Celia Sanchez, 12 days version
Tour Leader
Cost
TBA. 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.
TBA.
Tour Details
- Destination: Cuba, Eastern Cuba.
- Duration: 12 days.
- Arrives: 11/06/2025
- Departs: 11/17/2025
- Days of cycling: 9 days.
- Usual daily distances: 25 to 100k.
- Terrain: Quiet back roads, for the most part, a little city cycling. There are hills and rolling countryside. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
- Road Surfaces: As through most of Cuba, roads can be rough in places so wider tires (28-35 mm) are recommended.
- Best Bike to Use: Hybrid, gravel, or touring.
- Support vehicle: 100%
- Tour staff: 1 cultural guide, 1 driver.
Eastern Cuba extends across a huge portion of country. The region is home to Cuba’s largest mountains and oldest city, and was instrumental in the early years of the Revolution. Eastern Cuba has a huge proportion of Afro-Cubans and feels more Caribbean than anywhere else in Cuba.
A bicycle adventure in this part of the island is a good choice for first time visitors to Cuba. Habaneros refer to these eastern people as Guajiros or hillbillies. This name does not insult them because this name Guajiro is a derivative of the term war hero. Since all the revolutionary action in Cuba has risen up in the east, these people are happy to be the Guajiro’s of Cuba and ware this badge with pride.
This cycling adventure begins in the city of Santiago, a city renowned for music and dance, the former home of the Bacardi family, Cuba’s finest rums are made here. You will also visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where Castro’s ashes are laid to rest. This cemetery is also the resting place of the national hero Jose Marti and other important Cuban historical figures.
Departing Santiago, we will assemble in the Plaza de la Revolucion and head out along the south road, rated amongst the top ten rides in the world, this route boasts vistas of renowned beauty, where the Sierra Maestra comes down to the sea.
Beyond this magnificent road, we swing to the north side of the mountains and head to Santo Domingo and then on a sort work into La Plata, the mountain hideaway for Fidel and his followers, were soldiers assembled to continue the fight against Batista. Up in these mountains we will meet people living in villages and small towns.
Coming out of the highlands we will ride to Biran, a small settlement built to house the employees of Angel Castro. This is where Fidel and his brother were born.
After a visit to a mountain Hotel and the Salto del Guayabo, at just over 100m in height, (15km from the Villa Pinares de Mayarí) is considered the highest waterfall in Cuba. There’s a spectacular overlook, and the guided 1.2km hike to its base through fecund tropical forest includes swimming in a natural pool.
Moving on to Banes, the birth place of Fidel’s adversary, Fulgencio Batista.
Our holiday will terminate at the beach in Guardalavaca. You will love this tour, for its insightful destinations and natural beauty.
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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1
Thursday, November 6th.
Arrive in the Antonio Maceo international airport (SCU).
Transfer to Hotel San Juan, in the city of Santiago de Cuba.
Beside this hotel are the trenchers where the Battle of San Juan Hill, the major battle of the Spanish–American War, took place.
We will explore Cuba’s second largest city, beginning with a relaxing tour of Santiago de Cuba by bus. We will visit the Old residence of the Bacardi family, situated in an affluent neighborhood, and Santa Ifigenia cemetery, officially Santa Ifigenia Patrimonial Cemetery. It is the cemetery, necropolis and main pantheon of the Cuban Oriente and the city of Santiago de Cuba, and the resting place of many notable Cubans, including Jose Marti and Fidel Castro. We will enjoy lunch in a restaurant in the city.
A walking tour in the afternoon will take in famous city squares, cathedrals, and the rooftop bar at the Hotel Casa Grande with an exceptional view of the city.
Cycling: 0 km, walking: 4 km.
Accommodation: Hotel San Juan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
2
Friday, November 7th
In the morning, after checking your bikes, ride 15 K to the Morro Castle. Visit the castle.
Ride to Playa Siboney and spend there the rest of the day. Take the bus back to the hotel.
Cycling: 38 km.
Accommodation: Hotel San Juan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Route:
3
Saturday, November 8th
After breakfast in the hotel, cycle to the Plaza de la Revolucion, via the Moncada Barracks, scene of Fidel’s failed uprising in 1953. Ride from the Plaza de la Revolucion to Chivirico, to the Hotel los Galeones, a small hotel, located on a hill by the sea.
