Revolutionary Trails

Incredible Discovery & Walking Tour In Cuba

Trinidad & Topes de Collantes

From the bustling capital, Havana, we head along the Caribbean coast, pausing at the infamous Bay of Pigs, before arriving in the sleepy colonial town of Trinidad. After exploring the cobbled streets, lined by faded painted houses we head into the mountains to Topes de Collantes National Park. Camping in the grounds of two haciendas, we'll walk along forest trails, swim in waterfalls and hope to catch glimpses of tiny hummingbirds and perhaps the Tocororo - Cuba's national bird.

Jungle & 'Mogotes'

From the bustling city of Santiago we fly west to the tranquillity of the tropical forests at Las Terrazas. Here we walk up to little-visited cabins, with breaks en route to swim in jungle falls and to admire the colourful birds in the canopy above. Continuing on to Vi?ales we discover one of Cuba's most charming towns and venture out on foot amongst a picturesque landscape of limestone 'mogotes'.

Santiago & Havana

On the last day of our trek we walk down to the sea and then drive along the coast to Santiago de Cuba. We explore the lively streets on foot and there's time to enjoy a mojito from one of the rooftop bars. Flying west to Havana, we have a full day walking in the lush forests at Las Terrazas. Having followed in Fidel's footsteps from the earliest days of the revolution in the Sierra Maestra, it is fitting that our journey ends in Havana which Castro entered, triumphant, on 8th January 1959.

Transport: Charter Bus/Flights as itinerary.

What to Expect: The walking is mainly moderate with one strenuous day ascending Pico Turquino. Although walking distances are not particularly far, heat is a factor to consider, especially in the summer. Please note US law prohibits US nationals from travelling to Cuba

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Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Havana - Walking tour of Cuba’s captivating capital
Trinidad - Colonial town.
Topes De Collantes - Trekking through the ‘Sierra del Escambray’.
Santo Domingo - Trek up to Castro’s mountain command post.
Sierra Maestra Mountains - 2-day trek over Pico Turquino.
Santiago - Visit to the town steeped in Cuban revolutionary history.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Join tour Havana
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: In Havana
A tour of this most fascinating of cities this morning takes in some of the highlights of Havana’s Vieja (Old) district and the art deco architecture along the coastal Malecon and through the Vedado and Miramar suburbs, where kids play baseball below rusting street lights. On foot we’ll investigate the Vieja district with its beautiful neoclassical buildings at the Plaza de Armas and its sumptuous baroque Cathedral. Havana truly is a city in which to immerse yourself fully and after our brief orientation tour this morning, the afternoon has been left free to continue exploring at your leisure. You may wish to visit the City Museum, or the captivating Museum of the Revolution, where you can find the revered hull of the Granma, the boat that brought Castro back from exile and onto the world stage in 1956. You may wish to return to old Havana and enjoy a stroll through its cobbled streets, stopping to enjoy a mojito at a local bar, or perhaps wander through the stalls of the street markets in search of a bargain or two. Cooling breezes blowing in from the Caribbean freshen a lively sunset stroll along the Malecon, where fishermen and locals take in the magical setting before the imposing ramparts of its old Spanish forts.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Drive to Trinidad
Today we head east across Cuba, we drive through giant citrus and sugar plantations and out into the Zapata Peninsula. Further on‘cenotes’ or pools created by the ceiling collapse of the underground rivers dot the landscape and provide wonderful swimming opportunities. Later we visit the Playa Giron and the nearby museum dedicated to the infamous ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion, where a US supported attack by Cuban exiles failed to overthrow the Communist regime. Our journey then skirts the edge of the wooded Escambray mountains, hugging the coastline with views over the sparkling turquoise waters and arrive, where we will stay outside of the beautiful Spanish colonial town of Trinidad.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: In Trinidad
This morning we wander through the old centre of Trinidad. In the early 19th century French settlers, fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti, landed and started to grow sugar cane in the Valle de Los Ingenios. This crop generated considerable wealth and consequently the town had to be regularly defended from pirates. The street layout is said to be deliberately complicated so as to confuse them! This afternoon is free to relax on nearby Playan Ancon, or continue to wander through Trinidad’s lovely colonial streets: a paradise for photographers.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Drive and trek to Topes de Collantes
A short bus trip up a steep, switch-back road leads us into the lushly vegetated Escambray Mountains for a 12km trek takes us into a valley cut deep by the Guayanara River. We start off driving a short distance then begin to walk. Along this section of the route good views unfold over Embalse Habanabanilla – Cuba’s highest lake. We may stop along the way to see coffee growing and talk to some of the locals. After about 4 hours walk we arrive at our second hacienda, set in a rocky valley. The afternoon is free – however we recommend the 5 km round trip (approx 3hrs) to the Salto de Rocio waterfall, in an area flush with trogons, hummingbirds and woodpeckers. We follow a river-side track beside which 7 species of tree fern, bromeliads, and orchids grow. On arrival, adventurous swimmers can enjoy waterfalls and pools, while others may choose to relax on the banks. Please note that walks may be harder depending on weather conditions and those preferring not to walk can travel with our support vehicle. The accommodation at the haciendas is simple, with foam mattresses provided for sleeping out on the verandahs under overhanging eves. The peace and quiet of the night with its canopy of stars should ensure a good night’s sleep! Tents may be available.

