Cuba Birds and Natural History
Cuba, located just 90 miles south of Key
West, Florida is the largest island in the Caribbean. This outstanding
itinerary will features the scenery and mountainous landscape of Western
Cuba with the wildlife rich Zapata Peninsula.
Escort - Naturalist James Kamstra
The tour will be escorted by naturalist James Kamstra who has guided tours
to a number of nature oriented destinations including Belize, Costa Rica,
Guyana, Galapagos Islands, Peru and Brazil. He has also travelled widely
through Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Australia. James has
an in depth knowledge of flora, fauna and ecological concepts, which he
loves to share. He is particularly fascinated by tropical rain and cloud
forests with their wealth of life forms. He is an accomplished birder and
nature photographer. Additional local guides will add to the trip.
Dates and Cost
2005 Departures
January 31 - February 7
Customized tours available for 2 or more persons at any time through the
year.
TOUR COST
Per person based on twin share
From Havana: 1,350 USD
Single Supplement 180 USD
RETURN AIRFARE
Toronto - Havana $ 679 CAD including taxes
Vancouver/Calgary/Edmonton - Havana $ 979 CAD including taxes
Nassau - Havana approximately $ 325 USD including taxes
For departures from other cities pleas contact us.
Single Supplement $ 180 USD. Share request available.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE HAVANA (D)
Arrive Havana in the afternoon. Transfer to the Hotel Nacional, a classic
hotel located in the centre of Havana with views of the harbour and nice
gardens. Balance of the day at leisure, birdwatching at the hotel or
relaxing by the pool. Welcome dinner and briefing on the tour.
DAY 2 HAVANA-PARQUE NATIONAL LA GUIRA (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Drive west into the timeless landscape of Cuba countryside
passing tobacco fields and the dramatic beauty of the Vinales Valley where
limestone pinnacles cling over tobacco, mango and guava fields where farmers
plough with ox-drawn carts. We will have time to stop at a Tobacco cigar
Factory and Guayabita liquor Distillery. Lunch and continue through the
Valle de Yumuri, a place Humbolt described as “the loveliest valley in the
world”. This 8 kilometer wide stretch of land is cut between high limestone
cliffs, many embedded with caves. We will bird along the way and stop at the
Indian’s Cave which is filled with stalagmites and stalactites. We will stay
at La Moka Hotel for 2 nights, an ecologically designed hotel with Spanish
colonial architecture and balconeys overlooking the forests and Lake.
DAY 3 PARQUE NATIONAL LA GUIRA (B,L,D)
Early morning visit to La Guira national park. The park protects 54,000
acres of sylvan wilderness and is a treasure house for bird watchers and
nature lovers. Breakfast in the field. We will walk the trails of the park
is search of birds and wildlife. Return to the hotel for lunch and a rest.
DAY 4 PLAYA LARGA (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Overland trip to South Coast. Enroute we will take a boat
excursion along the canals leading to Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon).
We will eat lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lagoon and visit a replica
Taino village. Continue in the afternoon to Zapata, Cuba’s largest
peninsula, now a National Park protecting many of the country’s endemic
plants, birds, reptiles and mammals. 3 nights at Playa Larga hotel. The
hotel faces a cream coloured beach with clear blue waters with nearby coral
reefs.
DAY 5 PLAYA LARGA (B,L,D)
Morning birding at the Bermejas natural areas and spend the morning driving
east along the coast road that hugs the Bay of Pigs. The route is lined with
cenotes, limestone sinkholes. We will have lunch at The Fish Cave, a
restaurant located inside one of the largest cenotes on the peninsula. Time
for swimming or snorkelling. Fish-life is abundant. Continue to Soplillar to
observe the afternoon birds. Return to Playa Larga for dinner.
DAY 6 PLAYA LARGA (B,L,D)
Departure for the International Bird-watching Centre at Santo Tomas
(Peralta) 30 kilometers west of Playa Larga where an overwhelming number of
birds flock between October to April Lunch at La Boca restaurant. Continue
to Los Caminos de Palpite to observe the afternoon birds. Dinner at the
hotel.
DAY 7 ZAPATA/HAVANA (B,L,D)
Departure to a pier for a boat ride along the Hatiguanico river to observe
aquatic birds and manatees. Lunch at El Canelo Rstaurant in Casa Campesina
Farm accompanied by Cuban musicians and dancers. Continue to La Turba site
to observe the afternoon birds. Return to Havana and the Nacional Hotel.
Dinner.
DAY 8 HAVANA – DEPARTURE (B,L)
Breakfast. Morning comprehensive sightseeing of Colonial Havana visiting the
Run Museum (Casa Baccardi), stop at the National Capitol and Revolution
Square. This tour will end at the Havana International airport for the late
afternoon flight back home.
Additional Information
Customized trips for individuals and
groups are available at any time of the year.
What our clients say...
"James is an excellent leader with an
incredible wealth of knowledge that he shares easily". |