The Ultimate Cuba Tour
Our comprehensive, fully guided tour that has been carefully designed from our 25 years’ experience of tour planning in Cuba.
Travelling gradually from Havana through the whole island to Santiago De Cuba and beyond the tour literally visits all the main areas of interest in Cuba.
You will gain a fantastic insight into life in Cuba today, one of the most unique destinations in the world. Led by experienced local guides, one in the west and one in the east of the island, the tour allows you to discover the real Cuba!
- An afternoon cruising the streets of Havana in a chauffeur driven old American car
- A visit to a famous working cigar factory in Havana
- A visit to the fascinating City Museum overlooking the historic Plaza de Armas
- Authentic cocktail making and tapas served at a unique private bar-restaurant
- A day exploring picturesque Vinales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular scenery
- A visit to the Las Terrazas National Reserve and time in the local community
- 2 weekend nights in the historical UNESCO World Heritage city of Trinidad where the live music scene is at its best
- A trek to La Plata, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes, situated deep in the Sierra Maestra mountains
- A visit to Santiago De Cuba, a passionate and revolutionary city, home of the Mausoleum of Fidel Castro
- The birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro at their former farm at Biran
- Sun-kissed shores and opportunities to relax in postcard-worthy settings in Guardalavaca
- A tour to the beautiful El Nicho national park
- A visit to the charming French influenced small colonial city of Cienfuegos
- A final farewell dinner in one of Havana’s famous private restaurants
- A final night performance by the outstanding Legendarios de Guajirito
- Duration:
- 14 Nights / 15 Days
- Accommodation:
- We use a mixture of very well located, good quality casas particulares and hotels.
- Extensions
- As an extension to the tour, it is possible to arrange to continue your journey to the beach resorts of Jibacoa and Varadero, or further afield or alternatively return to Havana for some extra nights at leisure.
Guaranteed Tour
Group Size
Private Tour Available
Tour Departures
Meals Included
Local Support
Transport
Accommodation
Physical Ability
Upgrades Available
The Ultimate Cuba Tour Itinerary Highlights
Sunday | Day 1 - Havana
After a welcome at Havana airport, a transfer will take you to your accommodation confirmed for the tour, well located in Old Havana.
Monday | Day 2 - Havana
Highlights include a visit to a working cigar factory, the Museum of the Revolution, a guided walk through Old Havana, the four famous historical squares, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas.
In the afternoon you will explore the other areas of central Havana in old American vintage cars, including Revolution Square, the downtown Vedado district, the Malecon, the Miramar district, and Bosque De La Havana.
A visit to a local tapas bar, visited in 2019 by HRH Prince Charles, where there will be an authentic Cuban cocktail making lesson and homemade tapas.
Tickets for the world-famous Tropicana open air cabaret show can be pre-arranged for those interested.
Tuesday | Day 3 - Vinales Valley & Las Terrazas
Head to the immensely picturesque UNESCO world heritage site of Vinales Valley, an area known for its outstanding beauty and home of Cuba’s tobacco plantations.
Take a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio cave system, and visit a typical tobacco drying house to see how the tobacco crops are turned into the world’s best cigars.
A fabulous unique lunch will be served at a local organic farm affording wonderful views across the valley and you can learn a little more about the farm and its organic methods which attracted the attention of President Obama.
In the late afternoon you will leave Vinales and head to Las Terrazas National Park. There will be a short tour of the National Reserve, local village and an introduction to the eco-activities and farming practices.
There will be another unique dinner tonight at the organic vegetarian restaurant in the village which uses only locally sourced organic ingredients.
Wednesday | Day 4 - Santa Clara & Trinidad
The first stop will be Santa Clara, a city of major historical significance in Cuba. Visit the final resting place of Che Guevara at the very symbolic mausoleum with time to visit the museum dedicated to his life, as well as Tren Blindado, a small museum and the iconic remains of the government train that was attacked by Che Guevara and his revolutionaries, a significant turning point in the Cuba Revolution.
Travel through the Escambray Mountains towards Sugar Mill Valley where the 145ft Manaca Iznaga Tower stands as a silent witness to Cuba’s history of slavery where over 30,000 slaves worked in the sugar plantations overlooked by the tower! A ghostly visit.
Thursday | Day 5 - Trinidad
There will be a comprehensive tour of the center of Trinidad including a visit to the History Museum. Sample the unique Trinidad rum and sugar cane cocktail at La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th Century.
After lunch in a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon will be free to relax in the city, or perhaps take a taxi to the nearby Caribbean beach of Playa Ancon and enjoy the beach.
It is the final evening in Trinidad, and dancing to local live music is a must so feel free to visit one of Trinidad’s growing number of bars and listen to some excellent live music!
Friday | Day 6 - Baymo
You leave Trinidad today and travel alongside the foothill of the Escambray Mountains and head towards the east known locally as 'Oriente'.
Along with coffee stops, lunch will be taken at a local restaurant along the way before arriving at the picturesque small city of Bayamo. Known locally as 'La Heroica' due to its long history of revolutionary battles against the Spanish in the 19th Century and Batista’s troops during the last revolution.