Overnight Hacienda (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: In Topes de Collantes
This morning we start with a short drive before starting a four hour trek (approx 8km) up through an unspoilt land of forest, watereroded valleys, rushing waterfalls and underground rivers. There is pine forest and paths bordered by mahogany and hibiscus. You may see Humming birds flash past, darting from flower to flower searching for nectar. Further on we reach La Batata, a cave through which an underground river gurgles, gently carving out rock pools. The water rarely exceeds 20°C so the swimming is exhilarating here! We trek on until we reach an isolated, century old hacienda set in a lush valley where we have lunch. In the afternoon our local guide takes us on a circular interpretative trail, discussing the orchids and medicinal plants we find en route. At La Cueva del Altar we walk through a cavern, emerging on the other side of the hill to beautiful views of the Caribbean (approx 1.5km). Later we have supper – enjoying wonderful Cuban hospitality, and settle down for the night. The accommodation is similar to last night’s hacienda.

Overnight Hacienda (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Drive to Bayamo
Today there will be a full day drive to Bayamo. We make an early start, heading towards the beautiful mountains landscapes of the Sierra Maestra. Lying in the Granma Province, along Cuba’s southeast coast, this is a region infused with the revolutionary zeal that has been such an integral part of Cuban life since the late 19th century. It was on the beaches of Granma that Fidel landed in December 1956 to start his journey on the long road to freedom, and the mountains inland are scattered with reminders of its revolutionary heritage.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Drive up Alto de Naranjo; walk to Comandancia de la plata
This morning we will continue further into the Sierra Maestra to Santo Domingo, a small village lying besides the Rio Yara, amongst the cloud forest landscapes of the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, and provides us with an ideal base from which to explore these captivating mountains. On arrival we can either take an invigorating walk or drive up the steep asphalt road to Alto de Naranjo from where we start todays walk (950mts). We follow in the famous footsteps of Che, Fidel and the rest of the revolutionary heroes, who for two years fought a protracted guerrilla war amongst these beautiful highlands. For much of 1957 the guerrillas kept on the move, playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Batista’s troops, as they tried to gain a foothold after the unsuccessful uprising against Batista the previous year. Then in 1958 they set up a permanent base in the foothills of Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest peak. This base of operations came to be known as La Comandancia de La Plata (1000mts) and its location deep in the heart of this lush jungle landscape makes it one of the country’s most fascinating and authentic experiences. A remarkable testament to the resolve and spirit of the revolutionaries, it captures a snapshot in time of one of the most pivotal periods in Cuba’s history, one that was to have worldwide repercussions in later years. It was here that Fidel Castro began to formulate his plans for the future of the country and the site presents us with a captivating glimpse of life during those dangerous and heady days of the late ‘50s. There is a small museum and press office, a field kitchen and the command centre itself, complete with a fridge with bullet holes! From here we trek back to Alto de Narango where you can walk or drive down depending on your energy levels. Total walking time: approx 4 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Trekking across the Sierra Maestra
After a short drive to Alto de Naranjo we begin our two-day trek up Pico Turquino (1972m) today, across the Sierra Maestra to Las Cuevas. Over the coming days we trek through landscapes that take us from high mountain ridges and through rain forest, to the shores of the Caribbean. Our first day sees us heading east, following the La Plata trail up towards Pico Joaquin, crossing landscapes blanketed in pines and mosses, giant ferns and wild orchids, to spend our first night in a refugio Cabin Joaquin lying in the northern foothills of Pico Turquino (approximately 5 hours walking). Cabins are dorm style with shared basic fascilities.

