The Essential Cuba Tour

Fully escorted tour to discover the real Cuba
Specially created for small groups
Cruise the streets of Havana in a chauffeur-driven old American car
Dinner at the art deco La Fontana in Havana
Visit Las Terrazas National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with former coffee plantation houses and farmer's house restaurants
Experience Trinidad at the weekend when the music scene is at its best
Visit the beautiful El Nicho Waterfalls in the Escambray mountains
Memorable performance by the incredible Legendarios de Guajirito

A seven night fully escorted tour designed for small groups to maximise the experience

Cuba remains one of the most unique destinations in the world. You'll quickly discover that there is much more to this country than beaches; take in lush terrain, cigar factories, revolutionary insights and an incredible music scene. Cruise through Havana in a chauffeur-driven old American car and spend a weekend in colonial Trinidad.

Day 1 The Adventure Begins in Havana

The Adventure Begins in Havana

Arrive in Havana from the UK.

Meet and greet and transfer to your hotel, situated in the very heart of Old Havana.

Depending on the time of your arrival you may have time to explore the area.

Overnight stay at Iberostar Parque Central or recommended alternative.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 2 Unique Tour of Havana

Unique Tour of Havana

Breakfast at your hotel.

Meet your guide and fellow group members for a unique tour of Havana.

Tour one of Havana’s fascinating working cigar factories.

Tour The Museum of the Revolution, housed in the former Presidential Palace.

Lunch.

Guided stroll within the narrow bustling streets of Old Havana.

Explore Revolution Square and 'Malecon' seafront promenade via chauffeur-driven old American cars.

Cuban cocktail making lesson and homemade tapas at a local bar.

Free time to explore Havana.

Overnight stay at Iberostar Parque Central or recommended alternative.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Vinales Valley & Las Terrazas National Park

Vinales Valley

Breakfast at hotel.

Leave Havana and head west to the immensely picturesque Vinales Valley, an area protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its outstanding natural beauty.

Lunch served at a local organic farm with wonderful views across the valley.

Leave Vinales and head to Las Terrazas National Park an area of outstanding natural beauty which is protected as one of Cuba’s most important National Parks.

Tour of the National Reserve, local village and an introduction to the eco-activities and farming practices that take place here.

Free time in the evening.

Overnight at Moka Hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Santa Clara & Trinidad

Vinales Valley

Breakfast at hotel.

Leave Las Terrazas and head to explore Santa Clara, a city of major historical significance in Cuba.

Tour the final resting place of Che Guevara at the very symbolic mausoleum

Lunch

Drive 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.

Free evening to explore.

Overnight in recommended hotel in Trinidad.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Trinidad

Trinidad

Breakfast at hotel.

Tour the center of Trinidad including a visit to the History Museum

Sample unique Trinidad rum and sugar cane cocktail at La Canchanchara.

Free time to relax, explore and eat in the afternoon. We recommend taking a taxi to the nearby Caribbean beach of Playa Anco and dancing to local live music.

Dinner at a local private restaurant.

Overnight at recommended hotel in Trinidad.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos

Breakfast at hotel.

Visit El Nicho Park, a marvel of nature with dozens of waterfalls and natural pools in an area virtually untouched. During the tour, you can walk up through numerous walking paths with ‘El Reino de las Aguas’, a gentle hiking trail of 2 km (1.2 miles). Observe the flora and fauna and enjoy swimming in the cool river pools at the end of the walk.

Lunch.

After lunch we will drive to the French influenced colonial city of Cienfuegos.

Tour the famous Botanical Gardens.

Explore Cienfuegos, the colonial centre and along the seafront ‘malecon’ promenade.

Free evening to explore.

Overnight in recommended hotel in Cienfuegos.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 The Bay Of Pigs & Havana

The Bay Of Pigs & Havana

Breakfast at hotel.

Leave Cienfuegos and continue to the Bay of Pigs, the site of the failed CIA backed invasion of Cuba that was repelled by Fidel and Che and their revolutionaries.

Short visit to the museum.

Explore the village and beach.

Explore Guama; a replica village of Cuba's earliest settlers, the Taino Indians.

Head to Havana.

Farewell dinner in a private restaurant in Old Havana.

Live performance by ‘Legendarios de Guajirito’, made with former members of the Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro-Cuban All Stars.

Overnight in Iberostar Parque Central or recommended hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Explore Havana Independently

Explore Havana Independently

The day is free for you to explore Havana independently before transferring to the airport for those returning to the UK. Alternatively, extend your stay in Cuba at one of the incredible beach resorts - our Cuba Experts can help you select the perfect premium All-Inclusive beach hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Hotels

Havana

Iberostar Parque Central

The Iberostar Parque Central hotel is one of the most sought after hotels with a central location ideal for exploring Havana. There are two parts to the hotel, the sophisticated original Colonial Wing and the adjacent contemporary Modern Wing. Expect large rooms, a rooftop pool, exceptional staff and three on site dining options.

Pricing

All prices shown represent a from price per person based on low season travel unless otherwise stated.
Availability of tour components and flights seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price given is therefore for guidance only.
To obtain a tailored quote for you and your party, please call one of our travel experts today.

Important Info

Important info

• Tours are based on arriving into Havana on Monday / In 2024 it is based on arriving into Havana on Wednesday

The Tour will commence on Tuesday / In 2024 it will commence on Thursday

• Any timings or sequence of activities provided are for rough guidance only, and may vary due to local availability, constraints and demand.

As our tours are set up many months in advance, changes can occur to accommodation, restaurants and places to be visited as a result of changes in the local provision of services in Cuba. This is especially apparent in the winter season as Cuba continues to cope and change as a result of unprecedented global demand for the island, as well as a rapidly emerging USA visitor market that is both politically and commercially important to the Cuban Government and Tourism Authorities.

Where tour accommodation is located in a narrow side street where a larger vehicle/bus cannot access easily, or road rules restrict the driver from pulling up outside, guests may be required to walk a short distance with their luggage to the closest access point.

Our escorted tour itineraries are generally fast paced to fit everything in, and will generally keep you busy. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required.

Inclusions

Flights with Air Europa, Aero Mexico, TUI or KLM and UK departure tax
2 nights at Iberostar Parque Hotel or recommended alternative on Bed & Breakfast
1 night at La Moka Hotel, Las Terrazas National Park on Bed & Breakfast
2 nights at a recommended hotel in Trinidad on Bed & Breakfast
1 night at a recommended hotel in Cienfuegos on Bed & Breakfast.
1 night at Iberostar Parque Hotel or recommended alternative on Bed & Breakfast.
6 lunches and 6 dinners
Entrance fees to all museums, cigar factory, Las Terrazas National Park, La Canchanchara, El Nicho Waterfall National Park, Manaca Iznaga, cocktail making class, old American car tour, and the Legendarios de Guajirito Performance
English speaking tour guide
All transfers as described in air conditioned transport