In Bayamo there will be walking tour of this picturesque and friendly city. The tour focuses on the leafy square of Parque Cespedes, named after the 'Father of Cuba' Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, born overlooking the square.
Saturday | Day 7 - Sierra Mountains & Santiago de Cuba
You will travel deep into the Sierra Maestra Mountains until you arrive at Villa Santo Domingo, nestled deep in the mountains with views to Cuba’s highest and most sacred mountain, Pico Turquino.
Upon arrival, the jeeps will take you higher into the mountains for a walk deep into the forests to La Plata, the former HQ of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary heroes. You can discover the various hidden buildings including Fidel’s actual house and the radio station from where they launched the Revolution. Continuing the trail, there is an option to visit the tiny mountain community of La Platica.
Upon your return to the beautiful and peaceful tiny mountain village, lunch will be served, then there will be a little time to relax and explore or wander along the river and watch the day draw to a close over the mountains, before setting off to Santiago de Cuba one of the most important cities in Cuba.
Sunday | Day 8 - Santiago de Cuba
There will be a full exploration of Santiago de Cuba, a city of crucial importance throughout Cuba’s history.
Visit the local sights including the Moncada Barracks, Central Square, Parque Cespedes, Calle Heredia, Padre Pico Street and Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, the final resting place of Fidel Castro, one of the world’s most recognised leaders where you can observe the impressive changing of the guard ceremony.
Next you will visit Castillo del Morro, a historical fortress offering fantastic views across the Caribbean Sea and the impressive Sierra Maestra mountains.
In the evening visit the famous Casa de la Trova!
Monday | Day 9 - Guantanamo & Baracoa
Take one of the most interesting and spectacular drives in Cuba. Head to the city of Guantanamo made famous globally for two very different reasons, firstly the ballad Guantanamera taken from a poem written by Cuba's national hero Jose Marti and secondly, for the US base and now Camp X Ray only 15 miles from the city.
The tour will continue along the very south-eastern tip of Cuba where at times the scenery is almost desert- like, and then you will take 'La Farola' to Baracoa, arguably Cuba’s friendliest city.
Tuesday | Day 10 - Baracoa
After breakfast, you will travel to Rio Toa, Cuba’s wildest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve. There will be a chance to enjoy an exhilarating boat ride up the river through some spectacular scenery of this remote part of Cuba.
The day will continue with a visit to Finca Duaba. Lunch will be served at this Cuban farm which is surrounded by lush tropical scenery and the location of Cuba’s cocoa plantations. Take a guided walk through the farm and learn a little more about Baracoa’s famous chocolate production.
Wednesday | Day 11 - Biran & Holguin
Visit Biran the birthplace of Fidel and Raul Castro who both became iconic world leaders and you will see the house where the brothers were born, which is also the final resting place of their parents. A very traditional Cuban lunch will be served in a local countryside restaurant offering excellent home cooked cuisine from Eastern Cuba.
The journey will continue to Holguin, founded in 1545 and now one of the largest cities on the island. There will be a visit to 'Loma De La Cruz' a local hill affording excellent views across the city which at night is a very picturesque location. You can climb the 458 steps to the top for those looking for a pre-dinner workout, for the rest, we can take you up in the vehicle.
Thursday | Day 12 - Holguin & Camaguey
Today you will travel west towards Camaguey passing through the quieter Las Tunas province and the small provincial capital of Las Tunas.
Camaguey is known for its delightful pedestrianised colonial centre with a maze of alleyways and shaded plazas, as well as an abundance of historic and ornate cathedrals, some with a very European design. After lunch there will be a tour of Camaguey where you can discover why the colonial centre was established so differently from other Cuban cities and enjoy learning more about this hidden gem that is less visited in Cuba.
Friday | Day 13 - Sancti Spiritus
Sancti Spiritus is a delightful, quieter place to spend a day and on arrival you will enjoy a short tour of the colonial centre and lunch will be served. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the city and its peaceful squares and historic streets.
In the evening there will be a fun opportunity to head to a local casa to assist in preparing a traditional Cuban meal, you will then get to enjoy this authentic home cooking, alongside some insightful conversation about food and Cuban life in general with the local members of the casa.
Saturday | Day 14 - El Nicho & Cienfuegos
An early departure from Sancti Spiritus takes you towards Cienfuegos, with a visit en-route to El Nicho Park, a marvel of nature, with waterfalls and natural pools in an area, hidden among the mountains and one of the most beautiful spots in Cuba.
During the tour, you can take numerous walking paths with ‘El Reino de las Aguas’, a gentle hiking trail of 2 km (1.2 miles).
After visiting El Nicho, you will continue on to the French influenced small colonial city of Cienfuegos, which sits overlooking a picturesque bay. On arrival there will be time to take a stroll through the colonial centre and along the seafront ‘malecon’ promenade. Tonight, the last night of an amazing adventure through Cuba, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Sunday | Day 15 - Cienfuegos & Havana
After breakfast and some free time in Cienfuegos, you will head to Havana with the first stop at the airport for those taking flights home or to onward destinations such as Miami, Mexico, The Cayman Islands, Toronto.
There will also be the opportunity to stay for extra nights in Havana city or the nearby beach areas of Jibacoa and Varadero, and you will be dropped at your accommodation after the stop at Havana Airport.
