Trekking in Cuba Tour: Nature & History on Foot

As the plane descends into Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, you look out the window and notice the tall grass swaying in the breeze. Palm fronds rustle. The ocean stretches to the horizon to the north. The Sierra del Escambray rolls across the sky to the west. Disembark the plane and your private transfer greets you at baggage claim, ready to escort you to your hotel in the heart of Havana. The city maintains a captivating rhythm emanating from the historic architecture and endless sources of music, from jazz to salsa.

The sea breeze washes over the edges of the city across the seaside boulevard known as the Malecón. Couples stroll along the walkway beside the thick sea wall. Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro rises above the entrance of Havana Bay. The 16th-century fortress points cannons towards the water, continuing its guardianship of the city. A museum on the grounds commemorates the seven-year war in the 18th century when British forces captured the City. The twin edifice of Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana sits across the water. A large chain of metal and wood once connected the two structures. During naval attacks, soldiers would tighten the chain restricting ships from passing into the bay.

Today your guide introduces you to the diverse landscape of the Caribbean Island. After breakfast, your private transfer whisks you away from Havana. The sea splashes against the walls of the Malecón. Fishers cast their lines into the water searching for fresh fish. Teenagers lounge against the walls and soak up the morning sun. Travel down 5ta. Avenue in the district of Miramar, passing the stately buildings of foreign consulates. People jog on the picturesque island separating the traffic lanes. Lush trees line the roadway shading the central walkway.

Once outside of Havana, you find the saccharine aroma of fresh coconut and sugarcane. On the two-lane road, you pass antique Soviet tractors and horse-drawn buggies. Chickens cluck and peck the ground at a small farm. Cows graze in the lush grass. The scenic drive takes you to the town of Vinales in the region of Pinar del Rio. The region boasts some of the finest soil in the country, which produces the best tobacco for Cuban cigars.

The soil glows red beneath the emerald trees growing across the valley. An easy walk along a marked trail takes you to Cueva del Indio, an indigenous dwelling rediscovered in the 1920s. It remains the largest cave system in Cuba with a gallery of nearly 28 miles. Descend the steps and board a small boat that navigates the waters inside the cave network. Indigenous peoples once used the caves as shelter from the weather and the incoming Spanish. Stalactites dangle from the ceiling and drip with perspiration. You feel as though you have entered an undiscovered world.

Giant limestone mogotes, flat-topped hills with steep sides, rise from the valley floor reminiscent of mounds. Tobacco farmers plow their fields with ancient techniques, using oxen to pull the heavy steel rototillers. After breakfast, you set out on your first long trek, traversing the trails lined with palm trees and karsts. The walk is approximately eight miles. The breeze carries the sweet aroma of fresh coconut as the fruit dangles from the treetops. The red soil kicks up behind. The trail meanders around the limestone base of the sporadic mogotes.

Trek into the lush forest sweeping across the foothills of the mountains. Intermittent communities hidden beneath the forest canopy continue to produce coffee on large plots of land once settled by the Spanish. The green and red grains stand out from the leaves. You reach the top of a small hill and find your reward; the trees open up to a panorama of the valley floor. Traditional thatched huts punctuate the landscape near the edges of tobacco fields. Karsts tower over the huts adding the perspective of their size against the farmers’ homes.

In the morning, the valley fills with the aroma of roasting coffee beans. Locals cook the beans in their backyards, allowing the breeze to carry the scent. Cooking the grain releases the natural oils and brings out the true flavor of the coffee once brewed. The aroma itself is invigorating. After breakfast, you leave Vinales behind and follow the Sierra del Escambray, the second highest mountain range on the island. The mountains travel across three separate provinces and harbor a cool climate perfect for pine forests.

The herbaceous scent of pine trees overtakes the memory of the morning’s roasting coffee. Lush greenery carpets the mountains. En route to the rural settlement of Hanabanilla, you stop in the city of Santa Clara, home to the Che Guevara Monument. The city hosted a decisive battle in 1958 commemorated as the turning point of the Cuban Revolution. The rebel leader and his troop overtook an armored train carrying weapons to Santiago de Cuba. A 22-foot bronze statue of Ernesto “Che” Guevara stands at attention at the entrance of the square.

In the morning, the sunlight washes Lake Hanabanilla. The cobalt blue water contrasts the emerald trees rising up the hills, outlining the lakeshore. After breakfast, you board a boat to travel across the 17-mile lone lake. Three separate rivers feed into the water source. The cool air of the upper mountain feels refreshing in the morning sun. Bass jump out of the water in search of a meal. You enter the grounds of Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve named for its third highest peak. The tallest mountain, Potrerillo, reaches a height of 3,054 feet above sea level. Orchids blossom in the forest canopy.

