Historical Cycling International and our Canadian associates invite you to join us on a spectacular trip to the Caribbean Island nation of Cuba. Our journey will commence in vibrant and historic Havana where we'll explore on foot the city's historic center or Havana Vieja, a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Malecon de la Habana and Miramar neighborhood of elaborate mansions. A visit to Patronato, the Jewish Community Center, will reveal a small but increasingly vibrant community with a rich history that dates back over 500 years. Our Jewish friends will welcome us enthusiastically and enthrall you with their personal stories. We'll attend Shabbat services and join the community members afterwards for a sunset meal. Experience Havana's legendary nightlife and dance the evenings away. Discover Cuba's pristine and westernmost province of Pinar Del Rio. Hike through the Sierra de los Organos mountain range, of great geological interest, including the Vinales Valley with its mogotes or pincushion hills, and many caves, including the Indian Cave and the Santo Tomas Cave System. Tobacco is grown throughout the Pinar del Rio's extraordinarily fertile lands and valleys. This tobacco is used to produce the Habanos or Cuban cigars, the best in the world. Connect with the warm and gracious Cuban people as we visit rural communities. Hike the Sierra del Rosario, one of the oldest mountain systems in Cuba and considered Natural Reserve of the Biosphere. There we will find the Soroa Lookout Point, its Orchid Garden and the Waterfall. Continue to the small tropical island of Cayo Levisa, a paradise for nautical sports. Enjoy three days of outdoor adventure, including snorkeling at the coral reef or you may opt to relax on the white sand with a good book and a refreshing drink.. .

Day 1: Toronto-Havana
Arrive at Jose Marti International Airport, Havana. Transfer to the elegant and centrally located Park Central Hotel. Group introductions before we welcome our local Jewish personality for an amazing discussion about Cuba's Jewish community. Welcome dinner in Havana Vieja.

Day 2: Havana
Morning walking tour of Havana's historic center, a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, including the Malecon de la Habana and Third Ave, Miramar. Lunch at La Ferminia restaurant. Afternoon free before we rendezvous for Shabbat services and dinner with community members. Optional late night dinner at the Park Central Hotel. версия для печати

Day 3: Havana
Morning cultural tour of old Havana, including synagogues old and new, Cuban factories and cultural institutions. Lunch. Afternoon free to explore, shop or relax at our Hotel's swimming pool. Evening at the legendary Copacabana nightclub.

Days 4 & 5: Havana to Soroa
Departure by coach to Soroa, called the Rainbow of Cuba. Hike to the Bayate River and visit the remains of the 19th century French coffee plantations. Enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the rivers natural pools. Climb to the Loma del Mogote lookout point. Return to our cabana style lodgings. After lunch we'll visit the nation's largest collection of orchids, containing over 600 autochthonous and foreign species. Afternoon free. Dinner and country style party.
Morning hike through the Rio Santa Cruz Canyon covering 8 km along the river bed with natural obstacles and in the shadow of the tropical forest.

Picnic lunch. Refresh with an afternoon swim in the natural pools of the river. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Evening free.

Day 6 & 7: Soroa to Vinales Valley
Departure to Vinales Valley. Check in to our hotel, La Ermita. Lunch. Visit to Cueva del Indio, including a boat trip on its subterranean river. Transfer to the Ancon Valley. Leisurely hike through the valley. Visit to the rural community and primary school of the area. Afternoon swim in the river. Return to the hotel Dinner. Evening entertainment.
Morning hike from the Cocosolo Mogote through the Palmarito valley to the Mural de la Prehistoria, an enormous prehistoric painting made on the side of a hill representing ancient animals and inhabitants in the area. Lunch on site. Afternoon tour of the village of Vinales and visit to the Casa de Caridad ecological garden. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Evening free.

Days 8-10: Cayo Levisa
Spend three days on the small tropical island of Cayo Levisa
Cuba is surrounded by thousands of keys and islets where white sand, tropical flora and warm, crystal-clear water reveal pristine, undisturbed locations. Among them, Cayo Levisa on the northern coast of Pinar del Rio, is a truly natural paradise whose surroundings has remained virgin, with unforgettable blue and calm beaches, ideal for nautical sports or relaxation with a good book under the Caribbean sun.

Day 11:
Morning transfer to Havana. Farewell lunch in Havana. Afternoon return flight to Canada or Mexico where we'll say our goodbyes and see you off with a lifetime of memories.