Guajira. 12 day version.
Tour Leader
Cost
USD $2950. Should you register looking to share with an another and we are not able to find an acceptable companion, you will need to pay the Single Supplement charge.
USD $2700.
Tour Details
- Destination: Western Cuba.
- Duration: 12 days.
- Arrives: 01/6/2025
- Departs: 01/17/2025
- Days of cycling: 9.
- Usual daily distances: Average daily distance: 56 km/35 miles. The longest ride is 82 km/51 miles.
- Terrain: For the most part, the cycling terrain is not overly challenging. However, it's important to note that the road surfaces can be quite rough in certain areas. To navigate comfortably, we highly recommend using wider tires, ideally over 28c. Opting for a hybrid bike or a gravel bike would be your best bet for this tour, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable ride across varied terrain.
- Support vehicle: 100%.
- Tour staff: 1 tour leader, 1 driver, 1 mechanic, 1 guide.
Discover Cuba’s diverse landscapes, breathtaking natural beauty, and vibrant culture in just 12 unforgettable days, beginning in the iconic capital of Havana. Delve into the storied past of this enchanting city as we explore its historic sites and soak in the captivating contrasts of its timeworn yet magnificent streets.
Embark on a scenic journey from Matanzas along the picturesque coast, where we’ll delve into famous caves, visit charming towns, and immerse ourselves in the eco-friendly community of Las Terrazas. Traverse ancient coffee farms, meander along gentle roads in the Sierra del Rosario biosphere, and revel in unforgettable experiences in the stunning Valle Viñales, all while being gently propelled forward by the traditional trade winds.
Our itinerary promises a kaleidoscope of experiences, from glimpses of bustling city life to tranquil moments in the countryside, forging connections with the warm-hearted Cuban people, and exploring historical treasures. We’ll even have the opportunity to meet and support a local youth cycling club, contributing to our mission of empowerment through sport.
While Cuba’s beauty is undeniable, so too are the challenges its people face. Through our travels, we aim not only to revel in the splendor of this island nation but also to support its youth in pursuing their cycling dreams, potentially opening doors to international competition—a rare opportunity for many Cubans. Help us help them.
Join our friend Jenna on this idyllic island adventure, where Bicycle Breeze and our experienced team are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and safety every pedal of the way. Let’s journey together and make a difference while exploring the unparalleled beauty of Cuba, a land Christopher Columbus himself declared as the most exquisite on earth.
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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1
Arrival Monday, January 6th
Fly to Havana and transfer to the Hotel Velasco in Matanzas. You will have time to set up your bike or meet our mechanic and set up your rental bike to fit you. Our evening meal at the hotel will give us an opportunity chat and introduce ourselves. Matanzas is a beautiful small city and a great start point for this adventure.
– Cycling: 0 km.
– Accommodation: Hotel Velasco.
– Meals Included: Dinner.
2
Tuesday, January 7th
On your first day cycling, with the wind at your back, we cover about 51 km/32 miles to reach the beach. Before departing Matanzas, we tour the Bellamar Caves (Cuevas de Bellamar), known for their beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, crystals, and underground stream.
Our cycling route takes us along a back road out of Matanzas, through Valle Yumuri, and onto the “Via Blanca” highway. Along the way, we cross the Puente de Bacunayagua, Cuba’s highest bridge at 110 meters above the valley, offering a stunning lookout, before reaching our all-inclusive hotel in Jibacoa.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26432515
– Cycling: 51 km/32 miles (+353 m), a few rolling hills.
– Accommodation: Memories Jibacoa.
– Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
3
Wednesday January 8th
Today, we ride 63 km along the ocean on the Vía Blanca to Havana passing the Havana Club Rum Factory along the way. We will stop for a panoramic view of Havana before crossing the bay to Old Havana.
In the afternoon, we explore the Historic Centre of Havana, known as “La Habana Vieja,” and visit an artisan’s market. Get your cameras ready for an exciting ride in vintage American cars, touring iconic sites such as the University of Havana, Chinatown, the National Theater, and the legendary hotels once frequented by American mobsters before the Revolution. Our route also includes a drive along the famous Malecón seaside boulevard, showcasing Havana’s stunning waterfront. Later, we’ll dine in Havana Centro before witnessing the evening ceremony, the “Re-enactment of the Closing of the City.”
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31224220
– Cycling: 63 km/39 miles (+345m) mostly flat.
– Walking: 3 km.
– Accommodation: Casa Particular (B&B).
– Meals Included: Lunch /Dinner/Breakfast.
4
Thursday January 9th
This day starts in Mariel. We will ride to a town called Alquizar to meet a youth cycling club and leave our donations. From here we continue riding west through Artemisa and onto Soroa in the foothills of the Sierra Rosario.
En route, we’ll stop for lunch in Artemisa, followed by a visit to an ancient coffee plantation ruin constructed by affluent Haitian French settlers around 1800. These pioneers were instrumental in establishing Cuba’s commercial coffee production industry.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8256056
– Cycling: 60 km/37.2 miles.
