DAY 1. MADRID - HAVANA (-/-/D)

 

Depart by regular flight from Madrid

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Upon arrival in Havana, a member of the airport's VIP Service staff will greet you with a sign bearing your names as you exit the plane's boarding bridge. They will assist you through immigration and escort you to the VIP Lounge. There, they will request your luggage tags to retrieve your bags while you enjoy a complimentary coffee or drink and access the internet for 30 minutes. Once your luggage is collected, they will guide you to the airport exit where our staff will meet you.

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Private transfer to your accommodation is arranged. Check-in.

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Welcome dinner at Mojito Mojito (private restaurant).

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​DAY 2. HAVANA (B/L/D)

 

Breakfast. Pick-up from the accommodation.

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Private City Tour: Colonial Havana + Modern Havana in a Classic Car

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Colonial Havana

We will embark on a guided walking tour through the Historic Centre of Old Havana, established by the Spanish crown on November 16, 1519, as Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana. Surrounded by numerous buildings from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, Old Havana stands out as one of the most architecturally rich colonial complexes in Latin America. Its extraordinary heritage value and preservation earned the Historic Centre of Havana and its fortification system the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

 

The tour's itinerary includes the four main squares of Old Havana:

- Plaza de Armas, the town's original square, established in the early sixteenth century with a military purpose due to its proximity to the Castillo de la Fuerza. It later became known for its governmental roles, marked by the nearby construction of the palaces of the Captains General and the Second Cape, historically and architecturally significant buildings now repurposed as museums.

- Plaza Vieja, a spacious square that appeared in the mid-sixteenth century to act as a public space for the town, a role it continues to play today, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, hotels, and art galleries housed in some of the finest examples of Cuban eclectic architecture.

- ​Plaza de San Francisco de Asís was established in the early seventeenth century primarily for commercial purposes, serving as a water supply point for fleets arriving at Havana's port. Surrounded by notable buildings such as the Church of San Francisco de Asís, the Lonja del Comercio, and the Cruise Terminal/Customs of the Port, it is affectionately known as Plaza de las Palomas.

- Plaza de la Catedral, initially called Plaza de la Ciénaga due to its marshy terrain, took on a religious role in the mid-eighteenth century with the erection of the Havana Cathedral, an illustrious example of Cuban Baroque architecture and the seat of the Archdiocese of Havana.

 

During the tour, we will also explore Central Park and the exteriors of the National Capitol and the Alicia Alonso Grand Theatre of Havana. Our walk will take us down Obispo Street, located in the Historic Centre’s core. We will stop by El Floridita bar, a city landmark famous for being a favourite haunt of the American author Ernest Hemingway.

 

Lunch in Doña Eutimia (private restaurant)

 

Modern Havana 

​Enjoy a panoramic tour of Havana in classic convertible cars, venturing outside the city walls. The journey includes:

-Visit the Morro-Cabaña military complex with a brief stop at the Christ of Havana statue. Travel along the boundaries of Old Havana and Centro Habana on Prado and Zulueta streets, passing the iconic Bacardi building, Manzana de Gómez, and the Asturian Society of Havana. There will be a short stop outside the former Presidential Palace, now the Museum of the Revolution.

-El Vedado, including the University of Havana, and a panoramic view of Colón Cemetery, renowned for its sculptural works and architectural significance, ranking third globally. The tour will pause at Plaza de la Revolución to view the José Martí Memorial, followed by a visit to the Havana Forest, where you can relish the verdant surroundings with a refreshing Havana cocktail.

- Miramar neighbourhood, a residential district established in the early twentieth century. The route includes the National Schools of Art, known for their Catalan vault construction technique, exemplifying fine contemporary Cuban architecture.

-Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a historic building noted for its eclectic styles and storied past. Explore the Hall of Fame, showcasing photographs and memorabilia of distinguished guests since its opening in 1930, and enjoy a classic Cuban mojito.

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* Please note that the sequence of this city tour's stages may vary based on current weather conditions or the preferences of clients/guides at the time of the tour.

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Dinner at 5 Sentidos (private restaurant)

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DAY 3.  HAVANA - VIÑALES (B/L/D)

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Breakfast. Departure to Pinar del Río, Cuba's westernmost province, renowned for cultivating the world's finest tobacco.

