Starting from the vibrant capital Havana to the sustainable community of Las Terrazas, via Cienfuegos, the pearl of the south, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad with its unique colonial architecture. Finally, the route takes you into the interior of the country: Che Guevara's Santa Clara and Remedios, the idyllic colonial town still little touched by tourism. The private tour ends in Varadero for a beach extension. The tour can also end in Havana on request.
Day 1: Havana
Reception and welcome at Havana airport. Then transfer to the hotel. If you are staying in Havana beforehand, pick-up from the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Day 2: Habana Colonial and the flair of the 50s (B, L)
Morning walk through colonial Old Havana with the most important sights: including Capitolio, Calle Obispo, Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, past the Castillo de la Fuerza Real and El Templete, cocktail in Hemingway's famous Bodeguita del Medio and visit to his study. Lunch on the panoramic roof terrace of the Hotel Ambos Mundos. In the afternoon, a drive in vintage American cars through the Havana of the 1950s with the Square of the Revolution, the Malecón, the legendary Hotel Nacional and the Miramar neighbourhood with its magnificent mansions along Quinta Avenida. In the evening we recommend (optional, on own expenses) a visit to the legendary Tropicana Show.
Day 3: Havana - Viñales - Las Terrazas (B, D)
On the tobacco route towards the province of Pinar del Río. Panoramic tour through the Mogote Valley with its famous limestone cliffs and the picturesque village of Viñales, where time seems to have stood still. Visit to a Casa del Veguero (tobacco farmer's house) and cocktail at the Prehistoric Wall - a huge rock painting. Visit to the botanical garden Jardín de Caridad, beautifully maintained with a large selection of different plant species. Continue to the Sierra del Rosario - to the sustainable community of Las Terrazas, which was created in 1968 during a reforestation project.
Day 4: Las Terrazas - Bay of Pigs - Cienfuegos (B)
Drive towards central Cuba. On the way, stop at the Cueva de los Peces on the Zapata peninsula. This area has developed from karst lagoons and an extensive system of caves that are under water and are home to various species of the region's diverse flora and fauna. Continue to Cienfuegos, which is characterised by French colonial architecture. Walk across the Plaza Mayor with the Teatro Terry, where Caruso once sang, and enjoy a cocktail in the Moorish Palacio de Valle on the Punta Gorda peninsula.
Day 5: Cienfuegos - Trinidad (B, L)
In the morning, visit a tobacco factory in Cienfuegos. Cuban cigars are always hand-rolled, on a tour of the factory you will see the work processes and experience the skilful hands of the cigar rollers as they produce the best cigars in the world. Continue along the panoramic coastal road to Trinidad - a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique colonial architecture. Lunch in a private restaurant. Afternoon city tour with the main square surrounded by magnificent mansions. Visit to the city museum in the Palacio Cantero and the rustic honey liqueur bar, the Canchánchara. In the evening, stroll through the romantic musical nightlife with live music and dancing, e.g. in the Casa de la Música or Casa de la Trova.
Day 6: Trinidad - Valle de los Ingenios - Santa Clara - Remedios (B)
Today you start your journey along the foothills of the Escambray Mountains to the valley of the sugar cane mills. Visit to the hacienda of the sugar barons Iznaga with the slave tower Continue to the centre of the island to historic Santa Clara, where Che Guevara won his greatest victory and found his final resting place. Visit to the Che Guevara monument. Then on to the colonial town of Remedios with a visit to the former sugar factory on the road from Remedios to Caibarien. Now a museum, it is the only one of its kind in Cuba on the subject of sugar! In addition to the comprehensive insight into sugar production in Cuba, railway enthusiasts will also get their money's worth: six steam locomotives in very good condition can be viewed. Afterwards, take a walk through the idyllic main square with the church of San Juan Bautista (mahogany altar from the 16th century).
Day 7: Remedios - Cayo Santa Maria(B)
In the morning, drive to Cayo Santa Maria (included) to your booked connecting hotel. For transfer to Varadero or Havana please have a look at the other versions of this trip.
B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Please note:
The Mausoleum (Che Guevara Monument) is closed on Mondays and may also be closed on other days without prior notice.Tobacco factories are closed to regular visitors on public holidays, Sundays, during company holidays and the Tobacco Festival. Some may also be closed on other days without prior notice. The tour operator can therefore not guarantee that the factories will be open. Opening times of churches cannot be guaranteed as they depend on the local priest.We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary with the same scope of services!
