Portrait of an Island - Group Tour

Tour from Havana to Holguin, Cuba

About this activity

Discover the culture, landscape and colonial highlights of this island from west to east.

Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours

Day 1

Arrival Havana

Meet and greet at Havana airport. Then transfer to your accommodation. Dinner at your own discretion.

Included meals: none

Overnight stay in Hotel Meliá Cohiba***** or similar

Day 2

Havana - A postcard from the 50s

Going back in time is possible especially if the destination is Havana’s golden era: the 50s. Take a seat and enjoy a ride in a beautiful artifact that has roamed the streets of Havana for decades: a classic American car. Feeling like a notorious Mafia boss, cruise past the Revolution Square, the Metropolitan Park, the residential areas of Nuevo Vedado and Miramar, up to the Malecón. In the best style of Al Capone, enjoy a cocktail in the gardens of Hotel Nacional and continue for a lunch at one of the top restaurants in the historical centre of the city. In the afternoon, with renewed energy, stroll across the 4 plazas and marvel at the architecture, both colonial and modern, which spans across 5 centuries. In the evening, optional visit to the world famous Tropicana Show.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay in Hotel Meliá Cohiba***** or similar

Day 3

Havana – Vueltabajo – Viñales

A perfect tour of Cuba can not be complete without a good cigar. In the morning you drive to the region where some of the world's best tobacco is produced: Vueltabajo. To get a first-hand explanation of the process, you will visit the finca "Quemado del Rubí", owned by Héctor Luis, one of the top tobacco producers in Cuba and winner of the "Hombre Habano" award in 2008. Through decades of experience, the family has perfected tobacco cultivation. Premium cigars are produced here for great names around the world to enjoy. Taste one of these cigars after the traditional lunch at the farm. In the afternoon, continue to Viñales, a picturesque village nestled in the middle of a valley of karst rocks known as Mogotes. Before arriving in the small town, make a stop at the Los Jazmines viewpoint to admire this gorgeous postcard-worthy landscape.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay in Hotel E Central Viñales*** or similar

Day 4

Viñales – Soroa – Havana

Today, on the way back to Havana, you will get to know the Soroa region. You will visit the largest orchid garden in Cuba with an area of 35,000 m² and more than 20,000 specimens of tropical plants. This place was created to preserve the beautiful Cuban orchids and to enjoy nature to the fullest. Afterwards, you can take a short walk to the Soroa waterfall. This 22 metre high cascade is a Cuban natural wonder also referred to as the Rainbow. In the afternoon, reach the capital and stay this time in private accommodation - called "Casa Particular" - in a Cuban neighbourhood to gain a deeper insight into local life.

Included meals: Breakfast

Overnight stay in Casa Particular

Day 5

Havanna - Cienfuegos - Trinidad

Early in the morning, you start your journey to the south of Cuba towards the beautiful port city of Cienfuegos. Take a walk past the main José Martí Park and the Terry Theatre, one of the most stylish eclectic buildings in the city. After your lunch, you will stroll along the Cienfuegos promenade to the Punta Gorda peninsula. Almost at the end is the Palacio de Valle, an architectural gem reminiscent of Spanish-Moorish art with Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque influences. In the afternoon, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trinidad.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay in Casa Particular

Day 6

Trinidad - Weltkulturerbe und Handwerk

Trinidad embodies the spirit of the 19th century. The city’s wide cobblestone streets, its grand squares and stately mansions with tiled roofs are symbols of the city’s golden era. Today we will unearth the gems which make Trinidad a World Heritage Site including the Romantic Museum and the former mansion of the wealthy Brunet family which houses many unique antiques. Stroll through the Plaza Mayor and see the Catholic Church which has beautiful colonial doors. In addition to Trinidad’s architectural legacy the city which is also famous for its unique embroidery and crafts was recently declared a World Craft City. Visit an embroidery workshop and a sculpting studio. Don’t pass up the opportunity to acquire a beautiful sculpture to take home. Finally, enjoy authentic Trinitarian cuisine in a well-known Paladar.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight stay in Casa Particular

