Leave no sight unseen!

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A FEW EXCEPTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

•  An incredible tour while supporting the beautiful Cuban people. 

•  Eight days of absorbing wonderful Cuba!

•  Exploring vibrant Havana with a walking tour of the historic district.

•  Bask in the natural beauty of Vinales and the history of Trinidad. 

•  Ride in a classic US convertible car, sing, dance and enjoy a mojito!

•  This tour is legal and OFAC license approved.

 

 

DAY 1:  HAVANA, CUBA 

•  Arrive Jose Marti International Airport - Welcome to Cuba!

•  Meet with a Mariah Travel representative and transfer to Habana Vieja.

•  Informal introduction to Cuba and an overview of the week’s activities.

•  Explore Havana in a classic American made convertible!

•  Check into your Casa Particular (privately owned) 

•  Welcome dinner at a local Paladar (privately owned restaurant)

• Overnight at a casa in Habana Vieja. 

 

DAY 2:  OLD HAVANA 

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Walking guided tour of Habana Vieja, visiting the historic plazas.

• Explore Hemingway’s Finca Vigia, where he wrote award winning books

• Visit the Museum of the Revolution or other local points of interest.

• Optional: Partagas cigar factory tour and/or Havana Rum tour.

• Visit with local Cubans to discuss their art - afternoon free to explore.

• Dinner on your own at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Attend El Cañonazo, a traditional 9 PM Cannon Firing Ceremony. 

• Overnight at a casa in Habana Vieja.

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DAY 3:  LAS TERRAZAS, VINALES

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Morning departure to Las Terrazas eco-community west of Havana. Observe the successful Cuban land restoration project originated during Castro's administration. 

• Enjoy a short-guided hike with a local ecologist to an ancient coffee plantation.

• Possible observation of Cuba’s endemic birds including the Cuban Trogon.

• Lunch at Casa del Campesino on the banks of the Río San Juan.

• Continue to the Vinales Valley in the Sierra de los Organos mountains, beautiful panoramic views of the valley and the incredible limestone mogotes.

• Visit the Cuevas de Santo Tomas. (limestone caves with easy hiking)

• Explore the town of Vinales with interaction and supporting the Cuban people.

• Dinner on your own at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Overnight: Villa La Terraza Viñales or similar

 

DAY 4: VINALES, HAVANA

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Meet author Nils Navarro*, or staff, for a morning of incredible bird watching. *Nils is the author of Endemic Birds of Cuba, A Comprehensive Field Guide

• Lunch included at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Afternoon option of horseback or bicycle ride into the Vinales Valley.

• Visit the Jardin Botanico de Vinales and later return to Havana.

• Free time to interact with the Cuban people and support their arts and crafts.

• Dinner on your own at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Overnight at a casa in Habana Vieja.

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DAY 5:   PLAYA GIRON, CIENFUEGOS, TRINIDAD 

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Early departure to Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs), Cienfuegos & Trinidad.

• Visit Playa Larga and Zapata Swamp for an overview of this important wetland and endemic bird ecosystem, often compared to America’s Everglades National Park.

• Possible observation of the Bee Hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird.

• Observe genetically pure crocodiles at a breeding facility near the Zapata swamp. Learn about the recovery efforts coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. (WCS), Cuban partners and the Bronx Zoo of New York.

• Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Playa Giron.

• Visit the wonderful Teatro Terry in Cienfuegos.

• Continue to historic Trinidad for music, food and interaction with Cubans.

• Dinner on your own at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Overnight: Casa in Trinidad

 

DAY 6:  TRINIDAD UNESCO SITES 

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Board Soviet army trucks for a journey to Topes de Collantes National Park in the Escambray Mountains. (If available)

• Naturalist led hike identifying bird and plant species of the region.

• Tour of the breathtaking Valle de los Ingenios [Sugar Mill Valley]

• Dinner on your own at one of the many excellent paladar restaurants.

• Later, dance the night away at the Casa de Musica.

• Overnight: Casa in Trinidad

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DAY 7:  TRINIDAD & HAVANA

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Walking tour of Trinidad’s historic central plaza.

• Visit a century-old family run pottery studio and get to know its artisans.

• Return to Havana

• Dinner and a musical evening with the world-famous Buena Vista Social Club.

• Overnight at casa in Habana Vieja. TBD

 

DAY 8: ADIOS CUBA!

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Depart for Jose Marti Airport and flights home.

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**ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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