Classic Cuba ^CKU

Cuba

This motorcycle tour through Cuba is loaded with culture, great scenery and good roads!

Cuba, the Caribbean island full of history, is not only famous for its communist regime, but also for its cities, beaches and the hospitality of the people. Discover the secrets of Cuba on this motorcycle tour! Starting in La Habana and heading out West, we ride to Viñales, famous for its beautiful landscape full of limestone rocks and caves as well as for its tobacco fields. Learn about the production of the famous Cuban cigars and taste one if you feel like it.

On we ride to the nature reserve of Las Terrazas to take a bath in its beautiful waterfalls before we will visit the museum at the Bay of Pigs on our way to Cienfuegos. Our next stop is the city of Trinidad, part of the UNESCO world heritage and considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities at the Caribbean coast. Curvy streets will then take us up the mountains of Topes de Collantes, where we get to see lush tropical forests and waterfalls and enjoy the view over Lake Hanabanilla. The island of Santa Maria with its white dream beaches and crystal-clear turquoise sea is our next destination, before we head to Remedios and back to the idyllic North to Varadero – and eventually reach our starting point, La Habana.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR U.S. CITIZENS

Since 2011 all U.S. citizens have been able to participate in ‘people-to-people’ educational exchange programs that provided for ‘meaningful interaction’ with Cubans. On June 4, 2019, the Trump administration rescinded the “people to people” license. However, every U.S. citizen can still legally travel to Cuba, pre-approved, under the “support for the Cuban people” license, which requires that each itinerary adheres to a full-time schedule of “meaningful interaction” with Cubans.
Although Edelweiss Bike Travel’s Cuba programs are designed for an international clientele, they are also designed to maximize “support for the Cuban people” as much as possible through stays at private B&Bs, meals at private restaurants, and interactions with independent artists, private tobacco farmers, etc.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of individual U.S. citizens to review existing Cuba Assets Control regulations (31 CFR Part 515 administered by the Dept. of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control) to ensure each traveler’s compliance.

CHRISTOPHER P. BAKER

Renowned motojournalist and Cuba expert Christopher P. Baker will be acting as one of your tour leaders on those specific dates (look for the * people-2-people approved mark). Christopher has been acclaimed by National Geographic as “one of the world’s leading authorities on Cuba travel and culture.” His seven books about Cuba include the National Geographic Traveler Cuba guidebook and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro’s Cuba.

Christopher has been acclaimed by National Geographic as “one of the world’s leading authorities on Cuba travel and culture.” His seven books about Cuba include the National Geographic Traveler Cuba guidebook and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro’s Cuba.

Meanwhile, Cuba has been in news quite a bit the last couple of months and if you are worrying if it was the right time to take this motorcycle tour with Edelweiss, please read the following personal note from Christopher, who just returned from leading our first ‘Classic Cuba’ trip of 2019:

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO VISIT CUBA

Recently Cuba has been in the news quite a bit. First, I wish to assure you that Cuba has recovered fully from post-Hurricane Irma. I just returned from leading Edelweiss’ first ‘Classic Cuba’ trip of 2019 (my eight trip to Cuba in the past 12 months) and things on the ground are totally normal and safe.

More importantly are the charges by the Trump administration of ‘sonic attacks’ on U.S. diplomats in Cuba. Four FBI teams were sent to Havana at the invitation of the Cuban government, and their report states there is no evidence whatsoever of any ‘attacks.’ The symptoms, most medical authorities agree, appear to be consistent with mass psychogenic illness (MPI), and the Trump administration’s allegation has the appearance of being nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to reduce U.S.-Cuba travel: READ MORE. For that reason, the State Department Travel Advisory now lists Cuba as Level 2 for safety – the same as France, Germany, and the UK.

Meanwhile, on January 18, 2018, Cuba was named “Safest Country for Tourism” at the 38th annual International Tourism Fair (FITUR), in Madrid, Spain. And the Cubans are wholeheartedly warm and welcoming. Reason enough to visit!