The 20-foot tall tree ferns shade the lakeshore. Plants similar to ginger root grow in the underbrush. Hike along the well-marked dirt trail to El Rocio Waterfall. You can hear the movement of the river rushing over rocks. The swish of water from El Rocio Waterfall overtakes the river. You can hear the trickling streams dripping into the waiting pool before you see it through the trees. Boulders separate the water into four streams cascading down the mountain. You take a moment to relax in the cool breeze, calming sound, and tranquil surroundings before continuing to a local farmhouse located near the edge of the trail.

The trails around Parque Guanayara offer the most scenic routes in Topes de Collantes. In the morning, you can hear the Tocoro, Cuba’s national bird, chirping in the trees. Your guide points into the trees outlining the red belly and blue crown of the Cuban trogon. Step into a unique 6x6 vehicle once used by the Russian army to transfer soldiers through rugged terrain. The engine roars to life and carries you to the starting point of the Caburni Trail. The hike takes you more than four miles in a loop through lush forest, rock outcroppings, and cliff faces resembling canyon walls.

You reach the edges end of Salto del Caburni, one of the largest waterfalls in Cuba, reaching a height of nearly 230 feet. The water has carved a niche into the hillside and resembles a waterslide more than a cascade. The natural pool below ripples with cool, crystal-clear fresh water. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pond before continuing your trek through the jungles of the Sierra del Escambray Mountains. After lunch, your private transfer leads you down the hillside towards the Caribbean coast where you can settle into the comforts of the colonial town of Trinidad.

The turquoise coast and foothills of the Escambray mountain range outline Trinidad. The Spanish founded the city in the 16th century. Wealthy families rose to prominence during the 19th-century sugar boom. Colonial buildings continue to line the streets of the city center. Pastel painted homes with red-tiled rooftops spread around the surrounding neighborhoods. Horses pull buggies filled with produce. Horse hooves clop on the cobblestone streets and echo off of the facades of the historic homes. The Museum of Colonial Architecture contains exhibits on decoration, including handles, doors, and antique windows housed inside two 18th-century buildings near the mansion of Sanchez Iznaga.

The day is yours to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the colonial city and the outlying settlements at your leisure. Stroll along the cobblestone streets and enjoy relax in a café or make your way to Playa Ancón to relish time in the sun on a pristine beach. The white sand looks like pearls in the sunlight. The beach stretches for two and a half miles against the turquoise water. Sink into the sand and sip fresh coconut milk or a cocktail. Lounge underneath the shade of a palapa. The water is pleasingly temperate.

In the early morning, the sound of hooves clopping against the cobblestone streets returns to the city. You feel rejuvenated, your energy levels replenished, ready to take on the mountainous landscape of central Cuba. After breakfast, you leave the colonial streets of Trinidad and make your way to Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra. Hunter green peaks rise into the sky providing the perfect atmosphere for cloud forests to blossom. Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest mountain, climbs to a height of 6,469 feet above sea level in the province of Santiago de Cuba.

Make your way to Comandancia de la Plata; the Cuban Revolutionary headquarters established by Fidel Castor in 1958. The camouflaged hideout maintains its vintage qualities. The 16 wood buildings create a village-like ambiance. A small museum near the complex entrance observes the struggle of the guerillas’ and their fight for independence from the Batista regime. To reach Fidel’s house, you trek through thick trees, climbing the hillside. The design contains seven concealed escape route, a safety precaution in case the hideout was ever discovered. After your immersion into the former rebel camp, you continue to the town of Bayamo for the evening.

The quiet town of Bayamo predates Havana and Santiago. The Spanish founded the city in 1513, as the second Spanish settlement in Cuba. The sleepy city maintains a slow pace throughout the day. Horses pull carts and help locals transport goods across town. The friendly square of Parque Cespedes fills with music in the afternoon. Orchestras play beneath the shading trees near the bronze statue of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. After breakfast, you travel up the foothills of Alto del Naranjo, whose peak rises to an altitude of 3,116 feet.

You have a breathtaking view of the Plains of Grandma stretching out in uniform grandeur. From the top of Alto de Naranjo, you begin your following the Pico Turquino Trail. Giant ferns lead to the cloud forests. The world’s smallest frog lingers in the pools of water collected on large leaves. The manmade stairs offer some relief from the steep incline along the trail. Butterflies flutter their iridescent wings around the underbrush. You reach Aguada de Joaquin after having ascended to up to nearly 4,462 feet above sea level.

