Aguas Claras
In accordance with new US laws, American citizens joining this cycling tour in Cuba will be accommodated in privately owned houses or establishments (casas particulares) where necesary.
- Destination: Pinar del Río.
- Duration: 9 days.
- Arrives: 01/29/2022
- Departs: 02/06/2022
- Days of cycling: 7
- Usual daily distances: 80 km. (average)
- Terrain: Some hills, usually good roads except around Cayo Jutias.
- Support vehicle: 100%.
- Tour staff: Cultural Guide, Mechanic, Driver.
Tour details
This is a return to the humble beginnings of our CanbiCuba/Bicycle Breeze tours before we expanded our itinerary to include longer tours in other parts of Cuba. This tour will focus on daily rides that begin and end at Villa Aguas Claras, a charming resort in one of the most scenic parts of western Cuba a few miles north of the bustling city of Pinar del Río. Aguas Claras is one of the best “campismos” in Cuba, all cabins have A/C units, and there is a nice large pool beside the bar. It is a good place to congress and use as our H.Q.
The countryside through which we will ride is among the most dramatically beautiful that the island has to offer and includes the steep-sided “mogotes” – the huge, vegetation-covered limestone mounds rising like islands over the tobacco fields for which this part of Cuba is famous. Sandwiched between two of Cuba’s six biosphere reserves, our ride routes will take us through the spectacular Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can still see fields being worked in the traditional way with oxen.
The low-lying mountains in the northern part of this region overlook lush green valleys, with beautiful beaches on the north coast to contrast with the lakes and marshes on the southern coast. The daily rides will take us off the beaten path to some of the hidden gems in this exquisitely rural region of villages and small towns that was settled relatively late in the day by independent-minded tobacco farmers and coffee growers (as well as smugglers) from central Cuba, all seeking a greater measure of freedom from the Spanish Colonial authorities.
We will use our standard support bus on the daily rides because, let’s face it, we are not getting any younger. When we started our Cuba tours way back when we issued every rider with what we could get: a red T shirt of middling quality. We will replace those T shirts with top quality cycling jerseys from Duran Garments as a memento of what we anticipate to be a great riding and exploring experience in this remarkable region of Cuba.
Cost
Extra $ – USD. Should you register looking to share with another and we are not able to find an acceptable companion, you will need to pay the Single Supplement charge.
US$ –
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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9
1
Arrival January 29th.
Fly into Havana and transfer to Vedado. This bustling area is the commercial heart of the city and is fronted by the Malecon, the iconic seaside promenade that has become one of the most enduring symbols of Havana. After everyone settles into a local hotel, there may be time for a group social activity, depending on when everyone arrives.
– Cycling: 0km.
– Accommodation: Hotel Presidente.
– Meals Included: Dinner.
2
January 30th.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will bus to Café Rueda and set up the bikes. After loading them on the bus, at 10:30 we will leave for Punta Brava, a suburb of Havana that is home to a youth cycling club where we can leave donated bikes and equipment before driving on to Pinar del Rio. After lunch in the city, we will unpack the bikes and ride north to Aguas Claras. This is a short urban jaunt to our ride H.Q.
– Cycling: 8 km.
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Dinner/ Breakfast
3
January 31st.
We will ride north to Puerto Esperanza, a small and laid-back fishing town and port fronted by very large mango trees where we will have lunch before riding back. The route is relatively flat, but with a couple of short climbs.
– Cycling: 91 km
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Dinner/ Breakfast
4
February 1st.
We will ride to La Palma, a fair-sized town with a small but interesting museum. After lunch, we will ride back to the hotel, taking some dirt roads on the return route for a taste of backcountry Cuba.
– Cycling: 107 km
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast
5
February 2nd.
We will ride a loop north to Pons, a small crossroad town, then east to Viňales before heading back south to Pinar del Río where we will have a late lunch before riding back to Aguas Claras.
– Cycling: 86 km
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Lunch/ Breakfast
6
February 3rd.
Today we visit the hidden village in Valle Ancon, a largely uninhabited and scenic valley before returning to a backcountry restaurant for lunch and then home.
– Cycling: 68 km
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Dinner/ Breakfast
7
February 4th.
This loop ride will take us first to San Diego de los Baños, a small spa town that attracted famous visitors in the past where we will have lunch in the Hotel Mirador. On the way home, we will visit the Cueva de los Portales, a stunning series of caves where Che Guevara set up his headquarters during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
– Cycling: 106 km
– Accommodation: Villa Aguas Claras.
– Meals Included: Lunch/ Dinner/Lunch/ Breakfast
8
February 5th.
This ride will head north through Viňales and Pons all the way to Cayo Jutías, an exquisite white sand beach on a key linked to the mainland by a causeway. We will have lunch there and then bus back to Havana, departing at 4.30 pm. Our final group dinner will be at the Decameron, a well-regarded private restaurant.
– Cycling: 78 km
– Accommodation: Hotel Presidente.
– Meals Included: Lunch/ Dinner/ Breakfast
9
February 6th.
Today is departure day with transfer to Jose Martí airport and carrying what we hope are fond memories of the tour.
– Cycling: 0 km
– Meals Included: Breakfast.
Cycle Rental
Bicycle Breeze has bike rentals at great prices. For this cycling tour you will need either a hybrid or a road bike. All will work. Should you prefer to bring your own that is fine with us, you will get the same mechanical assistance as the renters.
Check your travel company for costs of shipping your bike. Depending on your country of embarkation you may be better to rent. Renting has other positive aspects. Your bike will not get lost in transit. It is far easier to travel without a bike box and spare bikes are on the bus for renters. The negative side is that this is not your favourite ride.
Customize This Tour
With a group of 10 or more riders, Bicycle Breeze can offer the ability to customize a cycling tour to suit your needs. Contact us to start planning your next great adventure.