2018 Trip Dossier Discover Cuba TOUR AT A GLANCE: Cuba Length: 15 days Departs: Havana Trip code: LIG Accommodation: 11 hotels (included Havana Hotel Nacional de Cuba) and 3 nights in local Casas Particulares DISCOVERY HOTELS 100% Guaranteed Departures Meals: 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners Staff: Professional tour leader Group size: Maximum 18 Transport: Private vehicle Please see our website for detailed destination information and insider tips. TRIP OVERVIEW Starting and ending in Havana you ll see crumbling buildings and feel the exotic rhythms of numerous live bands. Sip a rum Cuba Libre cocktail, dine on red snapper at a friendly paladar and savour a cigar at a local café. Your feet will start tapping to the music before long. The passion of Cuba vibrates in dazzling sunlight by day and pounds from the streets by night. The music may stop, but you will be dancing with Cuba forever. Stay for two nights in Baracoa, a lively coastal town surrounded by lush rainforest and beaches. Stop at the infamous Bay of Pigs, site of attempted US invasion. Visit Che s mausoleum and walk in the Sierra Maestra where Castro s revolutionary forces went into hiding. Enjoy the colourful UNESCO World Heritage site of Trinidad, with its combination of cobblestone streets and pastel houses. Enjoy a series of good quality accommodation used throughout with two nights guaranteed in a hotel in Old Havana. Explore Old Havana and recall Cuba s historic past of Che Guevara, Castro and Hemingway. Classic American cars still ply the city s roads and from cafes and bars you can enjoy the hypnotic rhythm of Salsa music beats. This tour is perfect for travellers seeking a rare blend of adventure, culture and the chance to relax in the Caribbean and opportunity to scratch below the surface of this eclectic country. HIGHLIGHTS: Havana s colonial architecture and unique charm Two night visit to Baracoa, a lively coastal town surrounded by rainforest and beaches Trinidad s colourful cobblestone streets and pastel houses The Mausoleum of Che Guevara Boat trip on the River Toa Visit Gran Parque Nacional, Sierra Maestra Tour of Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, Revolution Square, El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks Tropical forest walk in El Cubano Nature Park Museum at Playa Giron, Bay of Pigs Cuban Tourist Card included
ITINERARY AND DETAILS Day 1: Havana You are free to arrive at any time today and make your way to the hotel. You have the rest of the day to explore Havana or rest up after your flight as you ll discover the jewels of both old and new Havana at the end of the tour. Your welcome meeting will be at 08:00 hrs tomorrow morning. Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Paid locally Day 2: Visit Old Havana; drive to Sancti Spiritus via Che Guevara s Mausoleum This morning we have a panoramic tour of Old Havana including the Capitolio building and Revolution Square. We then drive to Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. In December 1958 Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the train museum and the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The museum attached to the Mausoleum has many of his former belongings and is a fascinating insight into one of the 20th Centuries most revered icons. Our final destination today is Sancti Spiritus where we check into our hotel for the night. Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 3: Bayamo Today is another long driving day as we head to Bayamo in the south of the island. We pass through agricultural towns and sugar cane plantations, learning about the importance of sugar in Cuba s history. We stop for lunch in Camaguey, Cuba s fourth largest city, to break up the journey. Today s driving time is approx. 7 hours. Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 4-5: Baracoa After breakfast, you ll leave Bayamo and drive east, passing Guantanamo and stopping for a swim on the south coast before continuing to your destination Baracoa. Founded in 1512, Baracoa was the first Spanish settlement in Cuba and served as the capital for three years. It s location on the easternmost tip of the island left it open to attacks from pirates, smugglers and the English, so three forts were constructed in the 18th Century for protection. Baracoa s has only been accessible by road since the 1960s and this has left it largely off the tourist route. Surrounding the quaint town are lush, tropical mountains and golden sand beaches. This area is renowned for cocoa growing and chocolate production. The Malecon on the northeast side of the town is known as the Caribbean s first ocean drive. There is still a strong Indian influence here and the El Yunque Mountain, (the anvil shaped mountain described by Christopher Columbus in his diaries) used to be the site of various aboriginal communities. You arrive in the late afternoon and spend some time exploring before checking into your hotel. The drive time on day four is roughly seven hours. On day five, you take a boat trip on the River Toa followed by a walk through a Biosphere Reserve to learn about the importance of cocoa production in the area. