Cuba bikepacking cycle tour

Planet

This tour is carried out almost entirely by bike, making it our most low carbon tour to date. Except for transfers in Havana and the taxi back to Havana from Cayo Levisa, our travellers will complete the whole circuit on two wheels, producing zero C02.

On this tour you stay in casas particulares throughout; local homes that run like Bed and Breakfasts. As opposed to big hotels, casas particulares use little more energy than any other Cuban home and produce far less waste than the average hotel. Meals are prepared with seasonal produce bought fresh at market on a daily basis, rather than plastic-packed imported goods from a supermarket. A Cuban home will use its air conditioning sparingly, whereas a hotel has all units on 24/7.

To reduce plastic consumption we encourage our travellers to invest in a filter bottle before coming to Cuba. Modern filter bottles are able to filter up to 99.9% of bacteria and can be refilled at any water source, including rivers and even puddles! This saves travellers having to rely on mineral water. If you do use plastic bottles you should donate them to your casa particular or to any locals you meet on route as plastic bottles are routinely recycled and repurposed.

On day 3 of the tour you bike through Las Terrazas biosphere reserve, Cuba’s first ever self-sufficient community dedicated to the research and protection of the local ecosystem. Your entrance fee to Las Terrazas goes directly to the community’s ongoing environmental initiatives.

People

On this tour you will be contributing to the local economy at every turn. Your casas particulares are all family-run and the money from your stay goes straight into supporting them and their community. You`re also likely to do most of your dining out in paladares; privately-owned, family-run restaurants that use seasonal produce and reinvest directly in the local economy. Even fixing a puncture can contribute to the community if you use the local ponchero - someone who exclusively works fixing punctures.

As you bike through rural areas of western Cuba you will be stopping in remote settlements to buy drinks and snacks. Not only will you be making an economic contribution to these communities, you`ll also be providing a rare opportunity for them to interact with foreigners. As you will be travelling at your own rhythm you can take the time to stop and learn about life in rural Cuba. Viñales in particular offers the opportunity to learn about the tobacco-growing industry, from seedling to cigar.