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The mountains of the Sierra Maestra

This Cuba walking module is ideal for those who would like to spend some time with nature before or after a visit to the vivacious city of Santiago de Cuba. Relax and let your mind wander as you go on brisk hikes through Cuba's largest mountain range, the Sierra Maestra.
The rugged mountain landscape of the Sierra Maestra, where Fidel Castro and his guerrilla fighters planned the revolution, isn't visited by tourists that often. Most buses drive full steam ahead straight through this spectacular mountainous region on their way to Santiago de Cuba.

You'll spend two nights in this vast natural habitat during your Sierra Maestra Cuba walking tour. The day after your arrival you'll be free to hike over to the mountain villages and meet traditional farmers living in the area. If you have a reasonable level of physical fitness, you'll be just fine... even though some parts of the hike can be a little steep. For a guided hike, just ask your hotel reception desk to arrange a guide for you. After your hike you can treat your muscles hour-long massage from Juan, the hotel's massage therapist or go for a relaxing swim at the waterfall next to your hotel.

If you would like to see where you could go next after your Cuba walking tour, take a look at our bite-sized Cuba trips, or longer Cuba holidays.

Duration	3 days - 2 nights, daily	Accommodation	Double occupancy room with shower and toilet in waterfall hotel in the Sierra Maestra mountain range Accommodation category 3
Price	From £55 per person - based on 2 people	Includes	Accommodation for 2 nights with breakfast
		Excludes	Transport, other meals, excursions and entrance fees

Day 1: Arrival in the Sierra Maestra

Most people who come to this area are on route from Camaguey to Santiago de Cuba. On this Cuba trip the route to the Sierra Maestra will take you straight through the Las Tunas province and into Bayamo - a friendly mountain town with a few hotels - just around lunchtime. If you have some time, it's even more fun to spend the night just outside of town. So stop off in Bayamo, have a look around a grab a bite to eat as well. After you leave Bayamo you'll head into mountainous terrain and road conditions will become poor. After another 2 hours of bumpy roads you'll reach a few lovely panoramic views at El Salton. At the base of this 30m high waterfall you'll find a few popular natural pools. Once the day trippers have left, you'll have this beautiful, serene waterfall which lies next to your hotel all to yourself, a real highlight of your Cuba walking tour.

Day 2: Sierra Maestra

Day two of your Cuba walking tour is a free day without planned activities. There are several hiking trails set out around the hotel that you could explore. Spend the morning on the trails and visit Cuban mountain villages to see how local families live in this mountainous area. Not only will you enjoy the sights and sounds of the stunning natural surroundings, you'll also get a feel for traditions in this part of Cuba.

After the hike, we have the following tips: the hotel offers lovely massages to help loosen up stiff muscles and in the evening the hotel regularly hosts barbecue dinners with roasted pig. Live Cuban music is guaranteed to make the Cuba holiday atmosphere during this Sierra Maestra tour complete.

Day 3: Sierra Maestra departure - Sierra Maestra tour ends

This Cuba walking trip ends after breakfast. If you're continuing on to Santiago de Cuba, it's only an hour away so you'll have plenty of spare time today to indulge in more hiking or just relaxing by the waterfall.

For those who want to visit Fidel Castro's guerrilla mountain headquarters during their visit to the Sierra Maestra, please let your Cuba travel specialist know if you would like to stay at the 2-star cabin in the woods, Villa Domingo (located more to the west). It was here in the mountain headquarters, the Comandancia de la Plata, that Fidel Castro and his guerrilla fighters planned and prepared for the revolution.

Please keep in mind that it can get quite cool in the evenings on this Cuba walking tour when staying in the mountains, you may want to bring along a sweater.

Cuba walking- Castro's guerrilla headquarters

A sneak peek at your Cuba walking tour accommodation... (Click to enlarge)

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