Sisters Cycle Cuba 9-18 November 2013 Wom en Only Ride across the Caribbean island of Cuba www.classictours.co.uk 3379
ITINERARY Cuba is the Caribbean s largest and least commercialised island and one of the world s last bastions of communism. We spend 5 days cycling along quiet roads passing towns and villages which seem frozen in time. There is barely any traffic, just a few horse and carts and tractors. Highlights of the ride include the Bay of Pigs, famous for US aggression on Cuba in 1961; Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Sierra del Escambray mountains; Santa Clara with its statue of the legendary Che Guevara and the captivating city of Havana which boasts spacious plazas and glorious Spanish architecture. DAY 1 London - Havana Fly London Havana. Afternoon arrival in Havana and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight. Tonight after dinner we hear more about the adventure ahead. DAY 2 Havana - Cienfuegos Transfer Havana - Playa Larga Cycle Playa Larga - Caleta Buena Transfer Caleta Buena - Cienfuegos After breakfast, we transfer to Playa Larga located on the eastern side of the island in the province of Matanzas. On arrival we do bike fitting then set off for our first day of cycling. After 34km we reach Playa Giron (Bay Of Pigs). This important site in Cuba s history was the location of the 1962 invasion when a CIA-backed attempt to topple Fidel Castro s revolutionary government met with strong resistance and was unsuccessful. After a quick photo stop at the small museum dedicated to the Bay of Pigs invasion, we continue cycling to Caleta Buena, a beautiful spot for swimming and lunch where we finish cycling for the day. After lunch we take a coach transfer to our hotel near Cienfuegos. 43km approx. DAY 3 Cienfuegos - Trinidad We set off along an undulating coastal road followed by some short sharp hills through beautiful pasture lands. Today is the toughest day in terms of distance and the heat. After around 18km we enjoy stunning views of the Escambray Mountains across a valley of sugar cane. The road then sweeps up and over gentle hills until it reaches the coast just beyond Guajimico. We stop for a well-earned lunch at a farm restaurant. The final 30km is on a road which clings to the shimmering Caribbean coastline. It is mainly flat with some hillier sections just before Trinidad. We overnight by the sea at a hotel on the Ancon peninsular. 98km approx.
DAY 4 Trinidad - Sancti Spiritus We start the day with a short transfer to the city centre for a walking tour of Trinidad, one of Cuba s most famous colonial towns. Afterwards we rejoin our bikes and set off towards Sancti Spiritus. Today s route undulates through spectacular countryside, passing Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), an area famed for its natural beauty. Once an important centre for sugar production, you can still see the remains of old colonial homes and barracones (slave towers). Sugar production has been an important industry for Cuba dating back to the 16th century. In 1988, Valle de los Ingenios and Trinidad were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. We continue cycling on hilly terrain, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. We re-group on the outskirts of Sancti Spiritus to cross the city together. Overnight in hotel accommodation. 75km approx. DAY 5 Sancti Spiritus - Santa Clara Today we follow the Carretera Central (Central Road) the first road to span the island. Carretera Central is the main route for local traffic so expect plenty of horses and carts, tractors and bicycles. Our journey takes us through typically Cuban villages and endless sugar plantations. The terrain is undulating though not as hilly as the past two days. We continue on the valley floor with impressive mountains either side, before reaching the pastures around Santa Clara. Santa Clara is a vibrant city, busy with street life. It was the first major place to be liberated from Batista s army in December 1958. Today a number of monuments commemorate this important period of Cuba s history, including a statue to the legendary Che Guevara, where we stop for a group photo. Late afternoon transfer (1 hour approx.) to Hanabanilla in the foothills of the Escambray Mountains. 86km approx. DAY 6 Hanabanilla - Cienfuegos - Havana Today starts with a long descent from Hanabanilla through lush countryside and traditional Cuban villages. It s a beautiful ride past orange and mango groves. The final stretch takes us straight through the colonial heart of the beautiful Caribbean town of Cienfuegos, and onto the Malecon (sea front). After a celebratory cocktail and buffet lunch overlooking the sea we bid farewell to our bikes. From there it s a 3 hour transfer to Havana for dinner and overnight. 60km approx. DAY 7 Havana Today is free to explore Havana independently or as part of a half day optional tour. It is one of the oldest cities in the Americas with winding streets, spacious plazas and glorious Spanish architecture. There is an air of faded glory about the place with paint peeling off buildings and 50s and 60s American automobiles still dominating the roads. The optional tour includes Plaza San Francisco, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral followed by some free time for shopping, a visit to Revolution Square and lunch. This evening we enjoy a celebratory meal. DAY 8 Havana More free time to relax by the hotel pool or explore Havana independently. Overnight Havana. DAY 9 Havana - London Early afternoon transfer to Havana airport (30 minutes approx.) for the return flight to London. DAY 10 London Early morning arrival back into London. Please Note: Cuba is not fully geared up to tourism. You should therefore be prepared for changes to the route and accommodation right up to the last minute. This is a complex itinerary which may be subject to change. Copyright of Classic Tours
