|
Our 16-day tour is an excellent combination of the region west of Havana and the central area of Cuba.
In Pinar del Rio Province and the western mountain areas of the island, we will visit a number of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Heritage Sites, including Vinales National Park. Then it's on to the fabled Zapata Peninsula, an area of flooded woodland and salt marshes, which is home to a large number of birds, mammals, fish and amphibians. We hope to find many of Cuba's endemic birds here, as well as migrating waders and shorebirds. Our visit to Las Salinas, the remote salt flats supporting flamingos, ibis and wood storks, is an experience not soon forgotten.
On the way to our mountain retreat in the beautiful Sierra del Escambray Mountains, we will explore the little-changed colonial town of Trinidad. Our guided nature walks in the mountains will take us through tall pine, eucalyptus forests, and lush ferny undergrowth that cover the mountainsides.
We'll spend some time on the north coast in the famous Jardines del Rey area. The beaches here are fabulous and our hotel is an exquisite gem. We end with a tour of Old Havana, which is rapidly being restored to its original grandeur.
Join Quest leader John Haselmayer this winter, and experience the fascinating ecology, warm weather and friendly people of Cuba. |
|
| FACTS: |
| • | 16-day trip |
| • | Maximum 16 participants |
| • | Start and finish in Havana, Cuba |
|
| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Heritage Sites |
| • | Flooded woodland and salt marshes of Zapata Peninsula |
| • | Watching flamingos, ibis and wood storks in the salt flats |
| • | Nature walks through tall pine, eucalyptus forests, and lush ferny undergrowth that cover the mountainsides |
| • | Exploring the colonial town of Trinidad and the old section of Havana |
|
| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Moderate. The trails we use in our explorations of the parks and reserves are usually well marked and easy to follow. Many do, however, follow the contours of the hills and valleys and a few have steep inclines. The trails have to be traversed carefully but are accessible by anyone who has normal walking ability and stamina. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots are strongly advised and some participants bring favourite trekking poles or walking sticks along. Since we will be getting in and out of a boat and boarding a converted army truck one also needs to be reasonably nimble. |
|
| ACCOMMODATIONS: |
| Occidental Miramar Havana |
| Hotel Los Jazmines |
| Villa Soroa |
| Villa Playa Larga |
| Hotel Costasur |
| Los Helechos |
| Villa Las Brujas |
|
|
|
| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
|
Arrive in Havana |
| Day 2 - 3: |
|
Vinales National Park |
| Day 4: |
|
La Guira National Park |
| Day 5: |
|
Sierra del Rosario |
| Day 6 - 7: |
|
Zapata National Park |
| Day 8 - 9: |
|
Trinidad |
| Day 10: |
|
Escambray Mountains |
| Day 11: |
|
Cayo Las Brujas |
| Day 12: |
|
Jardines del Rey Archipelago |
| Day 13: |
|
Cayo Santa Maria |
| Day 14 - 15: |
|
Havana |
| Day 16: |
|
Depart Havana |
|
|
|
|
 Mike Street is a widely travelled naturalist with many and varied interests. Mike's careful trip planning and attention to detail are appreciated by his tour participants. He has led successful Quest trips to Cuba, Newfoundland and Turkey.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
 Honduras
Land of the Ancient Maya
Length: 13 days
Start: San Pedro Sula
Finish: San Pedro Sula
 Belize and Guatemala
Mayans, Mountains and Mangroves
Length: 12 days
Start: Belize City, Belize
Finish: Belize City, Belize
|
|
|
Our participants say...
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Cuba.
Mike Street is a very knowledgeable guide. He gave the group a mixture of history, birdwatching, especially the endemic birds, and flora. I enjoyed seeing the Vinales Valley, and La Guira National Park, which some tourists would not experience. It gave a different flavour to Cuba one that I will always cherish. Mike exhibited patience and kindness and if a problem occurred he handled it gracefully. He also took great interest in getting to know all of us. By the end of the trip it felt like we were a family! I would recommend this trip to anyone!
Rita C.
|
|
|
|
