1. Etappe: Santa Clara - Hanabanilla - Editted by PM

Due to hurricane damage in the east, we had to move our tour start to Santa Clara. The lively but dusty city is more known for the Che monument and museum, but it is still worth spending a day here. You leave the city on the Carretera Central heading south and after about 30 km reach Manicaragua, where you should take a small snack and refill your water supplies. The way to the 'Hanabanilla' hotel is signposted from here. The last 8 km include a steep climb; the reward for the effort is the view from the hotel over the mountains and the Hanabanilla reservoir.