INTERNATIONAL
LONG DISTANCE WALK
See bolow:
A NECESSESARY INTRODUCTION
PROPOSED ITINERARY
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PLACES TO VISIT
PARTICIPATION FEE
A NECESSARY INTRODUCTION
This is the final call to all long distance walkers around the world to join me in the first international long distance walk around Cuba in September 2002. This is a non-governmental, self financed project, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of my first long distance walk around Cuba and a great opportunity to know this wonderful, beautiful and hospitable country from inside.
This is also an invaluable chance to know the real character of the cuban people in their daily efforts to survive against all adversities. What would you receive in return? Simplicity, humility and hospitality everywhere you go.
If you or anyone you know is interested please come along. Unfortunately, due to the self-finance nature of this event, you will be responsible for booking you own return flight to Cuba and also transportation to the meeting point.
Please, read the following information for further details and do not hesitate to contact me if you still have any doubt.
Looking forward to meeting you in September 2002.
Homero Bermudez Castellanos.
"The Solitary Walker"
Address:
Calle 10 de Octubre, Ed. 41, Apto. E.
43300, Los Arabos, Matanzas, CUBA.
Telephone: (53)45-379349
CUBA 2002. INTERNATIONA LONG DISTANCE WALK.
PROPOSED DAILY ITINERARY
From 1st September to 2nd October, 2002
Guantánamo Province: From Baracoa to Cajobabo’s beaches, 32 Km. via mountain highway (La Farola hill). One day of walk.
Santiago de Cuba Province: From San Pedro de la Roca Fortress (Morro’s Castle) to Moncada barracks to El Cobre, 35 Km. crossing the whole city of Santiago of Cuba. One day of walk.
Granma Province: Jiguaní (La Rinconada) to Bayamo, M.N. (Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks), 28 Km. via the National Highway. One day of walk.
Holguín Province: From Periquera to La Cruz hill to Periquera, 10 Km. travelling along the whole city of Holguín. One day of walk.
Las Tunas Province: From the Cornito to Las Tunas, 15 Km. via the Central Highway until downtown. One day of walk.
Camagüey Province: From Jimaguayú to Camagüey (Bigger Square), 30 Km. going through the town of Vidot and the Central Highway.
Ciego de Avila Province: Trail Júcaro to Morón, 75 Kms via highway and/or F.C. with a stay overnight in Ciego de Avila.
Sancti Spíritus Province: Trinidad to Iznaga (Los Ingenios valley), 15 Kms arriving at the Central F.N.T.A.
Cienfuegos to Villa Clara Provinces: Cienfuegos to Santa Clara (Monument to CHE Guevara), 65 Kms via highway with a short stay in Cruses.
Matanzas Province: San José de los Ramos to Los Arabos (Macagua), 15 Kms via local roads arriving at Shaft Colonel Clotilde García to "Australia" Sugar Cane Factory to Girón Beach, going by Long Beach with 60 Kms of road and making overnight stay in Long Beach (Three days).
Havana and Havana City Provinces: Punta Brava to the Old Havana, 25 Kms crossing the City of Havana Province. Exit from The Cacaual arriving to the Palacio of the General Captains, going by the Square of the Havana Cathedral.
Pinar del Río Province: San Juan and Martínez to Pinar del Río, 25 Kms via the Central or Pan-American highways.
Observations: A total of 420 Kms on the way, 16 days in total. The rest of the time will be used to move between the different places.
Click here to see a complementary info to this itinerary
Meeting point:
Saturday 31st August, 2002. 10:00, Central Park, Guantanamo City
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PLACES OF INTEREST TO SEE ALONG THE WALK
Baracoa: First villa built in Cuba by the spanish conquers.
Cajobabo’s Beaches: Place of landing of José Martí and Maximo Gómez to carry out the independence war in Cuba.
El Morro Castle in Santiago de Cuba: Built to defend the city and place where naval battles took place between Spain and United States at the beginning of last century.
Moncada Barracks: Place attacked by Fidel Castro and his partners to begin the Cuban Revolution.
El Cobre: Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Charity, patron of Cuba.
La Rinconada: A rebel camp during the years of fight against Batista.
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Barracks: Place attacked by Fidel's partners as the Moncada barracs during the war against Batista’s dictatorship.
Periquera: Place of bloody combat between Spanish and Cubans during the first liberation war.