Christopher P. Baker

At a glance
11 days vacation

Start/Finish:	La Habana (Havana)
Nearest airport:	La Habana (Havana)
Duration:	11 days vacation, 9 riding days
Route:	Total distance: 1637-1877 km, 1017-1166 miles Daily distances: 70-360 km, 43-224 miles
Accommodations:	Comfortable middle-class hotels und Casas Particulares
Rest day:	Trinidad
Highlights:	Mural de la Prehistoria, Las Terrazas, Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), Topes de Collantes (National Park), Valle de los Ingenios, Monumento-Memorial Che Guevara, Cayo Santa Maria (beaches)
Minimum number of participants:	8 Please note paragraph 4.2. a) of our terms and conditions of travel to find out more about the cancellation of tour through Edelweiss Bike Travel when the minimum number of participants is not reached - Terms and Conditions

11 days vacation

9 day riding route

DAY 1:	Arrival in La Habana (Havana)
DAY 2:	La Habana (Havana) - Viñales
DAY 3:	Viñales - Las Terrazas
DAY 4:	Las Terrazas - Cienfuegos
DAY 5:	Cienfuegos - Trinidad
DAY 6:	Trinidad
DAY 7:	Trinidad - Cayo Santa Maria
DAY 8:	Cayo Santa Maria - Remedios
DAY 9:	Remedios - Varadero
DAY 10:	Varadero - La Habana (Havana)
DAY 11:	Departure from La Habana (Havana)

The daily riding kilometres are approximate distances and may vary. The first and last days mentioned in the itinerary are the arrival and departure days; there is no riding on these days. Arrival time should be arranged before 3 pm on the arrival day (Day 1). Bear in mind the time difference between your country of origin and your travel destination. Please book your flights accordingly. Route and overnight places may change due to unforeseen events.

Tour prices & motorcycles 2019

Included services


Tour price per person	sharing room, riding 2 up	sharing room, riding solo	single room, riding solo
BMW F 700 GS	$ 5.540,-	$ 6.760,-	$ 7.200,-
BMW R 1200 GS	$ 5.730,-	$ 7.130,-	$ 7.570,-
Harley-Davidson® Electra Glide Harley-Davidson® Road King	$ 5.940,-	$ 7.560,-	$ 8.000,-
OPTIONAL: Guided City Tour (Minimum number of participants: 1)	$ 195,-	$ 195,-	$ 195,-
OPTIONAL: Cuba Travel Authorization Documents (mandatory for US citizens)	$ 200,-	$ 200,-	$ 200,-

Tour prices & motorcycles 2020

Included services


Tour price per person	sharing room, riding 2 up	sharing room, riding solo	single room, riding solo
BMW F 700 GS	$ 5.550,-	$ 6.770,-	$ 7.220,-
BMW R 1200 GS	$ 5.740,-	$ 7.140,-	$ 7.590,-
Harley-Davidson® Electra Glide Harley-Davidson® Road King	$ 5.960,-	$ 7.580,-	$ 8.030,-
OPTIONAL: Cuba Travel Authorization Documents (mandatory for US citizens)	$ 200,-	$ 200,-	$ 200,-
OPTIONAL: Guided City Tour (Minimum number of participants: 1)	$ 195,-	$ 195,-	$ 195,-

Tour prices & motorcycles 2021

Included services


Tour price per person	sharing room, riding 2 up	sharing room, riding solo	single room, riding solo
BMW F 700 GS	$ 5.550,- *	$ 6.770,- *	$ 7.220,- *
BMW R 1200 GS	$ 5.740,- *	$ 7.140,- *	$ 7.590,- *
Harley-Davidson® Electra Glide Harley-Davidson® Road King	$ 5.960,- *	$ 7.580,- *	$ 8.030,- *
OPTIONAL: Cuba Travel Authorization Documents (mandatory for US citizens)	$ 200,- *	$ 200,- *	$ 200,- *
OPTIONAL: Guided City Tour (Minimum number of participants: 1)	$ 195,- *	$ 195,- *	$ 195,- *
* Please note the dates and tour prices for 2021 not being confirmed yet. The shown figures are preliminary and subject to change. If the final tour price in 2021 includes an increase of more than 5% compared to the previous year´s tour price, you can cancel your booked participation free of charge until October 31, 2020. CUSTOM TOURS: For custom tour bookings please refer to the pricing included in the special tour offer for your tour. If having any questions please contact our service team at customtours@edelweissbike.com!

