Cuba’s westernmost point in the region, this area is considered the last refuge of aboriginals during Spanish colonization. Learn more about the region’s lore from pirates and old cannons to the treasures that lie on the bottom of the sea around peaceful Corrientes Cove.

Free Time

María la Gorda Afternoon

Get active or get relaxed. You choose.

 Day 6 María la Gorda/Soroa (1B)

Opt to explore coffee plantations, a tobacco plantation, waterfalls, and natural springs.

Travel to the lush mountain resort of Soroa. Known as the ‘rainbow of Cuba’, the area receives a lot of rainfall resulting in the growth of tall trees and orchids. There are nearby coffee plantations, waterfalls and hot springs for the passing visitor.

Private Vehicle

María la Gorda – Soroa6h230km

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private ride.

Day 7 Soroa/Havana (1B)

Travel back to Havana, stopping at lush Las Terrazas in route.

Private Vehicle

Soroa – Havana2h90km

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private ride.

Las Terrazas Stop

Las Terrazas

Less than an hour outside of the bustle and hustle of Havana, escape to Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Once hectares of deforested farmland, Castro ordered the planting of millions of plants and trees. Travel through bamboo groves, past teak and royal palms. See birds and flowers and waterfalls of the Rio San Juan, a clear mountain stream.

Day 8 Havana (1B)

Depart at any time.

Date:Price:
January 23, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
January 30, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
February 6, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
February 13, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
February 20, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
February 27, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
March 5, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
March 12, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
March 19, 2016$1149 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
March 26, 2016$1199 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
April 2, 2016$1199 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
April 09, 2016$1199 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
April 16, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
April 23, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
April 30, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
May 7, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
May 14, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
May 28, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
June 4, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
June 11, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
June 18, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
June 25, 2016$999 Cdn. ($329 Cdn. own room)
March 12, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
March 19, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
March 26, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
April 2, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
April 9, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
April 16, 2015$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
April 23, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
April 30 , 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
May 7, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
May 14, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
May 21, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
May 28, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
June 4, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
June 11, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
June 18, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)
June 25, 2016$999 Cdn ( $329Cdn. My own room)