Santa Clara - pay your respects at the famous Che Guevara Memorial. What's Included

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1 8 days Starts/Ends: Havana From the vibrant city of Havana and the tobacco fields of the Vinales Valley, to the breathtaking scenery of Topes de Collantes and the colourful colonial towns of Trinidad and Cienfuegos, take in the highlights of Cuba on this 8 day tour. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Laguna del Tesoro - boat tour of 'Treasure Lake' Havana - take a classic car tour of Havana and sample rum in the Havana Club Rum Museum Vinales - visit a tobacco farm in the breathtaking Vinales Valley which is surrounded by rugged mogotes El Cubano Park in Topes de Collantes - enjoy a scenic hike in this beautiful nature reserve in the Escambray Mountains Cienfuegos - explore this colonial city located on beautiful Cienfuegos bay Trinidad - step back in time exploring this UNESCO Listed colonial gem, with its rainbow coloured buildings and cobblestone streets Trinidad - spend two nights with a local family in a casa particular Santa Clara - pay your respects at the famous Che Guevara Memorial What's Included 5 nights 3-4 star hotels and 2 nights in Casa Particular in Trinidad Airport arrival transfer on day 1 Private transportation in an air conditioned vehicles Escorted by a local English speaking tour guide with specialist guides at certain sites of interest 5 breakfasts and 2 lunches Guided sightseeing in Havana and Trinidad Boat trip on Laguna del Tresoro (the Treasure Lake) Excursions to Havana Rum Club, Cueva del Indio, El Cubano Park, Che Guevara Museum Visit of tobacco farmer house in Vinales What's Not Included International flights and visa Tipping - an entirely personal gesture Airport departure transfer - can be booked at an additional cost upon request DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Havana Monday. Welcome to Cuba! Upon arrival at Havana international airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Cuba's captivating capital. Overnight - Havana Day 2 : Havana walking tour Meet your tour guide at the hotel reception at 8:30am and embark upon a guided walking tour through Havana's Old Town. The Old Town of Havana was declared a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in Step back in time strolling through the vibrant streets of - 1 -

2 the Cuban capital, visit the Havana Club Rum Museum and drive through the "modern" part of Havana in the back of one of the iconic Oldtimer cars. Overnight - Havana (B) Day 3 : Vinales boat tour of the Laguna del Tesoro. This socalled 'Treasure Lake' is located amid numerous canals, mangrove forests and palm trees. Upon arrival in Cienfuegos spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight - Cienfuegos (B, L) Day 5 : El Cubano Park & Trinidad palaces including Palacio Brunet, one of the most beautiful palaces in the city. <br><br> In the afternoon we take an excursion to the beach where you can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea and relax under palm trees. Overnight - Trinidad - Casa Particular Day 7 : Santa Clara & Havana Havana Vinales. After breakfast we drive through Pinar del Rio, a region known for the world's best tobacco, on our way to the lush Vinales Valley. En route we stop to visit a Casa del Veguero (house of a tobacco farmer), where we learn all about the process of farming and making one of the world s most sought out products. Our afternoon finds us heading to the "Cueva del Indio" nestled in the national park of Vinales - this an ancient indigenous cave dwelling surrounded by lamps rediscovered in the 1920 s. We end our day in the small town of Vinales, surrounded by tobacco plantations and unique limestone formations called mogotes. Overnight - Vinales (B) Day 4 : Laguna del Tresoro & Cienfuegos Cienfuegos - Topes de Collantes NP - Trinidad. This morning we start our day uncovering the delights of El Cubano Park. Located in the Topes de Collantes National Park along the banks of the Guaurabo River, it is the perfect location for adventure and nature lovers alike. Here you can enjoy a swim in the waterfalls and pools and hike along one of the various trails including the Traces of History trail which gives an insight to the colonial past of the island. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant before travel on to the enchanting UNESCO Listed city of Trinidad. Here we spend the next two nights staying with local families in casa particulares (homestays), where we can gain a fascinating insight into Cuban life. Overnight - Trinidad - Casa Particular (B, L) Day 6 : Trinidad Trinidad Havana. We leave Trinidad behind and make our way to Havana - home of rum and tobacco and where the Bacardi family used to run operations before the Cuban Revolution. On our way we will stop at Santa Clara (the last site of the Cuban revolution) for a visit to the famous mausoleum where the newly discovered remains of the revolutionist Che Guevara lay in a great homage to his bravery and courage. Che Guevara destroyed Fulgencio Batista s last attempt to retain power by derailing an armoured train carrying ammunition, heavy weapons and 300 soldiers. In memory of this historic event, the boxcars remain derailed to this day, along with the bulldozer used to rip up the train tracks. After Che Guevara s body was found in an unmarked mass grave after being executed by Bolivian military forces, his remains along with six others were returned to Cuba and buried with honours in Vinales - Cienfuegos. Today we leave green western Cuba behind and head towards Cienfuegos, which is known as the Pearl of the South". Cienfuegos is one of the liveliest and most beautiful cities in Cuba. On our journey we stop at the Bay of Pigs - a site well renowned for the failed CIA mission in 1961 and enjoy a scenic This morning we step back in time on a guided walking tour through Cuba s best preserved colonial city. Once known as the home of the sugar barons, cattle herders and tobacco farmers, this is one of the best places to see colourful colonial homes and extravagant After delving into the fascinating local history of Santa Clara we continue our journey back to Havana where our last night in Cuba is free to indulge in the local cuisine and entertainment for one last time. Overnight - Havana Day 8 : Havana Monday. Our Cuban adventure comes to an end after hotel check out today. An airport departure - 2 -

