MacQueen's Island Tours - Other Cycle Tours - Tour Schedule
"Vuelta Cuba"
Santiago to Havana - January 17 to 31, 2010
Your 2 week odyssey bike tour crosses Cuba from Santiago to Havana, east to west with the prevailing winds. We have chosen the best hotels available along the way so you can relax in comfortable, central and often breathtaking surroundings.
We begin on Cuba's Caribbean shore in Santiago de Cuba, cycling a stunning piece of coastline bordering the Sierra Maestra mountains to Granma province visiting Bayamo, passing through the cultural mecca Camaguey, colonial Sancti Spiritus and Trinidad, the charming city and province of Cienfuegos, the Bay of Pigs, and more, before arriving in Cuba's capital, Havana. We've been operating this annual tour in the second half of January since 1995 and it continues to be a favorite. Our experienced support team is second to none and our equipment impresses even the most discerning riders. A top notch, highly experienced WoWCuba representative accompanies your tour.
2010 Itinerary
- Jan 17 - Pre-Tour Day
- Depending on flight schedules, participants will arrive and spend this night in either Havana or Santiago de Cuba. If staying in Havana, we recommend staying at the Hotel Telegrafo in
Old Havana. Pre-tour participants making arrangements through
MacQueen's/WoWCuba will be picked up here for an early morning transfer
to the airport for the flight to Santiago de Cuba. All remaining
participants taking the domestic flight to Santiago de Cuba must be
present at Havana airport Terminal 1 at least 2 hours in advance of the
confirmed flight to Santiago de Cuba on Day 1. Collective airport
transfers are included for your Havana pre-tour arrival and post tour
departure.
- Jan 18 - Day 1
- Early morning flight to Santiago de Cuba where you'll be met by your support team for a city tour followed by lunch at El Morro. Afternoon bicycle outfitting. Dinner and accommodations at Hotel Casa Granda in Cespedes Park, Santiago. We highly recommend a visit to the rooftop bar (but remember, intrepid riders, you have to bike tomorrow so easy on the cervezas and mojitos...).
LB, DB | (0.0 km/0.0 mi)
- Jan 19 - Day 2
-
Van transfer to Baconao Park for a test ride through the park, visiting a local artist community en route to the lake. Picnic lunch before returning to Santiago de Cuba and Hotel Casa Granda for dinner and accommodation.
BB, LB, DB | (42 km/26.1 mi)
- Jan 20 - Day 3
- Ride the beautiful south coast from Mar Verde to Chivirico and the "all inclusive" Hotel Sierra Mar, overlooking the beach. Dinner at the hotel.
BB, LAI, DAI | (45 km/28 mi)
- Jan 21 - Day 4
- A morning cycle along the little known but spectacular winding, hilly coastline will bring us to Marea del Portillo on the Caribbean with the Sierra Maestra mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop. All inclusive services at the 4* hotel.
BAI, LAI, DAI | (up to 130 km/80.8 mi)
- Jan 22 - Day 5
- We'll cross over the mountains this morning by van, then continue cycling through areas rich in sugarcane and rice paddies before arriving in historic Bayamo with accommodations at the Sierra Maestra hotel. Dinner at a local paladar and entertainment by local musicians at the Casa de la Trova.
BAI, LB, DB | (50 km/31.1 mi)
- Jan 23 - Day 6
- Van transfer to Camaguey with free time to explore the city known for its ballet, museums, and more. We'll then tour the city by bicycle taxis. Accommodations and dinner at the Gran Hotel in the historic heart of the city founded by Diego Velazquez in 1515.
BB, LB, DB | (0 km/0 mi)
- Jan 24 - Day 7
- Early van transfer to Moron where we begin a beautiful countryside ride to San Jose del Lago. You can swim in the thermal mineral-medicinal pool before lunch. Van transfer to historic Sancti Spiritus and accommodations in the charming Hostal Del Rijo.
BB, LB, DB | (50 km/31.1 mi)
- Jan 25 - Day 8
- Cycle to the south coast and colonial Trinidad.
We check into the hotel for lunch, and then your afternoon is open for
some beach time or exploring this uniquely preserved colonial city.
Accommodations overlooking the city at Las Cuevas .
BB, LB, DB | (74 km/46 mi)
- Jan 26 - Day 9
- Ride through the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) to the 44 m (144.4 ft) Manaca Iznaga tower. Adventure over a dirt road through sugarcane fields arriving back in Trinidad or, if it's operating, we'll take the "sugar train" into town (it's on us) - great adventure. Lunch at a paladar in town and dinner at the hotel.
BB, LB, DB | (30 or 60 km/18.6 or 37.3 mi - depending on train)
- Jan 27 - Day 10
- Van 30 km west of Trinidad and begin riding over mainly flat terrain to Cienfuegos. Lunch overlooking the Caribbean at Club Cienfuegos, a former yacht club. Check into Hotel Jagua with free time for exploring the French architecture in the city. After a 90 minute all inclusive boat cruise, including a visit to the Jagua Castle and fishing villages in the Cienfuegos Bay, we'll have dinner at Cienfuego's architectural gem, Palacio del Valle.
