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Cuba Voyage
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Visit the Guanahacabibes National Park
- Enjoy a walking tour of Cienfuegos’ city center, the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Bishopric, Ferrer Palace and the former lyceum
- See the limestone, boasts white-sand beaches, Mangrove and salt pans
- Enjoy the Pinar Del Rio to the famed Viñales Valley.
Short Description
The journey from French-influenced Cienfuegos to Havana aboard the 48-guest Panorama or 46-guest Panorama II on International Expeditions’ new Cuba Voyage for a distinct look at this enigmatic island as it stands poised on the brink of historic transformation. Marvel at the expanse of shoreline claimed by this vast land mass, the Caribbean’s largest island — mountains sloping down to tropical jungles, rich wetlands and fruited plains...sunny inlets and ports long used for exporting Cuba’s abundance of fruit, sugar, and coveted tobaccos.
From the French influences in the architecture and culture, you’ll experience in Cienfuegos to the Spanish colonial splendor of Trinidad and the raw excitement of politically polarizing but uniquely romantic Havana your experience in Cuba will feel complete! In addition to a walking tour of 500-year-old Trinidad, as we cruise around the island’s Western crescent, we stop on the island of Cayo Largo, home to a sea turtle breeding center, the remote western Guanahacibes Peninsula and venture into the Viñales Valley. Other highlights of this people-to-people itinerary include learning about Cuban sports, medicine and mass communication, dance lessons, local choir and theater performances, pottery workshops, visits to museums, and calling on artists in their studios.
A Panoramic View of Cuba
Enjoy seven nights aboard one of our two gracious yachts Panorama or Panorama II. Each outside cabin features air-conditioning, TV and marble-finished en-suite facilities. Life on board often centers around the delightful outdoor spaces, including the sun deck and an aft deck leading to the bar.
Expert Leadership
Along with a Cuban guide and locals experts in the areas we explore, accompanying your Cuba Voyage is an accomplished, knowledgeable IE Expedition Leader. Guiding several of the trips is Bolivar Sanchez. While many of our guests have raved about Boli's strong leadership and humor in the Galapagos Islands, Boli has worked with our groups in Cuba for the past three years, leading more than 10 journeys. In addition to his deep knowledge of Earth science, adding greatly to your understanding of the island’s nature, Boli is well-versed in Cuba's history, politics and culture.
Destinations
CubaAttractions & Cities Visited
MiamiActivities & Interests
Bird watching Caving Culture Historic sightseeing History Nature Wildlife viewingItinerary
Day 1
Arrive Miami
Our Cuba people-to-people travel program begins in Miami with welcome drinks and a briefing on what to expect the following morning and while in Cuba. Spend tonight at the Miami Airport Marriott.
Day 2
Miami / Cienfuegos or Santa Clara
Return to the airport and board our charter flight to Cuba. Depending on available flights, you will travel to either Santa Clara or Cienfuegos. Since its founders were originally French, Cienfuegos has a French influence in both its architecture and layout. Spend tonight at the Hotel La Union or similar. (D)
Day 3
Cienfuegos / Embarkation
Begin our day at the farmer’s market, where locals come to purchase produce for their daily meals. Enjoy a walking tour of Cienfuegos’ city center, where wide avenues lead to the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, a local specialist discusses the significance of buildings such as Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Bishopric, Ferrer Palace and the former lyceum. Discover the transformative power of art in the lives of ordinary Cubans while visiting a graphic arts workshop. After a performance by the Cienfuegos Choir — we’re invited to join the choir for songs in the spirit of musical exchange — try out your Salsa dance skills! Tonight we board our ship, the Panorama or Panorama II home for the next seven nights of our Cuba cruise. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Trinidad
A city historian leads a walking tour of Trinidad, an architectural jewel proclaimed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Red tiled roofs atop pastel stucco structures line the cobbled streets. This port city reflects its 16th century past and founding by Conquistadors. Eighteenth-century smugglers and pirates made frequent calls here or even used this port as their base of operations in the Caribbean. The wealth and importance of Trinidad continued into the 19th-century when sugar barons reigned. Mingle with local residents and call on artists in their studio as we wind our way through the city. Stop at either the Museum Romantico or the Architecture Museum before lunch in a private paladar. At Casa Del Alfarero Santander, an artisan workshop, meet local artists and learn about traditional pottery techniques. This pottery studio has been run by the same family for decades, and the Santander's share their family history while we take a turn at the wheel. (B,L,D)
Day 5
Cayo Largo
The island of Cayo Largo is comprised of limestone and boasts white-sand beaches, mangroves, and salt pans. Begin our day with engaging discussions on Cuban sports, culture and mass communications. Call on a local clinic, meeting a Cuban doctor to learn about the country’s medical system. At the Sea Turtle Breeding Center, join local conservationists working to preserve the loggerhead, hawksbill and green sea turtles that nest annually on the beaches of Cayo Largo. Learn more about local wildlife at the Avalon Fly Fishing Center before returning to our ship. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Maria La Gorda
