Travel to Cuba with A. Nash Travel Inc.

Cuba Libre Tour

(Escorted)

An in depth exploration of Cuba, past and present. We travel the length of the island taking time to visit magnificent colonial towns and explore the beautiful countryside on foot to appreciate the glorious mountain and coastal scenery. On the way we'll learn about Cuba's history, and feel the pulse of Cuba today.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Among the many highlights featured on this trip, we mention:

• HAVANA: City tour of the colonial capital
• ZAPATA PENINSULA: Swim in cenote with tropical fish
• BAY OF PIGS: Visit museum
• TRINIDAD and CAMAGUEY: Beautiful Spanish colonial towns
• TOPES DE COLLANTES: Lush mountains, rushing waterfalls, hummingbirds and trogons; 'camping' in isolated haciendas
• COMANDANCIA DE LA PLATA: Castro's revolutionary headquarters
• SANTIAGO DE CUBA: Sparkling epicentre of revolutionary ideals and rum
• SOROA: Rolling hills and rainforest
• VINALES VALLEY: Steep limestone hills or 'mogotes' rising up from flat valley floors

Day 1: JOIN TOUR IN HAVANA
Arrive Havana, the capital of Cuba and check in at our hotel. Built around a deep natural harbor, Havana is one of the most impressive surviving colonial cities in the Americas. (2 nights hotel with breakfast)

Day 2: IN HAVANA
Modern Havana is a mixture of restored and crumbling architectural marvels. Our morning tour explores the city, driving past art-deco style buildings along the coastal Malecon and through the Vedado and Miramar suburbs where the kids play baseball below rusting, deformed lights with 50's American Cadillacs cruising past. On foot we investigate the Vieja (old district) with its beautiful neoclassical buildings at the Plaza de Armas, the baroque Cathedral, the Capitolio, and Parque Central. During the free afternoon you can opt to visit the City Museum, the Museum of the Revolution or Colonial Art. Cool breezes blowing in from the Caribbean freshen lively sunset strolls along the Malecon.

Day 3: BUS TO TRINIDAD VIA BAY OF PIGS
Heading east across Cuba, we drive through giant citrus and sugar plantations and out onto the Zapata Peninsula. This marshland, recently buffeted by Hurricane Michelle, is home to the endemic Cuban crocodile. Further on, "cenotes" or pools created by the ceiling collapse of the underground rivers do the landscape and provide wonderful swimming opportunities and the chance to see brilliant tropical fish. Later we visit Playa Giron and the nearby museum dedicated to the infamous "Bay of Pigs: invasion, where a U.S. supported attack by Cuban exiles failed to overthrow the communist regime. Our journey then skirts the edge of the wooded Escambray mountains, hugging the coastline with views over the sparkling turquoise waters and arrive in the beautiful Spanish colonial town of Trinidad. (2 nights hotel and breakfast).

Day 4: IN TRINIDAD
This morning we wander through the old center of Trinidad, visiting one of the many interesting museums which reflect Trinidad's varied history. In the early 19th century French settlers, fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti, landed and started to grow sugar cane in the Valle de Los Ingenios. This crop generated considerable wealth and consequently the town had to be regularly defended from pirates. The street layout is said to be deliberately complicated so as to confuse them. The afternoon is free to visit the deserted island of Cayo Blanco (optional). Here you can eat fresh seafood, relax on the beach, and snorkel in the pristine coral wilderness. Alternatively, you can simply relax on nearby Playa Ancon, or continue to wander through Trinidad's lovely colonial streets: a paradise for photographers.

Day 5: DRIVE AND TREK TO TOPES DE COLLANTES
A short bus trip up a steep, switch-back road leads us into the lushly vegetated Escambray Mountains for a four hour trek up through an unspoilt land of forest, water-eroded valleys, rushing waterfalls and underground rivers. There is pine forest and paths bordered by mahogany and hibiscus. You may see humming birds flash past, darting from flower to flower searching for nectar. Further on we reach La Batata, a cave through which an underground river gurgles, gently carving out rock pools. The water rarely exceeds 12 degrees centigrade so the swimming is exhilarating here. We trek on until we reach an isolated, century old hacienda set in a lush valley where we have lunch. In the afternoon our local guide takes us on a circular interprative trail, discussing the orchids and medicinal plants we find en route. At La Cueva del Altar we walk through a cavern, emerging on the other side of the hill to beautiful views of the Caribbean. (Total 10km. trek). Later we have supper, enjoying wonderful Cuban hospitality, and settle down for the night. Accomodation at the hacienda is simple, with foam mattreses provided for sleeping out on the verandahs under overhanging eves. The peace and quiet of the night with its canopy of stars should ensure a good night's sleep! Overnight at hacienda with all meals.

Day 6: IN TOPES DE COLLANTES
This morning a 9 km. trek takes us into a valley cut deep by the Guayanara River. We start off driving a short distance then begin to walk. Along this section of the route good views unfold over Embalse Habanabanilla - Cuba's highest lake.. We may stop along the way to see coffee growing and talk to some of the locals. After about 3 hours walk we arrive at our second hacienda, set in a rocky valley next to the Charco Azul. The afternoon is free, however we recommend a 5 km. round trip to the Salto de Rocio waterfall, in an area flush with trogons, hummingbirds and woodpeckers. We follow a riverside track beside which 7 species of tree fern, bromeliads, and orchids grow. On arrival, adventurous swimmers and enjoy waterfalls and pools, while others may choose to relax on the banks. Please note that walks may be harder depending on weather conditions and those preferring not to walk today (or on either day)can travel without our support vehicle. Overnight hacienda with all meals.

