Experience Cuba
Day 1: Arrive in Havana
Be greated at the airport to be transfered to your home stay in Old Havana. Overnight in Old Havana Home Stay.
Day 2: Explore Havana
Explore Havana with a walking tour with visits to the plazas of San Francisco, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Cathedral. In the evening attend the traditional night cannon ceremony at Fortaleza de la Cabana. Overnight in Old Havana Home Stay.
Day 3: Travel to Vinales
Journey to western Cuba to hike through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the country, known as Sierra del Rosario. Famed for the diversity of its natural beauty, lush woods, waterfalls, rare orchids and ferns. Visit the Buena Vista coffee plantation before stopping at Las Terrazas, a self sustained community initiated in 1967. Embrace the rural life of Cuba and learn more about how the systems work on the island. After lunch at a local Paladar (famly run restaurant) travel to Vinales in Pinar del Rio province. Overnight in Vinales Home Stay.
Day 4: Explore Vinales Valley
Vinales valley is a lush area of Cuba known for its tobacco fields and for its caves. Pinar del Rio city, the largest urban community in the westernmost part of the island is also the capital for the best tobacco in the world. Visit the a local cigar factory to learn how Cuban cigars are made. After a lunch with a Cuban famiy have some free time to roam the streets of this local community before venturing into one of the caves in this region. Explore the cave and underwater river system ending with journey by boat to learn more about how this region is so different to the rest of the island. Overnight in Vinales Home Stay.
Day 5: Travel to Cienfuegos
Drive along the main highway to the east side of the island to Cienfuegos. Stop at the museum devoted to the Bay of Pigs before a walk through the Zapata National Park, a Biosphere Reserve. Overnight in Cienfuegos Home Stay.
Day 6: Cienfuegos Sites, Sunset Cruise
Cienfuegos is a youthfull city with vibrent life and buildings. Explore this youthfull city with vibrent life and buildings with a walking tour through the Plaza Marti, the Cathedral, and the Tomas Terry Theater. In the afternoon visit the Palacio de Valle. Visit the Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens which dates back to 1899. Enjoy the early evening at leisure with a walk on the water front or relax before the sunset cruise. Overnight in Cienfuegos Home Stay.
Day 7: Travel to Trinidad
Before leaving Cienfuegos explore a local artists community. Art is very important to Cuba culture and this community teaches the skill of art to school students also well as to work with children with disabilities to improve their quality of life. Say good by to Cienfuegos and journey to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Trinidad. Trinidad with its cobble stone street, locals relaxing playing music and local street markets this city is a small gem of the island. Visit a local artist that makes traditional pottery for the region and the Museo Arquitectura Colonial. The late afternoon is free to explore on your own the beautiful Plaza Mayor or the local artisan street market with woodcarvings, fabric art, crochet pieces and straw work. Tonight is a night on the town with live salsa music and dancing at one of the famous music night clubs in Trinidad. Overnight at Trinidad Home Stay.
Day 8: Free Day in Trinidad
Today explore more of Trinidad with its many local markets, traditional artistic pottery, Casa Santander and many local cafes with live Cuban music. Learn Cuban percussion with a local Cuban musision or relax on the beach in the afternoon will enritch your experence in Trinidad. Overnight at Trinidad Home Stay.
Day 9: Travel to Santa Clara via the Escambray Mountains
Journey to the center of the island to Santa Clara today. Travel into the Escambray Mountains, Cuba's second highest mountain range. Stop for a local local coffee to learn more about the coffee production. A short walk before enjoying a local lunch. Visit a local art museum before departing to Santa Clara. Overnight in Santa Clara Home Stay.
Day 10: Explore Santa Clara
Now a lively university town, Santa Clara was once the battlefield for war against Flgencio Batista in 1958. Visit the Ernesto Che Guevara's monument and learn more about his life. Continue to walk to the Armored Train Park Museum to find out why it was one of the biggest turning points of the revolution. Wander the Parque Vidal for local life and culture. Visit the museum and mausoleum commemorating Che at the Revolution Square. Overnight in Santa Clara Home Stay.
Day 11: Travel back to Havana
Travel back to Old Havana via the quiet seaside town of Cojimar, known to Hemingways "The Old Man and the Sea". Learn more about Ernest Hemingway and why Cuba was a big part of his life. Stop for a cocktail at Las Terrazas de Cojimar Bar before a seaside lunch. Continue to learn more of Ernest Hemingway with a visit to the American writer's former home, Finca La Vigia. This old colonial estate bought by the Hemingway in the '40s was his home for 20 years and is exactly preserved in the way he left it before the revolution. Go back in time as you view the books on the shelves or the kitchen as it was so many years ago. This evening, back in Havana, a classic 1950's vintage car will take you to dinner and then to the Tropicana Cabaret to show what Havana entertainment scene was like in the 1950's. Overnight in Old Havana Home Stay.
Day 12: Havana - Entrepreneurship, Buena Vista Social Club
Today learn how these American vintage cars are on the island and in such good shape with a visit to the local the garage where a local Cuban, son of a GM mechanic, has dedicated his life to keeping these classics alive. Listen to the life storeies of this family and the present day of of Cuba life. This is a great day to get a glimpse into the true Havana life and their thoughts on the future of Cuba for their family. In the afternoon visit the Bellas Artes Fine Arts Museum or enjoy free time to wonder the streets of Old Havana. There is no better way to end a true Cuban experience then with a night of live Cuban music at the world famous "Buena Vista Social Club". Overnight in Old Havana Home Stay.
Day 13: Depart Havana
Depart to the airport with an airport transfer from the home stay.
Inclusions
12 Nights Accommodation in home stays based on twin share
Breakfast 12
Private air-conditioned vehicle as per itinerary
Airport transfers arrival and departure
English speaking Walkabout Journeys Tour Leader from Day 1 to Day 13
Sightseeing with entrances as per itinerary
Water while sightseeing
Excluded
International & Domestic flights
Drinks of all kinds (Except water while on bus)
Lunches and Dinners
Medical/evacuation/cancellation insurance strongly suggested
Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, room service, etc
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Optional activites not included
Gratuities of any kind (Porterage/hotel/ restaurant staff/drivers/guides/tour leader/etc)
Visitors Card for entry into Cuba