Havana Marathon 12 Day / 11 Night Cuba Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Fri 9th Nov – Arrival Santiago de Cuba

Arrive at Santiago de Cuba Airport. Overnight in Santiago de Cuba – 4* Melia Santiago Hotel. Included Meals: No meals included this day.

Day 2 – Sat 10th Nov: Santiago de Cuba City Tour

In the morning, we will be picked up from our hotel to go on a Travelling Fit exclusive private half day city tour. It will be a short drive to the Parque Cespedes where we will see the historic town hall and the Cathedral. We will drive past Casa Velazquez, the most antique house of the former Spanish governor. Time to stroll around the main square and through the Calle Heredia before we continue by bus to the Revolution Square. This tour also includes visits to the sprawling and serene Cemetery Santa Ifigenia, Castillo El Moro (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Bar Ron Caney (rum), Moncada Barracks, the mansion of the Bacardi Family and San Juan Hill from the Cuban-Spanish-American war. Lunch will be served near the fortress with panoramic views over the sea. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Santiago de Cuba – 4* Melia Santiago Hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Travelling Fit Pty Ltd ATF TF Corporate Trust Level 1, Suite 1, 66 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal, NSW 2260, Australia | PO Box 583, Terrigal, NSW 2260, Australia Tel 1300 728 296 | Int’l +61 2 4385 2455 | Fax +61 2 4385 2476 | [email protected] | www.travellingfit.com Day 3 – Sun 11th Nov – Jeep Tour and hike

In the morning, we will be picked up from our hotel to go on a Travelling Fit exclusive private tour and travel to the very heart of the Sierra Maestra, Cuba’s highest mountain range and birthplace of the Cuban Revolution, to visit the Comandancia La Plata. The General Command of the Rebel Army in La Plata has been declared a National Monument. Back in 1958, Fidel Castro and his men established their headquarters here in order to provide needed shelter and facilities for the guerrillas, such as a hospital (Che Guevara was a medic) and a radio base “Radio Rebelde”. The majestic nature and unique history on this tour will include a 3 hour medium hike giving a genuine sense of rebel life during the revolution. Traveling deep into the mountains along roads less travelled, with the treasures of Mother Nature all around, is an unforgettable experience. Overnight in Bayamo – 2.5* Hotel Sierra Maestra. Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 4 – Mon 12th Nov: Bayamo to Camaguey

After breakfast we take a 3hr private coach transfer from Bayamo to Camaguey.

On arrival we take an orientation tour of the Camaguey. With more than 120 kilometres of mainly virgin beaches, Camaguey, the largest province in Cuba, but the least populated, has enormous potential for tourist development. The province’s capital enjoys the same name as the province and was founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez as Santa María del Puerto Príncipe. Camaguey is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Cuba.

The historic city centre is the largest in Cuba and is made up of 382 blocks; it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Camagüey is known as the city of tinajones (enormous earthenware jars) for their use in the patios of homes to collect rainwater. In the evening, we will go out to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Camaguey – 2.5* Gran Hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

4hr private coach transfer from Camaguey to Trinidad. On arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. If you are up for it we could go as a group to the heart of Trinidad and listen to open air live Cuban music on amphitheatre style steps at Casa del La Música. Overnight in Trinidad – 2.5* Hotel Las Cuevas. Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 – Wed 14th Nov: Topes de Collantes National Park

Today we head to Topes de Collantes which is the nearby mountain village in the eponymous nature park. Topes is pleasantly nestled in the Sierra del Escambray, at 800 meters above sea level where we will feel the difference in temperature in the mountains, with an average of about 21 degrees Celsius and so much fresher than Trinidad. From the top, we will take in the spectacular panoramic view over the region. The trail, Centinelas the Río Melodioso, is approximately 5kms long and takes about 3 hours on foot. The River Melodios has a special shape with impressive cascades and ponds, and the area is home to a rich endemic flora and fauna. We will visit to the Waterfall "Salto del Rocio" with time to bathe in the natural pool "El Venado", to swim in the natural pool. After alternating climbing, but mostly descending, and after having bridged rivers and defying waterfalls, we walk straight (usually with an enriched appetite) to the backyard of La Casa de la Gallega, a former farm, now a country restaurant, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Long tables are set, on which homemade chicken will be served. Overnight in Trinidad – 2.5* Hotel Las Cuevas. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

This day we will get the opportunity to indulge in the sea! Inhale fresh air while we cruise over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The rich seabed of Cuba´s waters reveals itself at the coral reef, Las Mulatas, where you have the opportunity to snorkel and explore the Caribbean underwater treasures. A lunch of seafood is served on the island, Cayo Blanco, and it would be a real punishment not to laze at this pristine beach, after lunch. At the end of the afternoon, we will sail back to the marina. Overnight in Trinidad – 2.5* Hotel Las Cuevas. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8 – Fri 16th Nov: Trinidad to Havana via Santa Clara

In the morning we will be picked up from the hotel for a private coach transfer from Trinidad to Havana with a stop in Santa Clara, where Che Guevara had his greatest victory. This stop includes a visit of the Che Guevara Memorial and the Tren Blindado. We then continue to Havana where we will make this home for 4 nights. The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Old Havana – 3.5* Hotel Sevilla. Included Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 – Sat 17th Nov: Walking Tour of Old Havana

In the morning, we will be taking a Travelling Fit exclusive gentle walking tour around Old Havana. This historic and colonial centre is an open-air museum of architecture, art and culture, a real treat for history and culture buffs. Whilst on the walking tour, we will encounter cobblestone lanes and squares including the beautiful restored Old Square (Plaza Vieja), the Arms Square (Plaza de Armas) which encompasses the mid-16th century colonial fort, Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Finally, we will reach the Cathedral Square, where you can enjoy a refreshing “Mojito” at nearby “Bodeguita del Medio”, one of Hemingways favourite haunts Pre-Race Optional Dinner get together (at own expense). Overnight in Old Havana – 3.5* Hotel Sevilla Included Meals: Breakfast

Today is the day you have been waiting for. All distances from the Marathon to the Half Marathon, and the 10km event, will take place today. The race start is only a short walk from our hotel and for those supporters who are unsure of the course or where to see your family/friends run, Travelling Fit will be there to look after you on race day and capture the best vantage points as runners pass.

Meet back at the hotel for a celebratory reunion back at our hotel. We are eager to find out how you went.

Overnight in Old Havana – 3.5* Hotel Sevilla.

Included Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11 – Mon 19th Nov: Celebration Dinner

Today you will have earned yourself a day of rest. Feel free to walk around Old Havana to get a further taste of what this lively city has to offer. Things to do in Havana: visit the Capitol Building, smoke a good cigar, have a good cocktail, take a walk on El Malecon, see “el canonazo de las nueve”, go to the Barrio Chino but find no Chinese people, listen to some great local music, practise some salsa moves, browse through the book market of Plaza de Armas or visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. In the evening, we will head to the other side of the bay, via the underwater Tunnel, to see “El Morro” fortress. From here we head to Divina Pastora where you will enjoy a post- race celebration dinner overlooking Havana Bay. After dinner, we head back to the hotel and for those that want to continue experiencing the Cuban life by night, there is much to do.

Overnight in 3.5* Hotel Sevilla, Old Havana. Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

The tour ends here however if you are keen to stay another night we highly recommend you do the Viñuales Tour. Feel free to contact us for details. Included Meals: Breakfast.

End of Tour.

NOTE: The hotels in Cuba are not to the same standards as the Western World