JEEP SAFARI

Jeep Safari Program

DEPARTURE DAY: TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY

Havana / Varadero / Rio Canimar / Cienaga De Zapata / Caleta Buena / Cienfuegos / Cumanayagua / Tope De Collantes / Trinidad / Banao / Sancti Spiritus / Meneses / Yaguajay

PROGRAM

VARADERO - RIO CANIMAR - CIENAGA DE ZAPATA (about 160km)

1st day: After breakfast, pickup at the Hotel in Varadero and transfer to the point of exit of the Jeeps.  Departure to 'Rio Canimar'. Journey dedicated to an adventure through trails, palm groves, valleys, caves, peasant villages, including the visit to one of the families to get to know their way of live. Visit to the tourist center 'La Arboleda', located by the Canímar river, Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon boat ride and horse ride available at your choice. Continuation of the trip to Ciénaga de Zapata, in Matanzas province. Arrival at the hotel, accommodation and dinner.

CIENAGA DE ZAPATA - CALETA BUENA - CIENFUEGOS (about 170kms)

2^nd day: After breakfast, departure to Guamá, with visit of the Crocodile Farm, a breeding facility of the Cuban native crocodile and parrots. Follow by a pleasant motor boat tour of La Laguna del Tesoro (treasure lagoon) up to “La Aldea Taina” a reproduction, in life-size stone sculptures, of an indigenous village performing the daily duties of fishing, hunting and house work. Continuation of the trip by Jeep to Ciénaga de Zapata through inland roads and towns to witness the way of life of the local farmers, learn about its history, the wildlife of the place as well as the construction of coal furnaces one of the main local activities. Visit and lunch at the 'Caleta Buena' leisure center. In the afternoon arrival to Cienfuegos, panoramic visit of the city with a brief stop in the main square. Arrival to the hotel, accommodation and dinner.

CIENFUEGOS - CUMANAYAGUA - EL NICHO - TOPES DE COLLANTES - (about 85km).         

3rd day: Breakfast. Travel in the Jeep through main and inland roads up to the Tourist Center "El Nicho", nestled in the mountains of “Sierra del Escambray”, going by its eco-tourist trail, visit to its beautiful waterfall and time to bath in its fresh waters. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon arrival to "Cuatro Vientos” a rural community located in the mountains, where you can visit a town inhabited by farmers and knows about this ecological Project. Continuation of the trip to Topes de Collantes, located 800 meters above sea level. Accommodation in the hotel and dinner.

TOPES DE COLLANTES - GUANAYARA - TOPES DE COLLANTES (about 50 km).         

4th day: After breakfast, departure to Guanayara. Jeep Safari along the paths of the intricate Sierra del Escambray to “La Casa de La Gallega”. Expedition through the ecotourism trail "Centinelas del rio melodioso" (sentinel of the melodic river) that runs along the Guanayara river until the 'El Rocío' waterfall. Little adventure across the river. Free time to relax and take a bath in the natural pool “El Venado”. Return to “La Casa de la Gallega” for lunch. Return to Topes de Collantes, stop at “La Casa del Café”. Arrival to the hotel, overnight and dinner.

TOPES DE COLLANTES - TRINIDAD - BANAO - SANCTI SPIRITUS (about 120 km)

5th day: After breakfast, departure to Trinidad. Walking tour of the city, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with a visit to a museum. The tour will continue with a visit to “Valle de los ingenious Azucareros” (Sugar Mills Valley).  The Valley, a former industrial area nearby ​​Trinidad, was one of the most prosperous regions of the island in the XVII and XVIII centuries, thanks to sugar cane cultivation.  The site preserves extraordinary properties of heritage value surrounded by stunning landscapes. Continuation of the journey to Banao, visit to the ecological reserve "Lomas de Banao". Lunch at a local restaurant. Arrival in the afternoon to Sancti Spiritus city. Accommodation and dinner in a center city hotel.

SANCTI SPIRITUS - MENESES - YAGUAJAY - (about 100 km).         

6th day: Breakfast. Travel by main and interior roads from south to north of Sancti Spiritu province, bordering tobacco, sugar cane and other minor plantations, as well as different villages and peasant settlements. Visit to the Managed Resources Protected region "Jobo Rosado". Welcome to the area with cocktails made of local juices and fruits. Visit to “La Lidia de Gallos” (a cockfighting protected demonstration) with a brief explanation of this Cuban tradition. Tour by the mini-zoo. Lunch at “La Casona de los Alamos”. Free time for some relaxing. After the break, continuation of the trip thought several rural community (“Llanada Abajo and Llanada Arriba”, Alunao Valley), up to the ranch "El Pelú de Mayajigua”, located on the banks of the “Jatibonico del Norte” river. Time to swim in the natural wells of the river and enjoy the facilities of the place (horse riding or visit of “El Pelú de Mayajigua” trail, based on a local legend). Arrival to Yaguajay, accommodation. Time to enjoy the thermal pool exclusive for the guests of the tour. Dinner and overnight.  

YAGUAJAY-CAGUANES - YAGUAJAY - REMEDIOS - SANTA CLARA - (about 95kms).  

7th day: After breakfast, departure in the jeep looking for the north coast of the province and passing through breeding farms of different types of cattle (equine, sheep, bovine) and mangrove areas. Arrival to “Cayo Caguanes”. Guided tour of the trail "Las Maravillas que atesora Caguanes" (the marvelous Caguanes treasures), visit of the impressive system of caves holding stalactites and stalagmites, columns and other interesting secondary formations, as well as observation of  different well-preserved aboriginal pictographs inside the caves. Free time to relax on one of the virgin beaches of the Key. Upon return, lunch at 'Finca Rancho Querete', north of the protected area “Jobo Rosado”. Brief free time for rest and enjoyment of the natural beauties of the area, continuation of the trip to Santa Clara, with a stop in Remedios , a colonial  City,  for a visit.  Arrival to Santa Clara, accommodation and dinner.

SANTA CLARA - SAGUA LA GRANDE – CORRALILLO – MÁXIMO GÓMEZ - CÁRDENAS – VARADERO (about 210KMS). 

8^th day: After breakfast at the hotel, visit of Santa Clara city and Che Guevara Mausoleum. Continuation of the journey to “Sagua La Grande”, city tour and lunch at Hotel Sagua. Continuation of the trip to Varadero by main and interior roads through sugar cane plantations and peasant settlements to appreciate the way of live in our rural areas. The tour will continue with the visit of the town of Cardenas (municipality of Matanzas province), until reaching Varadero, where the Jeeps will be returned. Transfer to the hotel in Varadero (or if requested and with a supplement, transfer to Havana).

END OF THE SERVICES

GENERAL INFORMATION