Day 1 - Havana

Welcome to Cuba!

A complimentary transfer from the airport to the guesthouse is included with your trip to ease you into life in Cuba. You can check in at any time, your casa hosts will be waiting for you. If you arrive early, enjoy your free time till your welcome meeting at 6 pm.

Depending on your arrival into the country and how you feel there are some options for you to discover Havana.

Special Information

A complimentary arrival transfer is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised.

Please see ‘Joining instructions’ for more information about exiting the arrivals hall and connecting with your arrival transfer driver who will take you to your guesthouse.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let us know.

Day 2 – Las Terrazas/Soroa

Depart early (6:30 AM) to the Biosphere Reserve of Sierra del Rosario in Pinar del Rio, the first Biosphere reserve of Cuba, established in 1985. Over 100 bird species find shelter in these forests. Such a place, bathed by lakes and rivers, supports plenty of tocororos (national bird), nightingales, woodpeckers, Cuban tody, ducks, hummingbirds, mockingbirds, and the Cuban grassquit, with a peculiar yellow neck and endemic of the region, some of which can only be seen in this region.

The vast bird population includes 16 out of the 26 endemics of Cuba and 10 globally threatened birds. These threatened species include the Endangered Blue-headed Quail-dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis) and Gundlach’s Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi), the Vulnerable Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae) and the Near Threatened Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus )and White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala).

After lunch, we will visit the Community of Las Terrazas, an eco-village built around a creek that is part of the Biosphere Reserve. It is the country’s best-kept secret! The goal in this village is to integrate tourism into an existing community rather than create artificial tourist experiences. It succeeds by using local farming, energy efficiency, and a focus on the greater good of the community. You’ll have a chance to take a dip in the water before we head to Soroa, where you will have some free time before dinner.

Day 3 – Soroa

The Soroa Region is perfect for nature lovers. There are more than 50 bird species in the tropical forests, so get your binoculars ready as you fuel a passion for the birdlife of Cuba or simply embrace the beauty of the crystal clear river waters. With the sun glistening off of the beautiful flowing waters, you will be amazed to see the rainbow rays shining off of the surface - thus awarding the region with the affectionate nickname ‘The Rainbow of Cuba’.

In the morning we will head out for a 3-hour birdwatching session in the mountains of Soroa. This is a natural habitat for forest birds, including both migratory and resident birds. Also, we can see some of the most charismatic species, among them endemic birds such as the Cuban Tody, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Cuban Blackbird, and several neotropical American warblers on migration such as yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, common yellow throat, Black and White Warbler among some others

We will return to Soroa for lunch before our afternoon visit to the Soroa Orchid Garden, set among 7 acres of luscious green oasis of flora featuring 250 native Cuban species and amazing birdlife to match.

Day 4 - Vinales

Viñales Valley is a World Heritage site. It is a fascinating sight, with its amazing “living landscape” of traditional farms and 300-meter high mogotes. It boasts an abundance of local seasonal fruit and vegetables, such as enormous avocados, mangoes, and pineapples. It is a fascinating scene to see when oxen are working the fields and the scent of tobacco fills the air. We will start early today to ensure you capture the sun rising over the mogotes followed by a guided walk through this rich countryside, to discover the life of Cuba’s farmers and learn the secret methods of rolling a Cuban cigar directly from those who grow it. After which you will have free time in the afternoon to discover the valley for nature shots opportunities or even capturing the vibrant township through your lens.

In the evening there will be great potential sunset shots from the hillside organic farm, where we will have dinner.

Day 5 - Vinales Valley

Get ready for a massive day! We will meet Nils Navarro at the crack of dawn to head out to a birding expedition around the valley. Nils has dedicated his life to the study and conservation of the biodiversity of Cuba and has curated and illustrated the book, Endemic Birds of Cuba - make sure you bring a copy! 

Nils has a passion for his work and has been using art to promote the conservation of birds and their habitats in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean region. He knows the area like the back of his hand and has a profound understanding of the biodiversity of the Caribbean Region.

Day 6 – Zapata Peninsula

Today we make our way to the National Biosphere Reserve that houses the Cienaga de Zapata National Park. The park forms a fundamental region of the Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site that shares its name. The ecological fragility of the ecosystems has led to an intense effort toward conserving biodiversity and natural resources. The region was established as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2001, and it remains one of the Caribbean's most untamed, least inhabited regions.

We will stay at Playa Larga, a small fishing village on the southern Cuban coast, it's the best base for exploring the Zapata peninsula. Today you can enjoy the afternoon admiring the bee hummingbird, Cuban emerald and depending on the time of year, a variety of migrants warblers – Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler were also seen including Yellow-headed Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, and Black-throated Green Warbler, among others.

Day 7 – Zapata Peninsula

We will venture to Las Bermejas this morning, 40km from Playa Larga, a forested area with nice trails, yields such highlights as the beautiful Cuban Trogon (Cuba’s national bird), Cuban Crocs, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Parakeet, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Tawny-shouldered Blackbird, Cuban Vireo, and the adorable Cuban Tody, a favorite of everyone. The endangered Fernandina’s flickers are often seen in the deciduous forests near Bermejas. We may even see some doves, like the Gray-fronted Quail-dove, Scaly-naped pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Key West Dove, or Blue-head Quail dove in the area.

We will return for lunch before driving to our next destination at Soplillar, for our afternoon session. This area is the largest swamp in the Caribbean and is a perfect place to search for the Zapata wren, the Zapata rail, and other endemic species.

Day 8 – Zapata Peninsula

This morning we will make our way to Santo Tomas, a grassy vegetated track between tree-lined canals, where the Zapata Sparrow and the Zapata Wren are hiding. The Zapata Wren is rather illusive and is critically endangered endemic, so spotting it is an exciting moment! We may also be able to see the Cuban Nightjar, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Woodpecker and Zapata Sparrow in this area.

This afternoon we will discover Las Salinas, an area of shallow tidal flats, wetlands, and mangrove-islets, that often showcases hundreds of American Flamingos and a wide variety of herons, egrets, ibis, seabirds, and shorebirds, including American White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Neotropic Cormorants, Wood Stork, White Ibis, Black Skimmer, Clapper Rail, Royal Tern, Caspian Tern, Black-bellied Plover, and Short-billed Dowitcher.

Day 9 – Havana

This morning we will take an approximately 2 and a half hours drive back to Havana. Upon settling into our casas we will head out to discover Old Havana, a World Heritage site since 1982. See the glorious grandeur of this dynamic area, one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical cities. Wonder through the narrow streets and spacious plazas, admiring the Spanish architecture as you discover the birthplace of Havana - Plaza de Armas, and other iconic sites like Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, and hear about the love story of Havana.

After which you can enjoy some free time in Havana.

Day 10 – Havana

It’s time to say goodbye to this amazing island. We have not planned any activity for you today. Your check-out time is 12 pm.

We hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved showing it to you!

This is where we depart, yet would strongly recommend that you stay a few more days to explore this unique city. If you would like to take this opportunity, please let us know and we can arrange extended accommodation for you for an additional fee.