Western Cuba 8 day private tour

Planet

Accommodations on this trip do their upmost to reduce their environmental impacts, recycling and minimising their packaging with locally produced goods, rewashing and saving plastic bags. All the accommodations uses renewable energy with the fitting of solar panels and the electricity grid in Cuba being fed by renewables.

For our part in the UK, we are a small, independent family run business with our office in our home, so avoid commuting fuel consumption. And our main vehicle is a hybrid car. We are actively reducing the waste we produce. All printer cartridges and paper is recycled, we recycle and where possible reuse plastic, and use composting methods for waste.

All entry fees to National Parks and Protected Areas are included and contribute to the conservation of species and wildlife. Qualified expert nature guides are from the local community and offer visitors information about to reducing their impacts on nature and respect the environment they are visiting. During this tour you visit Topes de Collantes, a hot spot of biodiversity in the Escambray Mountains. Enjoy a guided walk in the National Park, encountering exotic flora and fauna along the way, and experiencing mountain farmer lifestyle as you visit a local rural home.

Vegetarian and vegan food is available throughout the vacation with great suggestions of the best Cuban local restaurant and cafes, and vegan breakfasts options at hotels. Emphasizing locally-sourced, seasonal, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly options, with many meals are provided fresh from the market each day, supports small-scale farming and the environment. And at the same time providing authentic Cuban dining experiences, such as Cinco Sentidos, one of the best restaurants in Havana for its special vibe and exceptional cuisine, and in Viñales experience taste the flavours of Spanish-influenced Cuban cuisine at the Chef Iván restaurant, and San José, a restaurant in Trinidad that wins both locals and tourists’ popularity with its innovative Cuban-fusion cuisine.

People

All the accommodations in this trip are locally owned, with some homestays, allowing tourism to directly generate income opportunities for the local the communities they are visiting. Other ways this is done is through employment of local Cubans as hotel, restaurant staff and guides for tours, and being paid at least minimum wage. We make an effort to be inclusive choosing reputable tour companies that value equal employment and diversity not discriminative of race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. And tours suitable for people with limited mobility, vision or hearing issues.

Visits to local villages working farms to see the traditional way of life generates income opportunities for those who need to benefit from tourism the most, such as visits to traditional tobacco plantations in Viñales and their oxen-ploughed fields to learn about the entire process, from seed to cigar, witness the entire process firsthand in their drying houses and meeting some of the skilled tobacco farmers.

We also believe it is important to preserve and showcase the local culture of heritage that Cuba is famous for by offering guided tours with experts with years of knowledge and authentic Cuban experiences. Such as a City Tour of Colonial Havana, exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site, immersing yourself in our history. Discover the thriving artistic community in town with the Art Tour, visiting two studios and engaging with Cuban artists based on your interests. Visit Santa Clara, a city renowned for its rich history and pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution and the legendary Che Guevara Mausoleum in Che Guevara Square to delve into the revolutionary past.