Conquest of the Cuban Peaks
Itinerary
-
Day 1 Welcome !!
Arrival to Santiago de Cuba airport. Transfer to Old down town. Accommodation at a private house.
Meals at your own
Night at the hotel -
Day 2 Santiago de Cuba - Visit
First approach to Cuba bi visiting the second most important city and most Caribbean of all. Colonial houses and streets clinb up and down the hills facing the Bay. Music and History are on the menu. We go visiting the Museum of Piracy, located on top of the hill at the entrance of the Bay in one of the Oldest forteresses from the colonial times : El Morro Castle. We suugest to look for one of those local bars downtown and get a mojito while you enjoy the music. Diner at your leisure.
Transport by minibus.
Night at the hotel -
Day 3 Santiago - El Cobre – Water Fall El Saltón.
Heading west, we stop at the local town El Cobre, and visit the Sanctuary of La Caridad del Cobre, the Cuban Patron Saint. Then we take the road into the heart of La Sierra Maestra. We arrive into a little paradise where we will spend the night : this small hotel is located by a 25 meters water Fall that showers the vegetationn around providing a tropical touch. After lunch, we will go exploring the surroundings….let´s not forget our bathing suits…we will need it. Diner at the local restaurant.
Transport by minibus.
Night at the hotel
3 hours of walking -
Day 4 Saltón - Bayamo- Sierra Maestra.
Transfer to Bayamo. The Cuban historical cradle. Walking tour around the central park and the local squares. Lunch at local restaurant La Bodega. Transfer to the heart of the Sierra Maestra mountains. Accommodation at local hotel Santo Domingo. Diner at a private restaurant.
Transport by minibus.
Night at the hotel.
Dinner at your own -
Day 5 National Park Sierra Maestra : Trek to La Comandancia de la Plata.
We leave at 8 :00hrs to reach el Alto del Naranjo and start trekking to La Comandancia de la Plata (ancient Headquarters of Fidel Castro during the guerrila fight in the 50´s) After 3 or 4 hours walking and visiting we arrive to La Platica, a Farm where we will spend the night. Diner.
Transportation by minibus and 4x4.
Night in Refuge
4 hours of walking -
Day 6 Sierra Maestra : Conquest of Turquino Peak.
Today we will conquer the highest Peak in Cuba. We leave early in the morning and walk for 4 hours to arrive at Aguada de Joaquin, the camp where we will spend the night. From there we will start climbing for 2 :30 hours to attein the Peak. While we are progessing, we will enjoy very nice views. At the top, there is a statue of the National heroe of Cuba : Jose Marti. Then, we go back to the camp. Diner.
Transportation by minibus or 4x4.
Night in a shelter or tent
7 hours of walking; + 1450m / -900m.
NOTE : Getting to the top is optional. Once we arrive to camp, we can choose whether we continue or not -
Day 7 Santo Domingo - Camagüey.
We trek down to El Alto del Naranjo on a 4 hours walk. We take our jeeps to get to Santo Doming for lunch. Then we leave for Camaguey. Once we get there, 4 hrs later, we accommodate at a private hotel. Diner.
Transportation by minibus
Homestay
7 hours of walking; + 500m / -900m. -
Day 8 Camagüey - Sancti Spiritus - Banaos.
Tour around the Old downtown : this is a very charming city, with multiple colonial squares and churches. Then we leave for Sancti Spiritus. Lunch on the way. Tour in Sacti Spiritus downtown, walk along the boulevard. Transfer to Banaos natural Park (15min from the city). Accommodation at Jarico Farm. Diner.
Transport by minibus.
Night in a simple hotel -
Day 9 La Sabina - El Naranjal.
Climbing for 3 hours to get to La Sabina: a Farm on top of the mountain, where we will spend the night. After lunch, we continue our walk to explore the surroundings and visiting another Farm: El Naranjal. We will be back to La Sabina for diner. Let´s sit on the rocking cahirs at tyhe front of the Farm, to enjoy the wonderful view of the valley.
NOTE : think about leaving your luugage at Jarico Farm, and bring only the necessary for one night.Transport by minibus.
Night in a shelter
5 to 6 hours of walking; + 400m -
Day 10 la Bella water Fall - Trinidad.
Last trek in the Escambray mountains. We take the trail down back to the Jarico Farm. We have the chance to dive and swim into the natural pools by the river. After lunch, we head for Trinidad, where we arrive in 1 hr. Accommodation at a private house, by a nice family. Diner.
Transport by minibus.
Homestay
3 hours of walking -
Day 11 Trinidad - Playa Ancon - Trinidad
We enjoy a free morning to enjoy again the charms of the city and leave for Playa Ancon, one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Cuba. Idleness, swimming and stroll on the fine sand are on the program. Return to Trinidad late afternoon. Dinner and evening in the city.
Transport by minibus.
