Grand Tour of Cuba - Group Tour

Tour/Activity in Havana, Cuba

About this activity

Discover natural areas & cities from Havana to Santiago together with their cultural and "revolutionary" highlights.

Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours

Day 1

Arrival Havana

Meet and greet at Havana airport and transfer to your Hotel in the Old Town. Dinner is at your own discretion.

Included meals: none

Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Parque Central ***** or similar

Day 2

Havana - A wonderful city

The day begins with a visit to a cigar factory. Observe the skillful hands that create the world-famous Cuban cigars. Afterwards, enjoy a ride in a classic American car along the iconic Malecón promenade. See the legendary Hotel Nacional, Avenida de los Presidentes and Plaza de la Revolution where the portrait of Che Guevara and the Jose Marti monument are found. Continue along the iconic Cementerio Colón to the Bosque de La Habana: Havana’s lungs and traditional setting for Afro-Cuban rituals. Bask in the glamour as you drive along 5th Avenue in the exclusive neighborhood of Miramar. Take a short break to enjoy lunch at a Paladar (private restaurant) that offers authentic cuisine. Finally, continue to Old Havana in one of Havana’s famous coco taxis (Cuban tuk tuks). Stroll through the cobblestone streets and observe the enchanting people and beautiful colonial architecture. While in Old Havana, we will visit an impressive 16th century fortress, which formed an important part of Havana’s defense system. In the evening optional visit to the world famous Tropicana Show.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Parque Central ***** or similar

Day 3

Havana – Santa Clara

Drive towards the centre of Cuba with destination Santa Clara, a historic town associated with the triumph of the Revolution. You will visit the "Tren Blindado" armoured military train derailed in December 1958, it helped Argentine guerrilla fighter Ernesto "Che" Guevara to victory and brought the revolution led by Fidel Castro to triumph. Years later, in 1997, after the body of "Che" was found in Bolivia, his remains were moved to the mausoleum built in his honour in Santa Clara, which you will also visit. Later, visit Vidal Park, the local people' pride and joy, and the cultural centre with its restored Teatro la Caridad. Rest of the afternoon at leisure and dinner at your hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel E Central Santa Clara *** or similar

Day 4

Santa Clara – Sancti Spiritus – Camagüey

Early morning departure to the colonial city of Santi Spíritus, founded in the 16th century. Upon arrival, visit the Yayabo Bridge, a time-defying symbol of the colonial city. Stroll along the beautiful boulevard and the city’s colorful streets. Continue to Camaguey, the city of the Tinajones (clay jugs). Founded in 1514, Camaguey was target of frequent pirate attacks, so the city was built with narrow streets and labyrinthine alleyways to disorient the invaders. Finally, enjoy an interesting tour on bicitaxi through the most important plazas of the city.

Included meals: Breakfast

Overnight stay at Hotel E Santa Maria *** or similar

Day 5

Camagüey - Holguin - Gibara

Early departure from Camagüey eastwards to the city of Holguin with a visit to Loma de la Cruz and a walk through the centre. Then continue to the small fishing village of Gibara, a coastal town still largely untouched by tourism, known for its annual Festival del Cine in summer. The afternoon is at your leisure and dinner is planned at your hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Ordoño ***(*) or similar

Day 6

Gibara - Birán - Baracoa

Early morning departure in direction of Finca Manacas, in Birán. Birthplace of Fidel Castro, it has been only a few years since this place opened to the public. The tour of the old estate will offer interesting insights into the life of the Cuban leader. Afterwards, your very varied journey continues through the nickel mining region of the town of Moa, followed by the bumpy and adventurous coastal road, past exotic bays, to the town of Baracoa, located on the eastern tip of Cuba, where Columbus once landed. Arrival there in the late afternoon. Dinner together in a paladar.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel El Castillo *** or similar

Day 7

Baracoa

With the iconic El Yunque Mountain as backdrop, Baracoa is located amidst a picturesque landscape. Its lush tropical vegetation, full of coffee, cocoa and banana, makes it a true Caribbean paradise. In the morning join an excursion to the beautiful surroundings of Baracoa, then visit the Finca Duaba, in which you will learn about cacao through a nature trail. A small boat trip on the Río Toa follows. Rustic lunch at an Eco-Finca immersed in magnificent natural scenery. Later, walk through the colonial city center up to the church Nuestra Señora de Asunción when you will have the opportunity to behold the iconic Vine Cross brought by Christopher Columbus. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the lovely town of Baracoa on your own.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay at Hotel El Castillo *** or similar

