Authentic Cuba

Upon your arrival at Havana International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Note: one group airport transfer is included. Additional can be arranged at extra cost. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring Old Havana. Your guides will be happy to share some ideas and options with you. In the evening, probably after dinner, you can enjoy a Latin dance demonstration and have an optional (free) lesson as well, learning to twirl in the tunes of Salsa. Salsa is a favorite dance rhythm in Cuba, and even novices can learn the basics in just 30 minutes. Don’t be shy and give in a try! You can complement this with an evening walk around the 500-years-old city (45 minutes to 1 hour), as your guide casually shows you some of the most picturesque sights. Accommodation: 4-star Boutique Hotel in the heart of Old Havana – Hotel El Comendador or similar.

After breakfast, you will go for an in-depth exploration of Old Havana. You will walk by old squares, the marketplace, the shipwreck museum, the Obispo street and several other interesting spots. Your guide will explain the rich history of the city and share stories about the founders, the heroes, the sites, and the evolution of the town over time. Spanish explorers named Havana: “The key to the new world” and it quickly became a vital trading hub for many nations. At 11:30 am you will jump in a classic convertible car,and you will go for a one-hour tour around Central and Old Havana. Cuba is known for its 1000 classic American cars from the ‘40s and ‘50s, so this tour offers you the opportunity to explore the city with the style of a bygone era while taking some fantastic photos. In the afternoon, you will visit another place tightly associated with Cuba: the Havana cigar museum. Cuban cigars are famous around the world, and this tour will help you understand how they are made and the various ranges in quality. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring this picturesque town and honing your photographic skills, before reassembling at 7pm for the Welcome dinner at Mojito Joes in old Havana (live Cuban music included).

Accommodation:4-star Boutique Hotel in the heart of Old Havana - Hotel El Comendador or similar.

After breakfast, you will head to Cienfuegos City on the south shore on Cuba. Upon arrival, you will check-in in your hotel and embark on a walking tour to explore the town, passing by Jose Marti Square, the Sugar Palace, the marketplace, etc. Cienfuegos is different from any other city in Cuba, so much so that it is affectionately called “The Pearl of the South” forits beauty. From its shops and stunning homes of Punta Gorda to its interesting architecture and seaside Malecon, Cienfuegos lives up to its nickname. At around 5:30 pm, you will enjoy a bike cruise around Cienfuegos (optional but no extra charge); if you like biking, this is arguably the best way to connect with the city while also getting some exercise.

Accommodation: 4--star Hotel in Cienfuegos – Jagua Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, you will head towards the exotic city of Trinidad. On the way, you will stop at La Vaga Ranch for a horseback riding adventure around the basis of the Escambray Mountains up to the Ocean (no prior experience is required).Half-way, you will stop at a beautiful hidden beach to relax, swim or snorkel. In the early afternoon, you may choose to ride the ziplines (no extra charge). The three available cables offer an excellent opportunity to experience zip-lining for the first time if you are new to this fun activity. The lines are not too high off the ground, nor too fast but offer enough excitement for everyone! At around 3:30 pm, you will go for a two-hour hike on the El Cubano trail that takes you through the lush jungle to an impressive cave and waterfall: a great place to swim and enjoy nature. This hike will require decent hiking shoes or boots and a small backpack with water and your towel/swimsuit if you choose to swim. The path goes upwards for 45-60mins, and once you reach the waterfall, you can jump into the natural pools, swim into the cave and relax enjoying nature at its finest. The return hike is downhill for approximately 45mins. Your guide will keep pointing interesting flora and fauna along the way. In the evening, you will check-in in the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring Trinidad by night, and dancing with the locals at the sound of music.

Accommodations:5-star Hotel in Old Trinidad –Iberostar Grand Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, you will head to Ancon Marina for a Catamaran tour to the offshore reef formations of Cayo Blanco island: a spectacular island and marine reserve in the Gulf of Calzones. For a few hours, you will be able to snorkel, swim at the white-sand beaches of the island, and monitor the interesting wildlife of the area (different kinds of birds, lizards including large iguanas, curly-tailed, friendly tree-rats, and 1000 of hermit crabs). At 6:30pm, the group will reassemble for a guided tour around Old Trinidad, a 500-year-old city. Trinidad has a unique character and is the 3rd most visited city in Cuba. Its cobblestone streets, live music, art galleries, open markets and rich history attract adventurers from all over the world in search of “real” Cuba. Trinidad has its roots in the “Sugar Boom” movement that exploded in this area hundreds of years ago. Your guide will share the stories and history that developed the city into what it is today. Make sure you wear suitable, stable shoes for walking on the cobblestone streets. Free evening to enjoy the nightlife of Trinidad.

Accommodation:5-star Hotel in Old Trinidad–Iberostar Grand Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, you will ride a 4x4 Russian Mountain truck that will take you through the Escambray Mountains to the Jibicoa Dam on Lake Hanabanilla. This is a unique way to enjoy the scenic drive up and through the mountains. The truck is open on the sides and has a roof over-top. It gets breezier and cooler as you gain elevation, so a light wind jacket or wind-proof sweater is recommended for the tour. Along the way, you will stop a couple of times for photos. At 11:30 am, you will go for a scenic boat ride on one of Cuba’s largest in-land fresh-water lakes. The tall mountains and the lush jungle form a beautiful backdrop landscape which you can admire from the middle of the lake. In the early afternoon, you will go for a short, 40-mins hike to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the entire lake. Although the hike is short, it is quite steep, but the view at the top is worth the effort. At 2:15pm, you will take a boat ride to the northend of the lake to catch the bus that will take you to your hotel in Havana, where you will check-in for the night. In the evening, you will meet for a Farewell dinner and your last night in Havana with dancing and music.

Accommodation: Resort 4-star in Havana – Sevila Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. Note: one group airport transfer is included. Additional can be arranged at extra cost.