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Baracoa or visit the beach. Optonal Activities: El Yunque Trek in Baracoa CUC30 Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Breakfast (x2) included Day 6-7: Santiago de Cuba After breakfast, you depart Baracoa for Santiago de Cuba, which is known as the city of heroes for the important role it played in Independence and Revolutionary struggles. Santiago rivals Havana in literature, music and politics, and is rich in traditions, folklore and legends making almost every street corner in the city famous. Today s driving time is approx. five hours. On day seven, you explore Santiago de Cuba, visiting the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where Fidel Castro is buried. Then Revolution Square, El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks - where the opening shots of the Revolution were fired on 26 July 1953, when Castro and his men attacked the barracks. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city yourself. Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Breakfast (x2) included Day 8: Sierra Maestra National Park Leaving the city behind, you drive towards the green mountains of the Sierra Maestra, stopping to visit El Cobre, the most sacred pilgrimage site in Cuba. Our first choice is to stay in a hotel in the Sierra Maestra, however due to the popularity of the area you may stay in Bayamo, a charming colonial city with a recently renovated boulevard where the locals love to congregate in the evenings. Today s driving time is approx. five hours. Accommodation: Casa included Meals: Breakfast and dinner included Day 9: Castro s hideout and Camaguey You ll spend this morning in the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, a spectacular national park within Cuba s highest mountain range. This region is well known as Fidel Castro s base of operations during the Cuban Revolutionary War. High in the Sierra is Comandancia De La Plata, the secret mountain hideout of Castro and Che Guevara, used for planning the Revolutionary war in the 1950 s and as the base of Radio Rebelde which provided information for the revolutionaries. You hike to the revolutionary base and may have time to bathe in the Yara River. After lunch, you continue to Camaguey where you ll spend the night. After almost continuous attacks from pirates the original city (founded as Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe around 1515 on the northern coast) was moved inland in 1528. The new city was built with a confusing lay-out of winding alleys that made it easier to defend from raiders. Today s driving time is approx. five hours. Accommodation: Hotel included Meals: Breakfast and dinner included Day 10: Camaguey and Trinidad This morning, there will be time to explore this historic city, characterised more recently by tinajones - large, earthen jugs found in the squares, churches and gardens that were originally used to store water during drought periods. You then continue to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad is like stepping back in time, the cobbled streets and horse drawn transportation whisks you back to colonial times. There are many interesting museums housed in old colonial buildings to visit in the daytime, but it is as the sun sets that Trinidad really comes alive. This evening, we recommend a visit to Casa de la Trova for traditional Cuban music and dancing! Today s driving time is approx. five hours. Accommodation: Casa included Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Day 11: Trinidad Today is free to continue your exploration of Trinidad and its surroundings or simply spend the day relaxing. For those who wish to venture a little further afield an optional catamaran trip is available. Optonal Activities: Catamaran trip in Trinidad (incl lunch) CUC 55 Horse Riding in Trinidad CUC30 (min 2 people) Accommodation: Casa included Meals: Breakfast included Day 12: Cienfuegos After breakfast, you set off for El Cubano Nature Park, a reserve nestled in countryside on the outskirts of Trinidad. You ll walk through tropical forest to reach a waterfall where you can stop to take a refreshing dip. You then carry on to colonial Cienfuegos where you have a city tour of the main plazas and spend the night. Casas may be located in the town centre or close to the coastal road. Today s driving time is approx. 1.5 hours. Accommodation: Casa included Meals: Breakfast included Day 13: Visit Bay of Pigs; to Havana Today, you visit the Bay of Pigs, site of the attempted US invasion in 1961 and drive through the Zapata Peninsula back to Havana. You visit the museum at Playa Giron and stop for lunch and to swim at Caleta Buena, a protected cove that is great for snorkelling. On arrival in Havana, you ll have a short walking tour of Old Havana s plazas before checking into your hotel in the Vedado district, the famous Hotel Nacional. Today s driving time is approx. 