Premium Cuba

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
Premium Cuba
9 Days
From AUD $4995
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Premium Cuba

Premium Cuba

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

This Premium adventure through Cuba takes you through colourful architecture, vast beaches and lush countryside. The colourful local history still dominates most aspects of daily life, and you’ll explore Havana in all its faded glory.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (4), Dinner (2)
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel (1 nights), Premium Guesthouse (4 nights), Feature Stay (3 night)

Highlights

  • Visit the home of a local family in Trinidad for a Signature Experience – enjoy a festive home-cooked dinner with the local drink canchanchara, made from ‘fire water’ (local honey and lime juice).
  • Learn the cultural heritage and economic importance of rum at a private mixology workshop at a locally owned restaurant in Old Havana – and enjoy your concoctions, of course!
  • Discover the cobblestone streets of Trinidad, learn some salsa steps in slow-paced Vinales, and take in the colours of Soroa – the valley known as the ‘Rainbow of Cuba.’
  • Explore Havana’s main sights during a ride in a classic American car – a nod to the city’s colourful vintage past.
  • Get to know the story of the Cuban Revolution with your local leader, and visit the memorials dedicated to revolutionary hero Ernesto Che Guevara in Santa Clara.
Premium Cuba

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private vehicle

Guide Language

English

Starts

Havana, Cuba

Finishes

Havana, Cuba

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Havana
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba! Your Premium adventure begins in Havana, the country’s capital. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there are plenty of excellent museums to check out, including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. After your meeting, head to a local restaurant for dinner. Tonight, your leader will introduce you to some classic dishes such as picadillo (a beef and tomato stew) and ropa vieja (pulled beef with vegetables).

Included Activities:

  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Havana - Welcome Dinner

Optional Activities:

  • Havana - Cigar Factory Tour (entrance fee and guide) (10 USD)
  • Havana - National Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee) (250 CUP)

Accommodation:

  • Grand Muthu Havana (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night) (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Havana
Start the day in style as you tour the city in a convoy of classic American vintage cars. Cruise down Havana’s grand old streets as your leader points out significant sights like the Malecon, Revolucion Square and Vedado. Finish your ride in Old Havana where you’ll continue your explorations on foot during a walking tour with your leader. Learn the history of the Havana Cathedral and discover the city’s old-world charm when you stop by Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Have free time for lunch, then head to a private, locally owned restaurant in Old Havana for a hands-on mixology workshop. Learn how to make three different types of cocktails using authentic Cuban rum (and of course try some!). After, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore as you wish. Maybe go and seek out another rum cocktail, now that you know more about its history and cultural significance!

Included Activities:

  • Havana - Revolution Square
  • Havana - Leader-led walking tour of Old Havana
  • Havana - American Vintage Car Tour (No guide and transport included)
  • Havana - Rum Workshop and Cocktail Experience

Optional Activities:

  • Havana - Museum of the Revolution (entrance fee) (8 EUR)
  • Havana - Jose Marti Memorial tower entrance fee (200 CUP)

Accommodation:

  • Grand Muthu Havana (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night) (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Soroa to Vinales
Before departing Havana, visit Deshidratados Havana – a local dehydrated fruit workshop founded during the pandemic to help with food scarcity. Learn how the natural preserves are made without any sugar or preservatives and try out some samples. Next, drive west to Soroa, where you’ll visit a beautiful orchid garden. Meet with a local guide for a private walk around the gardens and learn about the vibrant array of plant and bird species – it’s not hard to see why this valley is known as the ‘Rainbow of Cuba.’ Make a stop at the Castle in the Clouds, a mountain-top property with wonderful views, take some time out for lunch and then continue to Vinales, where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape. Use this travel time to take part in an informal Spanish lesson so you can converse with the friendly locals throughout the rest of your trip. Check into your guesthouses, then take a short orientation walk with your leader to get acquainted with the town.

Included Activities:

  • Soroa – Orchid Garden Tour (entrance and guide fee)
  • Vinales - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Havana - Deshidratados Havana Visit

Optional Activities:

  • Vinales - Live music venues (entrance fee) - Free

Accommodation:

  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Vinales
Begin your day with a guided walk in the lush farmlands of the Vinales Valley, past mogotes, tobacco fields and rural scenery. Then, head to Casa del Campesino, where you’ll shadow a local farmer to learn about organic farming, local crops, medicinal plants and countryside cooking. Tuck into a traditional farm-to-table lunch made with ingredients that were grown right here, finishing with a freshly brewed Cuban coffee as the local family tells you all about their farm’s history and sustainable approach. After, find your feet with a salsa lesson, where you’ll learn a few new steps while embracing the electrifying rhythm of Cuba. The rest of the evening is free.

