Discover the authenticity and raw charm of Eastern Cuba, or Cuba's Oriente. This less visited area provides a private tropical paradise to explore by kayak. You will soon understand why Christopher Columbus declared it "the most beautiful land human eyes have seen." Encounter the region's mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and wildlife throughout this tour designed to give you a diverse and meaningful adventure!
Highlights
Kayak, snorkel, and walk throughout Eastern Cuba
Experience rich culture from unique architecture to superb Cuban cuisine
See historic and interesting towns such as Baracoa, Cuba's oldest town
Explore the less visited and undiscovered region of Cuba's Oriente
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
A flight out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale arrives to Holguin in the early afternoon, allowing your adventure to start right away! Explore Holguin with its charming 18th- century churches and colonial plazas. After a brief stay in Holguin, enjoy the scenery on a meandering drive toward the coastal town of Gibara.
Just a few miles from the sea, stop for your first kayaking excursion! Gear up and paddle down a river that passes by mangroves and a variety of birds to admire. The river takes you directly to Gibara Bay where you can dock, stretch your legs, and take in views of Gibara. This town is ideal for travelers looking for a Cuba that remains untouched by the influence of tourism.
Enjoy your first dinner in Cuba featuring some traditional dishes and the freshest of seafood! Get some rest in your Gibara hotel to prepare for the days to come.
Day 2: Explore & Kayak Gibara
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Get an early start to your day exploring more of Gibara! Kayak around the bay where fishermen search for shrimp and crab. Paddle up the mangrove-lined Gibara River and watch for birds along the way. Take out on the beach for a regional lunch. After your delicious meal, Senor Jose guides you on a tour of the town. Jose is a host of a local television and radio show who helps bring to life the vibrant history of Gibara as a center of culture and trade.
If time allows, your group visits the local cigar factory to learn about and see the process of making this Cuban icon. The Caverna de los Panaderos is your next stop, where you are guided through these caverns tucked under limestone hills just outside of Gibara. Wander the labyrinth of caves with your expert guide who leads the way while sharing interesting geological facts and history.
You have a bit of free time to relax before dinner at an excellent paladar. Your Cuban meal is accompanied by lively Cuban music this evening!
Head west from Gibara through sugar cane fields and country landscape toward the small town of Puerto Padre. From the Bay of Puerto Padre, you can kayak all morning as you observe local fishermen going about their daily livelihood of casting out nets or looking for shrimp. Drive a short distance to a local farm where you are treated to a traditional Cuban feast! Receive a warm welcome from the family who has been farming here for generations.
Head to the town of Puerto Padre after lunch. This is the birthplace of Emiliano Salvador, legendary jazz pianist, as well as Juan Pablo Torres, legendary trombone player. Therefore, it is only appropriate to meet with a group of local musicians to learn about Puerto Padre, hear their music, and experience the soul of Cuba.
Settle into your first family homestay experience at a Casa Particular where you stay with local people in a casual setting. What better way to see the daily life in Cuba?!
Today take a break from paddling to learn about the industry which was once the heart of Cuba’s economy – sugar. Visit a local sugar and rum factory surrounded by fields of sugar cane. Learn about the history of sugar and rum in Cuba along with some tastings.
Drive to the city of Holguin arriving just in time for lunch. Enjoy a walking tour of this historically rich city with its plazas, parks, and commemorative statues. For those who want an even more active day, you can walk to the top of Lomas de la Cruz where you can take in spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Day 5: Cuba's Highest Waterfall | Pinares de Mayari
Start this day with a fresh breakfast before heading east on the “Ruta de Chan Chan” towards the town of Mayari. Upon reaching Mayari, head south into the mountains of the Parque Nacional la Mensura, then on to a forested area of Caribbean pines known as the Pinares de Mayari. This entire region is fragrant of crisp pine!
Hike through the lush tropical forest passing orchids and parrots until you reach the Gran Salto del Guayabo, the highest waterfall in Cuba! Take a break for lunch and to play in the pool underneath rushing cascades of water.
After your time at Gran Salto del Guayabo, drive through forest and ranchland in this agriculturally rich part of Cuba. Once you arrive at the lodge, you can explore the surroundings on a 3-mile hike. Return to the lodge before sunset for dinner and a dip in the resort’s pool.
Day 6: From Mountains to Sea | Kayak & Snorkel Cayo Saetia
Leave the mountains today to return to the sea. Make a stop to explore the small town of Mayeri and its local market. Continue on to your final destination for the day – Cayo Saetia. This island is located in Cuba’s largest bay, Bahia de Nipe. In the 1970s & 80s, Cayo Saetia was a favorite destination for large wild game hunting of people such as Fidel, Raul, and even Hemingway! These days, the animals are protected in a wildlife park providing a safari experience for travelers. Cayo Saetia is home to 19 introduced species of exotic animals including zebras, camels, antelopes, ostrich, buffalo, wild boar, and peacocks!
Discover this unique island by kayaking along its shores for the day. End on a soft white sand beach and walk to the nearby resort to settle in for the night.
Although a relaxed day, today is committed to beaches, snorkeling, and kayaking! Leisurely explore the sugar-sand beaches and secluded coves which give a Caribbean feel to the otherwise African ambience. Glide along the transparent waters and interesting rock formations. Then, get a clearer look at the underwater world surrounding Cayo Saetia as you snorkel in the warm waters.
After this day of adventure, you can relax in the simple beauty of your resort villa before enjoying dinner al fresco.
Day 8: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Return to Holguin in time for a mid-day flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to surcharge and a maximum $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.