Day 8

Baracoa - Guantánamo - Santiago

Drive via Guantanamo to Santiago de Cuba via the impressive La Farola road, one of the 7 civil engineering wonders of Cuba. This varied route is the only way in Cuba to experience all vegetation zones in one trip, ranging from tropical forests to semi-desert areas. Once in Santiago, you will visit the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca, built in the 18th century high above the bay to defend the city from pirate attacks. Afterwards, a walk through the streets of the centre of Santiago awaits you, the second largest city in the country, and also a vibrant mix of ethnicities and cultures. You will visit the house of Diego Velázquez (XVI), the oldest in Latin America, where this coloniser and founder of the Villa Santiago de Cuba used to live. In the evening, you will savour a typical Cuban dinner with a special coffee ceremony.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel Imperial ***(*) or similar

Day 9

Santiago de Cuba - Afrokaribische Tradition

In the morning enjoy a scenic bus ride through the city. Appreciate the Moncada Barracks, target of Fidel Castro’s famous attack in 1953. Visit the lovely neighborhood of Vista Alegre, the historic San Juan Hill and Santa Ifigenia cemetery, final resting place of former president Fidel Castro, National Hero Jose Marti and members of the illustrious Bacardi family. Visit the city’s Rum Museum to learn about the typical Cuban spirit. Return to the city center to visit the Emilio Bacardi Natural History Museum. After lunch in a beautiful terrace, you will have some free time to explore on your own. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cuban music at the legendary Casa de la Trova where famous musicians such as Compay Segundo, from the Buena Vista Social Club, started their careers.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay at Hotel Imperial ***(*) or similar

Day 10

Santiago - Bayamo - Camagüey

After breakfast, head to the pilgrimage site of El Cobre, located just outside the city, and visit the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, in Cuba also known as "Cachita". Located atop a hill, this Basilica is considered Cuba's holiest pilgrimage site. Your journey then takes you to the carriage town of Bayamo, where the fight for independence from the Spanish crown began and the national anthem La Bayamesa was composed. After a short city tour by horse-drawn carriage, you will head to Camagüey for a visit to an art gallery. Dinner at your hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel E Santa Maria *** or similar

Day 11

Camagüey - Trinidad

In the morning, leave for the UNESCO World Heritage City of Trinidad, a colonial pearl with still paved streets and colourful houses with red-tiled roofs. Here you will have a guided tour of the Romantic Museum, the former palace of the wealthy Brunet family. During the walk through the main square you will see other magnificent mansions that belonged to the rich sugar plantations of the early 19th century. In the afternoon, drive to the Ancon Peninsula, just a few kilometres from the city centre, to reach your beach hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast and All Inclusive in the evening

Overnight stay at All inclusive Hotel Memories Trinidad ***(*) or similar

Day 12

Trinidad - A relaxing day

A day at your leisure to relax at the all-inclusive hotel and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea on the beach. Let the impressions of the previous days come back to you.

Included meals: All Inclusive

Overnight stay at All inclusive Hotel Memories Trinidad ***(*) or similar

Day 13

Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Havana

Your day begins with a drive along the coastal road to the port city of Cienfuegos, the only city in Cuba that was founded by the French. Stroll across the main square and see the iconic Teatro Terry, a local art symbol where the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso once sang. Continue to the Punta Gorda peninsula to enjoy a cocktail at the emblematic Palacio de Valle, a gem of Moorish-style Cuban architecture. Enjoy your lunch at a special local paladar and leave for Havana. Dinner at your own discretion.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay at Hotel NH Capri **** or similar

Day 14

Hershey - On the tracks of a pioneer

Experience authentic tradition and board Cuba's only working electric train, in use for over 100 years. Celebrate a lively party on board accompanied by Cuban rhythms and have a day to remember. Head to the small village of Hershey and follow in the footsteps of pioneer Milton Hershey with a stroll through the semi-abandoned small town that was once the chocolate mogul's flagship. Get carried away with memories of the golden age of sugar while enjoying a freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, "guarapo".

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay at Hotel NH Capri **** or similar

Day 15

Havana Departure

The morning offers a final time for shopping and souvenirs. Check-out at the hotel and transfer (depending on return flight time) to the airport for check-in to your flight to Europe. Alternatively, start of an optional individual beach extension, e.g. in Jibacoa or Varadero.

Included meals: Breakfast

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