Ride through History & Nature in Central Cuba Western Havana Cuba During this tour in Cuba’s Central Region, you will enjoy one of the best rides in the country! You will have the opportunity to visit Cuba's beautiful colonial towns and swim in the crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. You will also ride through the green province of Ciego de Ávila, where tobacco and coffee are grown in the fertile valleys. Throughout the entire trip, you will enjoy Cuban hospitality, sleeping in guajiros (field workers) farms as well as having lunch together or drinking and dancing with the locals during the evening. Progressive Ride (no camping) Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Havana Airport: Havana - José Martí airport Transfer: Riders: Min 5 riders Max 12 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Pick up transfer from José Martí airport can be arranged for an extra fee. Drop off transfer to José Martí airport is included at set time on the last day of the tour (departure from Havana at 6 pm).

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Check into your hotel in la Havana. Tonigt, dinner is in a local paladar (family restaurant).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in la Havana

Day 2: Cienfuegos & Trinidad Visit (no riding)
This morning, transfer to Cienfuegos (3hr drive). Lunch in a paladar and guided walking tour through the historical center of Cienfuegos, the 'Southern Pearl'. Founded in 1819 it has the richest collection of architecture and urban design of all the southern cities.
Then, transfer to Trinidad (1h). Founded in 1514, Trinidad is a World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved jewels of colonial Caribbean architecture. In the great historic town center a lot of music and cultural activities take place in the evenings.
Dinner and accommodation are in a nice casa particular (private family establishment or boarding house).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Casa Particular in Trinidad

Day 3: Waterfall Ride
After breakfast, go on a 3-hour ride to Hoyo del Pilon waterfall, through the Ingenios Valley (a nominated Archeological Reserve by UNESCO). Then, transfer (15m) to Playa Ancón for a swim in the Caribbean Sea and a seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, transfer to Meneses (3h drive). Welcome Cocktail and dinner with produce from the farm.
Accommodation at Los Álamos. Option of an introduction to Cuban country music « Criolla ».
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Los Álamos

Day 4: Historic Ride
We start the day with a ride on Criollo de trote horses. Along the way, we will have occasion to enjoy the diversity of the Cuban flora, seeing trees such as royal palm, guásima, yamagua and big carob trees. 
We will eventually arrive at the historic Camp of the Comandante Camilo Cienfuegos and the Northern Front de Las Villas. Our guide will give you a good introduction about the historic events of this place and about the bird species of this area such as the Tocororo, the national bird of Cuba and the Zunzún one of the smallest birds in the world.
After the visit, picnic-lunch and transfer to Finca Santa Rubia (1h), a lovely 60 hectares private family farm with its plantation and tobacco-drying barn. Welcome cocktail with our hosts Marbel and Yalianis.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Finca Santa Rubia

Day 5: Casa Evelio Ride
After breakfast, we ride to Casa Evelio, arriving just in time for lunch. During the ride, we will enjoy magnificent panoramic views and admire the diversity of Cuban flora.
After a little rest, we will ride to Presa Florencia. There, we will have the opportunity for some gallops before our return to the Finca.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Finca Santa Rubia

Day 6: Cayo Guillermo Visit (no riding)
Transfer to Cayo Guillermo (2h) where we will arrive just in time for a swim at the beautiful beach of Playa Pilar. This is one of the beaches of Cayo Guillermo, renowned for the variety of birds and the high level of conservation of their maritime ecosystems.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Cayo Guillermo

Day 7: Morón & Santa Clara Visit (no riding)
After an early breakfast, transfer to Morón (2h) where we will stop for few minutes at “El Gallo de Moron”, before we continue our trip to Santa Clara where we will stop to visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and to have a small snack. Then, we continue our journey to Havana (3h). Dinner in a local paladar and accommodation at the hotel Presidente or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Havana

Day 8: Havana
For our last day, transfer to a Finca beside the beaches of Playas del Este (30m). During our ride, we can go for a swim before our seafood lunch at the outside terrace of a nice restaurant.
Then, transfer back to Havana. Farewell dinner with a great musical show with some of the former members of Buena Vista Social Club at the Old Havana, or another great musical show.
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Havana

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you are free to do some sightseeing in Havana. We leave from Havana at 6:00 pm in order to transfer clients to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                            Havana area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	80	81	83	85	87	88	89	90	89	86	83	81
Average Low Temperature (°F)	65	65	67	69	72	74	75	75	75	73	70	67
Average High Temperature (°C)	27	27	28	29	31	31	32	32	32	30	29	27
Average Low Temperature (°C)	18	18	19	21	22	23	24	24	24	23	21	19
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	7	7	7	5	8	12	9	12	12	14	10	8

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The weather in Cuba is tropical, with maritime influence that keeps temperatures moderate all year round. The weather in Cuba is divided in two seasons: wet and dry.

Dry season (December through mid-April)
This is when most tourists visit the country. During the day, temperatures are quite warm but nights can get cool, especially from December to February.

Wet season (mid-April to November)
Durng the rainy season, températures are slightly warmer but there are less tourists. Fall is a great time to visit as there are usually less people and weather conditions are still very nice with précipitations becoming less frequent.