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Private Tour: Viñales Valley, Cuba's Treasure, World Heritage Site

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Characterized by the distinctive "mogotes," the small limestone hills with rounded tops, Viñales Valley is renowned as one of the island's most breathtaking natural landscapes, designated a National Park of Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

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Upon arrival at a guajiro's home (the colloquial term for a Cuban peasant), the journey begins either on horseback or by horse cart. The tour starts with a visit to a vega (tobacco plantation), where a local farmer details the entire process from planting to cigar production. The path then leads to a lookout point offering a breathtaking view of the countryside.

 

The walk resumes through the valley's heart, showcasing the genuine rural life of the Cuban guajiros. The tour concludes at the Casa del Café, where they explain the coffee pilón and guarapo, and guests sample Guarapirón (a blend of Guayabita del Pinar and Guarapo). Along the way, visitors will encounter plantations of cassava, beans, sweet potatoes, and other crops, some of which may be seen for the first time.

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Lunch is served at a Creole restaurant.

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The itinerary includes a visit to the Mural of Prehistory, a significant open-air fresco depicting the evolutionary process of life in the Sierra de los Órganos; and the Cueva del Indio, a cave featuring ancient cave paintings and pre-Columbian archaeological finds, navigable by boat along the internal river.

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The tour culminates with a climb to the Mirador del Valle for a panoramic view of the landscape and a refreshing piña colada.

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*The sequence of visits can change based on the operating hours of the venues.

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Accommodation and dinner in Cuajaní (private agroecological project)

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DAY 4. VIÑALES - SOROA - LAS TERRAZAS (B/L/D)

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Breakfast. Departure to Las Terrazas.

Stop in Soroa to visit the Salto de Soroa (22m high), considered one of the wonders of Cuban geography; and the Orchid Garden, which houses the largest and most diverse collection of orchids in Cuba, with some 130 native species and 700 from tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Continuation of the trip to Las Terrazas, a rural tourist community of sustainable development, located on the banks of the San Juan River in a natural environment of extraordinary beauty. Distinguished as an example of urbanization that promotes harmony between humans and nature, Las Terrazas is located in the Sierra del Rosario, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1985.

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Lunch at Rincón de mis Ansias (private restaurant)

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Check-in and dinner at the hotel.

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DAY 5. LAS TERRAZAS - ZAPATA SWAMP - CIENFUEGOS (B/L/D)

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Breakfast. Departure to Cienfuegos.

 

Visit to the Zapata Swamp, the largest wetland in the Caribbean and one of the largest in Latin America, recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar Site by UNESCO for its significant ecological value. The itinerary includes a visit to the Crocodile Farm*, followed by an 8 km boat journey across Laguna del Tesoro to explore the Taíno Village, a ceramic recreation of an indigenous village by renowned Cuban artist Rita Longa, depicting the era of the Spanish arrival in 1492. Additionally, we'll stop by the Casa del Zunzuncito, where a local has devoted his life to studying the world's smallest hummingbird, an endemic species of Cuba. The day will conclude with a visit to the Cueva de los Peces, a cenote or natural pool known for its crystal-clear waters and depth exceeding 70 meters.

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* Not required. If the whole group agrees, it can be omitted.

 

Lunch at Don Pepe (private restaurant).

 

After lunch, departure to the city of Cienfuegos.

 

Check-in. Dinner at Camila’s Restaurant (private restaurant).

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DAY 6. CIENFUEGOS (B/L/D)

 

Breakfast

 

Private City Tour: Cienfuegos, the Southern Pearl of Cuba

 

With the guidance of a specialist from the Office of the Conservator of the City of Cienfuegos, you will explore this central Cuban city, also known as "the Pearl of the South." Established by French immigrants in the early nineteenth century, Cienfuegos is nestled in a magnificent natural bay, home to Cuba's largest coral, named Notre Dame. The tour's itinerary includes the city's most iconic streets and avenues, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Highlights of the visit include Martí Park, the Tomás Terry Theatre, the House of Cultural Assets, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

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Private excursion: Cienfuegos, city of the sea

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Discover Cienfuegos uniquely with the Prada, an authentic fishing family. Departing from the dock in a private boat, we'll explore the Cienfuegos Bay, a trading bay home to 14 small keys. We'll visit the only inhabited key, Cayo Carena, to explore its ancient church, stroll through the streets, observe local life, and enjoy its two beaches. We will continue sailing through La Milpa and Las Damas. The tour concludes with a visit to the Village of the Castle of Jagua, where we'll enjoy our meal. Return to the pier.

