Home » Cuba Holidays » Trekking
 

Trekking in Cuba

Cuba has some of the most spectacular and unspoiled mountain scenery in the Caribbean. Our hikes are mainly based around the Pico Turquino National Park and the Sierra Maestra mountain range where we are surrounded by a range of tropical flora and fauna and a wide variety of birdlife. We can also arrange hiking in the Topes de Collantes area near Trinidad, the Alexander Humboldt national park in Baracoa and the area around Hanabanilla.

 

Pico Turquino - 4 DAY TREK

This is a fully guided trek in the Sierra Maestra mountains where the highest peak in Cuba, Pico Turquino, is located. Trekking is graded moderate but is strenuous in parts with some steep inclines. This trip is available at any time of the year, but is recommended from late October to late May to avoid the hottest and most humid months from June to September.

The trip includes: 1 night hotel accommodation, half board + 2 nights in basic mountain refuge dormitories; all meals (picnic lunches); air-conditioned transport to/from Santiago de Cuba to Santo Domingo (3.5 hours each way); specialist guides; national park entry fees and a bilingual tour leader.

  • 1 person: £555
  • 2 persons: £395 pp
  • 3 persons: £355 pp
  • 4 persons: £330 pp
  • 5-6 persons: £285 pp

The price for one person is based on single room hotel accommodation (first night). All other prices are based on two people sharing. Where there is an odd number of group participants, a single supplement of £15 for the first night will apply for the person taking a single room.

You have to carry your own kit on the trek so it’s best to pack only what you can easily carry. A kit list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Please note the day to day itinerary may change at short notice if circumstances dictate as all trips are dependent on weather conditions being favourable.

For more details on this trip, please see the proposed itinerary. You can also combine this trekking with spanish, music and dance on one of our group Cuba Dance holidays.

We felt as if we were able to experience certain places that we would have had difficulty finding or being aware of on our own. [While trekking] the scenery was outstanding and [the guide’s] background information was very informative. Santo Domingo was idyllic and the opportunity to visit la Comandancia was a prized part of our holiday BN&AV, Aug 07

[Top of page]

 La Comandancia/ La Platica - 3 day itinerary 

This trip offers fully guided hiking in the Pico Turquino national park, available all year round weather pending. The itinerary includes lower level trekking without climbing Pico Turquino, and lets you experience the natural beauty and tropical vegetation of the Sierra Maestra mountains and the park area.

The trip includes: 2 nights accommodation in Villa Santo Domingo, shared room, all meals included (picnic lunch); one full day guided hike to La Comandancia and La Platica; air-conditioned transport to/from Santiago de Cuba to Santo Domingo (3.5 hours each way); specialist guide(s); national park entry fees; bilingual tour leader. 

  • 1 person: £480
  • 2 persons: £310 pp
  • 3 persons: £275 pp
  • 4 persons: £250 pp
  • 5-6 persons: £230 pp

The one person price is based on single room hotel accommodation (two nights). All other prices are based on two people sharing. Where there is an odd number of group participants, a single supplement of £15 per night will apply for the person taking a single room.

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Day 1

Depart Santiago for Santa Domingo mid morning via the historic city of Bayamo for lunch stop. Transport by private taxi/minibus with bilingual guide. Arrive Santo Domingo late afternoon and check into 3*** hotel. Dinner and free evening.

Day 2

After breakfast, depart by jeep/truck for Alto de Naranjo, with guided visit to La Comandancia, Fidel’s secret revolutionary base in the Sierra Maestra mountains. 2 hours hiking each way.  Picnic lunch. Time and energy permitting, hike to La Platica ecological community (45 minutes each way). Return by jeep to Santo Domingo and overnight in hotel. Dinner and free evening. 

Day 3

Morning departure after breakfast for Santiago de Cuba by private transfer. Arrive around lunchtime. End of trip.

You are advised to bring a day pack with you for carrying items you may need on the hiking trip such as wipes, suncream, water and any energy snacks.  The hiking trails are generally good, so a strong pair of trainers or light walking shoes/boots will be adequate for this trip.

[Top of page]

La Comandancia/ La Platica - DAY TRIP

This trip offers the opportunity to visit Pico Turquino national park, and La Comandancia and La Platica in a one day round trip from Santiago.   Minimum of 2 persons.

The trip includes: guided trekking to La Comandancia and La Platica, air-conditioned transport to/from Santiago de Cuba to Santo Domingo (3.5 hours each way), specialist guides, national park entry fee, picnic lunch and a bilingual tour leader are included. 

  • £140 pp (4 persons)
  • £165pp  (3 persons)
  • £190pp  (2 persons)

 You are advised to bring a day pack with you for carrying items you may need on the hiking trip such as wipes, suncream, water and any energy snacks.  The hiking trails are generally good, so a strong pair of trainers or light walking shoes/boots will be adequate for this trip.

 

[Top of page]

Cuba Trekking - 3 locations

This full guided two week trekking holiday in three different areas of South East Cuba can be organised at any time of the year (although we would recommend doing it from early November to late March for the best weather conditions).  The trip includes 4 days in the Pico Turquino National Park, where you will climb the highest peak in Cuba and visit La Comandancia, Fidels secret headquarters in the mountains and now a national heritage site; Las Yaguas waterfall hike, a beautiful full day jeep trek in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains overlooking the sparkling Caribbean sea; La Gran Piedra, a challenging full day trek following mule tracks up the south face of the Gran Piedra, an enormous stone in the Sierra Maestra mountains just 1 hour from Santiago de Cuba.  There is plenty of time to relax and recharge your batteries, with a catamaran cruise to a small island one day and free time to explore local areas.  Accompanied nights out to hear traditional Cuban music and dance or percussion lessons with our professional teachers are also offered.

For more details of this trip and what it includes, please click on the proposed itinerary

  • £1,345pp (2 persons).  For parties of 3+ persons, please ask us for a quote

Tailormade trekking

We can also arrange an itinerary for you on a tailormade basis. Trekking with guides in the Pico Turquino National Park, the Sierra Maestra mountains, in the Humboldt national park in Baracoa or the Topes de Collantes mountains near Trinidad and Santa Clara provide varied routes of 1-5 days at all levels from easy to challenging!


Tailormade special interest trips

Trekking, birdwatching and other special interest trips can be arranged for groups of 4+ people in the Pico Turquino National Park and other areas in Cuba. Costs will vary according to the number of days included and the total number of people in the group.

[Top of page]

If you have any questions or would like discuss plans for your trip, please contact us on 0131 6217721 or email courses@caledonialanguages.co.uk.

Other walking and trekking tours...

Other Cuba trips...