Cuba Tours
Pearl of the Caribbean Itinerary (Cienfuegos)
DATES: Departs either Saturdays with the Cubana flight or Sundays with the Virgin flight. Please enquire for dates.
INTRODUCTION
A fascinating tour of west and central Cuba to experience a fuller flavour of Cuban culture and heritage sites. This tour can be combined with a beach extension. Please contact us for details.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1
Welcome at Jose Marti Airport where we will be transferred to Old Havana for overnight accommodation at the historic, colonial style 3 Star Plus Sevilla Hotel situated in an excellent position and within a very short walk of Old Havana.
Day 2
After breakfast we will depart for a detailed guided sightseeing tour of Havana. A unique experience, the tour will visit all the major sights of the city including the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral Square. There will be the chance to absorb the atmosphere of the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Havana, flanked by old colonial buildings dating back as far as the 16th Century, with a visit to the impressive Museum of the Revolution. Experience how Cuba’s famous rum is produced at the Havana Club Rum Factory where there may be the chance to sample the different rums, before continuing to the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
After driving along the “Malecon”, Havana’s seafront promenade, lunch will be taken at the famous El Patio restaurant situated in a beautiful location overlooking the historic Cathedral Square in the heart of Old Havana.
After lunch we will drive outside Havana to Finca Vigia, the former Cuban home of Ernest Hemingway, the contents of which remain untouched since he left the home for the last time.
The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy exploring Old Havana or relax by the hotel pool!
In the evening, dinner will be taken at El Aljibe restaurant specialising in traditional Cuban cuisine. After dinner there will be an option to visit the world famous Tropicana Cabaret. Set under the stars the show depicts the history of Cuban dance and music involving over 100 dancers, making the evening an amazing spectacle.
Day 3
After breakfast, we will visit one of Cuba’s world famous cigar factories to experience how cigars are still hand-made by local experts a unique and very interesting visit.
In the mid morning we will leave for Cienfuegos. Travelling east we will stop en route at Guama where a boat is taken through the mangrove swamps to a replica stilted Taino Indian village on the shores of Treasure Lake.
Lunch will be taken in a local countryside restaurant, before continuing to Cienfuegos known as the “Pearl of the South” and characterised by palaces and mansions overlooking a deep bay. After arriving into the city we will settle in at the Jagua hotel and enjoy dinner.
Day 4
After an early breakfast, we will leave for Santa Clara, the final resting place of “Che” Guevara. We will visit the mausoleum and museum dedicated to his extraordinary life, followed by a short orientation tour of the city including the train “Tren Blindado” that was attacked in the decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution.
We will continue through the spectacular scenery of the Escambray mountains to Trinidad, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world.
The city can be explored by walking and after lunch in a local restaurant our tour will include a visit to The Romantic Museum, which depicts the lifestyle and architectural design of Trinidad’s colonial past. Enjoy traditional Cuban music at the Casa de la Trova followed by a visit to La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th Century, where we can try the unique Trinidad rum cocktail, made with cane juice.
After returning to Cienfuegos, dinner this evening will be at the elegant Palacio Del Valle restaurant overlooking the bay in Cienfuegos.
Day 5
After a leisurely breakfast, we will enjoy an orientation tour of Cienfuegos including a stroll through the leafy squares of this colonial city.
Continuing the day we will leave for the Moka hotel, situated deep in the Sierra Del Rosario Nature Reserve an hour from Havana. En route we will stop for lunch at a countryside restaurant and on arrival there will be the chance to explore the local village or indeed take a stroll and a cooling swim in the nearby San Juan river.
The evening will be at leisure to enjoy the peace and tranquility of this country hotel and dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6
We will depart for the famous Vinales Valley where we will drive through the valley, with stops for absorbing the beauty of the area. There will be a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio limestone cave system followed by lunch in the Ranchon San Vicente countryside restaurant. In the late afternoon, we will return to the Moka Hotel, and dinner will be taken in the house of a local farmer, an excellent end to the day.
Day 7
After a leisurely breakfast, the morning will be free to relax in the swimming pool at the Moka hotel, take a stroll through the local village, a leisurely walk through the stunning tropical countryside or a swim in the river. After lunch at the hotel we will leave for the short drive to Havana and connections to onward destinations before continuing to the Varadero hotels where the tour ends.