Explore Maria La Gorda, on the Bahía de Corrientes, beginning in La Bajada. Meet with a local naturalist at Guanahacabibes National Park, the largest of Cuba’s six nature reserves. In addition to butterflies and birdlife such as endemic bee hummingbird and yellow-headed warbler, Guanahacabibes is home to a large profusion of orchids and epiphytes, a total of 16 species, some indigenous and some recently discovered. At a Meteorological Center, learn about forecasting weather, weather patterns, and storms and hurricanes that have left their mark in Cuba, along with how historic storms have impacted ordinary Cubans. At a “Honey House,” discuss beekeeping and honey production. Enjoy a barbecue lunch on the white sands of western Cuba before sailing toward Havana. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Havana
Cruise toward Havana, where our ship anchors in the harbor off Old Havana. Stroll through the atmospheric squares of “Havana Viejo,” calling on artists in their studios as we pass. See Hotel Ambos Mundos, where Ernest Hemingway kept a room for years. The hotel served as a refuge for writing such works as For Whom the Bell Tolls and as a base for frequenting his favorite bars. After dinner, you may cap off the evening with an optional lavish cabaret show at the famous Tropicana (at your own expense). (B,L,D)
Day 8
Havana: Soroa & Vinales
Head west this morning into the province of Pinar Del Rio to the famed Viñales Valley. Viñales boasts Cuba’s most strikingly beautiful landscapes and is where the island’s best tobacco is grown. Survey an orchid garden with staff from the University of Pinar del Rio. At a tobacco farm run by three generations, the family discusses their lives and why their crop is among the world’s best. Also, chat with workers at a tobacco-sorting facility. The valley is punctuated by huge limestone caves that form inside one of the many spectacular mogote – limestone karst outcroppings. A small boat takes us on a river running inside the cave. Sample the homegrown vegetables grown at an organic farm while meeting the family who is responsible for the land and prepared our lunch. Cap-off our day by meeting locals in the small community of Viñales before returning to Havana. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Havana
Begin our morning with the musicians and performers of the Havana Compas Dance Group, perhaps even watching a rehearsal. Stop at a locally owned paladar, IL Divino, for lunch. Chat about the "new" Cuban economy with the entrepreneurs operating this small, private restaurant. After lunch, explore the adjacent farm, which uses sustainable agriculture to supply the restaurant. Pay homage to Ernest Hemingway while discussing his work with Cuban Hemingway specialists at his former home, Finca Vigia, preserved as it was on the day of his death. Travelers can only peer through the open windows of this museum, but the inside is arranged almost as if the home was waiting for him to return with guests. Hemingway’s fishing boat, El Pilar, is still on the grounds. Discuss Havana’s past and future with our local guide while driving through the city. After dinner onboard, stroll to nearby Café Taberna, where we enjoy Cuban music by the famed Buena Vista Social Club. (B,L,D)
Day 10
Havana / Miami
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the Jose Marti Airport for our charter flight to Miami, where you connect with flights home. (B)
Availability
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6 International Expeditions Travel Reviews & Ratings
Cuba Voyage
Company Reviews
IE puts on a show on the Amazon
It was tremendous:
1. The diversity of wildlife is extreme and up close and personal.
2. The vastness of it all approaches infinity.
3. The staff and guides were top drawer professionals.
The IE mother ship (Zafiro) is in great condition and very comfortable, clean and welcoming. The staff is friendly, helpful, supportive, knowledgeable. The naturalists/guides are the best. Experts in the wildlife and flora and good-natured and personable.
Yes, it is hot and humid, but very bearable. Yes, there are mosquitoes at night, but again very manageable. (We've all experienced much much worse in the US.)
In the wet season (50 feet higher water than in dry season) you don't get to walk as much as you do in dry season because terra firma is so much further into the rain forest than you can reach in a boat. But we did get to visit villages and walk in the rain forest.
We swam. We went out every morning and afternoon in the skiffs to explore smaller rivers and lakes. Sloths, monkeys, iguana, boa, anaconda, caiman, tarantula, piranha, frogs, toads, and more bird types than you can count.
Wow - What a Show!
Amazon River Cruise
Staff and guides are very friendly and accommodating. If you have food allergies and any sort of problem they take the time to ensure you have a great trip and will help you any way that they can. The river cruise itself was very comfortable clean sheets, beds are nice and rooms are pretty spacious overall for a river cruise.
We always had daily activities to participate in or could choose to stay behind. But I wouldn't recommend that as you get to see so much just within the first couple of days that you're in Pacaya-Samiria Reserve!
The wildlife was incredible and included sightings of monkeys, birds, snakes, a sloth, spiders and beautiful frogs that you get to see during the night boat tour. I loved going into a local village and learning about cultural traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. We even participated in a spiritual ritual that's supposed to cleanse your body; a very interesting experience! I'd recommend bringing and using insect repellent daily especially during summer peak season, it is the Amazon after all. If you love wildlife and are looking for a great authentic but comfortable experience in nature, I highly recommend this trip.
Outstanding!
Have done three trips with IE
This company is good for trips on the Amazon river
Amazing glimpse into real Cuban life
The hotels were old with ornate lobbies but rooms were not so nice. Food was decent and not as bad as people make it out to be.
All in all, I am thrilled to have traveled there before it opens up to everyone else.
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Trip ID#:
CubVoyIntExp
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