3.5-4 hours. Accommodation: Hotel or Casa included Meals: Breakfast and lunch included Day 14: Free day in Havana; or optional day trip to Vinales Valley Today is free for you to explore Havana or take an optional day trip to Vinales. The Vinales Valley is filled with palm trees and tobacco farms, traditional farming methods are still used amid some of the most impressive scenery in Cuba. Huge limestone karsts (sheer-sided, flat-topped hills) rise from the valley floor, riddled with caves and covered in forest. In the evening, there is an optional trip to the famous Tropicana Nightclub in Havana. Optional Activities: Tropicana Nightclub in Havana CUC 95 Parisien Nightclub CUC 45 Vinales day trip CUC80 per person Accommodation: Hotel or Casa included Meals: Breakfast included Day 15: Havana This morning, you have free time to enjoy Havana, Cuba s capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. This is a busy and bustling, energetic capital. Old Havana is often described as a living museum with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. It is the finest surviving Spanish colonial complex in the Americas, preserved by a combination of minimal war damage, post Revolution restoration work and the millions of dollars invested since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Those on group flights will be transferred back to the airport this afternoon. Meals: Breakfast and lunch included TOUR EXTENSIONS Cayo Levisa Beach Extension Extend your time in Cuba by travelling just a few hours from Havana to the idyllic island of Cayo Levisa. Stay in an en-suite beach cabin and wake up each day to a beautiful 4km stretch of golden sand beach and inviting turquoise waters. There are no roads or other buildings on the small island just off the north west coast of Cuba, only the hotel, the bar and restaurant. All meals are included and for those who don t just want to relax in the sun, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports such as snorkelling and diving. Extensions can be arranged for any length of stay, and include transfers to and from Havana. Prices available on request. Varadero Beach Extension If it is a bit of indulgence and some more mojitos that you crave, then you may want to extend your stay with a few nights in an all-inclusive resort on the famous stretch of pristine beach at Varadero. Extensions can be arranged for any length of stay, and include transfers to and from Havana. Prices available on request. Havana Pre & Post Tour nights Why not spend some extra time in Havana before or after your tour? You can either choose to stay in the standard group hotel, alternatives in the Old Town and Miramar districts, or a casa particular. Book as many extra nights as you would like, depending on flight schedules this may restrict your choice of airline and flight route. Prices available on request. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES There are opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your tour leader will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash. You ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour. PHYSICAL RATING/PREPARATION This discovery tour is suitable for people with all levels of experience and fitness. These tours have a more relaxed pace with an emphasis on sightseeing; discovering local culture, visiting main attractions and enjoying beautiful surroundings. There are optional activities available so you can tailor your tour depending on your interests. GUARANTEED DEPARTURES All departure dates for this trip are 100% guaranteed, so once you ve booked and paid your deposit you re going. Please check our website for our latest range of departure dates for this trip. TOUR ITINERARIES Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time our tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us. Please ensure that you download an up-to-date copy of this dossier before you depart to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Our itineraries are occasionally amended in response to customer feedback or for operational reasons. This dossier is valid for all tours departing in 2018. Itineraries may be subject to change with the publication of our 2019/20 brochure in Autumn 2017, at which point revised 2019 dossiers will be made available. CUSTOMER FEEDBACK If you want an overview of the whole island, including insights into the fascinating history and culture, as well as sampling the laid back Cuban lifestyle of music, salsa dancing and mojitos, then this is the trip for you. N. Smith, UK
Please see our website for more customer reviews from independent reviewer Feefo. BEFORE YOU DEPART FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on flights departing from most UK airports. If you are booking your own flights, you are free to arrive at any time on day one but it is advisable that you arrive in plenty of time to reach your joining hotel. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations, changes to your flights, or any missed flights. We are unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue service). You will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy number and phone number before embarking on the trip. We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our tours - particularly the many optional activities offered. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available, but this does not mean it may be better value - we strongly advise you check fully what will and won t be covered. