The Tobacco, Mountains and Waterfalls Tour
An absorbing two-night tour that visits Cuba’s most beautiful countryside in the west of the island, along with a variety of carefully chosen visits enroute. The Tobacco, Mountains & Waterfalls Tour offers you the chance to enjoy one of Cuba’s most beautiful regions, preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and also allows some independence to explore on your own or simply relax. You can also choose your own activities and dining options at times.
- Explore the picturesque Las Terrazas National Park and engage with the local rural community
- Enjoy a unique tour to of the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Vinales Valley
- Discover the process of making Cuba’s world-famous cigars
- An organic lunch platter at Finca Paraiso, the farm that caught the attention of President Obama
- A visit to Soroa a stunning natural area of rolling hills and beautiful tropical scenery
- A visit to Soroa’s waterfall and famous botanical gardens
- Duration:
- 2 Nights / 3 Days
- Accommodation:
- We use a mixture of very well located, good quality casas particulares and hotels.
- Extensions
- On the last day, it is possible to transfer you to the beaches of Varadero or Jibacoa, or after an overnight stay in Havana, you can continue to Trinidad, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco or further afield. Alternatively, simply return to Havana or elsewhere for more exploration time.
Guaranteed Tour
Group Size
Private Tour Available
Tour Departures
Meals Included
Local Support
Transport
Accommodation
Physical Ability
Upgrades Available
Download The Tobacco, Mountains and Waterfalls Tour Full Itinerary:
The Tobacco, Mountains and Waterfalls Tour Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 | Las Terrazas
Head to the rural province of Pinar Del Rio to Las Terrazas, an UNESCO preserved Eco Reserve where there is also a small rural community overlooking a large lake and surrounded by forested hills. It is in these hills that Che Guevara trained his revolutionaries to successfully defend Cuba against the US backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs a significant world event in the 1960s.
Discover the fascinating history of Cuba’s coffee production an industry so closely linked to the slave trade, and also admire the views across the reserve and over to the sea in the north. There will be time to explore the local lakeside village of Las Terrazas and meet some of the friendly local community. Explore the studio of the famous artist Lester Campa and visit the small pottery and handicraft stalls specialising in local handmade arts and crafts.
Spend time at the idyllic San Juan River or relax by the riverside. The more active can take a walk further along the riverbank and head towards the ruins of the La Victoria coffee plantations. The late afternoon will be free to explore Las Terrazas independently.
Day 2 | Vinales Valley
Visit the famous Vinales Valley viewpoint where you can look down on the valley dotted with tobacco drying houses and the spectacular karst limestone scenery.
Drive through the Dos Hermanos Valley with the limestone ‘Mogote’ cliffs towering above and make a stop at the Pre-History Mural. Stroll into the valley and visit the world-famous tobacco plantations where the guide describes the process of the production of the tobacco leaves for Cuba’s cigars. Visit a small local farm, meet the farmer and visit a special selection house where the tobacco leaves are graded for use in the different brands of Cigar when handmade at the factory. Enjoy a freshly prepared Cuban coffee or a cigar at the farm.
Continuing to the El Palenque De Los Cimarrones, a cave in the cliffs that recreates one of the nomadic homes set up by runaway slaves and you can gain an insight into the Afro Cuba religion in Cuba in the 19th Century. The caves of El Indio are the next visit. After a walk through the limestone caves system, enjoy a 400m boat ride.
Lunch is planned at an organic farm restaurant at the Finca Paraiso, for an organic lunch platter. This family run cooperative farm is an award-winning organic farm and you will learn all about the farm practices whilst sitting on the terrace overlooking ‘Silencio’ Valley. The late afternoon and evening will be free to explore the local area independently.
Day 3 | Vinales & Soroa
Early morning as it gets light, the day begins with one of the following activities:
- 2-hour guided horse riding trek
- or 2-hour guided gentle walk or hike
- or 2-hour guided scenic bike ride
After your morning activity and checking out of your accommodation, there will be an early lunch served at a local restaurant, Balcon del Valle, with amazing views of the surrounding countryside before heading away from beautiful Vinales and east along the motorway where after approximately 90 minutes there will be a detour to the Botanical Gardens at Soroa, the largest collection of orchids that can be found in Latin America.
With magnificent views of the rolling palm clad hills of the Sierra Del Rosario the gardens are beautiful and contain over 700 species of Orchid alone. You can also enjoy a short walk to the impressive Soroa waterfall, a tranquil setting in a sub-tropical valley. Bring your swimming costume for a swim in the lagoon.
You will then continue to Havana where you will be dropped off at your chosen accommodation.
