This morning we’ll have access to the Cubania workshop (located next door to the hotel) to build and fit your bike. We’ll start off with a safety briefing and get acquainted with some of the particulars of cycling on Cuban roads. Once everyone is ready, we’ll set off on a leisurely ride getting to know some of the interesting neighbourhoods of Havana. As today’s ride is short and more of a sightseeing ride you may wish to wear casual sports clothing.

We’ll visit the well-to-do 1950s Miramar district, home to some of Havana’s most striking 20th century architecture. Keep an eye out for the imposing Russian embassy and the elegant neoclassical homes, many of which are now embassies. We’ll then cycle through Parque Metropolitano de la Habana and Nuevo Vedado (home to Havana’s middle classes), before stopping at Plaza de la Revolución. From here we wheel through young and vibrant Vedado towards the famous Hotel Nacional, which has offered shelter to many a celebrity over the years, including Winston Churchill and members of the Mafia. Now we whizz through bustling Centro Habana to the Capitolio building, a mirror-image of Washington’s Capitol Building. With the Capitolio behind us we veer left down the elegant Prado promenade, a favourite with street artists and skateboarders alike. We finish the city cycle in the Old Town next to the Bay of Havana.

Here we’ll load the bikes up on to our vehicle and continue on foot, exploring the rich cultural heritage of Havana’s Old Town. Lunch will be in a ‘paladar’ private restaurant in the Old Town followed by free time in the afternoon to either keep exploring Havana or relax back at the hotel and make the most of the big outdoor swimming pool.

Today we’ll jump straight on our bikes and stretch our legs heading out of the city to the west. In almost no time at all we’ll have left the city and transitioned into the rural countryside of Artemisa Province. You’ll notice that once you leave the cities, there is very little traffic in Cuba compared to most other countries, a breath of fresh air for cyclists! Keep an eye out for potholes, however, as the road surface conditions are varied and can be poor in some sections, especially if there have been extremes of hot and wet weather.

Arriving at Las Terrazas in the UNESCO Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve we’ll stop for a short visit to this unique community and eco-tourism destination. Back on the bikes it is just a short distance and long downhill to the small village of Soroa where we’ll check in to our private homestays known as ‘casas particulares’. This evening we’ll gather together at one of the properties to have a home cooked meal.

Today’s ride is one of our most challenging and represents a trip highlight in terms of the scenery and cycling. We’ll ride along what is known as the ‘skyline route’, a mountain road that climbs and undulates through a spectacular natural setting before descending back down to the valley floor. The ride ends in the spa town of San Diego de los Baños. From here we’ll jump on the support vehicle and drive the short remaining distance along the main highway to the town and provincial capital of Pinar del Rio. Here we’ll check in to hotel accommodation for the night.

Another wonderful day of cycling today as we embark on a ride in to tobacco country and through some beautiful lesser-visited routes of rural western Cuba. The second half of today’s ride in particular features very pretty roads and landscapes, with some rickety bridge crossings where cyclists will need to stop and walk across. Note that depending on the bridge conditions it may not be possible for the support vehicle to follow the group throughout the entirety of the ride today. The ride ends in Pons from where we transfer the final leg in to the town of Viñales. The town is nestled in Viñales Valley and surrounded by lush green tobacco and agricultural lands in the shadow of large limestone karst mountains. An outdoor adventure hub for the region, there is no shortage of bars and restaurants to choose from in the town centre.

Back on our bikes again, we start by retracing the route out westwards to Pons and from here turn northwards in the direction of the northern coastline. The final section of the route involves a flat sea road connecting the mainland with Cayo Jutias, and this section is peppered with potholes so we’ll have to take it very slowly. It is worth it in the end though as we arrive to the pristine golden beach at Cayo Jutias where we’ll spend a few hours for lunch, swimming and relaxing. We’ll transfer back to Viñales and the rest of the evening will be at leisure.