Today you wake up early, eager to ascend to the top of Pico Turquino. By the time the sun has risen over the mountaintops, you have already climbed to the top of the first peak of the day, Joaquin Peak at 5,511 feet above sea level. The cool air of the high altitude peaks helps recharge your body. The water collected on the leaves from the passing clouds is cold on your skin. Hutia, a marmot-like animal reaching a length of 18 inches, search the trees for nuts. Junipers grow tall and lush in due to the climate.

Cross through the Pass of the Monkeys, known for the series of wooden ladders park rangers built across the area to hikers from eroding soil. When you reach the top of Pico Turquino, a bust of the Cuban National hero Jose Marti waits to greet you. A plaque commemorates his words, which continue to inspire visitors from around the world. From the summit, you can look out to the rugged, textured mountains overtaking the horizon. The canopy opens a short distance down from the peak and offers an unparalleled view of the Caribbean Sea in the distance.

Wake up in the eco-community of La Platica. Wooden walkways meander through the jungle brush and connect buildings made from local supplies. The trees almost camouflage the rooms. The forest edges against the community. The mountain ride shapes the skyline. The aroma of fresh coffee helps bring your energy back. Today you have a moderate hike to the familiar grounds of La Plata, Fidel Castro’s headquarters in the Sierra Maestra. You can take your time and marvel at the surrounding jungle landscape. Your private transfer meets you on the paved road at the base of the hillside near the historical site. Enjoy the relaxing scenic drive to a small villa in the countryside. Indulge in a large Cuban lunch with a view of the forest canopy and rolling mountaintops. The serene beauty of Cuba is captivating. After lunch, you continue to the labyrinthine town of Camaguey, a UNESCO World Heritage site established in the 16th century.

The maze-like layout of Camaguey helped protect the citizens of the city from pirate and privateer attacks through the centuries. Narrow winding alleys create Cuba’s third-largest city. Hidden plazas open to baroque churches. Jovial music spills out of spirited cafes. The charming square of Plaza San Juan de Dios contains colonial architecture more reminiscent of Mexico than Cuba. The Museo de San Juan de Dios stands on the eastern border. The former hospital now contains exhibits chronicling Camaguey’s history.

The front cloister was erected in the 18th century. Moorish embellishments decorate the rear patio. The pastel-painted buildings behind the square contain celebrated restaurants capturing the spirit of the city. In Plaza, del Carmen locals enjoy the beauty and quiet of the restored cobbled space. Street lamps add a touch of history to the artistic life-sized sculptures of Camaguey heroes. Locals read newspapers and gossip about daily life in the city. After your tour, you continue to Sancti Spiritus, a gorgeous colonial town.

The streets of Sancti Spiritus have a serene historic atmosphere. Kids play stickball in Parque Serafin. Couples play love songs to one another underneath the tree-lined streets. The city was one of the original villas founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. The scent of guava drifts over the cobblestone plazas. The bridge of Puente Yayabo resembles a Victorian structure. The Spanish built the quadruple-arched bridge in 1815. The nearby Taberna Yayabo provides a marvelous view of the bridge and its reflection in the stoic water.

The narrow street of Callo Llano fills with old ladies peddling chickens. Neighbors sit in front of their pastel yellow homes and gossip. The inner life of the city continues to fascinate passersby. Your private transfer meets you at your accommodation and escorts you back to Havana. After you check-in to the comforts of your hotel and refresh, your guide meets you for a tour of the old city. Classic American cars continue to cruise down the cobblestone streets.

Colonial buildings provide a touch of color to the urban Cuban expanse. The Cathedral of Havana San Cristobal adorns Plaza de la Catedral. The baroque style and Tuscan elements accentuate the beauty and age of the edifice. The textured walls stem from the use of coral blocks cut from the Gulf of Mexico. Your guide points to marine fossils prevalent in the façade. The larger bell tower contains two bells, each cast with gold and silver before having been mixed with bronze. The alchemy of material creates a sweeter tone when the bell rings across the old city.

Throughout the day, fans of Hemingway make their way to the charming restaurant of La Bodeguita del Medio. Famous artists such as Pablo Neruda and Nat King Cole also flocked to the tables to enjoy succulent seafood and immersive Cuban music. Visitors mark the walls with pleasantries, memorializing their time within the restaurant’s famous, vibrant space. Visitors and locals alike stand near the bar sipping effervescent mojitos listening to the fast-paced music. The local flavor of the restaurant creates as much of the spirit of the Old Havana as the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a 16th-century fortress now housing the city’s maritime museum. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Jose Marti International Airport in time to check into your flight. You have traversed the history, culture, and landscape of Cuba, finding splendor with every step.