Hurricanes
The official hurricane season in Cuba runs from June through November, with more rain occurring during these months due to tropical storm activity. However, according to the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association), Cuba experiences the lowest frequency of hurricanes and tropical storms than other parts of the Caribbean.
It’s also worth noting that Cuba has highly developed disaster preparedness and civil defense networks for evacuations.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (not provided- we strongly recommend you bring your own)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Rain coat/Wax jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Light summer jacket

Warm jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers (some walking downhill leading our horse is required on 2nd day)

Swimsuit)

Bandana

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Cuba’s pharmacies are generally void of pharmaceuticals, both prescription and over the counter. There are dollar only “Tourist Pharmacies”, but your best bet is to bring with you whatever you may even remotely think you may need. Even a small wound can quickly “fester” in a hot, tropical climate.

Here is a list of suggested items to bring:
• Aspirin – bring regular and acetaminophen-based (Tylenol) pain relievers with you. They’re invaluable in case you get a fever there also.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cleanser – Betadyne is the hospital’s preferred choice.
• Topical Anti-bacterial Cream – Bacitracin or the equivalent is best.
• A prescription based oral antibiotic – Just to be sure
• Anti-Itch medicine – Aluminium sulphite or Calamine Lotion. Those bugs, when they’re out, are big, bad and they bite!
• Anti-histamine – Benadryl works well
• Sunglasses – The sun is strong in Cuba. Make sure your glasses are 100% UV protective and better yet, make sure they’re polarized. Bring a back-up just in case, too.
• Suntan Lotion – Bring a high protection lotion with you.
• Batteries & Camera Film – This includes SD cards if you have a digital camera. They’re hard to find, expensive when you do and many times they are out of date.
• Water Purification Tablets – Bottled water is plentiful and I hear the tap water is nowhere as contaminated as it is in Mexico and other Central and South American countries. However, they’re a good precaution just in case you get caught in a remote area with a dubious water source.
• BandAids
• Rid-X – For those nasty critters: Intestinal Worms.
• Pepto Bismol / Imodium Tablets
• Anbesol


What to bring for the Cuban people:
Giving money only encourages begging. The exception to the ‘no money’ rule would be for friends or if it’s legitimate business such as tipping a cab driver or a restaurant or bar server.
Bring small gifts with you before you fly to Cuba as they basically have nothing by way of material possessions; anything that you can leave behind they will appreciate.

Toys for kids
Samples of perfume or after shave fragrances
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste
Leave clothes, shoes etc. that you don’t like anymore, in Cuba after your vacation
Children’s books (Spanish)
Magazines
Pens 

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Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
During this trip, you will sleep in small hotels, fincas and casas particulares.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Presidente in Havana
Night 2: Casa Particular in Trinidad
Night 3: Los Álamos
Night 4 & 5: Finca Santa Rubia
Night 6: Hotel in Cayo Guillermo
Night 7 & 8: Hotel Presidente in Havana

Hotel Presidente in Havana
This hotel was built between 1925 and 1928 and used to be the tallest building in Havana. The hotel has over 400 catalogued pieces of art are exhibited, giving a very special flavor to visitors.
It has 158 rooms, all equipped with comfortable beds, private bathroom with hairdryer, air conditioning, safe deposit box, TV and telephone. 
In the evening, guests can choose to relax by the swimming pool.

Casa Particular in Trinidad
This lovely casa particular offers all the modern comforts contained in a building constructed in the mid 19th century. Each of the 8 bedrooms are air-conditioned and include a private bathroom with hot water 24 hours a day. Each room also has a living area or outdoor terrace. There is WiFi service in all areas of the house.

Los Álamos
This farmhouse is surrounded by nature, ideally located at the entrance of the Jobo Rosado Protected Area. The property used to belong to a cane sugar manufacturer. The 5 guest rooms feature a fan and shared facilities.
There is an outdoor pool where you can cool off in the evening.

Finca Santa Rubia
This finca offers basic accommodation with private bathrooms.

Room Occupancy
When clients do not request a single room, but there isn't another rider to share a room with them, they will need to pay a single supplement fee.



Meals
All meals are included from the dinner on Day 1 to the breakfast on Day 8.
One drink per person (beer, soft drink or mineral water) is included for each meal.

The food served on this trip is mainly organic and free from GM products. Cuban produce is very healthy. Most of what we eat on the days we ride is organic, as is almost everything the Cubans eat.
During our stay in the shelter of the Mil Cumbres and at Finca La Guabina, we will eat products from the farms which belong to the state enterprise 'Flora y Fauna'. The rice, vegetables, fruit, chicken, pork and beef, all have a wonderful flavour.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions given prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western saddles
Horses:		Cuban Criollo horses (mix breed), Pinto and Appaloosa
Pace:		Mostly walking with trot and canter opportunities when terrain allows | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 16
Weight:		Max 220 lbs / 100 kg
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 12 riders

Guide
You are accompanied by a bilingual profesional guide with over 20 years experience in Cuba. There is also a local equestrian guide to accompany you on all trail rides.

Horses
You ride different horses each day including a mix of Cuban Criollo horses and Pintos.
You are not expected to help with tacking up.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you have full holiday Insurance that covers horseback riding and emergency medical insurance. We are happy to provide this. Simple check the appropriate box in the booking form.

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.