3 transfer is not included but can be booked upon request. (B) Our Partners This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers who booked through different operators, not solely On The Go. The sightseeing group may vary in size from 2 18 persons. Arriving into Havana An airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 of your tour from Havana Jose Marti International Airport which is approximately 30 minutes away. At the airport terminal please look out for a sign with On The Go Tours, where all pre booked transfers wait. Your driver will be holding a sign with your name on it. If for any reason you miss your connecting flight or will be delayed more than an hour, please let us know by calling our emergency phone number on your voucher. If, for any reason, you need to make your own way to the hotel, metered taxis are available to the city centre and costs approximately CUC$25 however be sure to confirm the price with the driver if the taxi doesn t have a meter. We do not recommend trying to use the buses as this can be tricky due to the fact that bus payment is required in non-convertible pesos which are hard for tourists to obtain. We recommend that you obtain convertible pesos once you arrive in the airport (CUC$). There are lots of ATMs available and exchange bureaus and whilst you may not get as good of an exchange rate than if you were to exchange in the city it is good to have some cash on you. Please note that US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and visitors will be charged commission to exchange them. Your joining hotel is: Hotel Tryp Habana Libre Calle M, La Habana Cuba Tel: (+53) The hotel has safe deposit boxes for your use. Please leave all of your important documents, money and travellers cheques here when you go out but remember to carry some form of ID and a photocopy of your passport with you. Accommodation The accommodation on this tour depends on the location but generally we work with 3 star standard hotels and above (except in Trinidad where we have a home stay). Our hotels are usually situated close to the main sights and town centres. Staff are friendly and there is often a bar and restaurant either on site or nearby. All accommodation is included from the arrival day until check out time on the final day of the tour however there is an option to extend your stay and book additional post night accommodation. Clothing & Footwear We recommend bringing lightweight clothing with you for the duration of your trip. Evenings in certain locations such as Guatemala and San Jose can be cold, we recommend bringing clothes that you can layer with at least one pair of warm trousers and jumpers. For anyone visiting during rainy season we highly recommend a waterproof jacket. Please avoid any military or camouflage patterned clothing as this may be illegal in some countries and can cause problems. Comfortable walking shoes with grip and ankle support are essential for our tours, ideally these will be waterproof. Essential Items A lightweight water/windproof jacket with hood Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap Towel - you will need a towel for most overnight excursions Swimwear Sandals/flip flops/thongs Check the climate and altitude at to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour so that you can pack accordingly. Hotels & Transfers Day 1 of the tour is a joining day for you to have the flexibility to arrive into the joining city at your own leisure. The tour starts from the morning of day 2 and the times will be confirmed in your final itinerary and details will be at the joining hotel reception for you to request this information. Tours are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon/evening before the departure day to allow time to pack and freshen up. Should you wish to spend more time in the start/end cities of the tour we can happily organise pre and post tour accommodation upon request. Check in time in hotels differentiates per property but is usually from 1300 on day 1. If you wish to use the services of the room beforehand then it is recommended to advise the hotel and request an early check in however this may incur an additional fee and will depend on the hotel facilities if they can accommodate this request. The same applies for any clients wishing to arrange late check out on the last day however this may incur an additional nights cost. Airport departure transfers are included in the tour price and will be arranged depending on your flight departure time which must be provided to us to arrange the transfer. Important: If you are going to be delayed, you must advise us as soon as possible to try and rearrange your transfer (a supplement may apply). If we are not made aware of any delays our driver will only wait for one hour after the scheduled time and after this, you will have to arrange your own transport to the hotel at your own expense. Please contact us on the emergency phone number on your voucher. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Cuba Country Guide Cuba - Fact file Official Name: Republic of Cuba Capital: Havana Population: million Total Area: 109,884 square kilometres Official Language: Spanish Religions: Roman Catholic 60% - 3 -

