Havanatour are pleased to offer two carefully prepared guided tours of the most fascinating sights of Cuba with a choice of regular departures throughout the year.
The Pearl of the Caribbean tour Cubas unique historic capital Havana, the colonial cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad and the picturesque tobacco-growing region of Vinales Valley.
The Cradle of the Revolution tour explores eastern Cuba including Bayamo, the site of the war of independence, Santiago de Cuba, a fascinating and diverse city, the Sierra Maestra mountains, and Baracoa, the oldest colonial town in the Americas.
It is possible to choose either the Pearl of the Caribbean (with a choice of Saturday or Sunday departures) or the Cradle of the Revolution tour based on one week. We can also offer the chance to combine both tours and enjoy a comprehensive fortnight covering all of Cuba.
Both tours finish at Cubas beach resorts where you can enjoy a relaxing few days soaking up the sun.
 Pearl of the Caribbean
(Itinerary Departing Saturdays)
:: Day 1
After arriving into Havana Airport transfer to a hotel in the heart of the old quarter for overnight.
:: Day 2
After breakfast a tour of Havana will visit all the major sights of the old city including Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, and the narrow cobblestone streets. Visit the Museum of the Revolution and the Havana Club Rum Museum before continuing to the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of Ernesto Che Guevara with lunch taken at a local restaurant
After lunch the tour continues to Finca Vigia, the former Cuban home of Ernest Hemingway, the contents of which remain untouched since he left the house for the last time. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy exploring Old Havana or relaxing at the hotel.
Dinner will be at one of Havanas picturesque local restaurants with an option to visit the world famous Tropicana Cabaret, depicting the history of Cuban dance and music involving over 100 dancers.
:: Day 3
After breakfast the tour visits the Partagas cigar factory, offering an opportunity to observe first hand how cigars are made. After lunch in a local restaurant the tour leaves Havana for the Moka hotel, situated deep in the Sierra del Rosario Nature Reserve approximately one hours drive from Havana. On arrival there will be the chance to explore the local village or take a cooling swim in the nearby San Juan river. The evening will be at leisure to enjoy the tranquillity of this country hotel with dinner served in the hotel restaurant.
:: Day 4
The day will be spent exploring Vinales Valley in Pinar del Rio province, an area known throughout the world as Cubas main tobacco growing region. Stops for absorbing the beauty of the area will be made and a subterranean boat ride taken through the El Indio limestone cave system. Lunch will be in a countryside restaurant with a late afternoon return to the Moka hotel and dinner in the house of a local farmer, an excellent end to the day.
:: Day 5
Today the tour departs for Cienfuegos, stopping en route at Guama were there will be a boat ride through the mangroves to a replica Taino Indian village on the shores of Treasure Lake. Lunch will be taken in a local countryside restaurant before continuing to Cienfuegos, known as Pearl of the South and characterized by colonial mansions overlooking a large bay. Dinner and overnight at local hotel.
:: Day 6
After an early breakfast the tour will visit the town of Santa Clara, the final resting place of Che Guevara. After a visit to the mausoleum and museum the tour continues through the beautiful Escambray mountain range to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved colonial cities in the world. The city is best explored on foot and after lunch in a local restaurant the tour will include a visit to the Romantic Museum followed by a chance to try the unique Trinidad rum cocktail at La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th century. Return to Cienfuegos for dinner in a local restaurant and overnight.
:: Day 7
After breakfast there will be a short orientation tour of Cienfuegos before leaving for Havana, Varadero and connections to onward destinations with a stop en route at a countryside restaurant.
Pearl of the Caribbean
(Itinerary Departing Sundays)
:: Day 1
After arriving into Havana Airport transfer to a hotel in the heart of the old quarter for overnight.
:: Day 2
After breakfast a tour of Havana will visit all the major sights of the old city including Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, and the narrow cobblestone streets. Visit the Museum of the Revolution, the Partagas Cigar Factory and the Havana Club Rum Museum before continuing to the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of Ernesto Che Guevara with lunch taken at a local restaurant.
After lunch the tour continues to Finca Vigia, the former Cuban home of Ernest Hemingway, the contents of which remain untouched since he left the house for the last time. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy exploring Old Havana or relaxing at the hotel.
Dinner will be at one of Havanas picturesque local restaurants with an option to visit the world famous Tropicana Cabaret, depicting the history of Cuban dance and music involving over 100 dancers.
