DAY 1– Arrive in Holguin and transfer to hotel Mirador de Mayabe or El Bosque Dinner at the hotel.  You should have time to assemble your bike. (You will be informed of the exact hotel prior to your departure)

DAY 2– This will be a free day for you to acclimatize, check out your bikes with a ride around the Holguin area, or just relax.  Breakfast and dinner will be included at the hotel.  (lunch not included)

DAY 3 - Breakfast and cycle directly from the hotel.  We will cycle along fairly quiet paved roads through small villages with our riding destination the town of Mayari (approx. 85 kms) and then transfer by bus to the island of Cayo Saetia, an exotic animal reserve, where we will spend the night. This is a quiet island with one small villa and beaches within a short walking distance. We will stop for a box lunch which is included and dinner will be at the villa.

DAY 4– Breakfast and transfer to Levisa to begin cycling the main paved highway and then continue along undulating/hilly roads through some small towns and beautiful countryside with light traffic to Los Indios (Approx. 61 kms).  We will board the bus at this point and drive to Cuba’s oldest city, Baracoa.  Box lunch is included.  We will stay at either Porto Santo hotel or El Castillo. You can unpack your suitcase here as we will spend three nights. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 5– Breakfast and cycle to a small fishing village at the mouth of the Yumuri river. This is a beautiful ride, up and down small hills, past small villages and magnificent vegetation. The road is paved, with little traffic. At Yumuri we will have the opportunity to hike up the river and swim in some magnificent pools (this will depend on the weather) and later have a snack at a local snack bar.   Dinner will be at the hotel. (Approx. 60 kms return)

DAY 6– Breakfast and city tour before cycling to Maguana beach, the only white sand beach in the area. We will have lunch here and spend a few hours enjoying the beach and ocean. We will cycle back to the hotel in the afternoon. Dinner this night will be at a small finca (farm). (Approx. 40 kms return)

DAY 7– Breakfast and transfer by bus over the Farola Viaduct which climbs steeply to an elevation of 800 metres.  Once we get over the mountain we will begin cycling along paved coastal roads with magnificent Caribbean vistas and our cycling destination will be Tortuguilla where you can jump in the ocean if you wish (We will pack some food to have a pic nic here) (Approx. 60 kms). We then pack our bikes on the bus and head to the city of Guantanamo and accommodation and dinner will be at Hotel Guantanamo.  (We may also cycle over the Farola…a severe climb and severe down hill, but that decision will be made before we leave Baracoa)

DAY 8 - Breakfast and cycle to the town of La Maya (approx. 63 kms) or for those wishing a longer ride, to Santiago de Cuba (approx. 90 kms).  These paved roads take you along through more of the Cuban countryside with sugar cane fields, mountains in the distance and not much traffic until you get close to the towns and city of Santiago.  Mostly flat and undulating.  We will spend two nights in Santiago de Cuba at Hotel Melia Santiago with dinner and breakfast included.  Lunch not included.

DAY 9– Breakfast and bus/walking tour of the most important parts of Santiago, one of the largest and most important cities in Cuba.  We will finish the tour in the central park, Cespedes, where you can have lunch at the Grand hotel overlooking the park and city.  Dinner at hotel.(cycling is optional this day)

DAY 10– Breakfast and transfer our bikes to the edge of the city to avoid cycling through the heavy traffic. We begin the day by cycling along the Caribbean coast to our destination, the Sierra Mar, an all inclusive resort. This day will be an easy ride along mostly flat roads with little traffic and you will be able to enjoy some time swimming and relaxing in the sea or pool upon arrival. (Approx. 56 kms)

DAY 11– Breakfast and head out early as this ride will be along the most beautiful road in all of Cuba. It is paved with the Sierra Maestra mountains on one side and the Caribbean on the other. It reminds one of the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. The traffic along this coastal road is almost non existent and the little villages are worth a stop to meet the locals. We have to pack a lunch as this road has nothing in the way of “convenience stores”. Our destination is another all inclusive resort, Marrea del Portillo and you can finish the day with a swim in the Caribbean or the pool before enjoying this all inclusive. (Approx. 112 kms).  The road has some hilly areas and it does get hot around noon.  Last time we did this tour only one person did the entire distance.  Parts for the road are crappy as well.

DAY 12– Breakfast and transfer bikes past some steep hills before we cycle along paved country roads with some hills, flats, nice scenery and little traffic. Bring something to eat from the hotel. Our cycling destination is a small town, Campechuela  (Approx. 75 kms), where we will load the bikes on the bus and transfer to the city of Bayamo, one the cleanest most progressive cities in Cuba. Accommodation will be at the Royalton hotel overlooking the main square. You will enjoy walking around this city and we will have dinner at the hotel or a restaurant outside the hotel.  

DAY 13– Breakfast and cycle back to the city of Holguin along a reasonably flat, paved road (Approx. 75 kms) We will load the bikes on the trailer and transfer to your final destination and a place of luxury, the all inclusive Playa Costa Verde resort on a small, golden sand beach.

DAY 14 – Free day.

DAY 15– Transfer to Holguin airport for your return flight.

• Note that all distances mentioned at the end of each day are approximate cycling distances and you are free to do as much or as little as you wish. The bus will be available for you to board if you become tired.

Price of Tour: $2095 based on double Add  $300 for single supplement (if you have been on a previous tour deduct $100)

INCLUDED IN PRICE:
* All accommodations (good hotels)
* Breakfast and dinner daily
* Lunches where mentioned and 4 nights in all inclusive
* Cuban guide and driver throughout
* Bus assisted throughout
* Guided city tour
* Canadian tour leader

NOT INCLUDED:
* Air fare from Canada
* Airport departure tax $25 CUC's (in Cuba)
* Local tips.

VALID PASSPORT REQUIRED AND YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN BIKE AND ACCESSORIES

-Deposit and final payment: A $500 deposit is required at time of booking and can be done by cheque (check) or credit card. Final payment to be made 60 days prior to tour date. Cheques should be made payable to Square 1 Travel and mailed to

SQUARE 1 TRAVEL
449–B Fifth Street
Courtenay BC V9N 1J7
250–334–0355
1–877–334–0355

If you are using credit cards for payment of Cuba portion there will be a 3% service charge added.
WHEN BOOKING PLEASE STATE SPECIFICALLY WHICH TOUR, BY  NAME AND THE TIME YOU WISH TO GO.
This is Cycle tour  Eastern Cuba– Nov. 28 to Dec 12, 2011
To Book contact Tom Robertson or Louise
Square 1 Travel
250 334 0355
or
250 334 1675 (Tom)
or
toll free– 877 334 0355
email- tom@cuba1tours.com
www.cuba1tours.com