Turquino
A multi activity cycling tour in eastern Cuba. The main objective is to climb Pico Turquino, Cuba´s highest peak!
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: Eastern Cuba.
- Duration: 10 days.
- Arrives: 11/30/2020
- Departs: 12/10/2020
- Days of cycling: -
- Usual daily distances: -
- Terrain: hard walking, easy cycling.
- Support vehicle: 100% on all cycling routes.
- Tour staff: 1 tour leader, 1 driver, 1 mechanic, 1 cultural guide. Local guide in Manzanillo.
Tour details
We have put together a very unique cycling tour that combines biking, hiking, horseback riding and beaches. We will hike to the top of PICO TURQUINO, the highest point in Cuba at 6,467 feet, staying in mountain huts along the way. Hiking in the Sierra Maestra is beautiful and a place that few Americans have visited. A bust of José Martí, hero of Cuba’s revolution against Spain was placed at the top by Celia Sánchez and her father. Celia was instrumental in helping Fidel organize and win the revolution. After the revolution Celia championed many of the hallmarks of Cuba today. Fidel and his soldiers summited the peak in 1957 during their insurgency. According to Che Guevara, Castro’s second-in-command, the mountain had an almost mystical significance to the revolutionaries.
We will hike to Fidel’s Comandancia La Plata and explore his mountain home and other secluded mountain buildings from the revolution. Following our mountain traverse we will descend to a beach resort for 2 days of R&R plus a choice between a horseback ride to a honey farm or a jeep ride up into the mountains for a picnic.
Next on our cycling tour we will bicycle to Manzanillo for a city tour. Manzanillo is steeped in rebellion and was the birth town of the Cuban Communist Party long before Fidel and his revolution. This city had a duly elected mayor who was a member of the communist party and a natural place for Celia to recruit young fighters. We will stay in a nice ¨casa¨ within Manzanillo. After breakfast the next day, a local guide will take on a walking tour of this historic city to see the Moorish architecture and visit Celia Sánchez’s home before the revolution.
After lunch we will bus to Vado del Yeso to ride 20 miles with the youth of Las Tunas. We have supported the girls cycling club there for many years and without our donations they would be unable to ride. That evening they will thank us by having a pig roast in our honor. The rum and beer will flow to us, the honored guests. The smiles on their faces are priceless as we provide them with cycling equipment, used cycling clothes, water bottles, tires, tubes, tools, etc.
We spend a night in Tunas after the BBQ, get up early and drive directly to the airport in Holguin. It’s a 48 mile bike ride to the airport for anyone that didn’t get enough cycling.
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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1
Monday. November 30th. 2020.
Arrive in Holguin bus to Hotel Mirador de Mayabe, set up bikes, evening meal ( meet & greet).If you are later than the main group, the hotel is not far from the airport and a taxi ride is recommended.
- Cycling: no.
- Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de Mayabe.
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
2
Tuesday. December 1st. 2020.
Ride from Hotel Mirador to Hotel Royalton in Bayamo, a flat road. Suggested lunch break at Cauto Cristo. (51k)
- Cycling: 77K.
- Accommodation: Hotel Royalton.
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
3
Wednesday. December 2nd. 2020.
After breakfast ride toward the foot hills in Bartolome Maso. Lunch on the way in Yara (45 K). Cycle the quiet roads of Granma to the foothills of the Sierra Maestra.
- Cycling: 60K.
- Accommodation: Hotel Balcon de la Sierra.
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
4
Thursday. December 3rd. 2020.
Jeep up to Santo Domingo, and after lunch walk into Comandancia la Plata (Fidel’s revolutionary headquarters). This is not an easy walk along the beds of river lets. A waking pole is recommended. There might be some manmade poles lying at the start of this walk but do not count on this.
It will be chilly at the mountain camp. Bring a jacket and a light sleeping bag. Rain gear might be necessary on this tropical Mountan. A supply of drinking water while up in the mountain. You will need about 2 liters.
- Cycling: Non. Walking : 6 K
- Accommodation: La Platica (mountain camp).
- Meals included: Dinner /Breakfast.
5
Friday. December 4th. 2020.
After breakfast go on climbing the Turquino . Overnight in a mountain camp.
- Cycling: No. Climbing: 8K.
- Accommodation: La Aguada (mountain camp).
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
6
Saturday. December 5th. 2020.
Very early after breakfast, continue climbing until the peak, and then go down to Las Cuevas, where the tour bus will be waiting for the group. Pick up the bikes and ride for 2 hours, or just jump on the bus to the next hotel.
- Cycling: 44K. Climbing 16 K https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32137014
- Accommodation: Hotel Marea del Portillo
- Meals included: All inclusive.
7
Saturday. December 6th. 2020.
This morning we take a 15 kilometre horseback ride to a honey farm
- Cycling: No.
- Accommodation: Hotel Marea Del Portillo.
- Meals included: All- inclusive.
8
Saturday. December 7th. 2020.
Ride over the eastern tip of the Sierra Maestra to Manzanillo, visit the birth place of Celia Sanchez in Media Luna and her Father’s house where he practised medicine, in Pilon.
- Cycling: 105 K.
- Accommodation: B&B in Manzanillo.
- Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast.
9
Saturday. December 8th. 2020.
A 3 hours guided walking visit to Manzanillo.
- Cycling: Non. Walking 3 hours.
- Accommodation: B&B in Manzanillo.
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
10
Saturday. December 9th. 2020.
Bus to Vado del Yeso, where we will be met by the School children of the EIDE high school in Las Tunas and ride with them to the city. We will have a BBQ with them in the evening.
- Cycling: 35k.
- Accommodation: Hotel Las Tunas.
- Meals included: Dinner / Breakfast.
11
Saturday. December 10th. 2020.
This is departure day. After breakfast depart to Holguin airport and say our goodbyes.
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.
read this book, it should be mandatory for those doing the Celia Sanchez tribute tour., and also a good one prior to Turquino :- One Day in December: Celia Sánchez and the Cuban Revolution
Amazon
/www.amazon.com/One-Day-December-Sánchez-Revolution/dp/1583
The government has just confirmed that this a Go and we have opened the book now button