FACTFILE Raising Sponsorship Money Register and receive a fundraising pack full of information and ideas. Once you set your mind to it, it s amazing what you can achieve! Classic Tours and your charity can help you out with lots of tips. Who can take part? Any woman over 18 years old is welcome as long as you are fit and healthy enough to do the challenge. Fitness The event is aimed at women of average fitness who are prepared to put in plenty of training to enable them to meet the challenge. Classic Tours will provide a set of training guidelines to help you on your way. Kit You will need a cycle helmet. You will have use of a bike in Cuba. A full packing list will be sent to you. Support on the event Experienced staff (tour manager, guides, mechanics and doctor) will be there to provide help and encouragement whenever you need it. Accommodation Tourist class hotels will be used throughout the challenge. Please be advised that standards and facilities are not the same as in Europe and there is sometimes a lack of hot water as well as power cuts. Food & Drink The food will be wholesome, tasty and plentiful. There will be snacks and water available whilst cycling. Weather Daytime temperatures will be 25-30ºC falling to around 10-15ºC at night. Showers are possible so please bring a waterproof jacket. Health Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid and Tetanus innoculatons are suggested. Please consult your GP for professional medical advice. THE COSTS Option 1 - you raise 2650 approx sponsorship (to be set by your chosen charity) Registration fee: 299 Plus... Option 2 - you pay 1300 and raise as much sponsorship as possible Visa & Travel Insurance British passport holders requite a tourist card (tarjeta de turista) to enter Cuba. This will be provided by Classic Tours and is included in the tour cost. If you are a non-british citizen please contact Classic Tours for advice. You must be insured to take part either through a company of your choice or the Classic Tours recommended policy. You will need to provide proof of your insurance 8 weeks prior to the challenge. Staying On It is possible to stay on in Cuba after the challenge, subject to availability. Full details will be sent out nearer the time. What s Provided Flights to and from Cuba, accommodation, transfers, full medical support, experienced guides, support staff, bikes, water and all meals except for lunch on days 7, 8 and 9 and dinner on day 8. Other costs to budget for We do not include airport taxes and any fuel surcharges set by the airline in the tour cost because these fluctuate and are beyond our control. We will invoice you for this cost at the point when your tour cost is due. Currently these are about 300 (at June 2012) but are subject to change. In addition you will need to budget for personal travel insurance, any optional tours, gratuities and spending money. Responsible Tourism Classic Tours operates a responsible tourism policy and you can offset your carbon emissions on our website www.classictours.co.uk If you have any other questions not answered here please contact us Tel: 020 7619 0066 ext 208 or openchallenges@classictours.co.uk
FUNDRAISING PLANNER Creativity, planning and having fun are the secrets to fundraising success. Start by thinking who you know, what you enjoy doing and who can help you. Break down the amount into smaller chunks and start to make a plan. Below is an example to give you some ideas and once you re signed up we ll send you lots more tips and advice. TARGET ACHIEVED! 2650 Local school holds a nonuniform day and charges 1 each to support you. 600 Six friends, family or colleagues raise 100 each on your behalf. 600 Raffle of prizes from local businesses. 150 Quiz night at your local pub. 300 Sponsored training bike ride/walk. 400 Organise an event of your choice, with a group of friends. 200 Use collecting tins and ask your local busy pubs if you and friends can collect on Saturday nights. 200 Sponsorship from friends and family. 200
The experience was totally beyond my expectations - a very emotional and inspiring journey. Stephanie Bruce, 38 THE NEXT STAGE We at Classic Tours are here to help and support you all the way through the event so please do get in touch if you have any questions not answered here. Email: openchallenges@classictours.co.uk Tel: 020 7619 0066 ext 208 Web: www.classictours.co.uk Classic Tours are the originators of worldwide charity challenges and fully bonded under ATOL number 3379. Since 1992 they have helped over 800 UK charities raise in excess of 75 million. The next steps 1. Speak to the charity you would like to raise funds for. 2. Complete and sign the Registration and Medical Form and return to Classic Tours along with the registration fee or sign up online at www.classictours.co.uk. 3. Classic Tours will then contact your chosen charity, confirm your place, send details of the event and set you on your way to fundraising success! Printed on recycled paper More Sisters for Charity women-only challenges in 2013: Sisters Conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro Sisters Trek Jordan Sisters Cycle to Paris Other exciting challenges in 2013: Nightrider Trek Iceland Hike the Himalayas Conquer the Great Wall of China Cycle Nepal and lots more... For more information on any of these challenges contact us on: openchallenges@classictours.co.uk or Call 020 7619 0066 ext 208