Guajira
Tour Leader
Cost
N/A. 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.
N/A.
Tour Details
- Destination: Western Cuba.
- Duration: 10 days.
- Arrives: 03/28/2024
- Departs: 04/06/2024
- Days of cycling: 7
- Usual daily distances: 40 Km (average). The longest ride is 82 kilometers.
- Terrain: For the most part the cycling is not difficult,. As for the surface of the roads, these can be very rough in places. Wider tires (over28c) are recommended. The use of a hybrid bike or a gravel bike, is your best choice on this tour.
- Support vehicle: 100%
- Tour staff: 1 tour leader, 1 culture guide, 1 driver, 1 mechanic.
This tour is a hybrid of both our Fat Mary ride and The Mountain Bike Christmas route, created for a group that wants a shorter ride. We aim to bring you a good look at our beautiful country in a short tour through western Cuba. We have included the historic capital city of Havana, some stunning beaches, a glimpse of city life, connections with the Cuban people, a visit with a youth cycling club and a climb into the mountains where a horse is the best choice of transport – or a bicycle. Come along with your leader Jim Michler and become a Cuban addict as well.
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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1
Arrival Thursday March 28th.
Fly to Havana and transfer to the Vedado area. Settle into “casas particulares” and set up the bikes in front of the CAFE RUEDA. Our evening meal at a local restaurant will give us an opportunity to chat and introduce ourselves.
Later in the evening we will visit the Fabrica de Arte (Art Fabric) for a look into contemporary Cuban culture and to support the artists that have made this bold space come alive. We will be able to dance, dine, and appreciate the galleries – all with a mojito in hand.
– Cycling: 0km.
– Accommodation: Casas particulares in Vedado area.
– Meals Included: Dinner in Restaurant Dos Gardenias.
2
Friday March 29th.
After breakfast, you will drive in vintage American cars to Finca Vigia in the town of San Francisco de Paula, the former home of Ernest Hemingway and visit the museum. Take the bus to La Terraza de Cojimar, for lunch. Ride via Carretera del Morro to the velódromo to meet a youth cycling club and live donations.
We will also stop for a panoramic view of Havana and ride downhill to the ferry terminal before crossing the bay on a ferry to Old Havana to explore the old part of the city.
Bus back to the B&B.
– Cycling: 6 km.
– Accommodation: Casas particulares in Vedado area.
– Meals Included: Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast.
3
Saturday March 30th.
Bus to outskirts of the city. Ride through Las Terrazas, to our resort in Soroa.
– Cycling: 82 km. (maximum)
– Accommodation: Castillo de las Nubes
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
4
Sunday March 31st.
A morning visit to the Botanical Garden in Soroa. Then, a trip through the mountains that finishes in the chalet where Fidel Castro used to go for relaxing. At our arrival we will have a hiking tour.
– Cycling: No cycling day.
– Accommodation: Chalet en Milcumbres.
– Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast.
5
Monday April 1st.
Bus to Cueva de Los Portales. the place where Ernesto (Che) Guevara set up military headquarters during the “missile crisis” of October 1962. Visit the cave. Lunch in the area We end our ride in the town of Vinales, beauty spot renowned for its fertile soil and magnificent MOGOTES.( Definition of mogote – Physical Geography. A steep-sided hill of roughly circular cross-section characteristic of karst topography, especially in Cuba). Ride to Viñales.
– Cycling: 42 km.
– Accommodation: B&B in Viñales.
– Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast.
6
Tuesday April 2nd.
Beach ride. Rough road for 25k, then out along a causeway to Cayo Jutias. Here is a wonderful beach with restaurant and dive centre. Spend the afternoon at the beach then bus back to town.
– Cycling: 60 km
– Accommodation: B&B in Viñales.
– Meals Included: Lunch/Dinner/breakfast.
7
Wednesday April 3rd.
Today we will have a short ride to visit the tobacco fields. On the way back, we will visit Cueva del Indio. Lunch at Mural Prehistoria. Dinner at a hillside eco restaurant, overlooking Valle Vinales. For relaxing, we can expend some time by the pool at Los Jazmines hotel.
– Cycling: 27 km.
– Accommodation: B&B in Viñales.
– Meals Included: Lunch//breakfast.
8
Thursday April 4th.
we will ride to quiet village of San Diego de los Baños and an old American hotel built before the revolution.
– Cycling: 58 km.
– Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de San Diego.
– Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast.
9
Friday April 5th.
Bus to Havana. Optional ride from Angerona coffee plantation to Alquizar. Visit the cyclist club and leave donations. Bus to Fusterlandia.
Tonight, after having dinner at a restaurant in Old Havana, La Imprenta, in the premises of an old printing press, we will visit the Buena Vista Social Club to enjoy a live performance of salsa, rumba, bolero and guaguancó!
– Cycling: 0 km.
– Accommodation: B&B in Vedado
– Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast.
10
Saturday April 6th.
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 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 tour to suit your needs. Contact us to start planning your next great adventure.