Day 7: DRIVE TO CAMAGUEY
Leaving the Escambray Mountains behind we stop at the Valle de los Ingenios. Later we visit Sancti Spiritus, one of the original seven settlements founded by Diego Velasquez when he claimed Cuba for Spain, for lunch, before continuing on a long drive across the flattest province in Cuba - Ciego de Avila. The Llanura de Jucaro Moron (plain) is mostly used for agriculture, predominantly cattle ranching, sugar growing, citrus fruit and pineapple production. Our journey continues up into the hills of the Sierra de Cubitas where beef and dairy cattle roam. We reach the provincial capital of Camaguey in the late afternoon. This evening take the chance to enjoy the music scene and salsa with the locals. Overnight hotel with breakfast.

Day 8: BUS TO SANTO DOMINGO
The morning is free to wander in Camaguey. We recommend a visit to the bustling farmer's market. Later, our journey continues east to La Plata in the Sierra Maestra mountains. These are the highest mountains in Cuba built from volcanic and other metamorphic rocks. Overnight cabin with breakfast.

Day 9: VISIT LA COMANDANCIA DE LA PLATA. DRIVE TO SANTIAGO DE CUBA.
A truck carries us up a steep, asphalted road to El Alto de Naranjo. From this trailhead we walk 6 km. through virgin rainforest to La Comandancia de la Plata where Fidel Castro and Che Guevera took refuge after an unsuccessful against the Cuban dictator, Batista, on 2nd December, 1956. This mountain hideaway became the revolutionaries' headquarters until Batista fled Cuba in 1959. This afternoon we drive directly inland towards the lively former Cuban capital of Santiago. 2 nights hotel with breakfast.

Day 10: IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Surrounded by hills and looking out onto the Caribbean, Santiago has been the epicentre for revolutionary ideals since the time of Cespedes. Many of the colonial buildings and museums of Cuba's second city are painted in attractive, traditional pastel shades. This morning we make a tour of Santiago city. We take the bus to the Plaza de la Revolucion with it's fine monument to the heroes of the independence wars, visit the remarkable cemetary where independence hero Jose Marti is buried and then the Moncada Barracks which Castro and 118 students unsuccessfully attacked in 1953. The afternoon is left free for personal exploration - we recommend a visit to El Morro fort (optional), one of the best preserved in Cuba, affording us remarkable views over the harbour right across to the Sierra Maestre, possibly for the cannon firing ceremony at sunset. We have this evening to enjoy Santiago's famous nightlife.

Day 11: BUS TO SANTA CLARA
Today we leave Santiago behind and make our way towards Santa Clara, the home of Che's Mausoleum, where we break our journey and spend the night. This is an off-the-beaten track stop which allows us to visit one of Cuba's most revolutionary landmarks. Overnight hotel with breakfast.

Day 12: BUS TO VINALES VIA SOROA
Today we head out into the Vinales region. We travel via Soroa with its orchids and waterfalls, and there is an opportunity to visit the Botanical Gardens. We continue on to Vinales, one of the most famously picturesque areas of Cuba. Millions of years ago underground rivers cut tunnels through the limestone hills and when the roofs collapsed, strange hills or 'mogotes', with interesting and sometimes unique vegetation, were left sticking up from today's flat valley floor. The iron-rich, red soil creates a patchwork of fields growing some of the best tobacco in the world. Two nights hotel with breakfast.

Day 13: IN VINALES
This morning we take a walk across this remarkable landscape with panoramic views of the plains below. We pass through tobacco fields and may see the odd drying barn. The afternoon is free in Vinales for personal exploration, horseriding, or you may choose to visit Santo Tomas Caves, one of the largest cave systems in the Americas. You may, of course, choose simply to relax in the grounds of the hotel.

Day 14: BUS TO HAVANA
This morning we have a relaxed start and a beautiful walk (1hr. 30min.) to the Laguna del Piedra., we return to the hotel, pick up our bags and depart, returning to atmospheric Havana. We enjoy a final dinner, and probably a dance, together in Old Havana. Overnight hotel with breakfast.

Day 15: TOUR ENDS IN HAVANA

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK: Meals other than those included in the itinerary are paid for separately by the traveller. You should calculate for buying 12 lunches and 13 evening meals.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP:

• LUGGAGE: One main piece of luggage and one rucksack for day use. Total allowance 44 lbs/20 kgs. Bring plastic bags to keep things dry.
• CLOTHING: October - April : Include light cotton clothing plus something warmer for the evenings in the hills when it can get cool. A light fleece would be useful except Dec.-Jan. when a heavier fleece, and waterproof are recommended. An umbrella is useful in the rainy season. May to September pack for hot conditions.
• FOOTWEAR: Comfy trail boots, plus trainers/sandals for the evening.
• EQUIPMENT: Flashlight 9with spare batteries and bulb), 2-season sleeping bag (except December and January, when a 3-season sleeping bag is recommended) for 2 night stay in haciendas (mattresses are provided), water bottle, towel, sunblock, pocket knife, insect repellant, sunglasses, sun hat and swimgear.

SPECIAL IMPORTANT NOTE: A local payment of $255 USd (approx. $400 CAD) is payable locally. The tour operator requires that you purchase trip cancellation/medical insurance and you must show this to the tour leader and the commencement of the tour.

NOT INCLUDED:

International flights to/from Cuba; transfers between airport and hotel; visa fees, vaccinations, passports, insurance of any kind, excess baggage charges, optional tours and excursions, hotel porterage, meals other than those specified as included, all items of a personal nature such as laundry, room service charges, drinks, phone calls, etc., tips for personal services.