4 Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two pronged plugs Dialling Code: +53 Time Difference: GMT/UTC -5 Airport Departure Tax: As of May 2015, there is no longer a departure tax and should be included in your flight ticket. Cuba What to Expect Cuba is a country boasting an array of cultures, architecture and jaw dropping landscapes. This is one of the many reasons Cuba is becoming more and more popular for travellers looking for an authentic experience. Cuba has faced and continues to face challenges. Having remained cut off from the rest of the world and free from western influence, the facilities and standards are lower than other Central American countries. Expect a completely authentic experience full of every day challenges and surprises and expect the little things we may take for granted may be harder to find such as WiFi and toiletries. WiFi is usually only available in 5* hotels located in major cities and may occur a service charge. As the WiFi is so unreliable and sporadic we recommend you don t rely on your internet connection while in the country. Due to the trade restrictions in Cuba which have been set in place by the USA it is advised that you bring any medication and toiletries that you may need whilst in Cuba as they may be harder to locate once there. Imported brands such as coca cola may be slightly harder to find but the local brands are well worth a try. Restrictions also mean that restaurants will cook dishes depending on the season, so they can use the freshest and tastiest food available. Cuba Accommodation Accommodation We use different types of accommodation on our tours through Cuba. This is usually a combination of locally owned hotels or guest houses, known as casa particulares, to give you a completely authentic experience. Hotels As the demand for tourism in Cuba has increased and the number of beds is still trying to accommodate these extra tourists, there may be some last-minute changes to your accommodation and may have a series of nights in different properties. We will try to avoid these changes as much as possible however unfortunately these changes are usually out of our control and we thank you for your patience should this situation arise. Casas Particulares We use homestays in Trinidad on our tours. These are usually the highlight on a tour where you get to stay with a local family and indulge in local life. All rooms have towels provided and are usually en-suite. The group will have to be split between different casas within walking distance of each other. Cuba Visas All nationals travelling to Cuba will need a tourist visa which comes in a 30-day tourist card which must be obtained from your local embassy or visa company before you travel. On arrival to customs you will be asked to provide a passport valid for six months or more, valid health insurance, and return flight ticket. Some officials may ask for proof of accommodation although this is rarely asked for. Once you have provided all of the relevant documentation your passport or tourist card will be stamped. Important: You must keep your stamped tourist card in your passport until you leave the country as this will need to be produced on departure. Do not lose this! US Nationals: Travel to Cuba for US nationals is prohibited for tourism purposes so unfortunately, we cannot accept US passport holders on our Cuba tours. Please note that all visa requirements are valid at the time of writing but are subject to change. Visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Cuba. Cuba Climate Cuba s subtropical climate is divided into two seasons: the dry winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. During the summer months humidity usually gets very high. The average of the yearly temperature increases to 28 C during the day and 21 C at night. July and August are the hottest months, December and January the coldest. In all seasons, short but strong rainstorms can occur at any time. Light clothes, comfortable and sporty, are recommended in addition to your swimming clothes and never forget your sunscreen! If you plan to travel further into a rain forest, bring your insects repellent. Travelling in the winter months requires taking a sweater to be prepared for cooler days. Due to its geographic location, the country is prone to hurricanes and the country is affected between June and November due to hurricane season. Winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and heavy storms can hit the island however experiencing a hurricane emergency is a nondangerous fact of life there. All of the hotels and homes we stay in have modern structures or have been strengthened to deal with the climate. Cuba Money The national currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP) (=100 Centavos), however the government introduced the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) for tourists to replace the US Dollar in all tourist institutions, such as hotels and restaurants. There are two currencies in Cuba. Cuban Peso (CUP) which is used by the locals and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) which was introduced for tourists to replace the US dollar in tourist locations. US dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and travellers will be charged 10% commission to exchange them. This commission is not applicable to any other currencies (eg. Sterling, Euro) so we don t recommend taking US dollars. The Peso Convertible can easily be exchanged against most currencies or debited from credit or debit cards in bureaux de change, banks and hotel receptions. The Convertible Peso is considered an accepted form of payment for both residents and tourists and can be used in shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes or to hire a car and pay taxi drivers or other - 4 -