:: Day 3
After an early breakfast the tour will leave Havana heading east through the sugar plantations for the town of Santa Clara, the final resting place of Che Guevara. After a visit to the mausoleum and museum the tour continues through the beautiful Escambray mountain range to Cienfuegos, known as Pearl of the South and characterized by colonial mansions overlooking a large bay. Dinner and overnight at local hotel.
:: Day 4
After breakfast the tour will leave for Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved colonial cities in the world. The city is best explored on foot and the tour will include a visit to the Romantic Museum and a chance to try the unique Trinidad rum cocktail at La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th century. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant with time to explore independently before returning to Cienfuegos for dinner in a local restaurant and overnight.
:: Day 5
After a short orientation tour of Cienfuegos, the tour departs for Pinar del Rio province, an area known throughout the world as Cubas main tobacco growing region. A stop will be made en route at Guama were there will be a boat ride through the mangroves to a replica Taino Indian village on the shores of Treasure Lake. Lunch will be taken in a local countryside restaurant before continuing to the Moka hotel, situated deep in the Sierra del Rosario Nature Reserve. The evening will be at leisure to enjoy the tranquillity of this country hotel with dinner served in the hotel restaurant.
:: Day 6
The day will be spent exploring Vinales Valley with stops for absorbing the beauty of the area. There will be a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio limestone cave system followed by lunch in a countryside restaurant. Return to the Moka hotel and dinner in the house of a local farmer, an excellent end to the day.
:: Day 7
After breakfast a visit will be made to the local community of Las Terrazas, followed by a cooling swim in the San Juan river. After lunch transfer back to Havana for return flights or onwards to Varadero for a week of relaxation. Alternatively continue with the Cradle of the Revolution tour, which explores fascinating eastern Cuba.
Cradle of the Revolution
:: Day 1
Arrival into Holguin where accommodation will be at the Brisas Guardalavaca hotel on the coast. The remainder of the day will be free to settle in and enjoy the beach.
:: Day 2
 After breakfast at the hotel there will be a short tour of Holguin with visits to Parque Calixto Garcia and the viewpoint of Loma de la Cruz offering views across the city and province (once 450 steps have been climbed!).
The tour will then proceed to Bayamo, a city of crucial historical importance and the former capital of Cuba. After lunch a tour of the city will include the beautiful church of San Salvador, declared a national monument.
The tour will continue through the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains to Santiago de Cuba stopping en route at the picturesque church of El Cobre, a very important pilgrimage site in Cuba. Arrive at the hotel for dinner and overnight.
:: Day 3
Todays city tour will include visits to the Moncada Barracks, Santa Ifigenia cemetery, the resting place of some of Cubas national heroes including Jose Marti, the central square Parque Cespedes, Calle Heredia, one of the citys liveliest streets and Padre Pico street, made famous by the intense games of draughts played by the locals. Continue to Castillo del Morro, a fortress offering fantastic views across the Caribbean sea and Sierra Maestra mountains, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
In the evening dinner will be in a local restaurant followed by an optional visit to the Casa de la Trova for live music.
:: Day 4
Morning departure for Guantanamo, a typical Cuban town living in the shadow of the American naval base and a visit to the Malones observation point offering a fascinating panorama of the base. A spectacular drive, one of the best in Cuba, will take the tour past palm fringed bays, sleepy towns and mountain scenery to Baracoa, with stops made en route to admire the views. Lunch will be taken on arrival.
In the afternoon there will be an orientation tour of Baracoa including a stroll down the seafront promenade El Malecon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
:: Day 5
After breakfast there will be a visit to Finca Duaba, a traditional Cuban farm surrounded by unspoilt tropical scenery and giving an excellent insight into the rural way of life in Cuba. The day will continue with a visit to Rio Toa, Cubas wildest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve where lunch will be taken. After lunch there will be a chance to have a short boat ride up the river amidst spectacular scenery.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Baracoa.
:: Day 6
This morning the tour leaves Baracoa continuing along the coast road to Holguin, stopping en route at Maguana beach, one of the best unspoilt beaches in the Caribbean. Lunch will be taken at Mirador de Mayabe offering excellent views across a wide stretch of the countryside.
The tour will continue to Holguin dropping off at local hotels or the airport for connecting flights to Havana.
If you would like to find out more about our escorted tours of Cuba then please contact us.
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