We board the boat near Cabo Cruz at the south west point of Cuba* and arrive at dawn on the coast of Las Coloradas replicating the landing of the Granma as did the revolutionaries. Through mangroves we reach firm soil and see the first place where they had contact with local farmers. We travel on by mules onto the sugar cane fields of Alegria del Pio where they came under fire by Batista’s troops and were dispersed in all directions. We reach the cave Cueva del Humo and camp at a base of Flora y Fauna the local environmentalists.

*Historical perspective
The Granma sailed from Mexico and reached Cuba after a tough journey on the morning of 2nd December 1956 near Las Coloradas. The 82 young revolutionaries looked in vain for the lighthouse of Cabo Cruz. Having missed their landing point they had to struggle through 2 kms of mangroves and were totally exhausted by the time they reached the mainland.

In the morning we come closer to the south coast and make a steep ascent to the bay of Ojo de Torro, the fleeing point of Che’s dispersed group after a treacherous march. We make a stopover at El Platano where members of the local revolutionary cells helped the guerillas with local knowledge of the area. We go on by horse to Cinco Palmas, the place of the joyful reunion of Fidel’s and Raul Castro’s groups. We meet the local inhabitants who provide us with an insight into their culture and spend the night in a camp of young pioneers.

On horseback we travel to Dos Bocas and Los Negros. After a short walk we reach Alta Catalina, the first camp of the reunited rebel army of which only 18 men were left from the original 82. We go on by vehicle to the small town of Pilon where we visit the house, now a museum, of Celia Sanchez one of the important figures of the Cuban revolution and close confidant of Fidel. Stay overnight at Hotel Punta Piedra or Hotel Marea de Portillo.

We travel on jeeps or trucks into the mountain region of the Sierra Maestra until we reach Caridad de Mota, surrounded by beautiful nature. On the way visit the Casa del Che where we see documents of the time of the rebels in the Sierra. Continue on horseback to Finca del Chorro where the legendary interview took place between New York Times reporter, Herbert Matthews and Fidel Castro. The proof that Fidel was alive made world wide media history. We move onto to El Jibaro and stay overnight at the rustic hotel Santo Domingo.

We take a breathtaking adventure up a steep incline by truck to Alta de Narranja. Trek to the Comandancia de la Plata, the refuge and well preserved headquarters of Fidel in the Sierra Maestra where the first broadcasting of Radio Rebelde took place. We move on through the beautiful natural environment to the small community of La Platica. Here we have the opportunity of meeting with the locals and to learn about their culture. Special evening of musical entertainment with the legendary Quinteto Rebelde*.

*The Quinteto Rebelde was founded May 14 1958 on the request of Fidel Castro in the Sierra Maestra to entertain the guerillas in the evening. It took part in broadcasts of Radio Rebelde and was used in the battles of Santo Domingo and El Jigue as a psychological weapon to demoralize the troops of Batista.

In the morning we go down into the plane and drive along the Sierra to Buey Arriba. From there we visit Che’s headquarters La Otilia one of the last outposts before his legendary march to Santa Clara. This was a liberated area where Che also showed his talents of organizing the economic life of the local community. In the afternoon we drive via Bayamo to Santiago or Holguin where our journey ends.

After this historic trail we can say with pride that we had followed in the footsteps of Ernesto Che Guevara and experienced one of the most important parts of his life. For those who wish to have a more in depth knowledge of Che there is the possibility to continue the trail in the second part, Che Commander – The Way to Santa Clara.

ADDITIONAL STAGES

VARIANTE TURQUINO – Bajaremos hasta Alto de Naranjo para tomar los vehículos y, pasando por Santo Domingo, dirigirnos a Buey Arriba. Visita a la Comandancia del Che en La Otilia. Después del almuerzo continuaremos viaje hacia Bayamo u Holguín.