8 Days | Follow the Cuban rhythm across this colourful Caribbean island
From vintage cars to fragrant cigars, salsa your way from the colourful capital of Havana through the beautiful island of Cuba and surround yourself with history, music and mojitos in one of the world’s most unique places. Roll a cigar and sip rum with locals in the rural village of Vinales, feel the seaside breeze along the French-infused waterfront of Cienfuegos, surrender to the sultry salsa rhythms in perfectly preserved Trinidad and look behind the legend of Che Guevara on a visit to his memorial in Santa Clara. From the fresh mountain air that fills the streets of Soroa, to the crystal-clear waters that lap the shores of Playa Larga – experience a nation as endearing and diverse as its people on this eight-day adventure that immerses you in the colour, culture and natural beauty of this seductive Caribbean island.
Trip overview
- Start
- Havana, Cuba
- Finish
- Havana, Cuba
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Cuba
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- QUKA
- Walk around Old Havana, which sheds lights on the difference between the lifestyle of city and rural life in Cuba.
- Take in all the colours and aromas of Soroa, the stunning valley area known as the 'rainbow of Cuba' and immerse yourself in local culture.
- Stroll along the rural dirt roads of Vinales as tractors, vintage cars and horse-drawn carriages pass you by.
- Step back in time in Trinidad – a real Cuban treat. Explore its old-world streets, then hit some fine palm-flanked beaches for a bit of rest and relaxation.
- Marvel at the unique architecture of Palacio del Valle in Cienfuegos and ask your local leader for all the best local (and secret) spots.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
- The guesthouses (casas) we use are much nicer than your average Cuban dwelling and each room is unique. Regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water supply are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country – but we believe that this is all a part of the local experience. To help set your expectations correctly, please read the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
- Luxuries such as air conditioning, plush pillows, and fly screens, are often scarce. Part of the experience here is learning to appreciate everyday Cuban resourcefulness.
- Internet access can be hard to come by, and when it's available it's often unreliable and expensive. Treat this as a great opportunity to take a break from modern devices and have a true holiday.
- As this trip covers a lot of land, you'll be spending quite a bit of time travelling. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Private vehicle
Comfortable Guesthouse (7 nights)
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Soroa - Orchid Garden (entrance fee and guide included)
- Vinales - Leader-led orientation walk
- Vinales - Half-day Valley tour on foot including Tobacco Farmhouse
- Vinales - Farm-to-table dinner at an eco-friendly ranch
- Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop
- Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
- Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (from entrance fee)
- Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
- Trinidad - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
- Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
- Havana - Revolution Square
- Havana - Camera Obscura by Leonardo da Vinci (entrance fee and guide included) - CUP12
- Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee) - CUP250
- Trinidad - Romantic Museum (entrance fee) - CUP120
- Trinidad - Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos (entrance fee) - CUP70
- Trinidad - Live Music Venues (entrance fee) from - EUR2
- Trinidad - Ancon beach shuttle bus - EUR4
- Trinidad - Massage - from - EUR24
- Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee - CUP200
- Havana - Buena Vista Social Club Performance (entrance fee & dinner) - USD35
- Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) - USD10
- Havana - Half-day Ernest Hemingway Tour (guide and transport included 2 clients min required) - USD68
- Havana - Morro Castle (entrance fee, no guide, no transport)10 am-9 pm - CUP200
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Havana. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 5 days prior to travel.
4. Please advise bedding configuration requests to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel to aid guesthouse and rooming allocations, which are finalized 10 days prior to departure based on the configuration of each travelling party. You may request your confirmed guesthouse name and address inside 7 days of departure from your booking agent. Rest assured, the transfer driver will know the address of your assigned guesthouse.
5. A visa or tourist card, organized prior to arrival, is required for all nationalities visiting Cuba.
6. The Cuban government has declared that travel insurance is compulsory for all travelers. Proof of insurance may be requested at Havana Airport by immigration officials.
7. We recommend travelling to Cuba via Canada, Europe, South or Central America. Please refer to the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
8. We recommend you bring enough cash to last your whole time in Cuba. This is currently the best option and will provide you with the best value for money. Please see the ‘Money Matters’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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