Day 7

Trinidad - Valle de los Ingenios - Sancti Espíritus - Ciego de Ávila - Cayo Coco

After breakfast head towards the day’s first stop: the sugar mill valley. The valley which was the industrial backbone of Trinidad’s splendor used to be home to numerous impressive and advanced sugar mills. Perhaps the best-known place today is La Torre de Manaca, which you will visit before continuing to the northern chain of islands known as Jardines del Rey, where the turquoise blue waters, and the almost virgin nature of their beaches, will invite you to relax and enjoy of the paradisiacal environment.

Included meals: Breakfast, All inclusive

Overnight stay at Hotel Meliá Cayo Coco, Classic Zimmer

Day 8

Take the day to relax and enjoy the sun and the warm sea. The Cayo Coco beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. It is well known for its white sand and coral reef which allows for the conservation of a wide variety of fish and marine flora. It truly is a gem for underwater diving and surface fishing.

Included meals: All inclusive

Overnight stay at Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucía*** or similar

Day 9

Cayo Coco - Jaronú - Camagüey

Leaving behind the paradise of the "Cayos", the way leads through Jaronú, a small town that was once one of the exponents of the glorious era of sugar in Cuba. The largest mill of the 19th century in the country can be found here and houses that are all the same and living witnesses of the past, with an impeccable almost intact architecture. The route continues to Camagüey, known as the city of jars in Spanish "Tinajones", a city that was built with asymmetrical streets that get tangled up and end unexpectedly. This very particular structure was conceived in this way to confuse the pirates who frequently looted the town. Walking through the city center and through its tangled alleys is a pleasant pastime.

Included meals today: breakfast, dinner

Overnight stay in Casa Particular z.B. Hostal San Rafael

Day 10

Camagüey - Bayamo - El Cobre - Santiago de Cuba

In the morning you will depart for the city of Bayamo, located in the eastern province of Granma. Cuba's national anthem was written at this city, also famous for its horse-drawn carriages, something that is still preserved as a reminder of colonial traditions. Then, a short tour about the nation´s origin among its central park. On the way to Santiago, the tour will take a short detour to visit the most sacred site in Cuba: La Basílica de la Caridad del Cobre. Cachita, popularly known as the patron saint of Cuba, has been the object of adoration by many Cubans, poor and rich. In the church you can learn about the stories of famous stars and athletes who dedicated their triumphs to her. At the exit you will see street vendors selling souvenirs made from local items, including soil, from old copper mines. Late arrival in Santiago, the second largest city in Cuba.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

Overnight stay at Hotel Meliá Santiago**** or similar

Day 11

Santiago de Cuba - The Caribbean heat

Today you will get the opportunity to explore the island’s most eastern City. The city is famous for producing the best rum in Cuba and for being a mix of Caribbean traditions. Visit the city’s main attractions which include the Santa Ifigenia cemetery which is the final resting place for various important Cuban figures including national hero Jose Marti, the leader of the of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro and the famous musician Compay el Segundo. Stop at the Museo del Ron to learn about the rum history and taste a shot of the best Cuban rum: Ron Santiago. Head for the iconic Céspedes Park and continue to San Pedro de la Roca fort to admire the spectacular view of the bay of Santiago de Cuba. The lunch will take place in a typical Santiago restaurant where your host, Compay Ramón, will make us spend a pleasant stay, in addition, to the excellent food and the unforgettable coffee from Santiago. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, let loose to the rhythms of the traditional music at Casa de la Trova, the mecca of Cuban Son.

Overnight stay at Hotel Meliá Santiago**** or similar

Day 12

Santiago - Holguin - Guardalavaca

After breakfast, transfer to Santiago airport or to the beach region of Guardalavaca in Holguin province. We recommend combining the journey there with a beach stay.

Included meals: Breakfast

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