Included Activities:

  • Vinales - Salsa dance lesson (1 hour)
  • Vinales – Valley Walk and Farm Visit
  • Vinales – Farm-to-Table Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Vinales to Cienfuegos
Prepare for a long travel day as you make your way to Cienfuegos. Drive back through Havana before stopping in the Bay of Pigs for lunch. After lunch, you may like to take a dip in the crystal-clear water. Or, unroll your beach towel and sit back as your leader shares stories of the botched USA military counter-revolutionary invasion in the Bay of Pigs. Now a tranquil spot for relaxing, it’s hard to imagine the chaotic battle that took place here in 1961. Then it’s just a short drive to Cienfuegos, one of Cuba’s prettiest coastal spots. Arrive in the early evening and join your leader on a short orientation walk before visiting the Palacio del Valle – Cienfuegos’ architectural pride and joy.

Included Activities:

  • Bay of Pigs - Coastal swim stop
  • Cienfuegos - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (from entrance fee)

Accommodation:

  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Cienfuegos to Trinidad
Enjoy a free morning in Cienfuegos – maybe stop by a local cafe for a cup of Cuban coffee. Then make the journey to Trinidad. When you arrive, your leader will introduce you to the town’s history and architecture during a walking tour. Take in Trinidad’s eye-catching combination of cobblestone streets and colourful houses. It’s a great town to explore on foot, and almost every scene offers great photo opportunities – from residents with huge cigars relaxing on their doorsteps to old Chevrolets cruising by. In the evening, take a trip out of town to a local house for a homely and festive dinner. Be welcomed with the local drink, canchanchara, made from ‘fire water’ (local honey and lime juice). There will even be a musician or two serenading you and your fellow travellers as you dine.

Included Activities:

  • Trinidad - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Trinidad - Dinner at a local farmhouse

Accommodation:

  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Trinidad
Most of the day is yours to explore all that Trinidad has to offer. For some beachside fun and maybe a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon (just be careful you don’t step on a sea urchin!). The town is dotted with open-air venues where you can check out a folklore show that nods to Cuba’s rich and varied music and dance tradition. Regroup in the mid-afternoon for a percussion workshop with local musicians to learn about the rhythms that have shaped the island’s musical identity. Then, get moving in an Afro-Cuban dance class led by local dancers – immerse yourself in the ancestral movements and artistic expression that have influenced dance styles worldwide. Later, relax with your group over sunset cocktails.

Included Activities:

  • Trinidad – Sunset Cocktail
  • Trinidad – Afro-Cuban Percussion and Dance Class

Optional Activities:

  • Trinidad - Massage - from (25 USD)
  • Trinidad - Bicycle rental (full day) (5 EUR)
  • Trinidad - Musical Instrument Lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion) per hour (10 EUR)
  • Trinidad - Snorkel gear rental (5 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Premium Guesthouse or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Trinidad to Santa Clara to Havana
Head inland with a stop at the Valle De Los Ingenios Scenic Viewpoint, where you’ll have a drink while soaking in the views of sugar cane plantations. Continue to the beautiful city of Santa Clara, where you’ll enjoy an included lunch followed by a visit to the Che Guevara mausoleum. Here, you’ll see the imposing statue of the iconic revolutionary leader. In the museum that accompanies the mausoleum, you’ll find a spread of photos and other ephemera related to Che – letters, medical devices and firearms. Return to Havana and check into your hotel. Perhaps soak in the amazing views from the rooftop pool or indulge in a mojito at the bar.

Included Activities:

  • Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (entrance fee)
  • Trinidad - Valle De Los Ingenios Scenic Viewpoint and Drink

Optional Activities:

  • Havana - Buena Vista Social Club Performance (entrance fee & dinner) (35 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Grand Muthu Havana (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Havana
Your Cuban adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. As there’s a great deal to do in Havana, it’s recommended that you stay a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $4,995
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

This Premium adventure through Cuba takes you through colourful architecture, vast beaches and lush countryside. The colourful local history still dominates most aspects of daily life, and you’ll explore Havana in all its faded glory.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 16 Oct 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Marian
Traveled, April 2024

04/15/2024

The Premium Cuba trip was a fascinating experience. Our guide, Emilio, was incredibly knowledgeable of all the history. He was enthusiastic, funny, organized, attentive, and everything you would want in a guide. I highly recommend this trip.

4.0
Angie
Traveled, March 2024

03/29/2024

We took the premium Cuba trip with Barbara as our guide. Intrepid and Barbara did a great job. I wish I had been more prepared for the multiple power outages in the lodgings we had. It was way too hot to sleep at times or get comfortable. Pillows, towels and mattresses were terrible, but this would have been true with any tour company in Cuba. I do wish I had known how primitive the experience would be. Overall, I am glad I went, but I am definitely glad to be home.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989