 Day one
London to Havana
Day flight from London to Havana. Transfer to hotel in Havana for late dinner and overnight.
Day two
Havana to Santa Clara
Check out of the hotel and then enjoy a morning of sightseeing, which culminates in a walking tour of old Havana. After lunch, we transfer to Santa Clara, where we visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara. Dinner and an arrival briefing and overnight at the Hotel La Granjita or Los Caneyes.
Day three
Hanabanilla to Guanayar (18km / 6 hours approx)
This morning we transfer by bus to the southern tip of the Hanabanilla Reservoir. From there we trek for
13km on jeep tracks along a finger of the lake and upstream above the Rio Guanayara, stopping halfway at
Tito's Farm for a water break. The route today is low-medium intensity on a good surface. It is also very pretty, skirting between the forested hillside and the water. We arrive at Casa de la Gallega for a light lunch.
This afternoon we trek on a 5km interpretative path, Centinelas de Rio Melodioso. We will encounter another of these paths on day 5. They have been developed to highlight specific aspects of local history and ecology. We then continue upstream again to falls and a swimming pool. Dinner and overnight camp at Casa de la Gallega.
Terrain: Good surface, skirting forested hillside
Day four
Guanayara to Codina (21km / 7 – 8 hours approx)
Today’s more challenging trek climbs from 380m to 750m, medium to high intensity, on mule tracks and footpaths. Leaving Guanayara, there are 2 sharp climbs through orange and mango orchards to our first water stop. From there we encounter tougher uphill through ubiquitous cafetales (coffee plantations) for a
magnificent view back over the Hanabanilla Reservoir. The path dips steeply to join the road for 500m then dips again to the farm of El Sirio (the Syrian) for a snack stop. It’s then around an hour to lunch on easier gradients. After lunch, we cross the creek at the foot of El Sirio’s land and climb again to La Codina for dinner and overnight in camp.
Terrain: AM: Challenging, climb 350m sharp up and down sections, PM: easier gradients
 Day five
Codina to Topes de Collantes (14km / 5-6 hours approx)
The day starts with a second interpretative path, Encantos de la Codina (1100m, 1 hour approx.). We then trek for 1.5 hours through cafetales, medium intensity gradients, to an experimental farm. From there, it is 45 minutes down to La Batata - where the river pushes dramatically through a crack in the limestone. We have lunch at Casa de Juarez followed by an hour’s gentle walking along the river to the Arboretum of
Topes. This wooded area was planted in the 1930s and contains over 300 varieties of trees. It is then a short, steep climb to the hotel for a mid afternoon arrival and rest. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Topes.
Terrain: Medium difficulty through woodland
Day six
Topes de Collantes to Mi Retiro (22km / 9 hours approx)
The toughest but probably the most enjoyable day of the event. We trek to Caburni Falls along a well maintained stepped and railed path but testing nonetheless. Following the Rio Caburni to its juncture with the Rio Vegas Grande, we then dogleg back up perhaps the most challenging ridge of the trek. A narrow
path through the jungle leads to Vegas Grandes Falls. We continue climbing to lunch at Julio’s Farm, famous for its guarapo (sugar-cane juice). Nearby is the concealed entrance of a cave hideout used by the CIA-sponsored contras during the 1960s. After lunch, we cross farming areas and trek through villages to
reach Mi Retiro restaurant for an early dinner and then transfer to the hotel in Topes by truck (15 min).
Terrain: The toughest day, AM: steep railed paths, steep uphills and narrow jungle paths, PM paths through farmland and villages
Day seven
Topes to El Cubano to Ancon (15km / 6-7 hours approx)
The day begins with a 20 - 30 minute transfer by Russian army truck. We set off trekking for 2 to 2.5 hours along a hillside path above a valley towards our first snack / water stop at Casa de Ignacio. From there it’s a 15-minute steep climb to the Mirador, from where we’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic vista over the sea,
the town of Trinidad and the Ancon peninsula. After a brief pause to take a group photo, we descend to walk along a quiet road for 15 minutes. Continue trekking through the forest for about an hour to Casa de Fabian, a typical local farm where lunch will be waiting. Afterwards it’s another 2 hours along a downhill
stony trail to the spectacular Caballero waterfall for a swim in the crystal-clear pool at its base. From here it’s just 45 minutes to the finishing line over a suspension bridge at El Cubano. Transfer to Hotel Ancon (1 hour approx.).
Terrain: AM: Up and downhill paths, partly through forest, 1 steep climb and a 15 min section on-road. PM: 2 hours downhill on stony trail.
 Day eight
Ancon
A day on the beach at Ancon, or an optional excursion to Trinidad for sightseeing and lunch. This evening we enjoy our gala dinner with a celebratory meal!
Day nine
Ancon to Havana to London
Check out and transfer to Havana airport (5 hours approx.) for the return flight to London.
Day ten
London
Arrive London
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