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Dinner at Casa Prado (private restaurant)  

 

DAY 7. CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD (B/L/D)

 

Breakfast. Departure to Trinidad. Arrival.

 

Private Tour: Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, a captivating journey through history 

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Guided by an expert from the Trinidad City Conservator's Office, we'll embark on a historical journey. Our initial stop is the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a vast 250 km2 plain that reached its zenith in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries due to a sugar boom. This boom, fuelled by the labour of thousands of slaves, enabled the settlers to accumulate vast wealth. The tour includes a visit to an ancient sugar plantation and a view from the Manaca Iznaga Tower, offering a unique panoramic perspective of the valley.

 

Return to Trinidad. Lunch at Esquina 373 (private restaurant).

 

We will continue our visit by touring Trinidad, established in 1514 by Diego Velázquez as Villa de la Santísima Trinidad. Its cobblestone streets, central Plaza Mayor, and vernacular architecture appear frozen in time, marking it as one of the Caribbean's most well-preserved colonial cities. Its significant role as a sugar trading hub in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries led to its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1988, alongside Valley of the Sugar Mills.

 

The itinerary includes visits to the Romantic Museum, the Holy Trinity Church, the Ceramics Workshop, and the Canchánchara bar to enjoy a traditional welcome cocktail.

 

Check-in. Dinner at La Esquina 373 (private restaurant).

 

DAY 8. TRINIDAD (B/L/D)

 

Breakfast

 

Private Tour: Jeep Safari Guanayara, Lush Nature in Central Cuba

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Following the hotel pickup, we will embark on an exclusive 4x4 jeep tour through the stunning landscapes of Guanayara Natural Park, our destination, one of the six areas comprising the Gran Parque Topes de Collantes, located in the southeast of the Sierra del Escambray, Cuba's second-highest mountain range at 800 meters above sea level.

 

​As part of the itinerary we will stop at the viewpoint to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and the city of Trinidad. We will also visit the Coffee Museum, where we will learn in detail about coffee cultivation as we stroll along a nearby trail.

 

We will continue our journey through the tropical forests and coffee plantations of the area, heading to Casa de la Gallega, where a welcome cocktail awaits us. Our tour will then follow the Centinelas del Río Melodioso ecological trail, led by an ecotourism guide for 3 kilometers. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to swim in the natural pools of Poza del Venado and the El Rocío waterfall on the Guanayara River.

 

​Lunch at Casa de la Gallega.

 

Return to the pick-up points

 

Dinner at Los Conspiradores (private restaurant).

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DAY 9. TRINIDAD - SANTA CLARA - REMEDIOS- CAYO SANTA MARÍA (B/L/AI)

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Breakfast. Departure to Cayo Santa María.

 

Make a stop in Santa Clara to explore the Ernesto Guevara Monumental Complex, which houses the museum and memorial that hold the remains of Che and his fellow fighters.  

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​​We continue our journey to San Juan de los Remedios, the eighth town founded in Cuba. Guided tour with the Town Curator. 

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Lunch at La Paloma (private restaurant)

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We continue our journey towards Cayo Santa María.

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Arrival. Check-in. Accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel (AI)

 

DAYS 10 & 11. CAYO SANTA MARÍA (AI) – (*on the itinerary planned from 3/12 to 13/12, one night in Cayo Santa Maria is eliminated)

 

Days off to enjoy the crystal-clear beaches and fine white sands of the Jardines del Rey keys in northern Cuba.

We recommend Optional Excursion Seatour. Round trip fare: 74€ /adt. Sailing aboard a catamaran with snack and open bar, for the enjoyment of a snorkeling session and swimming time in picturesque areas near the keys. Included equipment for snorkeling (fins size # 38 and above) and transfer Hotel - Marina - Hotel. 

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DAY 12.  CAYO SANTA MARÍA - HAVANA - AIRPORT (B/L/-)

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Breakfast. Check out and departure to Havana.

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Lunch at Voyá (private restaurant)

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Transfer to Havana International Airport to take the flight back home.

 

¡Hasta pronto, Cuba!

 

DAY 13. ARRIVAL IN SPAIN