Revolutionary Trail outline itinerary
We start the trip in Santiago de Cuba, the second city of the island. Often called the ‘cradle of the revolution’, where Fidel and his followers gained most popular support in the fifties and plotted to overthrow the Batista regime, this is also the city where Fidel has been laid to rest. We continue to historic Bayamo, one of the original 7 cities founded by the Spanish, and then on to the Sierra Maestra mountains to visit La Comandancia, the secret base where Fidel planned and commanded revolutionary activities in the fifties.
From here we travel up the island to Camaguey, Santa Clara and the Bay of Pigs, visiting the most significant and interesting historical sites along the way. Our itinerary then finishes in Havana, the capital of this fascinating island.
Cuba’s Revolutionary Trail is a customised itinerary which can be adapted to suit your specific interests and budget, and can start at any time of the year, subject to availability.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive Santiago de Cuba
Arrive Santiago de Cuba airport or bus station and private transfer to homestay accommodation including breakfast and dinner x 3 nights. Depending on your time of arrival, you may be able to have a short orientation walking tour with a local guide after arrival. Dinner this evening at homestay and rest of evening free.
Day 2 – Santiago de Cuba
Breakfast at accommodation. Morning guided city tour including a visit to the Moncada Barracks; Santa Ifigenia cemetery where Fidel Castro is buried and the Jose Martí mausoleum can be found; San Juan Hill and the Vista Alegre district. Free time for lunch (not included). Afternoon g uided visit of Moncada Barracks museum, where Fidel and his men made their fateful assault on the government troops on 26 July 1953, setting in motion the early steps for the Cuban Revolution. Dinner at homestay and rest of evening free.
Day 3 – Santiago – Gran Piedra, La Granjita
Full day guided trip to visit la Granjita and the Gran Piedra. Located just 30 minutes outside Santiago is the Granjita former chicken farm where Fidel and his followers met to set off for Moncada Barracks. The house is now a small museum, with original items belonging to the revolutionaries and a selection of period photos on show and is a fascinating place to visit.
Very close by is the winding steep road up to the Gran Piedra, literally the ‘Big Rock’. A sturdy metal ladder up to the top of the rock gives you amazing views over the sea, the countryside and down the coast all the way to Santiago. You will also visit the historic La Isabelica coffee plantation and museum and, if time permits, the Gran Piedra botanical garden. Lunch included in local restaurant. Return to Santiago late afternoon. Dinner at homestay and rest of evening free.
Day 4 – Santiago de Cuba – Turquino National Park
Morning free to relax. 1400 private transfer (3 hours drive) to the Sierra Maestra mountains and the hotel Villa Santo Domingo at the gateway to the Turquino National Park. Half board accommodation x 2 nights. This peaceful rural hotel is surrounded by tropical vegetation and is next to a small river. Rooms are spacious, with air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, tv, fridge and wifi is also provided. Dinner at hotel and rest of day free.
Day 5 – La Comandancia hike
Jeep/truck transfer from the hotel to the trail head to hike to La Comandancia de la Plata, Fidel’s secret base in the mountains with local specialist guide (3km each way). Picnic lunch included. Climb up to visit Radio Rebelde (if time allows), the radio station established by the revolutionaries, before returning to the trail head and transfer back to your hotel. Dinner and rest of evening free.
Day 6 – Santo Domingo – Camagüey
0830 Private transfer from hotel to Bayamo and continue to Playa Las Coloradas near the town of Manzanillo, the coastal area where Fidel and his followers arrived after exile in Mexico. PLEASE NOTE: this visit is dependent on road conditions. If the route is impassable, the alternative activity will be a guided visit of the historic city of Bayamo and the home (now a museum) of Carlos Manuel Cespedes, the first plantation owner to free his slaves in the 19th century. He is considered a national hero in Cuba. Free time for lunch (not included) and continue with private transfer to Camaguey. Arrive Camaguey late afternoon and check into your homestay accommodation including breakfast x 1 night. Rest of day free.
Day 7 – Camaguey – Santa Clara
After breakfast, private transfer from Camaguey to Santa Clara to arrive mid afternoon. Check into private guesthouse accommodation, including breakfast x 1 night. Rest of day free.
Day 8 – Santa Clara – Bay of Pigs – Playa Larga
After breakfast, visit the Tren Blindado and the Che Guevara museum (museum closed on Mondays) with an English speaking guide, and free time for lunch (not included). Private transfer after lunch to Playa Giron for a visit to the Bay of Pigs museum and then continue along the coastal road to Playa Larga. Check into local homestay including dinner and breakfast x 1 night. Rest of evening free.
Day 9 – Playa Larga – Havana
Private transfer from Playa Larga to Havana via a community called Australia where there is a small museum dedicated to the Cuban defence of the Bay of Pigs. On arrival into Havana, check into guesthouse accommodation, breakfast included, x 1 night. Rest of day free. Private transfer from Playa Larga to Havana via the community of Australia where there is a small museum dedicated to the Cuban defence of the Bay of Pigs. Continue to Havana, check into guesthouse accommodation x 1 night, breakfast included. Evening ceremony to witness the historic activity of the closing of Havana Bay by firing a cannon from the fortress, dinner included. Return transfers included. Return to accommodation late evening.
Day 10 – Depart Havana
Breakfast and half day guided visit on foot of Old Havana with a local guide, exploring the 4 main city squares and visiting the scale model of the city. Lunch in local restaurant (included) and rest of day free until private transfer to Havana airport and the end of your Revolutionary Trail trip.
