Western Cuba Ride Western Havana Cuba The westernmost province in Cuba, also called the Green Province, is a gift of nature. Tobacco is grown in these extraordinarily fertile lands and valleys. This tobacco is used to produce the Habanos old Cuban cigars, the best in the world.  During this riding holiday, you will discover the Sierra de los Órganos, including the Viñales Valley with its “Mogotes” (pincushion hills), and many caves, including the Indian Cave and the Santo Tomás Cave System. This region is also ideal for watching local indigenous wildlife. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy Cuban hospitality, sleeping in the guajiros (field workers) farms and dancing with the locals. 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

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

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: Finca Charco Azul
After breakfast, transfer to the Finca Charco Azul (1h) in Cayajabos, at the south of the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. After a welcome cocktail, we go on a 3-hour ride through this Finca of about 400 hectares. 
After lunch, transfer to Mil Cumbres (2.5h drive). 
This evening, you will get your first introduction to Cuban music.
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Mil Cumbre’s Refuge

Day 3: Mountain Ride
Today, we go on a full day ride through the Natural Park across the mountains of Cuabal and Pan de Guajaibón. With an altitude of 692m, this is the highest point in Pinar del Río province. We stop for a welcome cocktail in the house of a local “Guajiro” family. Then, our route takes us through mountain valleys from where we can see the union of Sierra del Rosario and Sierra de los Órganos, with lush vegetation and protected species of birds and trees.
After lunch, transfer to Viñales (1h).
Optional night out at Casa de la Trova (musical show) for a small added fee.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Viñales

Day 4: Viñales and Palmarito Valleys Ride
This morning, transfer to the horses for a long ride through the Viñales and Palmarito Valleys. We will climb up along a bridle path to El Mirador del Valle, where we can drink a guarapo (a refreshing sugar cane juice) while we enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over tobacco plantations and the spectacular 'Mogotes', conspicuous karst mountains rising like islands from the bottom of the valley.
During our ride, we will stop in some of the rural communities where another guajiro will give us an explanation of the process of cigar-making.
Our lunch stop will be taken on the outside terrace of a nice restaurant.
After the ride, transfer to Finca La Guabina, 12 km from Pinar del Río (1h).
Traditional Cuban musical evening.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vueltabajo

Day 5: Finca La Guabina
After breakfast, transfer to Finca La Guabina to discover its beautiful landscape on horseback.
After lunch, we will have the option to enjoy an exhibition of the wonderful Apaloosa and Pinto horses of the farm, before our transfer to Havana.
Another traditional Cuban musical evening awaits!
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Havana

Day 6: Lenin Park Ride
After breakfast, transfer to the Equestrian Center of Havana. We go on a 3-hour ride to discover the beautiful Lenin Natural Park. Lunch in the Equestrian center and transfer to the hotel in Havana.
Free afternoon to visit Havana.
Riding: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Havana

Day 7: Beach Ride
After breakfast, transfer to the Finca beside the beaches of Playas del Este (30m). There, we will ride on the beach and go for a swim. After the ride, we willa enjoy a seafood lunch at the outside terrace of a nice restaurant before heading bzcxk 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 8: 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

                                            Vinales 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	88	86	83	81
Average Low Temperature (°F)	60	60	63	65	69	72	72	72	72	70	65	62
Average High Temperature (°C)	26	27	28	30	31	31	32	32	31	30	28	27
Average Low Temperature (°C)	15	16	17	18	21	22	22	22	22	21	19	17

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 and fincas.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Nacional in Havana
Night 2: Mil Cumbres Refuge
Night 3: Hotel Los Jazmines in Viñales
Night 4: Hotel Vueltabajo
Night 5-7: Hotel Nacional in Havana

Hotel Nacional in Havana
Located in the center of the Vedado neighborhood, this imposing hotel built during the 30s offers a view of the esplanade of the Malecón. The hotel was declared a National Monument. In fact, in the garden of the hotel, you still can see two of the Santa Clara Battery cannons that belonged to the Havana Defense System at the end of the Spanish colonial period. 
Most of our rooms have been recently renovated, and conveniently furnished and equipped for maximum comfort. The rooms are spacious and feature free Wi-Fi, a TV, air conditioning, a safe and a private bathroom.

Mil Cumbres Refuge
This eco-lodge has 4 bedrooms with electricity and shared bathrooms. There is no Wi-Fi available here.

Hotel Los Jazmines in Viñales
This small hotel offers comfortable rooms with a great view over the valley. Each room comes equipped with Air conditioning, a TV, private bathroom, a safe and free Internet access.
There is also a small pool where you can relax in the evening.

Hotel Vueltabajo
This hotel is housed in a beautiful building. It offers simple but comfortable rooms. Each room comes equipped with a TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom.

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.