Skyline Trail cycling tour in Western Cuba

Planet

Though biking in itself is a carbon free activity, we also do all we can to make sure our cycling trips have as little adverse effect on the surrounding environment as possible. Where possible, we only use minor roads and well-established trails and make sure we dispose of our litter responsibly.

On this trip you will visit Las Terrazas biosphere reserve, Cuba’s first ever self-sufficient community dedicated to the research and protection of the local ecosystem. Included in the price of your trip is the entrance fee to Las Terrazas, which goes directly to the community’s ongoing environmental initiatives.

In Viñales we dine at an organic farm where all the traditional dishes we`ll eat are made from the farm`s own produce. Any leftovers are given to the restaurant staff to take home or used to feed farm animals.

We recycle at every opportunity; we will give leftover plastic bottles from your trip to local communities who use them to sell home-made fruit juices at food markets. Any tyres and other spare parts which can no longer be used on our bikes are also donated to locals.

People

We believe that Cuba’s most attractive quality is its people, and we like to give our clients as many opportunities as possible to interact with Cubans. On this trip you spend most nights in casas particulares (homestays), where you will get the chance to better understand the realities of daily life in Cuba. Not only this, but when you use a casa particular, your money goes straight into the local community, rather than into the pockets of multinational corporations. Similarly, where possible we use locally-run restaurants, paladares, where profit stays within the community.

On Day 6 you will visit a tobacco farm in Viñales where you can learn about the tobacco-growing process and daily life for tobacco farmers in this beautiful valley.

In Viñales and Havana there will be handicraft stalls selling locally-produced artisanal goods such as lacework, musical instruments and jewellery. Whilst biking your guide will also stop at stalls selling local fruit and sweet treats.

We employ local guides and staff, providing them with excellent training and leadership opportunities, encouraging fair employment practices and rewarding job-related performance.