Guided Tour of Las Terrazas National Park and Soroa

Only an hour’s drive from Havana and so easily accessible for a day’s visit, the Las Terrazas National Park is an unique biosphere reserve, one of the most important in Latin America. Its also possible to stay here in the reserve at the small and simple Moka Lodge Hotel and enjoy many guided walks and other activities from a base within the National Park. With the delightful area of Soroa only a 20 minute drove away through the hills , it makes for an active and really interesting few days on a tailormade Cuba holiday.

After an initial introduction to the history and sustainable farming practices undertaken by the community, we drive into the hills to visit the immaculately restored former French coffee plantation buildings dating back to the 19th Century. Discover the history of Cuba’s coffee production an industry so closely linked to the slave trade, and admire the views across the reserve and over to the ocean in the north.

There will be time to explore the local lakeside village of Las Terrazas and meet some of the farming community. Purchase a local coffee at Maria’s coffee house  Wander around the studio of the famous artist Lester Campa and visit the handicraft stalls specializing in local handmade arts and crafts.

There will also be the chance to spend some time at the idyllic San Juan River where numerous pools allow the chance for a cooling swim in the clear waters or you can relax by the riverside and enjoy a few drinks at the local ‘Ranchon’. The more active could take a walk further along the riverbank and head towards the ruins of the La Victoria coffee plantations and enjoy a very traditional lunch in a farm restaurant.

Heading to Soroa known as the ‘Rainbow of Cuba’ due to the natural colours of the area! Link up with a specialist guide on a visit to the Orchidarium and botanical gardens  the largest in the Americas where up to 300 different species of Orchids can be found. Take a short trail through the tropical vegetation to the impressive Soroa waterfall, where there might be the chance for a cooling  swim in the natural pools.

Continuing the tour a visit will be made to the colonial country town of Candelaria, an opportunity to see a ‘real’ Cuban town rarely visited on the tourist trail and for many an eye opener to life in Cuba and certainly a trigger for a lot of debate,  wander through the streets of Candelaria and absorb the sights and sounds of a typical Cuban working town.