Homestay -
Day 12 Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Zapata
We take the road for the Bay of Pigs. On the way, we will stop at Cienfuegos: the so called Southern Pearl, for a short visit: this neoclassic city was founded by French families in the 19een century. We continue for Zapata swamp, also known as the Bay of Pigs. Stop by the beach for a swim and lunch. At the end of the day we go to a small village called Caleton, where we accommodate and have Diner.
Transport by minibus.
Night at homestay by the sea -
Day 13 Playa Larga - Havana.
Transfer to Havana, where we arrive for lunch at a nice local restaurant. In the afternoon, walking tour around the Colonial squares located in the heart of Old Havana. This is a date with the past!!! Cobblestones streets showered by colonial fountains. Interior yards transformed into Art Galleries that we can visit without fee. Cigars, music, steamed glasses. Accommodation at a private hotel. Diner at your leisure.
Transport by minibus.
Night at the inhabitant.
Dinner at your own. -
Day 14 : Havana - Viñales.
Transfer to Vinales. Walk on the valley, surrounded by an incredible landscape, where tobacco fields are dominated by the Mogotes. Lunch at a typical resturant in the middle of the valley. Visit to a tobacco production local Farm. The farmer will show us the the whole process of fermentation and drying of tobacco leaves. Then he will roll a cigar for us. The lady will bring us, in the meantime, a cup of coffee or tea. Yes, i know it´s difficult, but we have to leave. …richer, in spirit and soul. We get to the village where we accommodate at a private house. Diner at the casa, and Musical evening in town to enjoy the local bands, and, why not….danse with the cubans….
Transport by minibus.
Night at homestay.
3 hours of walking -
Day 15 On top of the mogotes.
Today we go to la Penitencia valley. Let´s climb up to one of the mogotes, to get closer to the local Faune and Flore. We will certainly get to watch the mocking bird and the national bird : Tococoro. A wide variety of endemic plants will be all along the way. And then, an incredibly beautiful landscape will appear before our eyes !!! if there is a paradise, this is it !!!. The red color of the ferralitic land contrasts with the green of the tobacco fields : we can breathe peace…this is the moment of making a stop to take a cup of coffee in one of the farmer´s houses. Let´s take our time to admire the view !!!. But, we got to get going, diving into that valley that opens its arms to us. Lunch at a small typical house in the middle of the valley. The owner, an old lady called Ana, used to be a professional cook, and now she loves cooking for our clients that always appreciate her dishes. Then we go to the village. Diner in town.
Transport by minibus.
Night at the inhabitant.
4 hours of walking; + 200m / -200m -
Day 16 Viñales – Cayo Jutías - Viñales
Today we go to Cayo Jutias to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Possibility of going to the coral reef by boat for snorkeling. Back to Vinales. Diner in town. Music is in the air!!!
Transport by minibus.
Night at homestay -
Day 17 Viñales - Mil Cumbres
Transfer to La Sierra del Rosario mountain range. On the way, we will admire wonderful views all around. Cuban nature is rich!!!!. We arrive at Mil Cumbres, where we settle, and have lunch, before going to the neighbor community for a walk among the coffee and potatoe fields. We will spend the night at the Farm : rustic, but cozy….we might need the sleeping bag…Diner.
Transport by minibus.
Night in a simple refuge
3 to 4 hours of walking -
Day 18 Climbing on top of the highest peak of the West : Pan de Guajaibon.
Let´s conquest the highest Peak : 700mts above sea level. The ascencion is difficult, but the view from the top is worthwhile. (if the weather is rainy, un optional trek will be proposed) We take a box lunch with us. Diner at the Farm.
Transport by minibus.
Night in a simple refuge
8 hours of walking; + 700m / -700m -
Day 19 Mil Cumbres – Soroa - Havana.
Transfer to Soroa. We can visit the local Water Fall, called the Cuban rainbow, on a 30min walk. There is also the most important Orquid Garden in the island, with more then 300 varieties of Orquids an other plants. After lunch, we go up to the Mirador to enjoy a wonderful view. Transfer to Havana. Sightseeing by bus, and then, walking tour at Vedado neighborhood. Stop at John Lennon’s Park, where a statue of the famous ex-Beatle is sitting on a bench, like if he were welcoming you to this city. Another stop at the Mytic hotel National, from the 30´s, the atmosphere takes us into those times where outstanding personalities from Hollywood, and even the American Mafia were wandering around the place. Accommodation at a private house. Meals at leisure.
Transport by minibus.
Night in a simple refuge
2 hours of walking -
Day 20 Havana.
Today the guide will walk with you around the Old down town. We will certainly admire and enjoy the atmosphere, now that we know Cuba and the Cubans a little more. Meals at leisure.
Homestay
3 hours of walking -
Day 21 Havana and Flight Back
Free time in the morning for last shoppings and visits. Transfer to the airport according to Flight Schedule.
Meals at your own
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: UCUT2-EN
Included
Not included
Notes
Terms and conditions
Inscription
Facturation
Annulation
- 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
- 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.