– Accommodation: B&B in Soroa.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
5
Friday January 10th
Today we have some choices. We will all ride a short, but hilly route to Las Terrazas, the first and most developed Biosphere Reserve and Eco-friendly Community in El Rosario Mountain Range. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a walking tour along El Contento Trail located in the Sierra del Rosario.
At this point, you can choose to either ride a circle back to Soroa via the Autopista , total distance 50 km or take the bus. We can also stop at a river for a swim.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45733297
– Cycling: 18 km one way or 50 km the loop/11 miles or 31miles.
– Accommodation: B&B in Soroa.
– Meals Included: Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast.
6
Saturday January 11th
Following breakfast, we kick off the day with a visit to the orchid garden adjacent to the hotel in Soroa. From there, we descend from the mountains via the Carretera Central highway. After a leisurely lunch break, we ascend to our mountain sanctuary at Mil Cumbres.
Tonight, we reside in a cozy mountain hut, indulging in the finest Cuban hillbilly cuisine and reveling in traditional dance beneath the starry sky, surrounded by the warmth and hospitality of the local countryside folk.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17268968
– Cycling: 68 km/42 miles last half is hilly. (+1,040m).
– Accommodation: Mil Cumbres.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
7
Sunday January 12th
OPTION 1
This is a non-cycling day, weather permitting. We will bus out of the mountains to the ferry that will take us to an island beach, where will spend the day swimming, eating and exploring the beach. In the afternoon, we will take the ferry back and bus to our resort in San Diego de los Baños.
– Cycling: 0 km.
– Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de San Diego.
– Meals Included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner.
OPTION 2
If we have a chilly day, we will ride 55 km/34 miles to San Diego de los Baños, located just west of the Sierra del Rosario, in the foothills of the Sierra de los Organos. Renowned for its therapeutic hot mineral springs along the Caiguanabo River, San Diego de los Baños boasts a serene microclimate and tranquil streets that offer breathtaking vistas.
In the evening, we will have time to walk around and visit a local cigar maker.
– Cycling: Cycling 55 km/34 miles (+882 m)
– Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de San Diego.
– Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
8
Monday January 13th
In the morning, we pedal 32 km/20 miles to the Cueva de los Portales, where Che Guevara established his headquarters during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Afterward, we enjoy lunch before visiting the renowned artist Miguel Antonio Remedios for a delightful cup of espresso.
Our afternoon journey covers 48 km/30 miles from La Palma to Viñales. This valley, declared a national monument in 1978 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, boasts a stunning karst landscape and rich cultural heritage, including traditional agriculture, architecture, crafts, and music.
Later, we explore an eco-farm and then dine on farm-to-fork cuisine at the farm’s scenic hilltop restaurant, where we can admire the sunset over the mountains.
Route:
Morning ride: 32 km/20 miles: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8256950
Afternoon ride 48 km/30 miles: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31088315
– Cycling: Morning 32 km/20 miles (+423m), Afternoon 48 km/30 miles (+538m).
– Accommodation: Casa Particular (B&B) in Viñales.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
9
Tuesday January 14th
Today we cycle point-to-point through the picturesque Valle Viñales to Pons, then traverse the ridge to Santa Lucia, continuing onward to Cayo Jutias, a stunning beach destination. Indulge in a beachside lunch and soak up the sun on the pristine white sands of this idyllic paradise. Afterward, we’ll return to Viñales aboard the tour bus.
Route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8413584
– Cycling: 60 km/37 miles (+447m).
– Accommodation: Casa Particular (B&B) Viñales.
– Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
10
Wednesday January 15th
Today marks our departure from Viñales as we journey towards Pinar del Rio, embarking on a hilly yet picturesque ride. En route, we’ll make a stop at a tobacco farm, where we’ll gain insight into the meticulous process of crafting the renowned Cuban cigars.
Route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31088498
– Cycling: 62 km/38 miles (556m).
– Accommodation: Hotel Vueltabajo, Pinar del Rio.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
11
In the morning, prior to our departure to Havana by bus, we’ll explore the cigar factory in Pinar del Rio city. We’ll gather for a group meal at a restaurant boasting a fantastic view of the city. Later in the evening, we’ll venture to the Fabrica de Arte (Art Factory) for a glimpse into contemporary Cuban culture and to show our support for the artists who have infused this dynamic space with creativity. Here, we can dance, dine, and peruse the galleries, all while enjoying a refreshing mojito.
–Cycling: 0km.
– Accommodation: Casas particulares in Vedado area.
– Meals Included: Dinner
12
Friday January 17th
Sadly, today is departure day.
We have done our best to show you some wonderful sights here in our home country. We hope you have become enchanted with Cuba and her people and that we see you back soon.
– Cycling: 0km.
– 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 gravel 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.