Itinerary...
Day 1 Arrive Havana 8 (hotel)
Arrive at Havana International Airport and transfer to our hotel. At the reception desk you will find a letter from your Tour Leader, letting you know what time you will meet the group that same night for a welcome meeting in the lobby, followed by a dinner out in the city, ending with a walk back to the hotel on the famous Malecón. At the restaurant you will have an orientation briefing including all the information you will need to know for your Kayak tour in Cuba.
As your fellow travelers are arriving at various times throughout the day, there are no planned activities. So, check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon sightseeing and visiting many of Old Havana’s markets or architectural wonders. Simply put, if you go to Cuba, Havana is a must-see. Havana embodies all that is Cuban. Havana holds Cuba's soul. It is here that the history, rhythm and melody all manifest into something wholly unique.
Day 2 Canímar River Estuary (camping)
After breakfast, the group leaves in their own private wawa (Cuban word for a minivan or a bus) with a fridge to keep your drinks cold.... interesting! About 2 hours ride later and a stop for the best Piña Colada ever, you arrive to Río Canímar. At the river you will receive the safety & technique info for kayaking. You will kayak approximately 10kms to the Canímar Ranch. After a delicious Cuban lunch complimented with local entertainment, the group sets camps. That night you will be sharing tents just as at the hotels, 2 by room. After setting up your tents, you can make the choice to kayak further up the river, take a swim, read a book in one of their huge hammocks, take a little walk to the small farm or go horseback riding. After a traditional Cuban dinner, let yourself be tempted by one of these “so talked about” Cuban Cigars and some rum.... enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in a tent under the stars.
Day 3 Hanbanilla Dam (hotel)
Leave campsite and travel for Hanabanilla Dam, experience the green rolling plains. But on the way, three quick stop. First one, an optiaonnal stop to a cave called “Saturno” where you can have a quick shower and swim in fresh water in this gorgeous cave (you can rent snorkeling gear there). Second, a limestone quarry where you see the traditional way to work the limestone. Third stop, a lunch in beautiful city of Cienfuego, with view on the bay.
After lunch you will continue on to the dam where you will check’in the hotel and experience a sunset paddle. Of course you can bring some food or drink along on the kayak with you... Dinner at hotel.
Day 4 Guanayara Ranch (camping)
With your ‘by now’ well honed skills for kayaking the group leaves from Jibacoa to enjoy the nicest paddle of the tour getting to the campsite Guanayara Ranch. You will get to paddle in these tropical water channels. Then, a relaxing lunch. Free afternoon for an optional walk up to the National Park´s waterfall where you can swim. Later on, on the menu for dinner, the best chicken of the entire tour with the ranch´s secret homemade red sauce! That night you will sleep in tents again, an evening of taking in the sounds of the forest and river, not to forget ranch´s roosters, donkey, anything you can imagine...
* Note: That day only you will need a DRY BAG to bring your things along with you. Do not panic!!! Only your sleeping bag and clothes for the night, maybe a book and a towel if you plan to go swimming. The very next day we meet up with the van again, where all your belongings will remain in your back pack and you will have plenty of time to get ready for day 5!
Day 5, Trinidad ( family stay, casa particular)
Depart from campsite in an all-terrain Russian truck. Get ready for an hour of serious shaking!!! The group leaves to meet the van again at Topes de Collantes. Once there, you will get back on the wawa again for a short drive to Ancón Peninsula, for some ocean kayaking and snorkeling. This is the best place to practice the rescue techniques... ask your Tour Leader!!! Then, after a good dose of sun, salt water and fun on a white sandy beach,
the van drops you off at the “central” casa particular from where your host families will come to meet you. Take the remaining part of the evening to relax or try to speak Spanish with your host family. Meet up with the group again for dinner for a delightful Homemade Cuban meal, and take lot of coffee to survive a night out in this marvelous Colonial city. For sure a walk to Plaza Mayor & enjoy the dance show at Casa de la Musica. Maybe dare to dance your first SALSA song... Then, when the heat is up, it is time for a walk up to the top of the hill to THE AYALA CAVE! A real discotheque in a Natural Cave! A MUST-SEE! The best nightlife on the whole island...
