Cuba: Into The Forbidden

Day 1: Arrive in Havana/Old Havana

Greet other participants in the Cuban capital city and proceed to Old Havana to be acquainted with this historic city. Enjoy all the colorful cars from the 50s and 60s, which seem to surround everything. Old Havana is sure to leave you breathless! Lunch at a local caf gives you an opportunity to see the locals as they proceed about their daily lives.

Also, travel by foot to Plaza Vieja for a further look at the growth of this wonderful locale, or visit Plaza de la Catedral for a look at some of Havana’s old world Spanish architecture!

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Havana

Travel to Castillo de la Real Fuerza to witness the changing of the guard and then proceed on a museum tour before a dining opportunity. Next, Cementerio de Crist bal Coln is noted for its many elaborately sculpted memorials.

Afterwards, travel to the Plaza de la Revolucion and onto the Vedado business district, where John Lennon Park, the FOCSA building, Coppelia, and the University of Havana are just some of the many district landmarks. Later, Capitolio Nacional awaits then El Malecon de Cuba (the pier) is a must-see, particularly at sunset.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Travel from Havana to Trinidad

Travel in the morning (4 hours) to the central city of Trinidad and then enjoy a delicious meal and brief tour of the town, founded in 1513. In the afternoon, visit the Topes de Collantes nature reserve park.

The Caburni Falls hike through coffee plantations, traditional farmer’s houses, and cliffs is breathtaking. As is the Snak Bar El mirador, which offers views back toward Trinidad. Hacienda Codina, a ranch with several luxurious opportunities, Parque La represa (boasting a 300 species arboretum), and Salto del Caburni are also great stops.

Return to Trinidad for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Trinidad

The historic center of Trinidad is the Plaza Mayor; walk around the area until mid-morning on a brief tour before returning to the group for visits to Casa de la Musica (an outdoor music venue), Valle de los Ingenios and Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad, the city’s oldest church.

After an afternoon meal, travel to Museo de Historia Municipal, Romance Museum, Galeria Pincelada Colonial and Trinidad Architecture Museum before winding down for the day.

Day 5: Drive to Sancti Spritus/Drive to Camaguey

After a one-hour drive, Sancti Spritus, one of the oldest Cuban European settlements is our next stop. The Parroquial Mayor is Cuba’s oldest church, dating back to the early 16th-century, and nearby is the Museo de Arte Colonial.

The city is located just a few miles from Presa Zaza, the island’s largest lake with many species of fish and waterfowl. Enjoy an afternoon meal before traveling onward to Camaguey (about three hours). Coco Beach is a fabulous location, and we will visit it and the surrounding area before calling it a night.

Day 6: Camaguey

Plaza del Carmen’s sculptures are spectacular, many of which were created by a local UNESCO prize winning artist whose gallery is located across the street. Visit Museo Provincial General Ignacio Agramonte, Inglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Merced Casa Natal del Mayor.

Then travel to Rancho King Touristic Farm for a rodeo, pig roast and of course, drinks. Afterwards, Plaza San Juan is like stepping back through time – a lively square with many restaurants, classic cars and children playing soccer.

An overnight stay is welcoming after such a busy day.

Day 7: Drive to Holguin

After a 3 hour drive, you can eat and then we will visit Museo Provincial La Periquera, which is a Cuban national monument housed in an elegant colonial mansion. The central courtyard is a venue for many cultural events such as music and dance.

Loma de la Cruz, our next stop, is a short 10-15 minute walk from the downtown squares. There are 465 steps up the hill with many periodical landings, and it is well worth stopping at each one to look around.

One of the unique Holguin Province attractions is the Museo Indocubano in Banes with collection of artifacts from pre-Columbian Cuban culture. We will visit Guardalavaca Beach afterwards to relax with a wonderful view before we head back for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Holguin

Visit Bahia de Naranjo Nature Park until early afternoon, where you will visit with several different species of marine and mammal life. Then, an opportunity to eat presents itself.

Campina Taina, a highly interactive reproduction of an ancient Cuban Village depicting a forgotten age, is next. You will see several stone sculptures and even have your face painted by a Taina resident!

Afterwards, we travel to El Chorro de Maita Museum to see the burial customs pre-Spanish invasion. Later, Casa de La Musica Holguin offers a view into the nightlife of the city. Music and dancing abound, and there is even a small museum. An overnight stay will follow.

Day 9: Drive to Santiago de Cuba

After a 2 hour drive, we enter Cuba’s second largest city, which has been called the most Caribbean city by many. It has been a revolutionary focal point and is now a center of Cuban music. Cespedes Park, at the heart of this expansive city, is a great place to see some of its diversity as you watch local musicians perform before finding a local meal.

Next, the huge Plaza De La Revolucion offers an imposing statue of patriot Antonio Maceo. Afterwards, San Juan Hill – the same hill that Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders fought on – has monuments from various U.S. states and from Spain.

Although the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia is considerably smaller than Havana’s Necr polis, it appears more beautiful and lavish. Judge its beauty for yourself! Casa de las Tradiciones is our final stop. At this quaint, vibrant locale, people salsa dance and the band mingles around as well!

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Santiago de Cuba

Granjita Siboney is our first stop, and is the farmhouse that was used by the pro-Fidel revolutionaries to plan the attack on the Moncada barracks. Learn some of that brutal history before moving onto the nearby barracks itself. An early lunch is then available.

San Pedro de la Roca del Morro Castle is quite beautiful and the multiple levels provide different perspectives of the surrounding region. Visits to the chapel and jails below are recommended. Later, at approximately 6500 feet, La Gran Piedra features amazing views of the coastline and the interior mountains. Return to Santiago de Cuba.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours, but a visit to Museo de La Imagen where antique photo, video and radio equipment is on display is recommended for those interested. Enjoy your final Cuban night before an overnight stay.

Day 11: Departure

Depart via plane for your onward destination.

This trip does not include the following: Airfare, Insurance, Personal expenses, Tips, Laundry, Telephone, Beverages etc.

Please call for pricing.

Specific itineraries are subject to change. Please contact us for more details including upgrade options along with terms and conditions today!

Why choose our adventures over other options?

• We limit the number of people in safari vehicles to maximize both comfort and the opportunity to take some amazing photographs.
• Drivers are not limited to a specific route. We go where the action is and we don’t have to return on a pre-determined schedule.
• You have an expert leading the safari who is extremely knowledgable of the best areas to maximize your experience.
• Photographic opportunities are always available if you want to digitally capture your experience.
• We have fun!

Note:
When paying via credit card for this safari, please be aware that there will be an additional 3.5% credit card processing fee charged.

If paying via check, we will provide our mailing address upon contact with you and the amount payable via check is listed below. You will not be charged any additional fee when paying by check.

Please be prepared to provide the following information for each registrant: First/Last Name, Cell Phone Number, Email Address, and anything else that we should know.

We look forward to seeing you soon!