Cuban Painted Snail (Polymita picta) Photo by Julio Larramendi
ACTIVE: This program is physically active and includes hikes, swimming and other outdoor activities aided CUBA ORIENTE by good physical fitness. EXPLORING THE NATURAL WONDERS OF EASTERN CUBA November 11 – 22, 2016
An abundance of endemic PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the “off-the-beaten-path” Cuba; this 12-day experience is a grand species, pristine natural tour of the natural history of Eastern Cuba. • Visit Desembarco del Granma National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage preserves, and a vibrant Site perhaps best known for its sea terraces and marine cliffs. It is named after the yacht in which Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Raúl Castro, and their history and culture make supporters sailed from Mexico to Cuba in 1956 and incited the Cuban Revolution. Cuba’s eastern region an • Get to know Baracoa; founded in 1511, it is the oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba and is today a charming city set against the backdrop of the Sierra intriguing destination. del Purial. • Hike and snorkel in Alexander Von Humboldt National Park; encompassing Step off the beaten path diverse ecosystems and climate types, the park protects the richest flora and fauna in Cuba including the highest number of endemic species. to uncover some of Cuba’s • Santiago de Cuba is the cradle of Cuban music, Spanish colonial history, and the Revolution; your visit to sites such as the Moncada barracks, San Juan Hill, Vírgen del Cobre Cathedral, and the historical center of lesser-known highlights. Santiago will enlighten all these eras.
holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 ITINERARY NOVEMBER 15 - SANTIAGO Santiago de Cuba was the first capital of Cuba; it was NOVEMBER 11 - HOLGUÍN founded by Diego de Velázquez in 1514 and remained Early evening arrival into Holguín, the fourth largest the capital until 1553. Fresh from the post-Hurricane city in Cuba. A colonial city founded in the early Sandy repair and the recent visit of Pope Francis in 2015, 1500s, today it is known for its vibrant cultural Santiago is in fine form. Today will be dedicated to scene and is the gateway to the beaches and resorts of visiting the important sites of the city: the home of Don Guardalavaca, located about 45 minutes away. After Diego Velázquez (reputedly the oldest building in Cuba), your arrival into Holguín, enjoy dinner at a local Cuartel Moncada (the barracks that saw the martyrdom paladar, preceded by a prerequisite beer. (Holguín of the Cuban Revolutionary heroes in 1953), the Spanish is Cuba’s main brewing city.) After dinner, there are fortress El Morro (an amazingly well-preserved 17th multiple options for live music and even an open-air century fort that gives chilling insight to the Spanish era cabaret. Overnight at Hotel Pernik. and the Spanish-American War), the Cemetery of Saint Ifigenia (final resting place of important Cuban figures, NOVEMBER 12 - HOLGUÍN not least José Martí), and finally the awesome Basílica de Early this morning, head to the coast toward Gibara, Nuestra Señora del Cobre. Dedicated to Cuban’s patron about a 35-minute drive from Holguín. Gibara is an old saint, the black virgin, the Virgin of the Copper, this is fishing port that overlooks the Bay of Gibara. Without an important site for faithful Cubans from all over the stopping in the town, you will head to the Silla de island. Overnight at Meliá Santiago. (BL) Gibara, a flat-topped mountain. Here, hike to the top while watching for birds, and cross a cave on the way. NOVEMBER 16 - SANTIAGO From the top, you can see the entire north coast. After This morning visit the Museum of Natural History of your hike, visit the Gibara Museum of Natural History Santiago and headquarters of BIOECO, a branch of the and have lunch in a local paladar with great seafood, Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. walking along the malecón to see wonderful views of You will have a chance to meet with the staff and they Gibara Bay and the activity of the fishing boats. This will share the efforts that are ongoing to rebuild the evening return to Holguín and enjoy dinner in a local museum after the devastating effects of Hurricane paladar. Overnight at Hotel Pernik. (BL) Sandy in 2012. After a brief visit to the museum, travel 20 minutes to one of their field stations in the NOVEMBER 13 - NIQUERO OR CABO CRUZ nearby Baconao Biosphere Reserve or to another site This morning depart for the Delta del Cauto Natural to see their environmental education programs with Reserve, an important wetland of approximately local communities in action. En route back to the city 150,000 acres. Search for water birds and enjoy a center, visit San Juan Hill, where on July 1, 1898, after boating adventure along Cuba’s longest river, the the United States entered the Spanish-American War, Río Cauto. To reach this area from Holguín, it is the Rough Riders — 3,000 US and Cuban troops that approximately a 2.5-hour drive to El Mango, a local included Theodore Roosevelt — stormed the hill and station within the reserve. There you will board a boat won that battle that definitively ended the Spanish and go over the shallow lagoons to observe different Empire’s colonial reign. Overnight at Meliá Santiago. (BL) species of water birds, including flamingos among many others. Also visit Cayo Norte; nowhere else in Cuba NOVEMBER 17 - BARACOA does a greater nesting colony of egrets exist. Have a This morning depart for Baracoa via the southern coastal box lunch on your boat trip. Afterward, return to El road, taking the scenic road from La Farola, crossing from Mango and then continue onward toward Niquero or the south to the north coast of the island and arriving Cabo Cruz. Dinner will be on own in a local paladar. at the eastern jewel of Baracoa. The drive is about four Overnight at casas particulares. (BL) hours, and with stops at sites of interest along the way it could be five hours or more. Nestled between the Bahía NOVEMBER 14 - SANTIAGO de Miel (Honey Bay) and El Yunque, another flat-topped This morning, drive to Desembarco del Granma mountain, Baracoa is Cuba’s oldest city and is known National Park and visit the Morlotte Fustete hiking for its old-fashioned way of life and its individuality. trail, with amazing views from the sea terraces and Whatever time remains of the evening will be spent local nature rich in endemic species. Later visit the strolling around the city and enjoying dinner at a local Desembarco del Granma local museum. If the group is paladar. Overnight at Hotel Castillo or similar. (BLD) up for a bit more adventure, you can hike the El Guafe trail, which leads to caves with aboriginal paintings and NOVEMBER 18 - BARACOA sculptures. Depart for Santiago de Cuba (arriving late) Today visit Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt. and have dinner at a local paladar. Overnight at Meliá The park is located within a larger reserve system called Santiago. (BD) the Cuchillas de Toa Biosphere Reserve. Encompassing diverse ecosystems and climate types, it protects the ABOUT YOUR LEADERS richest flora and fauna in Cuba, including more endemic species than anywhere else on the island. Also CHRISTOPHER D. EARL, PHD found here are the amazingly colorful snails known as Chris Earl is a biotechnology “painted snails.” The trail called Iberian Balcony leads entrepreneur, investor, and non- inland to waterfalls and natural pools. