Cuba Mountain Biking Tour

from $3,502 NZD

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12 Days
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • Best time to travel: November - April
  • 18 Jan to 29 Jan $3,502NZD
  • 15 Feb to 26 Feb $3,502NZD
  • 01 Mar to 12 Mar $3,502NZD
  • 15 Mar to 26 Mar $3,502NZD
  • 12 Apr to 23 Apr $3,502NZD
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  • 14 Feb to 25 Feb $3,502NZD
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Exuberant Cuba packs a lot of life into a small country. Experience all its contrasts on this 12 day biking tour.

Cuba is a cyclist's paradise, with just a few (mainly vintage) cars on the roads. Biking is how most locals get around, and you'll meet many of them along the way.

Highlights include the vibrant and gritty capital Havana, and inland Santa Clara, site of Che Guevara's most famous military victory. You'll see colonial coastal cities of Trinidad and Cienfuego, and the spa town of San Diego de los Baños.

Havana to Havana

Havana
  • Mountain biking
  • Grade
  • Group size is a minimum of 4
  • Tours for 2-3 people can also be arranged
  • EUR220 single room surcharge
  • 2014 prices subject to change
  • Bike hire is included
  • We can arrange alternative dates to suit your group
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
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Cuba



Cuba Mountain Biking Tour Fitness and Preparation

Cross sugar, tobacco and coffee plantations. Travel through tropical forests with hummingbirds, waterfalls and orchids. Claim the supreme reward after cycling: basking on white sandy beaches.

The biking is a mix of flat and hilly terrain, with one very long downhill. It's suitable for all bikers, with flexible daily distances and a back-up vehicle at hand. This tour also caters for non-cyclists. You'll stay in carefully chosen hotels.

Pack your camera and your sense of adventure, and join us in Cuba!

Grade 2 - Moderate Tours

Moderate tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Havana

Cycling: 28 km

Welcome to Cuba's electrifying capital Havana! We'll meet you at Havana airport and transfer you to your hotel in Old Havana, the city centre, founded by the Spanish in the 1500s. It's everything you'd expect and more, with old colonial buildings (some in ruins) and vintage American cars, many of which have Lada engines. You'll hear salsa and mambo rhythms around you. In the afternoon, cycle through the old town and along the famous Malécon esplanade, stretching over 8 km along the waterfront.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Havana to Santa Clara

Cycling: 40 km (flat terrain)

Today we are mainly sightseeing from the comfort of our escort bus as we travel inland to the city of Ranchuelo, just 25 km from Santa Clara, our destination. Santa Clara was captured by revolutionaries under the command of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara in the decisive battle that led to the end of the Cuban Revolution, bringing Fidel Castro to power. We visit the mausoleum where Che Guevara's remains are housed, to learn more about this famous man.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Santa Clara to Topes de Collantes

Cycling: 76 km (mountainous roads)

We head to Topes de Collantes in central Cuba. This is a Nature Reserve Park in the Escambray mountains (800 m above sea level). The park is home to Cuba's national bird (the colourful tocoroco) and the national flower, the mariposa (butterfly) lily. It also has many orchids, coffee plants, hummingbirds, waterfalls, caves and canyons. Today is our longest and hardest riding day as we climb over 3 small passes (nearly 1400 m climbing in total), but you can always opt to ride in the support vehicle. Lunch today is likely to be at a farm house.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Topes de Collantes - Trinidad

Cycling: 54 km (mountainous downhill roads)

From Topes de Collantes we have a fantastic descent on our bikes. A winding road leads towards the Caribbean Coast and the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad. This 500-year old Spanish city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its public squares, cobbled streets, and old buildings. Most are brightly coloured and feature barioles, large glass-free windows with ornate grilles. Once in Trinidad, it's only a short ride to our seafront hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Trinidad

Cycling: approx. 45 km (flat terrain)

Today, relax on Trinidad's white, sandy Ancon Beach, or go on an easy optional bike tour. We'll explore the town centre, the Plaza Mayor, then cycle to El Valle de Los Ingenios (the Sugar Mills Valley). This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the centre of Cuba's sugar and slave trade for about 200 years. There are fascinating brightly coloured old factory buildings. Later, there may be time for the beach as well. Tonight, stroll around the city and listen to the local music. The sugar trade was the basis of Cuba's rum industry — perhaps you could sample the local beverage!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (if cycling)

DAY 6

Trinidad to Cienfuegos

Cycling: approx. 79 km (flat terrain)

We pedal from Trinidad to a sweeping bay on the south coast, home to Cienfuegos, recently made a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the 'Pearl of the South'. This is one of Cuba's busiest sea ports, and a centre of the present-day sugar, coffee and tobacco trades. We visit the city's popular Botanical Gardens before heading into Cienfuegos itself with its bright colonial buildings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Cienfuegos to Laguna del Tesoro

Cycling: approx. 73 km (flat terrain)

Today we head west to the Bay of Pigs, riding the last 30 km alongside the Caribbean coastline. In 1961 the Bay of Pigs was the site of a failed invasion by the USA with the aim of overthrowing Fidel Castro. We find out more about it in the Bay of Pigs Museum. Tonight we stay at Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), set in a national park on the Zapata Peninsula, known for its marshes, crystal-clear lagoons, and canals. Tonight we can swim for the last time in the Caribbean ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Laguna del Tesoro to La Sierra del Rosario

Cycling: approx. 42 km (hilly roads)

We start with a drive to La Sierra del Rosario, a protected natural area on a mountain range in the west of Cuba. From the town of Guanajay our guide will take us on remote cycle tracks through dense forest with rich wildlife including bats, frogs and lizards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

La Sierra del Rosario to San Diego de los Baños

Cycling: approx. 52 km (hilly roads)

Today we continue through the cyclist's paradise of La Sierra del Rosario, through quiet, winding roads surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Our destination: the small town of San Diego de los Baños whose natural springs are believed to have healing properties. Your hotel is known for its beautiful rooftop views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

San Diego de los Baños to Viñales Valley

Cycling: approx. 52 km (hilly)

We travel through the wonderful mountainous landscape of La Sierra de los Organos (Valley of the Giants). You'll be surrounded by mahogany and cedar hardwood forests, and rich biodiversity. There are some good climbs today to reach the beautiful and colorful Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

Viñales Valley

Cycling: approx. 50 km (mostly flat)

Back on our bikes we continue to explore this beautiful valley, known for its caves and strange rounded cliffs called mogotes. There'll be many colourful native birds around, including hummingbirds. You'll see the gigantic Mural of Prehistory painted on a cliff face, and the Cueva del Indio (cave). We'll stop for lunch near one of the many tobacco plantations, where we can visit one of the local farmers. Maybe you can learn how to roll your own cigars!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

Departure Day: Havana

It's time to say goodbye to unforgettable Cuba. After breakfast we'll drive you back to Havana, arriving around midday.

Meals: Breakfast

Hi, I'm Sandy

Call me if you have any questions.

Sandy

+64 (0)3 982 9933
NZ - 0800 829 933
AU - 1800 090 635
US - 800 732 0861

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Accommodation in 2-4 star hotels
  • All meals as per the itinerary
  • Air-conditioned support vehicle
  • English speaking tour guide
  • Entry fees as per itinerary
  • Bike hire

Tour Excludes:

  • International Flights and airport taxes
  • Passport and Travel Visa requirements (where applicable)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal expenses and drinks