Day 1
UK – Havana

Our adventure starts at the airport in London, where we meet as a group and catch our flight to the magical Caribbean island of Cuba.

Stretching to a stunning 766 miles, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and offers some of the best treks in the world!

Touching down in Havana in the evening, our local guide greets us at the airport and we transfer to our hotel in the city.

This evening, we hear more about the trek ahead in an exciting briefing from our Challenge Leader.

Day 2
Havana – Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve | approx. 5km

Today gives us the best intro to Cuba we could ask for, with a gentle warm-up trek in the amazing UNESCO Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve.

Waking to a fresh breakfast at our hotel, we lace up our hiking boots and transfer (approx. one hour) to the nature reserve, nestled in the spectacular Sierra del Rosario Mountains.

Spreading across a stunning 5,000 hectares, the reserve bursts with the vibrant colours and tropical wildlife the Caribbean is renowned for.

Exploring this natural wonderland, it’s hard to believe the area faced severe deforestation during the Cuban Revolution.

However, Castro was quick to come to its rescue, choosing it as a site to restore vegetation and it has flourished with an extraordinary array of flora and fauna ever since.

As we trek the La Serafina Trail, keep your eyes peeled to spot some endemic birds, including the bright green Cuban tody and the todoro, which has been named the national bird, as its colours (blue, red and white) match the Cuban flag.

Hiking amidst lush vegetation and the remains of the French coffee plantations that once lay here, our approx. 5km walk allows us to acclimatise to the humidity.

We end our trek at one of the reserve’s vegetarian restaurants for a local lunch, before checking into our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or wander the area, before we meet again in the evening for our dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve – Viñales Valley | approx. 15km

After breakfast at our hotel, we venture further through the reserve. Setting off early along the western banks of the Rio San Juan, we can look out for 117 bird species perching on the branches above, nesting in the trees, fishing in the lakes and creek and flying overhead.

Soon, we reach the 450m Loma El Taburete, a striking, forested mountain whose name translates to “hill of the stool”. We embark on a tough but rewarding climb to the hilltop, the area’s highest peak! The ascent will leave our legs aching with the humidity adding to the challenge, but the higher we climb, the better the vistas get.

At the top, a magnificent statue of the revolutionary hero, Che Guevara, watches over the island. The sublime panoramas across the nature reserve reward us well for our climb. From here, we can see the river coursing through the lush landscape and the buildings of local communities built over the creek. If it’s a clear day, our view will stretch to the Atlantic and the Caribbean Seas on either side of the island.

After a picnic lunch, we end the day transferring to our hotel in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Viñales Valley (approx. two hours).

You have some time to relax and freshen up before our group dinner at a local paladar this evening.

Day 4
Viñales Valley | approx. 20km

Prepare to discover some of Cuba’s most exquisite scenery as we venture through the Viñales Valley. After breakfast, we set off along the valley floor, where striking limestone mogotes (round-shaped mountains) tower either side of us, treating us to welcome shade.

Also known as the “garden of Cuba” this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its Jurassic geography. Its colourful landscape of red rock against lush, green plant life attracts people from across the globe.

We have the chance to immerse ourselves completely in the amazing local culture as we visit the farming communities, famous for producing Cuban’s finest tobacco. In fact, the Hubano is recognised as one of the best cigars on our planet!

It would be a waste to trek here without climbing some of the mighty mogotes for the best views of the magical landscape. Be sure to have your camera handy as you are unlikely to see an area like it again!

In the evening, we return to our hotel for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Day 5
Viñales Valley – Mil Cumbres Eco-Reserve | approx. 16km

Following breakfast at our hotel, we leave one hiker’s paradise for another and transfer to the magical Mil Cumbre Eco-Reserve. True to its name, which translates to “One thousand peaks” in Spanish, Mil Cumbres is home to western Cuba’s highest mountains.

We check in to the main field station, a charming, timber, converted coffee-planter’s house, where our local ranger guide gives us with an exciting briefing.

Then, we’re off on a hike through this spectacular eco-reserve, tackling tough climbs for unsurpassable views of the surrounding nature.

Following the Camino de Camito from Costanera Cajabana to San Marco, we encounter all sorts of terrains, from rivers to caves to beautiful, pinewood forests.

Spanning across 17,342 hectares, this exotic eco-reserve also provides a protected habitat for endemic plants and rare wildlife.

Keep your eyes peeled for Cuban nightingales and granadillo trees, which provide wood for fine acoustic guitars.

Upon reaching today’s finish point at San Marco, we transfer back to the eco-lodge and rest tonight in its basic but comfortable dormitories.

Day 6
Mil Cumbres – The Pan de Guajaibón – Havana | approx. 20Km

Breakfast sets us up for our last day’s trek and we’ve saved the hardest for last, climbing the Pan de Guajaibón, western Cuba’s highest peak!

Ascending 699m above sea-level, this four-to-five-hour hike will really test our strength and literally take our breath way. When we reach the peak, we spend a few moments revelling in the sense of achievement and drinking in the incredible panoramas.

From here, our views expand across the pristine protected eco-reserve and all the way to the northern coastline of Cuba.

You need to have quite a high level of fitness for this climb and if you don’t feel up to it, you can take on a shorter trek to and from the base of the ascent, which we’re arranging with another guide.

Bidding the extraordinary panoramas farewell, we descend and transfer to our hotel in the vibrant city of Havana. All there’s left to do now is tuck into dinner and have a very well-deserved good night’s rest!

Day 7
Havana

We end our adventure in the best way today, with an exclusive, guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Havana, the finest surviving colonial city in the Americas.

Following breakfast at our hotel, we walk with our expert guide around the Old City’s amazing monuments, cathedrals and palaces to gain fascinating insight into their history.

Much of the colourful architecture was originally built in the 16th century and after years of pirates, political conflict and development, millions of dollars have been invested to restore them to their former magnificence. The bright colours of the buildings are enlivened by a constant hustle and bustle and the unmistakable sound of Cuban Son.

We’re also delighted to have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy a two-hour Classic Car Tour of Havana! Cuba is famous for its Classic Cars and to experience a drive in one ourselves puts the cherry on top of our Caribbean adventure.

Tonight, we toast our achievement with a delicious celebration meal at a fantastic restaurant in the city.

Days 8 & 9
Havana - UK

After a final Cuban breakfast at our hotel, your day is free to spend as you please in Havana.

Having taken in all the key sites yesterday, you can take your time ambling the streets and soaking in the city’s electric vibe.

To give you maximum flexibility on your free day, lunch and dinner are not included today, so please make the most of the opportunity to check out more of Havana’s amazing eating establishments.

In the evening, we transfer to the airport and catch our overnight flight home. Touching down in London on Day 9, we part ways and you make your own way home, no doubt buzzing to book your next challenge.