5 companies who used to accept the US Dollar as payment. Please only exchange your money in approved bureaux de change or at your hotel (not available in all hotels), to avoid con-artists or thieves! It is also important to note that the Cuban Peso cannot be taken out or brought into Cuba. Cuba - Local Transport Most tourists coming to Cuba land at Varadero, Havana, Cayo Coco or Holguín airports. You are encouraged to book private transfers to your final destinations, especially groups and families. Tourist taxis will be marked with a blue T and should negotiate the price of the journey before getting into the vehicle if there is no meter. Shared taxis, or colectivos are harder to come by but more cost effective. For shorter distances we recommend coco taxis. Travel by public bus is not recommended because the buses are old, unreliable and rather uncomfortable but you might like to try the camello in Havana (a semi-truck with a camel shaped trailer where the passengers mostly stand). Cuba - Food/Drink Casa Particulars or Paladares offer best value for money for meals as you may find Cuban food is expensive compared to other Latin American counties. These small family run establishments only offer approximately 12 seats and are located all over Cuba. Expect to pay about CUC 3 for a breakfast; between CUC 5-CUC 10 for main meal but the size will be much bigger than in a restaurant and far tastier. Your tour leader will also be able to recommend local restaurants. Cuban cuisine usually consists of roast or fried pork or chicken with rice, beans and root vegetables. Popular dishes include ropa vieja, shredded beef or lamb, stewed in tomatoes, onions and garlic as well as the delicacy of marinated spit-roast or oven roasted suckling pig. Lobster, shrimp and fish are also very popular, fresh and best served pan fried or grilled. Vegetarians Vegetarians who do not eat fish may find Cuban food limiting as salads and fresh vegetables are rare as their motto is more meat the better. Your diet will usually consist of rice, beans, eggs, plantain, salads, pizzas and omelettes. Drink All drinks along the tour will be at your own expense. We have put together a guideline for drinks bought in shops and on the street. Restaurant and higher end establishments may differ from the pricing below: Half litre of water CUC 1.00 Bottle of soft drink CUC 1.50 Bottle of national beer CUC 2.00 Drinks such as guarapo which is a sweet frothy drink made from sugar cane juice and mostly found at agromercados but will probably have ice in it so be careful if you have a sensitive stomach. Coffee is usually a pre-sweetened espresso and served in most bars, restaurants and coffee stands. Cubans usually add the sugar to the pot while brewing the coffee so make sure to ask if you would like your coffee unsweetened. Beer or as the Cubans call it ceveza is another favourite for locals and tourists. Countless brands are available but the most common are Cristal, Mayabe, Hatuey and Bucanero, just to name a few. Rum, the most popular drink in Cuba has over 80 different makes which come in an array of cocktails: cuba libre (rum & coke), mojitos and daiquiris or even straight however it is recommended that you don t drink any 3 star rums straight, drink 5 or 7 star rums for the best taste. Cuba is now producing its own wine from the Pinar del Rio region with viticulture expertise gained from the Spanish. Cuba Security Cuba is considered a safe country, however as with any other country you should keep your valuables out of sight, preferably in your hotel safe. Cuban people are very helpful towards tourists and you can travel around the country without any real concern but remember that an open door may tempt a saint. Medical Insurance All visitors to Cuba must purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance before they travel. On arrival you will be asked to show proof of your name, insurance cover, policy number, certificate and valid travel card for the duration of your stay in the country. Anyone who has failed to pre-purchase insurance will be required to do so on arrival will be required to purchase on arrival. The cover will likely be lower than what insurers in your home country can provide and will not cover essential elements such as emergency evacuation to mainland facilities or travel of family members to the hospital. Cuban insurance policies are most likely to be designed to handle medical situations on the island, in domestic hospitals, hotels or clinics. Health It is absolutely recommended you visit your GP and take care of all your check-ups and vaccinations before travelling to Cuba as treatment for foreigners is limited to special hospitals which can be expensive. Cuba has been classified as having a risk of Zika virus transmission and other vaccinations include standard protection against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Diphtheria is recommended, as well as Hepatitis B and Typhoid Fever. For more information please visit: and Customs and import regulations You can bring in up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 3 litres of beverages, laptop for personal use, gifts of up o a value of CUC $50.99 and any other medication required for your own personal use without paying tax or duty; this also applies to electrical goods. However, we recommend that you only bring in the electrical goods that you absolutely need for personal use, otherwise you may become under suspicion of attempting to give them to the locals, which is a criminal offence