Velo, Salsa, Cuba-Libre

The first part of the journey leads us through Central Cuba. The splendid low mountain range of the Sierra Escambray (highest peak 1140 m) and the Southern Caribbean coast will influence the wonderful bike trips. We encounter the Cuban culture, the Caribbean way of life and the revolutionary history in Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and the Bahia de (los) Cochinos.

Then we get by coach to West Cuba into the low mountain range Sierra del Rosario. La Sierra del Rosario is an unique phenomenon which is under the protection of the UNESCO. We also gain fascinating impressions at the Cordillera de Guaniguanico (max. height 699 m) and in the Valle de Vinales with the well-known Mogotes limestone hills.
At the end of our journey we stay in Havanna and the eastern part of Havanna, the Playas del Este, for two days.

1. day  Havanna Arrival

Around noon you start from your local airport and fly, after a short stop-over (or overnight stay) in Madrid, to Havanna. You arrive at the same day in the afternoon/ evening. Your guide picks you up at the airport and takes you to the hotel in the Old town of Havanna.

2. day  Havanna (Bike about 30 km)

Today you can relax on the bike and move the body after your flight. We walk for a first sightseeing trip into the Old town. In the afternoon we get on the bikes; in order to get used to it we just cycle through the city centre to the Plaza de la Revolución. After a short stop you continue to the Cementerio Colón cemetery and into the residence area of Miramar. Along the Malecon we return to the hotel.
In the afternoon we go by foot into the Old town.

3. day  Santa Clara (Bike about 10 km , Coach 270 km)

In the morning we first get by coach to our hotel in Santa Clara. After our arrival we cycle to the Che Guevara and Tren Blindado (armoured train) square and from there to the Parque Vidal. We learn a lot about the changeful history of Cuba and the Cuban revolution and it’s heroes.
With half-board inclusive.

4. day  Santa Clara - Sancti Spiritus - Topes de Collante (Bike ca. 60km)

From Santa Clara we go by bus towards Topes de Collantes and 10 km before Manicaragua we switch to bikes. We visit the colonial town Sancti Spiritus and later the bus brings us to Topes de Collantes into the heights of Sierra Escambray. (The direct way from Santa Clara to Topes is barred to traffic indefinitely, for this reason the bicycle tour is laid out on level ground.)
With half-board inclusive.

5. day  Tropes de Collantes - Trinidad (Bike ca. 18 km steep down)

We start in the morning. This part of the journey is hilly and we have to cope with some steep parts. You will receive a reward for this effort – wonderful impressions of the mountain landscape and at the end we roll downwards to the Caribbean coast to Trinidad. Along with the Old town of Havanna, the colonial town Trinidad is biggest ensemble of buildings that are constructed during the colonial era on Cuba. In 1988 it was selected a World Heritage Site. Trinidad is located 12km off the ocean and 14km off the Valle de los Ingenios (the valley of sugar-cane mills), that we will visit by nike in the afternoon.
Half-board inklusive.

6. day  colonial townTrinidad (Bike ca. 30km, flat)

Trinidad offers: its typical red tiled roofs, cobblestoned streets, places and stairs, pastel-coloured houses and historical musuems - for every historically interested person this town is a must! In the morning we make a town sightseeing tour in Trinidad's historical centre. In the afternoon and evening you have time for free. You might spend the day at the sandy beaches of the Caribbean and the evening with a cocktail and Son music in an open-air bar. Dinner at the hotel.

7. day  Trinidad - Cienfuegos (Bike ca. 70km, starts flat, later hilly)

Along the Caribbean coast we cycle from Trinidad to Cienfuegos, a charming colonial town. On our way we have the opportunity to stroll through a wonderful botanical garden. Afterwards we go by coach to Cienfuegos which is not very far from here and one of the most beautyful towns in Cuba. Its french flair, great parks and boulevards surrounded by trees are breathtaking.
The evening we leave at your free disposal.

8. day  Cienfuegos and the Bahia de (los) Cochinos - Guamá (Bike ca 70km, flat)

With the coach we start this part of the tour and cycle arround the Bahia de (los) Cochinos. We start the day driving in western direction. In the Bahia de (los) Cochinos we visit the museum at the Playa Girón, that reminds us of the failed american invasion. Changing bus and bike we get along the Caribbean coast to the marshes of the Peninsula de Zapata nature preserve. The peninsula takes form of a shoe. In the past, in this marsh lived Taino-Indians, pirates and charburner. When reaching Guama we cross the Lago de Tesero by boat. We spend the night at the edge of the lake in bungalow facilities.
Half-board inklusive.

9. day  Sierra del Rosario (Bike about 20 km, flat/ Coach 230 km)

In the morning we go for a bike trip to the Cienaga de Zapata national park. After some kilometres we reach the Guama crocodile farm (a viewing is possible).
The coach brings us to the Hotel Soroa in Sierra del Rosario. Soroa is also called "the rainbow of Cuba" because of the gorgeous orchids that are breeded there since 1943. Hundreds of orchid species grow up there in the second largest Orchid garden in the world (the biggest one you can find in India), the viewing is possible.
The evening we leave at your free disposal.

10. day  San Diego de los Banos (Bike about 60 km)

After visiting the orchid gardens we cycle through the attractive landscape of the Sierra del Rosario with its wide variety of subtropical plants and trees. Our destination for today is San Diego de los Banos – a famous thermal spa.
Half-board inklusive.

11. day  Vinales Valley (Bike about 70 km, very hilly)

Today we cycle through hilly tarrain. Here the climbers of the group get their's money worth because of the rises. Wonderful odours indulge our noses on the way through the mahogany and cedar woods of the Sierra de los Organos (La Guira nature park). In the afternoon we reach the idyllic Vinales valley.

12. day  Vinales Valley (Bike about 30 km, flat)

It’s perfect to explore the area of the tobacco plantations and the steep Mogotes by bike. We visit the spectacular Cueva de Santo Tomas cave complex. Our last cycle day will be another enjoyable day. On the other side of the Vinales we do have the possibility to cycle through the Mogotes. The bus will pick us up afterwards at La Cueva del Indio and takes us back to the hotel.

13. day  Havanna by coach (Bike 80km, sometimes hilly; optinally by coach)

From the north coast we get back to Havanna by bike. During the last days we relax in the Old Town, declared a World Heritage Side. In a comfy local in Havanna Vieja we can enjoy a Mojito.

14. day  Playas del Este (without bikes)

Today the coach brings us to the beautiful beaches of the Playas desl Este. Here you can relax, catch some rays, enjoy the beach and the ocean and recover from the exciting trip. Lunch takes place in a typical restaurant at the beach. In the evening we can visit the famous "Tropicana Show" (not inclusive). This world-famous Open-Air-Dancerevue consits since the nineteen-thirties and offers a great potpourri of Cuban music, ballet and artistic.

15. day  Havanna Departure

Till the afternoon you still enjoy the Caribbean air. Unfortunately you then have to say goodbye and a transfer takes you to the airport.

16. day  Arrival in Germany

Flight back from Havanna to Madrid at about 10:15 p.m. Arrival in Madrid approximately 2 p.m. Around 2-3 horus later departure of connecting flights to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin, where you will arrive at 8 p.m. at the latest.

Please note:

All kilometer specifications of each day depend on the weather, road conditions, etc. and the performance of the group. Hotel and programme may be changed.

Air traffic tax for trunks from 01. january 2011

Please note that all long distance travels by flight from 01. january 2011 cost additionally to the travel price an air traffic tax of 45.00? apiece (its a decision of the Federal Government from 02. september 2010).