CUBA WALKING & CULTURAL HOLIDAY FOR ACTIVE OVER 50s
This holiday is ideal for the over 50's who have a sense of adventure and discovery. Imagine fantastic hiking, historic cities, friendly people, unspoilt beaches and music everywhere you go and Cuba will not disappoint. This irresistible tour takes you from the night clubs of Havana to the most spectacular landscapes and the finest unspoilt beaches. This relaxing stress-free holiday is specially tailored to meet the needs of the over 50's and will provide a truly unforgettable experience. Check out this holiday on The Guardian!!
16 Days - £1,699.00 including flights from LGW
Early Booking Special Offer - Only £1,599.00 inc Flights
Today we drive through the Vinales Valley, a picturesque region of small farms and small villages.
Afternoon free to explore this beautiful area or laze by the pool.
Overnight at the Rancho San Vicente Hotel
Day 4 : Hike in the Tobacco Valley
Attractive walking tour between the rocky formations formed by a fluvial river (the mojotes) and bordering the very fertile Valley San Vicente-Ancon (picnic lunch included).
OR: Optional trip to Cayo Levisa (Cost £35) off the coast of Pinar del Rio where there are opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling, or just relax on the wonderful beaches and swim in the warm Caribbean waters.
Day 5: Hike in the Caminata Sam Vincente-Ancon an area of outstanding geological interest (picnic lunch included).
Day 6 : Morning Drive to Soroa
Afternoon visit to the amazing Orchid Garden at Soroa and see one of the world’s finest collections of orchids.
Afterwards we will climb the Mirador de Soroa.The hike to the top is around 1 ½ km.
Overnight at the Hotel Soroa
Day 7 : Trek through the Ruta el Brujito
Walk with a local guide to visit a local farm.The farmer is a member of a local cooperative whose creativity helped him to manage his parcel of land in a very sustainable manner, his main economic activity is growing coffee, his talent to innovate has provided him tools and means to be more efficient and productive, so that his production is totally organic.
Overnight at the Hotel Soroa
Day 8 : Walk with local guide -Your guide will give information about the localflora and fauna.He will also introduce you to aspects of local history and Culture and explain about communities whose ancestors were slaves during the settlement of the French coffee plantations during the XIX century.You will also receive an introduction to local flora and fauna focused on herbs and birds. You will have the chance to learn how theseresources are managed in the transitional zone of the Biosphere Reserve Sierra del Rosario. Lunch at traditional forest house - this is an amazing opportunity to see how people have lived in this area for centuries and how they are self-supporting.
Alternatively you may just want to relax, enjoy the weather and the pool.
Overnight at the Hotel Soroa
Day 9 : Drive to Trinidad
Trinidad is one of the best places to experience open air nightlife - live music and salsa everywhere.
Overnight at Maria Dolores Hotel
Days 10 : Hacienda Codina Tour - Excursion starts at 09:00, pick up at 08:00 in Trinidad. First stop a coffee centre and tasting inTopes followed by a walk on foot into the mountains. Hike is about 3-4 hours and incluudes a visit to the open cave of La Barata where you can swim, walk or climb to several small waterfalls. After a traditional lunch at Hacienda Codina, visit local orchid garden and bamboo garden before returning to the hotel Maria Dolores.
Day 11: : 1 day tour by Catamaran to the beautiful Caribbean island of Cayo Macho.
Overnight at Hotel Maria Dolores
Day 12 : Day free to explore the beautiful city of Trinidad plus City Touror an optional visit to see Che's mausoleum at Santa Clara (£25). Alternatively, you can stay in Trinidad and go to the beach every day.
Day 13 : El Cubano
A pleasant spot 5 km from Trinidad with a ranchon style restaurant that specialises in pez gato (catfish). Here there is a fish farm, and a trail to a refreshing wat erfall . There are also stables with opportunities to partake in horseback riding. Lunch included.
Day 14 : Return to Havana
Stop at Cienfuegos plus City Tour (2 hours)
Overnight at the Plaza Hotel
Day 15 : Morning visit to the Museo de la Revolucion (Optional £5)
The Museum of the Revolution (Spanish: Museo de la Revolución) is a museum located in the Old Havana section of Havana, Cuba. The museum is housed in what was the Presidential Palace of all Cuban presidents from Mario García Menocal to Fulgencio Batista. It became the Museum of the Revolution during the years following the Cuban revolution.
"Just a quick note to thank you for the great holiday in Cuba. We wanted to feedback on how much both Briad and I enjoyed our trip. For us there were a number of highlights. The car trip in Havana, staying in the Casas, the walks in Soroa and Vinales, visiting Santa Clara and meeting the Cubans. Most of all we liked the variety of what you showed us and appreciated the choices." Paul McCallion, March 2013
All transportation between locations by air conditioned bus
The services of an English speaking guide throughout the trip
The additional services of a walking guide or tour guide where indicated
NOT INCLUDED
We can offer flights from other UK airports. Please contact us for more details). Optional excursions Lunches and evening meals (except where specified) - please estimate $35 per person per day for food
ACCOMMODATION
Cuba is a popular holiday destination but unfortunately the number of hotel rooms sometimes exceed demand. Hotels occasionally cancel bookings at the last minute but they will always find alternative accommodation forthe group, albeit sometimes in nearby towns or in private houses with bed and breakfast. This overbooking is affecting all tour operators to the country and you should be aware of this because it may affect your trip.
Q. We think the Cuba holiday looks very interesting but are a little concerned that we are not very fit. Can you give more detail on the walks in Cuba - how far and how steep? Are there options if we want to miss out on any of the more strenuous hikes?
A. We offer two levels of walks on this holiday - easy gentle walking and more challenging. You can decide which you want to do on the day.
Q. Would it be possible to arrange our own flights?
A. Yes, we can offer a land only tour at a cost of £975.
Q. Will I need a visa to visit Cuba?
A. You will need a visa to visit Cuba. These are available from the Cuban Embassy in London.
Q. I will be travelling alone. Will the Cuba walk be with a group, and if so, how many people?
A. Our cuba walking holidays are group holidays (minimum 10 people).
Q. Do I have to travel as part of a group? Can you arrange independent holidays in Cuba.
A. We can arrange a range of independent holidays in Cuba. Please contact us for more information.
Q. Will I have my own single accommodation?
A. Single accommodation is available at a single supplement of £95 for the entire holiday.
Q. What currency will I need?
A. On Monday 14th March 2011 Cuba’s Central Bank devaluated the Convertible Peso or CUC by 8% against all foreign currencies.This measure now pegs the CUC at 1 x 1 with the US Dollar where it used to be pre April 2005. The Convertible Peso is a closed currency, which means it cannot be purchased outside of Cuba. You can change your money at the Cadeca (Money Exchange Bureau) at the Airport on landing in Cuba or at your hotel. If you reside in the UK you should take Sterling, clean, untorn bills with no writing on them, in £10, £20 or £50 denomination. Please note that Scottish notes are not acceptable. Canadians should take Canadian dollars and if you are from a European destination that uses the Euro, then take Euros. The exchange rate varies on a daily basis.
Q. Can you let me have an estimate of how much spending money we will need?
A. You will need roughly 15 cuc for each meal and some extra for drinks - more or less 50.00 cuc x pax x day will be adequate. There is very little else to spend your money on in Cuba. 1 cuc = around 60 pence.
Q. Which airline will we travel with if I book my flights through you?
A. Virgin Airlines.
Q. Do I have to travel from London Gatwick.
A. We can arrange flights from a range of airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Dublin & Belfast. Please contact us for more information and prices.
