Bicyclebreeze
Celia Sanchez
Note for US Citizens:
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: Cuba, Eastern Cuba.
- Duration: 15 days.
- Arrives: 01/09/2021
- Departs: 01/23/2021
- Days of cycling: 10
- Usual daily distances: 71k.
- Terrain: Mostly rolling or flat roads, hard hills into El Salton.
- Support vehicle: 100%
- Tour staff: Guide/ leader/ mechanic/ driver(s).
Tour details
Celia Sanchez was the heroine of the revolution. She was a girl from the Sierra Maestra and knew the area well and was acquainted with the mountain people because she assisted her father, in his medical practice, serving the poor people who lived up in those high mountains. Not only did the locals know Celia well, they loved her for her her kind work helping the people as she worked with her father, who had his practise in the small town of Pilon at the Western end of these famous mountains.
A great ride, through some of the most beautiful and historic areas of Cuba. That part of Cuba where revolutions are born. See Santiago and ride the coast road right where the Sierra Maestra falls to the sea. The breathtaking vistas will stay with you forever. Walk to La Plata, Fidel’s hideaway camp, high up in the mountains and see the landing spot of the Granma, you will be amazed that those young men made ashore to carry on and rid Cuba of Batista.
In the city of Las Tunas we will be hosted by a youth cycling team to whom we send bicycles and equipment that have been brought to Cuba from Canada the UK and the USA. Our involvement with this club has produced a good number of both regional and national champions. These achievements would never be possible without your help. Tunas is an out of the way place and not regarded as a tourist destination and your support for this group keeps cycling in their high school gym program alive and well.
A visit to Eastern Cuba without a certain level of historical information is rather sad, you are passing so much while on this tour, Comprehension of the area is paramount and I strongly suggest that you read this book: Nancy Stout, One Day in December: Celia Sánchez and the Cuban Revolution.
Cost
US$3170. 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.
US$2950
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
January 9th.
Arrive in Holguin. Pick up at the airport by tour bus to Mirador de Mayabe Hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing and building bikes for the start of your trip.
- Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de Mayabe.
- Meals Included: Dinner.
January 10th.
After breakfast descend the hill leaving Holguin behind. A flat ride to Bayamo, 77 K. Lunch on the way at a cafeteria in Cauto Cristo. Advise to bring energy bars.
- Cycling: 77 km.
- Accommodation: Hotel Royalton.
- Meals Included: breakfast, dinner.
January 11th.
Ride to El Salton, 88 K, hilly the last 29 K. Lunch in Contramaestre, in a cafeteria.
- Cycling: 88 km.
- Accommodation: Hotel El Salton.
- Meals Included: breakfast, dinner.
January 12th.
No cycling. Hiking tour through the mountainous area. A local guide will introduce you to the mountain life in the centre of the Sierra Maestra. You will observe the coffee and cocoa plantations and meet some locals.
- Mountain Hike.
- Accommodation: Hotel El Salton.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
January 13th.
After breakfast, bus to Contramaestre. Ride to Palma Soriano, 34 K, lunch in a Pizza Paladar. Ride to El Cobre to visit the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Cobre, a hilly 28K. After a visit to the church, bus to hotel in Santiago de Cuba.
- Cycling: 62k hilly for the last 26k.
- Accommodation: Hotel Rex.
- Meals Included: breafast, dinner.
January 14th.
Visit Santa Ifigenia cemetery by bus, then enjoy lunch together at a Paladar in the city. After lunch, city walk.
- Cycling: No cycling, Walking tour of Santiago.
- Accommodation: Hotel Rex.
- Meals Included: breafast, lunch, dinner.
January 15th.
Bus to the Revolution square. Leave Santiago and ride to Los Galeones, 75 K, along the coast line. Bring energy bars or sack lunch to eat along the way.
- Cycling: 75k rolling hills.
- Accommodation: All inclusive hotel, Los Galeones.
- Meals Included: All meals.
January 16th.
Ride from Los Galeones hotel Marea del Portillo , coastal ride, rolling hills, 100 K. Support by SUV. This is the beautiful road along the coast, where the Sierra Maestra dip into the sea. The ride will be well worth the effort. Bring energy bars or a sack lunch to eat on the road. Our tour bus can not follow us. If you wish to avoid the ride, you may travel with our bus around the mountains via Bayamo and onto our next hotel.
- Cycling: 100k difficult ride, supported by jeeps. This is the beautiful south road along the coast, well worth the effort.
- Accommodation: All inclusive hotel, Marea del Portillo.
- Meals Included: All meals.
January 17th.
Ride to Hotel Niquero, 42 K. Then ride to Las Coloradas, 13 K, to enjoy a guided tour of the place for the Disembark of the Granma in Cuba. Lunch in a Paladar in Las Coloradas, after the visit. Ride or bus 13 K back to hotel.
- Cycling: 42 km.
- Accommodation: Hotel Niquero.
- Meals Included: Breafast, dinner.
January 18th.
Bus to Balcon de la Sierra, transfer by jeeps to Santo Domingo Hotel for lunch with the Pico Turquino looming in the distance. After lunch, by jeeps, we will ascent up to Alto del Naranjo, a very steep journey. From there will begin the hike to Comandancia La Plata, Fidel’s headquarters from the revolution. It is located within the Pico Turquino National Park.
- Cycling: No. Walking to Comandancia La Plata.
- Accommodation: Hotel Santo Domingo.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
January 19th.
Ride to Manzanillo, 49 K, fast road, usually strong tail wind.
- Cycling: 49 km
- Accommodation: Hotel Guacanayabo.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner.
January 20th.
Flat ride from Manzanillo hotel to Las Tunas, 92 K. Meet the cycling team from the EIDE (Schools for Initiation into Scholastic Sport) in Vado del Yeso (35 K from las Tunas), and ride with them to the hotel. Free time in the city center, outside from Cadillac Hotel. BBQ party at the coaches house for dinner.
- Cycling: 92 km.
- Accommodation: Hotel Las Tunas.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner (BBQ).
January 21st.
Bus to Holguin, and ride to Guardalavaca, 60 K, rolling hills.
- Cycling: 60 km.
- Accommodation: All inclusive hotel, Brisas Guardalavaca.
- Meals Included: All meals.
January 22nd.
Ride to Bariay, 65 K, see the monument where Columbus first set foot in Cuba. Lunch on the way, in the small town, or back by bus to the hotel, and lunch there.
- Cycling: 65 km easy ride
- Accommodation: All inclusive hotel, Brisas Guardalavaca.
- Meals Included: All meals.
January 23rd.
The tour ends today. We can deliver you to the departure gate at the airport. We have done our very best to show you our beautiful land and the historic landmarks from where the revolution emerged after the landing of the Granma at “Las Coloradas,” on Dec.2nd 1956.