Multi-Activity Family Trip

Discover Cuba, the 'crocodile island' on foot, by zip line, from horseback, in kayaks and even from underwater! From Havana to Viñales featuring Santa Clara and Trinidad, meet Misaël, Nelson and the others who are waiting to help you discover their island a little differently. This family Cuban adventure is not to be missed. Our selection of outdoor activities have been chosen to showcase the best of authentic Cuba with guaranteed smiles all round!

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Havana

    Welcome to Havana! Transfer to your hotel and delivery of your travel documents.

    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals not included

  • Day 2 Meet Misael & Nelson - Havana

    After breakfast, you head towards Guanabacoa to meet Misael and Nelson, the owners of private farms. They raise goats, cattle and pigs and will everything about life on a Cuban Farm. This afternoon, you walk to discover the old quarter of Havana. Visit the colonial squares and the interiors of the beautiful mansions...

    2 to 3 hours of walking
    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals not included

  • Day 3 Havana - Las Terrazas

    Today you go to the region of Las Terrazas to visit a small community who live in the protected nature park aloung many varieties of plants and animals. You finish the morning with a 'canopy' zip line over the lake before heading back to your hotel this afternoon.

    Accommodation: Hotel
    Dinner included

  • Day 4 Horseback riding - Vinales

    Horseback riding - Vinales This morning, you go horseriding for 2 hours in the spectacular Vinales valley. Then, after lunch, you head to Moncada Valley to visit the largest cave in Cuba, the Santo Tomas, before settling into your Casa Particular accommodation for the night.

    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals included

  • Day 5 Hiking in the Vinales Valley - Salsa Course

    This morning, you go hiking in the stunning valley of Viñales. For lunch, a local woman welcomes you into her home to discover her authentic Cuban cuisine. Then, you visit the village of Viñales and participate in a salsa dancing lesson. Your evening ends in a typical bar listening to Cuban music and dancing to the rhythms...

    2 to 3 hours of walking
    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals included

  • Day 6 Cayo Levisa - Snorkelling

    Cayo Levisa - Snorkelling Breakfast eaten, you head to the Palma Rubia port to board a boat. It is just over an hours crossing to the paradise island of Cayo Levisa. Here you can go snorkelling with the rich fauna and flora of the coral reef around you and relax on a white sandy beach under the shade of a palm tree...

    Transportation: 2 to 3 hours
    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals included

  • Day 7 Zapata Region - Santa Clara

    Today you driver takes you to Santa Clara. On the way, you stop in the Zapata Swamp area for lunch. Upon your arrival in Santa Clara, you visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum memorial before settling into your hotel for the night.

    Transport: 5 hours drive
    Accommodation: Hotel
    Meals not included

  • Day 8 Hanabanilla - Sierra del Escambray - Kayaking

    This morning you head towards the chain of Escambray, a little over an hour away. After lunch, you set off, accompanied by a local guide with your kayaks. You head towards Rio Negro and spend the night camping here. Enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant in the middle of the lake.

    Accommodation: Camping
    Dinner included

  • Day 9 Kayaking - Topes de Collantes

    This morning you set off in kayaks to go hiking. After lunch, you find your driver and your route takes you to Cortina Jibacoa dam and Gallega farm where you spend the night camping.

    Accommodation: Camping
    Meals included

  • Day 10 Topes de Collantes - Trinidad

    Topes de Collantes - Trinidad This morning, you go for an aquatic hike along the lush Guanayara River. After lunch, you take the road to Topes de Collantes national park and visit a coffee house. This afternoon, you arrive in Trinidad and settle in with a Cuban family for several nights.

    Transport: 2 to 3 hours
    2 hours of walking
    Accommodation: Homestay
    Meals included

  • Day 11 Trinidad

    Trinidad A day dedicated to discovering the beautiful unique city of Trinidad, a living museum where time seems to have stopped. Wonder through typical colourful streets and meet local inhabitants known for their hospitality. You visit the craft market and the potter's house. This evening you can enjoy an excellent lobster grill before taking your second salsa class, this time with a team of professionals!

    Accommodation: Homestay
    Dinner included

  • Day 12 Sancti Spiritus - Cayo Santa Maria

    Today you take to the road and head to the city of Sancti Spiritus, one of the oldest Cuban European settlements. After a short visit, you leave in the direction of Cayo Santa Maria where you arrive for lunch. Your afternoon is free to enjoy this fabulous area of turquoise waters and white sands...

    Transport: 3 to 4 hours
    Accommodation: Hotel
    Dinner included

  • Day 13 Cayo Santa Maria - Havana

    Cayo Santa Maria - Havana Spend your last morning at the beach between swimming in 30°C (86°F) waters and relaxing on deckchairs. Optional activities available including kayaking and catamaran excursions. After lunch, you find your driver and journey to Havana. Late afternoon arrival in Havana and settle into your homestay accommodation.

    Transport: 4 hours
    Accommodation: Homestay
    Lunch included

  • Day 14 Havana - End of stay

    Enjoy a final morning in Havana, do some shopping and soak in the lively musical atmosphere of the city one final time.