Overnight Cabin (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Climb Pico Turquino; return to Sto. Domingo
Today we turn south, towards Pico Turquino (1972m) and Pico Cuba (1872m), the two highest peaks in the country, where we ascend to the summit of Cuba’s highest mountain, before following a trail that turns southeast and takes us down a series of steep steps called the ‘Saca La Lengua’. If the weather conditions are favourable the views along this section are truly outstanding and at the top of Pico Turquino we can see the bronze bust of Jose Marti, dragged up here by Castro’s charismatic mistress, Celia Sanchez in 1952. Marti was the 19th century hero of the Cuban independence movements and a man who to many is little short of a saint. We then pass by Pico Cardero en route to Las Cuevas where we rendezvous with our bus driver and return to Sto Domingo(Approximately 7 hours walking)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Drive to Santiago; city tour
This morning we will set out towards Santiago which has been at the epicentre of revolutionary ideals since the time of Cespedes. Founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in 1514 the city has been at the heart of Cuban culture and history since its inception. Briefly the country’s capital, it rose to prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries, with first the arrival of Spanish settlers from Jamaica, then French plantation owners from Haiti. The region saw much of the fighting in both wars for independence and it was in Santiago that success against Batista’s forces was finally, and very publicly, acknowledged by Fidel Castro on January 1st 1959. Little wonder then that the city has earned itself the moniker of ‘Hero City of the Republic of Cuba’. The city itself is an eclectic mix of all the best and worst of Cuban life. Its colonial architecture glimmers in attractive shades of pastel, whilst its Afro-Caribbean mix affords it the unmistakable vibrancy of a true city of the revolution. This afternoon we will take a tour of Santiago city, taking in the Plaza de la Revolucion with it’s fine monument to the heroes of the Independence wars and the remarkable cemetery where independence hero José Martí is buried we will also visit the Sta.Ifigenia cemetry. At the Moncada Barracks we visit the site of Castro’s unsuccessful attempt to instigate a general uprising against Batista, an attempt that saw him tried and imprisoned (entrance optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Drive Camaguey
This Morniing we set of a full days drive North to the city of Camaguey., on arrival you may wish to take a city tour on one of the local bicitaxi'sand we also recommend a visit to the bustling farmers market.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Drive to Havana
This morning we will start on a full days drive to Havana, stopping on route at Santa Clara to visit Che's Mausoleum, one of Cuba's most revolutionary landmarks. We will then continue to Havana where we will enjoy a free evening to enjoy the vibrant night life of havana Vieja.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Visit Las Terrazas
This morning we transfer to Las Terrazas perched on the edge of the Unesco Reserva Biosphera Sierra del Rossario. This entire region is a testament to reforestation, taking an area that has been ravaged by fire and agricultural incompetence and turning it into a bio reserve of staggering diversity. In Las Terrazas we discover some of Cuba’s most diverse and verdant natural landscapes, where we have time to wander through tropical forest and swim in jungle waterfalls. We will have an included lunch here before a free afternoon to relax and explore further.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Tour ends Havana
Our tour ends in Havana today, although clients travelling back on the group flight to London will have the day free before transferring to the airport later this afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

11 nights Standard Hotel (H+)
2 nights Hacienda (H)
1 night Cabin (H)

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Fri 11 Nov - Fri 25 Nov 2011 - 1880 GBP
Fri 25 Nov - Fri 09 Dec 2011 - 1880 GBP
Sun 18 Dec - Sun 01 Jan 2012 - 1960 GBP
Fri 03 Feb - Fri 17 Feb 2012 - 1870 GBP
Fri 17 Feb - Fri 02 Mar 2012 - 1870 GBP
Fri 30 Mar - Fri 13 Apr 2012 - 1900 GBP

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