Day 6 Guajimico (hotel)
You will have most of the morning to visit the markets of Trinidad or Casa de La Trova... The group meets up at the “central” casa particular again where you put things on the van and leave to Guajimico. On the way, stop at the former slaves trade point site. Lunch is at the new hotel and an afternoon paddle to 2 beaches where you can snorkel. Hang out in your kayak until the sun goes down.
Day 7 Drive back to Havana (hotel)
Early breakfast at hotel. Then, it is time head back north! Getting to the Capital city, possibility to stop on any beach along the way for a swim and stretch your legs a little. Lunch in Havana, afternoon to hang out or buy cigars. After exploring the city, join in the farewell dinner, party and a night of story telling, celebrating your truly memorable trip in Cuba. (Optional Cuban Ballet in Old Havana)
Day 8 Depart Havana
Breakfast at hotel is followed by a plethora of optional activities, remain in the city and enjoy the many fine markets to explore, relax and spend the day on a beautiful welcoming beach or spend the day sightseeing the natural and historical marvels of old Havana. The buildings in Old Havana speak to a rich and proud past. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Habana Vieja is a fascinating part of the city, especially for the architecturally inclined. In recent years, painstaking preservation has sparked a certain civic pride, and reminded Cubans, and visitors alike, just how beautiful a city Havana really is. World-class museums and galleries are plentiful, documenting everything from their flora and fauna, to the words of poet Jose Marti.
For certain, the music will be one of the highlights, for Cuba is a symphony of sounds, rhythms, colors and dances. African beats merge with Spanish rhythms. And instead of chaos, fighting or discord, there is a celebration of the differences and the diversity. Persistence, resilience, hope -- words that define the people of Cuba.
After breakfast and some leisure time, return to the airport for your flight home.
Activities
Tips From The Guides...
First of all, you will not need to have all your belongings in dry bags! Do not panic! You are on holidays and we know it, so we will simplify things for you! Only on the 4th night of the tour you will need to carry along on the kayak some waterproofed things as you sleeping bag and some clothes for that one night of camping. That is all as the next morning you meet the van again with your backpacks onboard.
WEATHER:
Yes you are going to be traveling in the tropics but not everything is like on postcards… it does get cold at night! It does get windy sometimes. Especially in the mountains, you will want to bring a very warm shirt or fleece and a light jacket too put on top. Multi layering is the best solution.
MONEY:
Try to bring Euros, Canadian Dollar or Sterling Pounds. In Cuba, they do accept American Dollars (USD) but you will end up loosing a lot in the exchange of currency. Also, you will find NOWHERE in Cuba to change Australian dollar. The ATM´s are very unreliable and mostly do cash advance with VISA. Any transaction to take out money you will be charged around 11% comission... so it is best for you to bring cash.
EXTRA STUFF TO BRING;
During our tour, there will be a family stay of one night, in Trinidad. We recommend to bring little gifts such as school supplies for kids, pencils, notebooks, soap, sauces or spices for food...
CAMPING TIPS:
The best friend of a camper is “BABY WIPES!” Yep! Once after a long and fascinating day, you will appreciate them so much! Also, if you have trouble to fall asleep, you might want to bring earplugs to make things easier. Remember you will be sharing tents twice and maybe the tent next to yours is on “snoring mode”. You really want to have a good night sleep to enjoy the active days of this tour!
SPANISH:
You might want to bring along a small size dictionnary to be able to communicate with your Cuban Family in Trinidad.
HAVANA:
Some people like to have allergy pills in Havana because of the pollution in the air ( old cars ...) can give you a little cough.
P.S. This is an Adventure trip! Bring everything you need like Sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a sleeping bag. It is nearly impossible to find anything in Cuba related to Camping!