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. Please note: We can only offer cover for passengers residing within the European Union. PASSPORTS AND VISA All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CUBA British and most Western European passport holders do not require a visa but do require a tourist card. Your Cuban tourist card (valid for 30 days) is included and will be posted to you by Exodus approx. 6 weeks before travel. We will send instructions on how to fill it in but please be careful doing this as any mistakes may result in you having to purchase a new card at a cost of GBP15.00 per person. If you are not national of one of these countries or are not resident in the UK or Eire you must contact your nearest Cuban Consulate to check what visa is required - Grand American Adventures cannot provide a tourist card for you. The Cuban entry immigration is time consuming and most visitors encounter delays when queuing for entry into the country. The Cuban Government passed a law stating that all tourists visiting Cuba must have travel insurance to cover medical costs. You are likely to be asked to provide proof of your travel insurance policy when you arrive at Havana airport, so please ensure your documents are easily accessible. Whilst we hope that things will change in the near future, due to present US policy, we cannot take US citizens on our trips to Cuba. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS If you have any medical conditions, take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the tour, you must inform Grand American Adventures or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. All of our vehicles carry a basic first-aid kit however, our leaders are not legally allowed to administer medicine. For everyday use you should bring your own medical supplies, such as pain relievers, antibiotic cream and upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent. VACCINATIONS There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A. We are advised that there is no risk of malaria. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up to date information. Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. We will send a tourist card free of charge as long as you live at a UK or Ireland address and are national of an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Japan.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR SPENDING MONEY Currency Information The national currency of Cuba is the Cuban Convertible Peso(CUC), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (June 2017) of approximately 1.28 to the GBP, 0.76 to the CAD, 1.12 to the EUR, 0.76 to the AUD and 0.72 to the NZD. Please note this is the official exchange rate, however in practice, the exchange rate on the ground at official cadecas changes every day. ATM availability ATMs are increasingly available in Cuba, but are not yet widespread. They are presently confined to the larger cities and resorts and should not be relied on, hence why we suggest that you take cash with you. Credit cards may be accepted for expensive purchases in tourist shops, but acceptance is not widespread and like ATMs should not be relied upon. Important Note: Using cards for banks which are fully or partially US owned is not possible in Cuba. Australian and Canadian travellers in particular should check with their banks prior to travel if they intend to withdraw cash. Banking in Cuba is not developed at all, meaning it is a highly costly process with a worst exchange rate. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Drinks are generally around CUC 1-5. Supplies and shopping is very limited. Please note that most travellers find Cuba more expensive than they expect and we recommend that you bring more spending money rather than less! TIPPING If you are happy with the services of the guide and driver, we recommend a tip of 40-50 CUC per person, which you can divide in favour of the guide. Tipping is at your own discretion but is very much part of the culture in Cuba and is usually expected. Your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty which will be used to tip local guides at individual museums and attractions, musicians and waiting staff for included meals etc. throughout the holiday. The guide will collect 30 CUC from each group member at the start of the trip to cover this. Tipping is also expected in restaurants - normally add about 10% to the bill. LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check www.baa.com and/or the airline s website for the latest information prior to your departure. TEMPERATURE CHART The dry season runs from November through to April (with December to March being the peak holiday months for traditional style tourism). It can be humid between May and October, with heavy rains at times and the possibility of hurricanes. July and August are some of the most popular months to visit Cuba by sun-seekers from Europe and Canada but can be hot (average 28ºC) and wet. Cuba has an average of 6 hours sunshine per day with a more or less constant humidity of 62%. Water temperature normally ranges from 24ºC to 28ºC. HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES IN CELSIUS (ºC) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Havana HIGH 26 27 28 30 31 32 32 32 31 30 28 27 LOW 17 17 18 19 21 23 23 23 23 22 19 18 Cienfuegos HIGH 19 19 20 21 22 25 23 25 23 27 25 21 LOW 15 15 15 18 18 20 20 20 19 21 20 17 Trinidad HIGH 26 27 28 28 30 31 32 31 30 30 28 27 LOW 17 17 18 20 22 23 23 24 23 22 20 18 Camaguey HIGH 28 28 31 32 32 32 33 33 32 31 30 28 LOW 17 16 18 19 21 22 22 22 22 21 20 17 Sierra HIGH 33 33 34 34 34 34 34 35 34 33 33 33 Maestra LOW 23 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 25 25 25 24 Santiago de HIGH 28 28 28 29 29 30 31 31 31 30 30 29 Cuba LOW 21 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 24 24 23 22 Baracoa HIGH 26 27 28 30 31 32 32 32 31 30 28 27 LOW 17 17 18 19 21 23 23 23 23 22 19 18 C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF PACKING TIPS CLOTHING Please keep in mind that our dress tends to be informal. It is advised that you take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. Please see the temperature guide showing the highs and lows that can be expected in key locations that your tour visits. However, please remember that this is just a guide and you may encounter a wide variety of temperatures so it s best to be prepared! Besides your essential clothing, here s a checklist of other items you may wish to take: Rain jacket Umbrella Warm sweater / fleece Casual evening out clothes Hiking shoes / boots Comfortable day shoes Sandals or flip-flops Swim wear Sun hat / sunglasses Camera / binoculars Small flashlight / torch Sunscreen / insect repellent Travel power adaptor (optional) Toiletries / personal medicine Daypack (between 25 and 35 litres should be sufficient for trekking days) It is a good idea to bring some light clothes which cover the legs and arms to wear in the evenings: this will help to prevent the mosquitoes biting. Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage - if in doubt check with your airline before travelling. FOOTWEAR We recommend walking shoes/boots, as comfortable shoes with good ankle support will make all walking more enjoyable. If you do not own a pair, then sports trainers will suffice although this is very much a personal choice. Also don t forget you flip flops.
CLOTHES WASHING You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes whilst you are on tour, and this can often be done at the hotel or in town. Ask your tour leader for local information. BATTERY CHARGING Many of our travellers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. Your hotel room will have an electrical outlet (just remember your international adaptor!) You may want to consider bringing extra batteries to avoid missing out on that amazing photograph. JOINING YOUR TOUR TOUR AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS A tour voucher will be emailed to you once your balance has been paid in full. Vouchers for any hotel nights you have booked before or after your tour as well as any additional day tours will also be sent to you. You can print off the PDF vouchers or download to your smartphone. For those without email access your vouchers will be posted. Please note the hotel in Havana can change closure to departure. If this does we will advise you approximately two weeks prior to departure. Please make sure that these vouchers are correct. PRE/POST TOUR HOTELS Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at our gateway hotels, which are conveniently located in the departure and arrival cities. We offer you the option to book additional hotel nights before or after your tour however, they should be booked prior to departure with our reservations team. See below for joining and end hotel details. Please note some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible. JOINING POINT Hotel Memories Miramar Quinta Avenida 72 y 76 Miramar Ciudad de la Habana Tel: +53 7 204 35 84 Please note due to the huge influx of tourism, it is entirely possible that the gateway hotel will change. Should this happen, we will advise you prior to departure. Transfer: Grand American Adventures offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip, so no matter which flight you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure no later than one month prior to departure; unless specified otherwise. Transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Grand American Adventures customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. In Cuba, the free transfer service includes a pre-paid taxi from the airport. On arrival you need to go to the Cubanacan office at the airport and give your name. It can take a little time as there is often a queue. If you would like a private transfer where you will be met at arrivals, this costs 65 / 102 CUC (1-2 passengers). The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 20 (30 CUC) should you decide to make your way independently. ARRIVAL COMPLICATIONS Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your tour departure, first check with the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to you missing your tour s departure, so please be on time. FINISHING POINT El Tejadillo Hotel No. 12 esquina a San Ignacio Havana Tel: +53 7 863 72 83 This tour ends in Havana at the hotel in the afternoon. Please