BB, LB, DB | (65 km/40.4 mi)
- Jan 28 - Day 11
- Today our cycling will take us to the Cienfuegos Botanical Garden and then inland towards the mountain lake Hanabanilla for lunch in a spectacular setting. Return to Cienfuegos. Dinner at the hotel.
BB, LB, DB | (45 km/28 mi)
- Jan 29 - Day 12
- Ride west from Cienfuegos to Montemar Natural Park, on the Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs). Lunch at Caleta Buena, a natural breakwater teeming with tropical fish and an afternoon "all inclusive" meal/drink plan with optional diving and snorkeling. Van transfer to Havana with accommodation at Hotel Telegrafo in Old Havana. Enjoy the great ambiance and tasty dishes at one of Havana's best paladars, La Guarida.
BB, LAI, DB | (45 km/28 mi)
- Jan 30 - Day 13
- Morning drive to rural area of Jaruco where we'll ride the "Escaleras de Jaruco", with some great vistas of the north coast enroute, towards eastern Havana beach area of Guanabo. Lunch in the area. Afternoon city van/walking tour visiting the Columbus Cemetery, Revolution Square, Capitol building, Gran Teatro, Obispo Street and many of the restored squares in Old Havana.
Farewell dinner at La Ferminia followed by a mojito at one of Hemingway's favorite haunts, Bodeguita del Medio. With advance notice, we can arrange an evening at the Gran Teatro, a baseball game, the Tropicana cabaret or any other interest you may have.
BB, LB, DB | (50 km/31.1 mi)
- Jan 31 - Day 14
- Collective airport transfer included to Havana airport for departure.
BB | (0.0 km/0.0 mi)
Meals:
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
BB=Breakfast w/1 beverage, LB=Lunch w/1 beverage, DB= Dinner w/1 beverage
BAI=Breakfast All Inclusive, LAI=Lunch All Inclusive, DAI=Dinner All Inclusive
Note: Itinerary and hotels subject to availability.
- Total Distance:
- Typical Tour: ~600 km (390 mi) in 11 days of riding. Cycling days average 52 km (32.3 mi) per day.
Mileage is approximate and may vary according to
the group's desires.
- Avid Cyclists:
- Certain days will allow additional mileage if
desired.
- Slow Cyclists:
- Slow riders are not usually a problem. However,
very slow riders or "bird watchers" may not attain proposed mileage.
While this is very unusual, it does occasionally happen.
- Route Map (Click to View)

2010 Vuelta Cuba Tour Price We strive to maintain up to date information, but please request a quotation to confirm prices. Call toll free in North America for information on our bicycle tours:
1-800-WOW-CUBA (969-2822) – David or Gordon
|
| 14 Day/13 Night Vuelta Cuba Cycle Tour |
Price |
| Tour - Land Only (includes Cuban domestic flight but not flight to/from Cuba) |
$2799 |
| Tour Single Supplement |
$300 |
| Tour Schedule - 5% Alumni Discount - Flights from Caribbean - Flights from Canada - Early Bird Group Discount |
| What's Included: |
Experienced Canadian company
representatives for in-country reception and support
High quality, professionally maintained
24-speed hybrid bicycles outfitted for touring
Souvenir water bottle, handlebar map bag or
rear insulated trunk bag
Professional mechanic on tour
Experienced bilingual Cuban and Canadian
guides
Air conditioned support bus
Accommodations as per itinerary, mainly
3-4* properties, all with private bath & a/c
Meals as per itinerary (all meals include
minimum of one drink)
WoWCuba reps take care of tips for restaurants and
accommodations (porters, reception staff, musicians, etc.) while on
tour with you. We also guarantee a
minimum per tour salary bonus for each of our tour guide, driver and
company representative. If you feel their service and
attention warrant extra consideration, additional gratuities are
welcomed. Direct tipping in Cuba for these services is customary
Snacks and cold beverages provided during
rides
Collective transfer between Havana airport-Havana
hotel on flight arrival and departure
Domestic flight from Havana to Santiago de
Cuba on Day 1
|
| What is NOT Included: |
| Additional beverages
Additional gratuities
Medical and cancellation insurance
Cuban departure tax
International flights
Tourist visa
Passport fees
Accommodations on Pre-tour night (Jan. 17)
Optional excursions, museum fees, theatre
and items of a personal nature
etc. |
Airport Transfers - For participants not in our designated transfer from the Havana hotel-Havana airport on Jan. 12, or for anyone who may be arriving in Santiago prior to the group's arrival, we are able to offer collective transfers at the following per person rates:
Havana airport - Havana hotels: $8 CUC one way or $15 CUC return
Santiago airport -
Santiago hotels: $8 CUC one way
|