The route is easy and paved.
Cycling: 80.6 km
Accommodation: Brisas Los Galeones.
Meals Included: all inclusive.
4
Sunday November 9th
After breakfast we will ride to Marea del Portillo, a small hotel beside the village of Pilon. This route is recognized as one of the world’s top 10 one day rides. A 96k journey along a ribbon of gravel road, where the mountains meet the sea.
This is not an easy ride, with rolling hills and gravel surface. Pack some energy bars.
Our bus can’t follow you and will be replaced by two support jeeps fitted with bike racks, water and tools.
Should you prefer not to ride this route? You are welcome to travel in the bus, around the mountains via Bayamo to meet the group at the hotel Marea del Portillo.
My advice is to do this ride even if you have questions about being able to ride this route. The security jeeps will look after you and you will not be stranded .This ride is a gem and well worth the effort.
Cycling: 96.4 km
Accommodation: Club Amigo Marea del Portillo.
Meals Included: all inclusive.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31340483
5
Monday, November 10th
Today we ride to Las Coloradas, the landing site of the Granma boat, which carried 82 revolutionaries from Mexico in 1956 to start the revolution.
Along the way, we will pass in Pilon, the museum Casa Celia Sánchez Manduley where our heroine Celia lived from 1940 – 1956 working alongside her father at his medical practice.
At Las Coloradas, we enjoy a guided tour of the landing site of the Granma boat and a museum – along with lunch at a paladar in Las Coloradas. We will then make our way to the quaint village of Niquero with its sugar cane mill, and stay at the colonial-style Hotel Niquero in the centre of town.
Cycling: 78 km (+454 m)
Accommodation: Hotel Niquero.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31340776
6
Tuesday, November 11th
We will take our tour bus from Niquero to Balcón de la Sierra, via Media Luna.
Here we will visit the much neglected home in which Celia was borne, and we will transfer to jeeps that take us onward and upward to the Hotel Santo Domingo for lunch, with Cuba’s highest mountain “Pico Turquino” looming in the distance.
After lunch, the jeeps will ascend the steep winding road up to the trailhead at Alto del Naranjo. From there, we will hike to La Comandancia de La Plata located within the Pico Turquino National Park. We will explore Fidel’s mountain top headquarters where he based his operations during the revolution. This location is so hidden and remote that Batista’s army never found it.
Cycling: 0 km, hike 6 km to the Comandancia de La Plata
Accommodation: Hotel Santo Domingo.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
7
Wednesday, November 12th
After breakfast, jeep down to Balcon de la Sierra. Take the tour bus to Yara and ride to Bayamo.
Cycling: 43.5 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Royalton.
Meals Included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49597880
8
Thursday, November 13th
Today, we ride 80 km to the northern edge of the Sierra Maestra mountain range, a really nice visit to the center of the Sierra Maestra and my old friend Maria de Candela, the mountain lady who will sell you a coffee. Along the way we will stop for lunch in the town of Contramaestre before starting the final 29 hilly kilometres to the mountain retreat at El Salton. Hop on the bus if the hills feel too much.
Our hotel is far from the beaten path and set in the mountains providing a great place for a post ride drink and relaxation.
Cycling: 80 km (+916 m) rolling terrain, until last 29 km which are hilly.
Accommodation: Hotel El Salton.
Meals Included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8141883
9
Friday, November 14th
Take the bus to Contramaestre, ride to Palma Soriano,,and north to Biran, then bus to Pinares de Mayari.
Cycling: 69 km
Accommodation: Villa Pinares de Mayari
Meals Included: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8162391
10
Saturday November 15th
Enjoy lunch at the highest waterfall in Cuba, Salto Del Guayabo. The total journey is 30k on a dirt road.
Cycling: 30 km
Accommodation: Villa Pinares de Mayari
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49597484
11
Sunday November 16th
Drive to Biran, the birth place from Fidel and Raul Castro. Visit the museum. Bus to Banes and ride to the hotel, very hilly ride.
Cycling: 35 km.
Accommodation: Hotel Brisas Guardalavaca.
Meals Included: all-inclusive.
12
Monday November 17th
Drive to Holguin airport to fly home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Cycle Rental
Bicycle Breeze has bike rentals at great prices. For this tour you will need either hybrid or gravel bike. 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 tour to suit your needs. Contact us to start planning your next great adventure.