Today is our one long travel day as we leave the West and head for the Centre of the Island. We start off with a final ride in Viñales Valley, departing the town towards the north, enjoying some wonderful views of the mountain ranges of Viñales and finishing once more in San Diego de los Baños. The most challenging section passes through the range of hills between La Palma and Entronque de Herradura but the views more than make up for it! With a packed lunch we’ll embark on our road transfer of approx. 6 hours to take us to the southern coast of central Cuba, and our destination of Cienfuegos. A coastal city, Cienfuegos has a delightful layout with a beautiful bay and wide boulevard as defining features. There are some good restaurants and bars to choose from, and the ‘mini-malecon’ makes a good outdoor spot to sign off the day with a rum.

Our ride today takes us from Cienfuegos up in to the foothills of the Escambray Mountain Range, ending with a gradual climb up to Hanabanilla Lake where we’ll stay for the night.  Although we start the ride at sea level and climb into the mountains this is a fast and fun route as we undulate our way through mango groves dripping with epiphytes and past small agricultural villages. Once past Cumanayagua we head into the hills and climb slowly up to Hanabanilla, our destination for the night. Our accommodation is in a soviet-era hotel that won’t win any awards for luxury however it is spectacularly situated with great views! There are some short walks from the hotel and also a big swimming pool good for doing laps. We recommend eating out at the nearby paladar ‘El Principal’ tonight as the best culinary option.

Another great ride today as we circuit clockwise around the Escambray mountains on a rewarding route that passes through several small towns and cuts through foothills on an undulating road offering some short and sharp climbs as well as fast downhill sections. The ride has a bit of everything, starting with a wonderful 7km descent from Hanabanilla as we head towards Manicaragua and its tobacco fields. From here it’s back into the hills of the Escambray, passing monuments to Che Guevara who is commemorated in Guinia de Miranda village. The road surface is surprisingly good quality and takes us to the Valle de Ingenios (Valley of Sugar Mills) where we can still see the ruins of Cuba’s colonial past. A final steady climb brings us into Trinidad and our ride ends at the door of our casa accommodation in the charismatic town of Trinidad. We’ll check in to our homestays which are all situated in the vicinity of our central property with communal courtyard and bar, and the rest of the evening is at leisure to explore the bustling nightlife and live music scene.

A day to recuperate off the saddle and indulge in some cultural sightseeing in central Trinidad. Our tour guide will give a short walking tour in the morning and provide information and ideas for any optional activities that anyone may be interested in. For those who wish to go for a swim at the beach, nearby Playa Ancon is located just 7km away, and salsa classes can be arranged for anyone who fancies a dance. Enjoy the day at leisure.

Our final ride of the cycling tour and we saved the biggest challenge until last! Shortly after setting off from Trinidad the road turns inland and climbs up in to Topes de Collantes National Park. This is the most challenging climb of the tour and our guide will brief us before we set off to attack the hills. A rest stop at the Mirador before a steep descent and the final ascent towards Topes de Collante, formerly a mountain health retreat and now a National Park with stunning forests, waterfalls and trails. Taking a left hand turn we veer off on to a lesser-taken mountain route that undulates past pine forests, mountain rivers and isolated communities. Expect some sections with potholes and poor road conditions. Enjoy a long downhill section out of the Escambray foothills as you descend towards the coastal town of Cienfuegos, to end a wonderful day in the saddle. From here we’ll transfer westwards in the support vehicle to spend the night at the quaint beachfront town of Playa Larga. Hopefully we’ll arrive in time for a sunset swim! The casa has a restaurant with tables set out on the sandy beach from which to enjoy the evening with some good food and cocktails.

There will be a short optional warm down ride this morning on the flat stretch northwards from Playa Larga. For those who want to warm down their muscles after yesterday’s exertions this is a good easy ride through the low-lying swampland of the Zapata Peninsula. There is also the option to stay on the bus! We’ll continue onwards back to Havana, arriving just before lunchtime. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

For the final morning of the tour there will be access to our bike workshop as required and after checking out of the accommodation we’ll provide a group departure transfer to Havana Airport. Trip extensions in Havana, or mini-adventure extensions can be arranged in advance through Cubania Travel. We hope you’ve had a memorable time cycling in Cuba!