Prices start at $ 5.540,-

per person

Included services

Motorcycle category 2

Calculate pricing / BOOK THIS TOUR

Details about the tour

Testimonials

Classic Cuba

This Cuba tour must be one of the best Edelweiss tours. Excellent riding, varied scenery, history, culture, vibrant colour and vintage cars just everywhere. We even swam in the ocean. The highlight for us was to visit Havana with all its wonderful old buildings and bright 1950's cars. That ride along the Malecon is unique. We also enjoyed riding through the old colonial towns full of colour and character, the roads lined with revolutionary slogans and images of Che Guevara. We spent a few days in old Havana before and after the trip taking in the atmosphere, visiting the museums and having salsa lessons. Cuba is a unique destination - thank you Manuel (our tour guide) for your excellent guiding!

Vivien & Paul Newrick, Great Britain

Klassik Kuba

Kuba zu erleben war eine Erfahrung die wir nie vergessen werden! Schon bei der Landung in La Havana hatten wir das Gefühl, eine Zeitreise in die 50er Jahre gemacht zu haben in ein Land, wie es kaum ein schöneres gibt. Man merkt auch, dass Kuba sich allmählich von den Fesseln des Komminismus löst, und unsere Motorradtour war auch gleichzeitig eine Reise durch die Geschichte des Landes. Wir hatten die netteste Gruppe, die man sich wünschen kann, mit Teilnehmern aus aller Herren Länder und unser Tour Guide Jens war nicht nur ein Reiseleiter, sondern ein Freund, mit dem es Spaß machte zu touren. Wir Jungs aus Südafrika freuen uns, ihn und den Rest der Gruppe bald wiederzusehen.

Tony Cimato, Rod Wooldridge & Dave Leyshon, Südafrika

Classic Cuba

This was our first motorcycle holiday with Edelweiss. Words can not describe how unbelievably impressive this journey was with our guides Domenico Schiano, Christopher Baker and Anivar Falcon Hayes!
Not only is Cuba a country which is incomparable concerning its special character, it is also a perfect motorcycle touring destination, because we felt thrown back in time for a hundred years. There is nearly no car traffic – horses, oxen and carriages dominate the streets.
For us it was a perfect combination of riding and an educational journey!

Every day, Christopher Baker, a well-known American journalist and travel book author, gave us an understanding of the people, the political system and the characteristics of this country. Through his decade-long experience and his numerous contacts, no matter if sports legends, artist or private contacts to the people who live there, we had the chance to experience this country in a way we have never done before!

Domenico Schiano shared his enthusiasm for motorcycle touring from the first moment and understood how to bring harmony to a group of bikers from many different countries with his kindness. His experience and the joy he shared every day created an absolutely harmonic and happy atmosphere among the bikers. Never before have we experienced so little problems and disharmony!

Anivar Hayes is the good soul from Cuba who always took care for everything by managing all the technical stuff at various places without any problems and without us even noticing. His contacts to the people of Cuba made many things easier and gave us a first-hand experience.

All 3 together made it possible to not only experience a motorcycle holiday in a foreign country, but also to have an adventurous and educational journey, which truly is something special in its combination.

Last but not least we would like to say a big thank you to Edelweiss’ product management. A perfect travel preparation, great organization and many, super friendly phone calls and e-mails before our tour contributed to making our trip a perfect one – exactly the way we experienced it.

Oliver & Kathrin Gerber, Germany