Today we transfer to the Ciénaga de Zapata natural park. This area is a protected nature reserve and one of the most important birdwatching sites in Cuba.   It’s the natural habitat of the smallest bird in the world, the bee hummingbird (Zunzuncito), and there’s a good chance you’ll see one of these as well as Cuba’s national bird, the Cuban Trogon (Tocororo) which has red, white and blue plumage. We take a gentle warm-up walk in Bermejas to observe local flora and fauna, particularly birds such as the bee hummingbird and the Cuban pygmy owl.  We also make a short stop at the museum in Playa Girón which explains events surrounding the CIA-backed ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion of Castro’s Cuba in April 1961. We have lunch in Caleta Buena where we can also swim in the beautiful natural sea pools. Afterwards we transfer to Cienfuegos for a brief orientation tour and overnight. Tonight dinner isn’t included so you’ll be able to try out a local paladar – a privately owned restaurant.

A short transfer from Cienfuegos takes us to the Escambray mountains, Cuba’s central mountain range that dominates the landscape.  We leave our bags at the Hotel Hanabanilla, collect a packed lunch and head for the ‘La Atalaya’ trail.  This trail takes us along the banks of the Lake Hanabanilla through the Escambray Mountains with a steep climb to the top of La Atalaya hill where you’ll have amazing views of the surrounding countryside. The trail ends on the banks of Lake Hanabanilla, where a boat will pick us up and take us for refreshments at the Rio Negro Café. At Rio Negro there’s an opportunity to climb to another mirador (lookout point) for those who still have the energy! We return to Hotel Hanabanilla for check in and overnight. Dinner isn’t included this evening so you’re free to eat out locally or at the hotel.

Today we leave the hotel by boat and cross Lake Hanabanilla to the Cortina de Jibacoa. From here we trek for an easy 13 km on jeep tracks along a finger of the lake and upstream above the Rio Guanayara, stopping halfway at Tito’s Farm for a water break. The route today is low-medium intensity on a good surface. It’s also very pretty, skirting between forested hillside and the lake. We arrive at Casa de la Gallega for lunch and some time to relax. We then continue upstream on a 3 km trek to the beautiful El Rocio waterfall where there is a natural swimming pool close-by for you to enjoy a refreshing dip and enjoy the views.  From here we continue across a coffee plantation to reach the local transport which takes us to our accommodation for the night.

This morning we set off from our hotel on foot heading first for la Casa del Café where we enjoy a cup of local coffee and hear about its history and production in Cuba.  We then continue our trek through the Topes Arboretum, a wooded area planted in the 1930s with over 300 varieties of trees.  We keep moving until we reach La Batata, a point where the river pushes through a crack in the limestone; here there’s time for a swim before continuing on to Codina for a traditional Cuban lunch of roast pork.  After lunch we take the ‘’Alfombra Magica’’ trail, a trek of approximately 1 hour at a height of 1100 metres, taking in a visit to an orchid plantation and exploring a cave to see the rich natural fauna where we complete the walk at the arboretum.  There’s time to enjoy a swim before we head down to Trinidad and check into our casa particular for the night.

A transfer this morning takes us to the beginning of our trail at the look-out point where we stop for pictures of the spectacular views across the mountains and down to the Caribbean Sea. From here we cross the road and take the jungle trails back towards Trinidad cutting through the gorgeous tropical forest. After a 6 km descent we have an opportunity for a refreshing swim in a natural pool before trekking the last 2-3 km to the El Cubano restaurant for a drink.  We then return to Trinidad for lunch and an afternoon sightseeing tour of the town.

Trinidad is probably Cuba’s most famous provincial town and rightly so.  It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and is perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad is like stepping back in time; the pastel coloured houses, cobbled streets and horse drawn transportation whisk you back to colonial times. There are a number of interesting museums housed in old colonial buildings to visit during the day, but it is as the sun sets that Trinidad really comes alive with music and dance.  It’s a great opportunity to meet the locals and have a go at practising your salsa moves to those catchy Cuban salsa rhythms. Dinner will be at one of the local paladars in town.

We leave Trinidad early this morning and head east to the city of Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. In December 1958, Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The museum attached to the Mausoleum has many of his former belongings and is a fascinating insight into one of the 20th Century’s most revered icons.  We then continue our journey, stopping for lunch (not included) before reaching the capital. This evening you are free to explore on your own and dine out locally (dinner not included).

After breakfast your guide will take you on a walking tour of Old Havana which is the finest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Americas. Since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site millions of dollars have been invested in its restoration. The many marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces of the city’s historical centre are brought to life by a constant hustle and bustle and the unmistakable sound of Cuban son. We’ll also take time to have a mojito and lunch (included) at one of Hemingway’s favourite haunts, La Bodeguita del Medio. It will then be time to part ways and say Adios, or, as we prefer to say hasta luego, see you later! Afternoon transfer (30–40 minutes approx.) to Havana airport.