    Meals not included

The details in this programme are updated regularly but imponderables and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the programme may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation in this programme at any time if your technical level or fitness are deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to the group or yourself. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

From 1490 € per person for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 12)

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

  • 13 nights in hotel, homestay and camping accommodation with breakfasts
  • The meals of the days 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, the lunch of the day 13 and the dinners of the days 3, 8, 11 and 12
  • Entrance fees to sites as per itinerary
  • The accompaniment by a Spanish speaking driver from day 1 to day 13
  • Our English speaking assistance 24h / 7

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tourist card (necessary to enter the country)
  • Meals: Most lunches and some dinners as detailed in itinerary
  • Drinks, tips and personal expenses - all that is not 'included'

Additional Options
  • Single Room Supplement: Consult us
  • English-speaking driver: Consult us

Notes

Children must be at least 12 years old. This multi-activity trip includes hiking, cultural visits, horse riding, ziplining, swimming, kayaking...

Terms and conditions

Inscription

Booking a trip with Altaï Cuba implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 35% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Facturation

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Altaï Cuba reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Annulation

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altaï Cuba require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date we receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Modification du contrat

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altaï Cuba in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Cuba may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Prix et révision des prix

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. Altaï Cuba reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Cession du contrat

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

By law, all tourists visiting Cuba must have travel insurance to cover medical costs. You may be asked to provide proof of your travel insurance policy when you arrive at the airport.

Altai Travel Insurance Options

You have up to 14 days, from the day you book your Altai trip, to subscribe to our travel insurance. Travel safely and benefit from our partnership with Assurinco and Mutuaide Assistance. We offer two different insurance packages tailored to meet your needs, cancellation insurance (3% of total trip price) and multirisk insurance (4% of total trip price). Please contact us for more details.

Practical info

Staff

This trip is supervised by a Cuban Spanish speaking driver who is part of our Altai Cuba team. During the stay, your driver will be assisted by Spanish speaking expert local guides.

Food

Breakfasts, lunches & dinners
All breakfasts are included, served at our accommodation. For days when lunches are not included you can choose to purchase a picnic or to eat in a restaurant. Somtimes our hosts prepare lunches for us. Homestay accommodation often includes a homecooked evening meal prepared by our hosts. When dinners are not included you will discover restaurant options for every budget.

Eating Out
Due to the American embargo that has been raging in Cuba for many years now, state-owned hotels and restaurants offer simple Cuban cuisine, often limited in terms of variety. Menus served in state restaurants normally include chicken, fish or pork accompanied by congri (rice and kidney beans) and plantains (cooking bananas). Private restaurants are beginning to emerge, offering richer and more refined cuisine.

Homestay Meals
Homestay dishes are significantly more varied and plentiful. You will have a chance to sample local products like breadfruit, cassava, plantain, mango, guava, pineapple, papaya, coconut, pork, chicken , fish and sometimes lobster.

Drinks
In Cuba, we find excellent seasonal fruit juices, local beers (Bucanero and Cristal) and of course rum which features in many Cuban cocktails like mojitos, daïquiris and pina coladas. During your stay, all drinks, including mineral water, are your responsibility. You can fill your water bottles in villages, springs and hotels. We advise that you treat water with purifying tablets and avoid the purchase of plastic bottles which must then be recycled. If wish to buy bottled water, we advise you to invest in a large bottle or two (5 or 10 litres; available to purchase in Havana, Santiago or other main cities), from which to fill your personal water bottle up from as you go.

Accommodation

Homestay
For the most part you will stay in Casa Particular accommodation. You will be welcomed into the homes of local Cuban families. You sleep in a double / twin rooms; mostly with private bathrooms although in some places the bathroom is shared between 2 rooms.

Hotels
For some stages, we have chosen local 3-star category hotels with standard comfort. Please note that hotels in Cuba belong to the state meaning that we have no control over the quality of the services delivered. The rooms are always clean and spacious with private bathrooms but it may be that in some establishments, the rooms are not up to international 3* standards.

Other Accommodations
In Sierra, some steps require sleeping in rustic shelter accommodation with basic comforts. You sleep in a dormitory of 4 to 6 people. Blankets are provided but we advise you to bring a sleeping bag liner and or sleeping bag for cooler nights depending on the season.

Transportation

Transportation is provided by private air-conditioned vehicles. For some routes we use 4x4 vehicles.

Budget & exchange

Two currencies circulate: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) which is the only currency usable by foreigners.
1 CUC is more or less equivalent to 1 USD. Visit www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates.
Only Visa and Master Cards  are accepted by hotels. You will find cash machines which accept only Visa cards in Havana and Santiago. To exchange your cash, go to one of the many "casa de cambios" at the airport or you can exchange money at hotels in the main cities of the country. Please not that American Dollars are not accepted.