note the hotel is subject to change however, you will stay in Old Havana. Some tour activities scheduled for the last day may preclude an earlier arrival at the gateway hotel, so you should not book a departure flight that leaves prior to 17:00 hrs. You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for an earlier flight and you must make us aware of this well in advance of your tour departing. If you require accommodation for the last night, it is essential that you book this before your tour departs. EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS ASSISTANCE In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call our toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number. Remember, if we don t know about it we won t be able to do anything about it. Phone number for family to contact you in case of emergency: UK based number: 24 hour duty office for emergencies: +44 844 326 7041 ABOUT OUR TOURS TRANSPORTATION We use a private, air-conditioned coach throughout the tour. ACCOMMODATION You will spend 11 nights hotels (2 nights in the Hotel Nacional) and 3 nights in privately-run B&B style Casas Particulares. For the majority of the trip we will stay in standard hotels, with en suite bathrooms. We use standard hotels that range from 3 star equivalents to simple guesthouses. Rooms are on a twin-share basis, with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms. Some of the hotels will have swimming pools. You should be aware that occasional power cuts occur and hot water supplies are not always guaranteed.
Casas Particulares - All of our Cuban itineraries include staying in privatelyrun Casas Particulares in at least one destination as an alternative to staying in standard hotels. These are traditional Cuban properties that have been renovated into guesthouses. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, hot and cold water, either a fan or air-conditioning, and breakfast is included. Water pressure can be temperamental, and decor is variable! The houses that we use will be in close vicinity whenever possible, and we do our best to ensure that those in single room accommodation are always within a house where other Exodus clients are staying. However this cannot be guaranteed in all cases. All properties that we use have been inspected and assessed by our local operator in Cuba. Some are large multi-room houses that are home to entire families, others are run by individuals, and in some cases the owners live elsewhere. Single supplement from 480.00 OPTIONAL SOLO SLEEPER The accommodation on our tours is based on twin-share, so if you re travelling on your own, you ll share a room with a fellow passenger of the same sex. However, if you would prefer your own space we offer a Solo Sleeper option where you can have your own tent and room for an additional fee. On this tour, we are able to provide the option of pre-booking a guaranteed single room for every night of the tour. Please note that the number of single rooms we can offer per tour is limited, so it s best to book early if you would like this option. Please see our website or call us for the for the Solo Sleeper option cost. ELECTRICITY Although the power supply in Cuba is mainly 110 volts, most of the modern hotels have dual voltage with all the sockets in the room being 220 volts. Usually in the bathroom, there is an 110 volt socket suitable for shavers and charging batteries. All UK appliances will work in Cuba and all you will need is an adapter. SECURITY No matter where you find yourself in the world, you need to look after your valuables. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe where available, and do not leave valuables in the vehicle. When in doubt consult your tour leader. We would like to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for your safety and well-being. Whether you are taking public transport, going for a hike or taking part in an optional activity, we request that you carry yourself in a mature and responsible manner - not only for your own personal safety, but for that of the group and other travellers. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/ Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at /travelaware The advice can change so check regularly for updates. MEALS All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners included. Cuba is not renowned for its culinary excellence and some ingredients are just not possible to get hold of (due in no small part to the long trade embargo implemented by the US). As such, flavours tend to be relatively simple, with most mealtimes consisting of meat or fish accompanied by rice and salad/vegetables. Seafood is widely available on the coast, including cheap and abundant lobster! Vegetarians will probably find they have the most limited choice. Snack food is not freely available in Cuba so you may wish to consider taking some with you. Paladares are likely to be a highlight of any visit to Cuba - they are one of the few types of private enterprise allowed (although still heavily regulated), where families can set up a restaurant selling authentic, Cuban food. The atmosphere this creates, and opportunity to integrate with local Cubans, will no doubt enhance your stay! YOUR TOUR LEADER The trip is led by an English-speaking Cuban tour leader, accompanied by a driver. Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information. If for any reason you have an issue and do not feel comfortable raising this with your leader, please contact info@grandamericanadventures.co.uk. THE GROUP The maximum group size is 18 passengers. Passengers come from a range of countries worldwide (average of four nationalities per group) and many will be solo travellers. You will find you have many things in common with your fellow travellers, including a passion for discovery and a strong interest in exploring the national parks. Grand American Adventures tours are designed for adults over 16 years old (anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian 18+). While most passengers are aged 25-55, every year we get many people both above and below this age range. All travellers over the age of 70 will be requested to complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel. Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you ll have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm! Grand American Adventures travellers will join our trusted sister company for this tour.
RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL We are committed to offering low impact tours that benefit the places and communities we visit as well as our travellers. It is important for us all to be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and must be treated with respect. We have created a Travellers Code of Conduct to help prepare and inform our groups of the various positive or negative effects they could have on a destination. This code includes following the Leave No Trace ethic; this is an international campaign that is designed to help us minimise the impact on the national parks and other wilderness areas that we visit. Our tour leaders will explain this code of conduct during the first night s orientation talk and encourage you to follow it throughout the tour. Grand American Adventures also host fundraising events throughout the year to raise money in support of BAWT. We are proud supporters of Bay Area Wilderness Training (www.bawt.org) a charity based in Oakland California which works to connect disadvantaged children in the local urban area with the great outdoors. Their work helps to provide these young people with life changing experiences which they can apply to everyday life. Everyone booking with Grand American Adventures has the option to donate 1/$1/ 1 to support this well-deserved charity and we will match this donation. Whenever possible, we use local accommodation and activity providers. We also shop locally for groceries, eat in small family-run restaurants and visit local shops whenever possible. This all brings economic benefit to the local communities that we visit. Responsible Tourism on Discover Cuba... Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a total approach to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Grand American Adventures as a company. We stop to buy fruit and refreshments en route from locals - this is a good way of providing much needed money directly to local people as well as fostering a greater understanding of rural life in Cuba. Re-use and recycling is a way of life in Cuba due to the scarcity of goods and we encourage a Leave no Trace policy. On this trip we also make an effort to support small, family run restaurants known as Paladares. This helps to support local people and gives an insight into the realities of Cuban life where food rationing is prevalent. AFTER YOUR TOUR WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS! We can always use your holiday snaps and short videos to better depict and promote all the fascinating places we visit. Whether it s hiking the trails or enjoying a great meal, there s no better way to share your Grand American Adventure. So if you want to send over a couple of your best shots (max 10MB) please e-mail them to comments@grandamericanadventures.com. You know what they say, a picture s worth a thousand words! HOW TO BOOK Contact us by telephone, email or via our website to check availability for the tour you are interested in. We can normally hold a seat on option for up to three days to allow you time to finalise your travel arrangements. In order to secure your place we require a deposit (full payment within eight weeks of travel) and an agreement from you to our terms and conditions. Check availability early to avoid disappointment: FURTHER QUESTIONS Please contact our UK Sales team on: Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8921 Enquiries: info@grandamericanadventures.com FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS We want to hear about your experience and stories from the road, so please feel free to e-mail us any comments, feedback or reviews whilst you are on tour or when you return home to: comments@grandamericanadventures.com. We value your feedback and tour reviews, which help us in developing and improving our programme. Input and suggestions from travellers like you has helped make Grand American Adventures what it is today. This dossier was last updated 16 Feb 2018