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Duration: | 4 Day(s) - 3 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Adventure Tours |
Viñales is a three-hour drive west from Habana, to the beating lung of Cuba, sustaining some of the most productive plantations including world-famous tobacco crops. A UNESCO World Heritage destination in its own right owing to spectacular ‘Karsc’ limestone mountains and distinctive tobacco drying houses.
Viñales town itself is very pretty nestled in a beautiful valley. This is farming country and the horse is used to get around town as well as to work the rust-colored tobacco fields. The main square is lively during the evenings with an outdoor ‘Casa de Musical being the central hub for nightlife.
Each day features an adventure activity to explore the lush countryside on foot, horse, and bicycle. This tour starts and finishes in Viñales BUT transportation can be arranged from Habana Vieja directly to your Casa Particular in Viñales if requested. Very quickly you will sense a different atmosphere and pace to the chaotic energy of Habana.
Highlights:
3 nights bed & breakfast in a classic family-run Casa Particular
Horseback ‘Finca & Tobacco Tour’ exploration of Viñales Valley (horsedrawn cart or walking is an option too!)
Guided hike/walking tour ‘Valley of Silence’ to learn more about plantations & traditional farming techniques
Bicycle tour to ’Indian Cave’ to learn about mogotes and karsc limestone formations
Sunrise & Prehistory Mural hike/walking tour to learn about indigenous cultures
Optional cross-country transfers Habana-Viñales-Habana in an air-conditioned bus or collective taxi
Day 1: Viñales Adventure – Horseback Finca & Tobacco Tour
Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast
On arrival a short welcome tour of the village to get your bearings. The best way to explore the valley and lush plantations is as the local farmers do; on horseback. After lunch enjoy a gentle trot through the countryside to take in the scenery and traditional farming techniques.
We stop at one of the distinctive tobacco drying houses and learn more about this famous crop. Processes involved in cultivating tobacco, drying/curing, and how to roll a cigar. Continue to the spectacular ‘Mirador’ viewing point before returning home late afternoon (if you prefer, this activity can be taken as a walking tour – without the horse!)
Day 2: Valley of Silence
Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we continue our exploration of Viñales Valley on foot. Learning more about the various crops cultivated here including sugar cane – a refreshing cane juice helps energize us along the way. As we walk your local guide will help you understand how people live here, some of the challenges, and the importance of agriculture and tourism to create a balanced and sustainable economy.
Free afternoon & evening to explore the village and perhaps browse the local market for handmade arts & crafts that are distinctive to this area.
Day 3: Bicycle tour to Indian Cave
Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast
This time after breakfast we hop on bicycles and head out of town and explore one of the many limestone caves that make Viñales so distinctive. Some of these caves were used as shelters for indigenous peoples and used as hideouts for runaway slaves. There is also a cave that doubles as a nightclub!
Today we take a boat trip to admire one of the most extensive cave formations with distinctive mineral and limestone formations. Bring a towel and take a refreshing dip in a limestone pool.
Free afternoon & evening.
Day 4: Sunrise & Prehistory Mural
Accommodation Name: Casa de Sergio / Meals Included: Breakfast
Our final day in Viñales and we have a particularly early start as we aim to catch a spectacular sunrise with a local community, Los Acuáticos. We enjoy stories about the history – and mythology – of this community. After a coffee or fruit juice, we continue to the famous ‘prehistory mural’ – an art piece created in the 60s and often hyped but a popular attraction, and the location itself is very special.
Back to our Casa ready for breakfast. The rest of the day is free – your local host has suggestions should you wish to further explore the local area or if you would like assistance with your onward travel arrangements.
If you would like an extra night or two in Viñales then let us know and we will make this happen!