Tips

An example of good tipping etiquette in Cuba is...
- 3 CUC per day and per participant for your English-speaking guide
- 2 CUC per day and per participant for your driver
- 1 CUC per day per participant for your Spanish-speaking local guide
Please note that tipping is not obligatory. It should be adapted according to the standard of living and the duration of your trip and it should be left to the discretion of each individual.

Vital equipment

  • A sleeping bag liner (or sleeping bag) for your night in a shelter (blankets provided)
  • Water purification tablets
  • A refillable water bottle or 2 (2L)

From head to toe
  • A sun hat
  • A bandana, to protect your neck
  • A pair of sun glasses (good quality, 3 or 4)
  • Thermal tops and bottoms
  • T shirts, shorts and trousers suitable for hiking
  • Appropriate underwear and pyjamas
  • A warm layer
  • A coat / jacket
  • A rain coat (good quality, breathable with hood)
  • Water proof trousers
  • A swimsuit & fast drying towel
  • A pair of hiking boots
  • Thick socks for hiking
  • A pair of casual shoes for evenings/gentle strolls
  • 1 pair of shoes for wearing in water for snorkeling, swimming, etc

Material

We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool. The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.

Helpful equipment

  • Your personal toiletries
  • Sun-cream (body and lips)
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • A pair of hiking poles
  • A waterproof bag cover (or plastic bags) to protect your belongings

Luggage

Please bring two bags; a small rucksack to use as a day bag and a larger bag (35L min) to store the rest of your belongings in.
Your day bag should be comfortable to walk with and big enough to carry your lunch, water, swim stuff, spare layers and any personal belongings/medications. We ask that your larger bag is a flexible rucksack or holdall bag rather than a hard cased suitcase for easy transportation. Please note that it is possible to do laundry in the middle of your trip.

Medicine

Our guides are all certified First Aiders and will carry a First Aid Kit in case of emergencies. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

Most travellers require a passport which is valid for at least two months beyond the proposed duration of their stay. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required.

Visa

Most travellers need a tourist visa known as a Tourist Card and proof of onwards travel may be necessary. The tourist card enables travellers to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days; it can be obtained from your Cuban Consulate in person or by post (£39). It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements.

Mandatory vaccines

No mandatory vaccinations are required. Recommended vaccines include Tetanus, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip.

Health information & recommendations

Please take the usual precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. The risk of Malaria is very low but other mosquito‐borne and spread viral disease are present - follow your doctors advice. Tap water is not drinkable in Cuba. Please take extra care to observe basic hygiene measures effectively such washing your hands frequently and before each meal and take care to properly disinfect any skin wounds.

Weather

The subtropical climate of Cuba is influenced by the mild trade winds of the northeast. Temperatures vary very little throughout the year and only two seasons are clearly identifiable:
- The wet summer which lasts from May to October.
- The drier winter is from November to April. Average temperatures range from 22°C (71°F) in February to 30°C (86°F) in July and August
The east of the island is slightly warmer than the west. September and October hold rain records and correspond with the peak of the hurricane season.

Electricity

Most electrical outlets are flat 110V two pin plugs as in the USA. Some places are also equipped with 220V round two prong plugs as in Europe. Always check before plugging anything in and use appropriate adapters.

Local time

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - 5 hours. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed.

Sustainable tourism

Altaï always aims to have as little impact on the environment as possible. As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.

Since the beginning, we have advocated for responsible tourism and the importance of equitable and sustainable principles. Harmonising these fundamentals ensures a fair distribution of economic benefits, improved working conditions for local teams and an increased awareness of the importance and practice of environmental protection.

We kindly request that you adopt the following simple actions when travelling with Altaï Cuba in order to support our ethical, sustainable and responsable tourism policies:
  • Avoid dropping litter - use bins or carry your rubbish with you.
  • Use drinking water sparingly - avoid wasting water, take showers not baths, report leaks, etc..
  • Support the preservation of cultural sites - resist the temptation to touch statues, moves stones etc..
  • Exchanges are prefarable to donations - generations gifts can destabalize the local economic balance.
  • When walking, be aware of fragile ecosystems, observe wildlife from a distance, stick to trails, limit trampling and do not steal from the nature - resist the temptation to pick flowers, collect fossils or stones...
  • Some hotels have air conditioning - to avoid excessive energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, please use sparingly and remember to cut the aircon when you are not in the room.
Request a quote
Ricardo

My local agent
Ricardo

  • 20 years in Cuban tourism.
  • Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
  • Altaï Cuba sales expert
Request a quote
Region
Centre La Havana West
Activity
Family trips Local living
Duration
14 days
Code
UCUADOFIT
Price
From €1,630
Level
2/5
Comfort
3/5

Strengths

  • Ziplining in Las Terrazas
  • Horse riding in Vinales
  • Kayaking on the Rio Negro
  • Two salsa dancing lessons
  • Discover the old neighborhoods of Havana
  • The cities of Viñales, Trinidad and Santa Clara

Required level

Children must be at least 12 years old. This multi-activity trip includes hiking, cultural visits, horse riding, ziplining, swimming, kayaking...

Download trip details

Request a quote