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CUBA: Cars, Cigars and a Crumbling City. It's Magic.

25/10/2017

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Cuba is one of those places you visit that really stays with you. Whether it's the cars which are all relics of a pre trade embargo era, the character of the crumbling buildings or the heart of the people, it's truly like no other place on earth.

Here is a bit of info about getting there, your visa, where to stay and what to do.

Did we mention how awesome the cars are?

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Q: HOW DO I GET THERE?

A: Fly!

Easiest, most frequent and cheapest flight we could find was from Cancun Mexico. However you can fly here from everywhere in the world with a layover or two. Even some US cities are beginning direct (albeit infrequent) flights direct to Havana.
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Q: DO I NEED A VISA?

A: Yes. Well at least us Aussies do.

It's easy to get depending on where you're flying in from. For Australians travelling via Cancun airport you pay at a small counter at the airport prior to checking in to your flight to Havana.
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Q: WHERE SHOULD I GO?

A: See as much of it as you can.

But if you're time poor we'd recommend Havana & Viñales. That way you'll see the countryside (Viñales) and the capital city (Havana). Havana also has some beautiful white sand beaches upon it's fringes so you'll get a little bit of everything.
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Q: WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

A: In a Casa Particular!

This is basically Cuba's version of Airbnb. It's a homestay, but you have your own room and space. It often includes food and as much or as little contact with the homeowner as you want. (Obviously the more Spanish you speak the more interaction possible)

You can find these on trip advisor and many forums online.

The details of the places we stayed are in the next photo. Casa Cary was in Vinales and Dalia & Teresa were in Havana (Habana). We'd really recommend both of these places, the ladies running them were really lovely and they both provided a great breakfast!

If this option doesn't suit you we've heard there are some great apartments on Airbnb, however we didn't stay in any ourselves.
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MUST DO'S IN HAVANA:

  • Do Hemmingway proud and have a Daquiri at Floridita and a Mojito at La Bodeguita
  • Check out the beaches at Playas del Este.
  • Walk the Malecon
  • Visit the Museum of the revolution
  • Learn more about Cuban cigars (and if it's your thing, perhaps dabble in a few)
  • Walk the streets
  • Talk to the incredibly friendly and welcoming locals
  • Admire the cars
  • Buy an avocado as big as your head!
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MUST SEES IN VIÑALES:

  • Go for a trail ride
  • Explore the surrounding farms & area, we met the most amazing couple who taught us how to roll our own cigars, they're pictured below
  • Breathe in some fresh country air
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One Week Uluru to Alice Springs Road trip!

25/10/2017

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Got a week to spare? Want to do something other than check out the beaches on the East Coast? How about checking out The Red Centre? 

We've just been on a one week whirlwind road trip and we couldn't suggest doing it more! We flew in to Uluru, hired a car drove up to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon and The MacDonnell Ranges and flew home out of Alice Springs.

It was a whirl wind trip of 6 days and nights and as always we wanted to see and do as much as possible! Here's our itinerary so you can do it yourself!

Click HERE for our in depth post about hiking and exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park!

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7 Day Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Sydney → Uluru
Day 2: Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Day 3: Uluru → Kings Canyon
Day 4: Kings Canyon →  West MacDonnell Ranges (Ellery Creek)
Day 5: West MacDonnell Ranges (Climb Mt Sonder, sleep at Ormiston Gorge)
Day 6: Ormiston Gorge → Simpsons Gap → Alice Springs
Day 7: Alice Springs → Sydney

We told you it was a quick trip!
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PRICE BREAKDOWN:

Getting There, Getting Around & Accommodation Expenses

  • FLIGHTS:
    • Flights one-way to Uluru (from Sydney): $235 per person
    • Flights one-way to Sydney (from Alice Springs): $398 per person
      • $1266 Total (​$633 per person)

  • CAR (RENTAL & PETROL):
    • Hertz Car Rental: $950 (Including top level insurance, extra kilometres and one-way drop off fee!)
    • Petrol: $120 (3 refuels)
      • $1070 Total

  • CAMPING FEES:
    • Yulara (Uluru): $42.50 for an unpowered site 
    • Kings Canyon Campground: $40 for an unpowered site 
    • Ellery Creek Big Hole (West Macs): $10 ($5 per person)
    • Ormiston Gorge (West Macs): $20 ($10 per person)
    • Alice Springs (West Mac Big 4): $43 for an unpowered site 
      • ​$243 Total 

  • NATIONAL PARK FEE(S);
    • ​Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Fee: $25 per person
      • ​$50 Total
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Total: $2629 for 2 Adults (+ Food & Drink on top)

NOTE!
If you have time it is always cheaper to fly in and out of the same airport, return flights to Uluru from Sydney are $450, whilst return flights to Alice Springs are around $600. Also when flying in and out of the same airport and hiring a car you will not get hit with the one-way car rental drop off fee that you need to pay wheny ou pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another!)

Day 1: Sydney → Uluru

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  • Flight lands around 2pm
  • Pick up Rental car from HERTZ and leave airport around 3pm
  • Head straight to Ayers Rock Resort to book campsite and put tent up
  • Head to Uluru NP, check out Cultural Centre
  • Hike Liru Walk (4km return)
  • Watch Sunset from Car Sunset viewing area

Click HERE for our in depth post about hiking and exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park!

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Day 2: Uluru & Kata Tjuta

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  • Wake up early for Sunrise from ​Talinguru Nyakunytjaku​
  • Hike Base Walk (10.5km Loop)
  • Drive to Kata Tjuta
  • Lunch from Sunset Viewing Location
  • Hike Valley of The Winds (7.5km Loop)
  • Watch Sunset 

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Day 3: Uluru → Kings Canyon

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  • Last check out of Uluru (We did a run around the base)
  • Drive to Kings Canyon
  • Hike
    • Rim Walk
    • Creek Walk

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Day 4: Kings Canyon → West MacDonnell Ranges

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  • Do Rim Walk (7km) or Creek Walk (1km)
  • Stop for Lunch at Kings Creek Station (and say hello to their friendly pet cockatoo)
  • Drive to Alice Springs
  • Stock up on groceries for next 2 days
  • Drive to Ellery Creek Big Hole to camp
    • Note: Also camping available at Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge
  • Take night sky photos!

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Day 5: West MacDonnell Ranges

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  • Wake up early drive from Ellery Creek to Redbank Gorge (Redbank is a camp spot and it's beautiful overlooking the gorge!) Possible in a 2WD
  • Hike Mt Sonder (16km return, steep hill climb)
  • Lunch at Redbank Gorge
  • Drive back to Ormiston Gorge, set up tent, HOT showers
  • Hike(s) around Gorge
  • Take Night Sky photos!​

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Day 6: West MacDonnell Ranges → Alice Springs

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  • Wake up early, breakfast by the waterhole
  • Hike around Gorge
  • Drive back to Alice Springs via Simpsons Gap
  • Check out a few local Cafes and art galleries: Watertank Cafe, Page 27 & Bean Tree Cafe (All have vegan options available!)
  • Dinner at Monte's Bar (Great Pizza!)

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Day 7: Alice Springs → Sydney

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A delicious breakfast in town followed by a flight home.
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​What a week!

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    Bec & Sean

    A couple of Aussies who love travelling, hiking, trail running and pretty much any activity you can do outdoors.

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