Cycle cuba
itinerary
10 days
ITINERARY
6 days
TREKKING
500KM
DISTANCE
Dates
2025 & 2026
Explore the Pearl of the Caribbean by bike
An action packed cycle challenge exploring Cuba’s lush green countryside, colonial towns and revolutionary history. Experience the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Cuba on this unique cycling adventure. Highlights include exploring Havana, cycling through the Escambray mountains, visiting the Che Guevara Mausoleum, and relaxing on Santa Maria Island.
DAY 1 DEPART UK
- Hotel
- Dinner inflight
We depart London for a day flight to Havana and transfer directly to our comfortable central hotel in Old Havana.
DAY 2 BAY OF PIGS
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, we visit the cultural and historical heart of old Havana before we have an early lunch and then transfer 3hrs to Playa Larga on the south coast by the Bay of Pigs. This is stunning with beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. It was here that the CIA-backed invasion of Cuba landed in 1961 and led to the humiliating failure. As the sun sets, we will have a bike fitting and briefing on the challenge with the full team, before sitting down to a welcome dinner and beer overlooking the Caribbean.
DAY 3 -Cycle Day 1- CIENFUEGOS
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 95km
We will wake early for breakfast to make the most of the cooler morning, as we have a long tough ride on mostly flat roads for our first cycling day. We then head northeast through rural areas, arriving for lunch in Rodas. This afternoon, we will head south past the Damuji Lake, Ariza and El Salata villages and rolling farmland, to end the day at the UNESCO town of Cienfuegos. We have a chance to discover its incredible colonial centre before relaxing back at our hotel. This evening will conclude with an evening meal before getting some much-needed rest.
DAY 4 -Cycle Day 2-TRINIDAD
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 96km
Today brings no relief to the legs, as we begin with a short stretch of hills after breakfast. Once over this rollercoaster of a ride, the rest of the day is flat roads in rural settings with nature all around us. At midday, we will stop to enjoy some lunch and soak up the stunning landscape whilst we recuperate before we continue with our adventure into the afternoon. We will then ride into the World Heritage town of Trinidad, famous for its summer carnivals when the city explodes to the sound of salsa and meringue. Our ride ends on the coast at Playa Ancon, where we are once again cooled by the sea breeze and sit with our feet up after a good day’s ride, watching the sunset with a classic Cuban cocktail and evening meal.
DAY 5 -Cycle Day 3- ESCAMBRAY MOUNTAINS
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 60km
Today is one of the highlights of the challenge, especially for those who love the hills. As we head north out of Trinidad after breakfast, we are soon in the cooler climates of the Escambray mountains. This area is covered in good tropical forest and the hills should have us fighting for breath as we tackle the tough climb to the lookout point at 500m. At a suitable point along the route, we will stop for some lunch and a rest. As we enter the afternoon, we will descend into the centre of the mountain range for lunch at Topes Des Collantes and then continue north to arrive at Jibacoa where we drop down to the port for a stunning ferry trip over Lake Hanabanilla. In the evening, we will then check into our hotel here, a great place to relax after a tough cycling day.
DAY 6 - Cycle Day 4- CHE GUAVARA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 52km
Following breakfast, our day today is much easier as we start with a great 280m descent out of the Escambray mountains. The rest of the morning ride is through rolling farmland, but we should reach Santa Clara for lunch, a vibrant metropolis with lots of street life. This is yet another Cuban town that is great for people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere. This afternoon we visit the mausoleum of Che Guevara, the iconic rebel leader that fought so bravely against the American invasion, before going to our hotel to relax.
DAY 7 -Cycle Day 5- SANTA MARIA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 109km
Our final day of cycling is quite special as is the destination: the island of Santa Maria which is off the north coast of Cuba. Our route starts with 65km of good fast cycling to the town of Caibarien where we have lunch. This afternoon, we have 40km of riding on the incredible road that has been built into the sea, which takes us to the island of Santa Maria. Once at our hotel by mid-afternoon, we have time to relax and take in the scenery on one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. The perfect opportunity to rest our aching legs! Tonight, we will celebrate the end of our challenge in style. Time to party!
DAY 8 FREE DAY SANTA MARIA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, after breakfast we will have a full free day at our resort hotel and on the beaches of Santa Maria.
DAY 9 HAVANA / DEPART CUBA
- Inflight
- Breakfast
This morning, following breakfast, we will have an early transfer back to Havana and depending on our flight time we have free time to discover more of the city. We meet again later and transfer to the airport in time for our overnight flight back to the UK.
DAY 10 ARRIVE HOME
