Cuba | A Mosaic of Culture, Community, and Ecological Riches

Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver, and transferred to your hotel. You will be able to check-in, change money. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore your surroundings before your welcome dinner at a paladar.

Today you will travel to the Zapata Peninsula, also known as the Bay of Pigs, which is home to the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. 70% of the area is a Biosphere Reserve and Cuba's largest national park. The Zapata area consists of scrub, mangrove swamp, and coastline, and over 200 bird species have been recorded here. This is one of the most remote regions of Cuba. Yet intrepid wildlife watchers will reap the benefits: not only incredible diversity of birds, but endemic reptile and plant species can be seen on the mangrove lined waterways here. Zapata's wetlands give rise to more than 1000 species of plants and 37 species of reptiles including the endemic Cuban Crocodile. Upon arrival embark on short excursion crossing the Tesoro Lagoon to visit the Taina Village, where Cuban sculptor Rita Longa has depicted the primitive way of life, skills, and habits of the Cuba native inhabitants through creating of life sized statues. After lunch at a local restaurant, receive an introduction and welcome to Zapata National Park. Afterwards continue with a visit to the town of Palpite to interact with the artists community here part of the Korimakao project.

After breakfast visit the town of Playa Girón and its museum to learn about the famous events of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Have lunch at Caleta Buena, a beautiful inlet in the heart of the bay. After lunch, enjoy snorkeling to explore the marine biodiversity of the area. Later return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Optional stop at Cueva de los Peces for additional snorkeling opportunity. Dinner this evening at a local paladar.

Today learn about the Zapata National Park with a lecture about the ecosystem of the Zapata wetland. Next, you visit Criadero de Cocodrilos, a crocodile breeding facility.

Travel to Soroa. En route, visit the Soroa - Waterfall & Orchidarium "Cascada y orquideario". This evening enjoy dinner and overnight in Vinales.

This morning visit Cueva de Indio, a limestone cave set adjacent to hills covered in lush vegetation. Here, we will board a boat and enjoy an underground magical world of stalagmites, stalactites, and folklore as we enjoy a short cruise through this cavernous wonderland. The cave is an ancient indigenous dwelling rediscovered in 1920. This afternoon hike the mogotes, unusual geologic formations in the area as well as visit a tobacco farm. Dinner this evening is at a paladar called the Agro Ecológico in the hills surrounding Viñales. Arrive early to meet the owners and learn how they juggle family, the farm, a paladar operation, and life in Cuba, and then savor the dishes made with the farm's fresh produce.

Return to Havana this morning. En route, visit Sierra del Rosario, 25,000 hectares of evergreen forest and home of Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after the reforestation project initiated in 1967. While at Las Terrazas, learn about their history, enjoy delicious coffee from their plantation, and visit an artist's studio. Later this afternoon, explore the city in an antique car, pasing by the Malecon and ending at a local paladar for dinner.

Explore Old Havana's cobblestone streets, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, Plaza de la Catedral, and Plaza Vieja. In the afternoon visit Organoponico Vivero Alamar, an incredible urban garden located outside of central Havana, widely considered one of the most successful organic farms in the city. During the tour, learn about the advances Cuba has made with respect to organic farming. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner before the Buena Vista Social Club show.

This morning you will be transferred to the Havana airport for your flight home.