De la Cruz Hill: Place of pilgrimage in the city of Holguín.
El Cornito: Birthplace of Juan Esteban Napoles Fajardo, better known as “The Cucalambé", a famous cuban poet.
Las Tunas: City of bloody combats between Spanish and Cubans during the first liberation war.
Jimaguayú: Place where the General Ignacio Agramonte and Loynaz felt in Combat during the “Ten Years War”.
Camagüey’s big Square: Place of cultural and historical significance.
Trail Júcaro to Morón: Built by the Spanish colonialists to avoid the entrance of the cuban army fighters (called Mambises) during the wars for the independence.
Los Ingenios’s Valley: Next to Trinidad, declared a Humanity's Patrimony.
Cienfuegos: Called the Pearl of the South, with their monument to the father Las Casas, defender of the cuban aborigines.
Villa Clara: City of unique relevance for Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (Ché Guevara). Place of Che’s and his Bolivia’s guerrilla square and memorial.
San José de los Ramos: First population built in Matanzas.
Macagua (Los Arabos): Place where lays the Colonel's Clotilde García remains, dead in combat in San José de los Ramos during the war of independence against the spanish domination.
"Australia" Sugar Cane Factory: Fidel’s headquarters during Girón beach and Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.
Long beach and Girón beach: Places of main combats against the mercenaries’s invasion in 1961.
Punta Brava: “The Cacahual” Monument to General Antonio Maceo and Grajales and their assistant captain Panchito Gómez Toro.
The old Havana: Also declared humanity's patrimony with its Cathedral and the Palace of Los Capitanes Generales.
San Juan and Martínez: Land of the best tobacco in the world.
Pinar del Río: The most western capital of Cuba.
Santiago de Cuba: Second most important capital of Cuba.
Click here to see a map of Cuba
PARTICIPATION FEE.
This and all my previous long distance walks in Cuba, Spain and Portugal are a non-govermental projects organised by my self with the modest support of most of the organisations listed above. It is necessary to clarify that there is no source of official funding for this project and that is why any finantial contribution made by any participan and/or non-participant in this long distance walk will be most appreciated.
Taking this in consideration, it is necessary to clarify that the resources available for accomodation and sustenance are very basic and modest. For these reasons I have establish a minimum participation fee of 250 USD in order for me to guarantee most of this essentials in advance. This money will basically cover: transportation between places (including fuel), communications, accomodation, food and a basic health care provided by a medical team that will generously support this project all along. However you are TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for arranging a comprehensive travel and health insurance before travelling to Cuba.
The above mentioned participation fee or any generous donation should be send to the following address by sending a Money Order, Bank Draft, Cashier Cheque or Certificate payeble to:
Tran$card Canada Ltd.
7676 Woodbine Avenue
Unit No.5
Markham, Ontario L3R 2N2
CANADA
Contact numbers: Tel.: 1-905-305-7703; FAX: 1-416-295-5350; e-mai: csr@transcardinter.com. Web page: www.transcardinter.com
This should be made the With a covering letter requesting the deposit of the corresponding amount in the following account:
Account number: 0271616
Reference: 6017-8167-4729-8914
There is normally a charge for this service which has to be included in the total amount to be send:
From 1 to 50.99 USD - 10.00 USD fee
From 51.00 to 250 USD - 13.90 USD fee
From 251.00 to 500.00 USD - 19.90 USD fee
From 501.00 to 1,000.99 USD - 39.90 USD fee
You will receive a receipt and/or a corresponding notification of your deposit as soon as this is confirmed.
The success of this project and, what is most important, the opportunity to experience a wonderfull and unforgetable time will depend on the contribution of each participant. This is a unique chance to appreciate and know our beautiful country from a completely different prospective, away from fancy hotels and turist designed places. In each stage of this long distance walk you will learn more about the real Cuba, the one that is not always well pictured in the media.
For more travel or weather information about Cuba you can visit the following web pages:
Cubana airlines: www.cubana.cu
Air France: www.airfrance.com
Iberia: www.iberiaairlines.co.uk
Air Jamaica: www.airjamaica.com
For USA travelers: www.cubaupdate.org
General customs of Cuba: www.aduana.islagrande.com
Cuba official travel agent: www.cubalinda.com
I am really looking forward to heraing and meeting you in September 2002.
Yours truly,
Homero Bermúdez Castellanos.