Cuba: La Isla Grande
Overview
Highlights
- Cruise Havana in a classic car
- Join Cuban cowboys for an immersive afternoon at a working farm
- Explore isolated Baracoa on Cuba's eastern tip
- Get moving on a drumming workshop led by local musicians
- Shake things up with a cocktail-making class
- Hike to Castro and Guevara's hideout in the Sierra Maestra
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 5 dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
- Cuban tourist card for most UK/Ireland residents
Itinerary
Welcome to Havana, the lively capital of Cuba. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, it is now a soulful mix of colonial architecture, street troubadours and classic cars. We check into our first casas particulares of the trip; today is all about settling in and unwinding after your flight. The welcome briefing typically takes place tomorrow. Accommodation: Casas particulares
This morning we see some of Havana’s most iconic spots, including El Capitolio, which bears a resemblance to the Capitol building in Washington DC, and the Plaza de la Revolución, where numerous speeches have been made by Cuba’s leaders over the years. We also visit t...
Today is a long driving day as we head to Bayamo in the south of the island. Bayamo has an important place in Cuba’s history: the country’s national anthem is named La Bayamesa as it was in this city that slavery was abolished. We pass through agricultural towns and ...
After breakfast, we leave Bayamo and drive to Tortuguilla Beach, where we stop for a light lunch and a chance to swim in the Caribbean waters. We then continue to Baracoa, a quaint town surrounded by lush, tropical mountains and black-sand beaches. Founded in 1512, Ba...
This morning, we visit a family who are dedicating their lives to the conservation of the endangered polymita snail, whose beautiful red, yellow, white and black shells have been used in crafts and jewellery. The family now breeds them to protect their numbers and tea...
We leave Baracoa after breakfast and travel towards Santiago de Cuba, known as the City of Heroes for the important role it played in the independence and revolutionary struggles. Santiago rivals Havana for literature, music and politics, and is rich in traditions, fo...
Explore Santiago this morning, visiting the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where Fidel Castro is buried, Revolution Square, El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks, where the opening shots of the Revolution were fired on 26 July 1953. After, we enjoy lunch in a paladar. The a...
Leaving the city, we drive towards the green mountains of the Sierra Maestra, stopping to visit El Cobre, the most sacred pilgrimage site in Cuba. We also climb a short distance to see the Monument to the Runaway Slave, an iron-and-bronze hillside sculpture dedicated ...
Spend this morning in the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, a spectacular national park within the highest mountain range in Cuba. This region is well known as Fidel Castro’s base of operations during the Cuban Revolution. High in the sierra is Comandancia de la Pl...
Explore this historic city by bici-taxi this morning, each peddled by a local. On our three-wheeled vehicles, we travel through the winding streets of Camagüey and pass by the Church of Soledad, the historic centre and the old convent of Ursuline Mothers. Depending on...
This morning we head to the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, one of the largest producers of sugarcane in the 18th and 19th centuries. Our first visit is to Manaca Iznaga, a one-time sugarcane estate, where we learn about the local sugar-growing history, before visiting...
We set off for Finca La Lima after breakfast for a Cuban cowboy day on a working farm! We join farmers for a walk to the creek for a swim, use a press to squeeze our own sugarcane juice, and milk the cows before lunch at the hacienda. We then carry on to Cienfuegos, ...
Today we visit the Bay of Pigs, site of the attempted US invasion in 1961, and drive through the Zapata Peninsula back to Havana. We stop for lunch and a swim at Punta Perdiz, a promontory jutting into the Bay of Pigs and a great snorkelling spot. We also stop by the ...
This morning, we explore Havana with our guide. We start with a classic car tour, cruising through the streets of Old Havana and along the Malecón towards the more modern part of town. As we travel in our vintage cars, we stop along the way to hear stories and explana...
The adventure ends today. Bid a fond farewell to Cuba and catch a free transfer to Havana Airport for your return flight home. See the Joining Instructions for more information on booking your transport to the airport.
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.
If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.
Period before departure in which you notify us
From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
- 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started
Cancellation charge
Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
- 100% of the total holiday cost.
For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:
Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)
Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.
179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.
119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.
89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost.
59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.
For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions
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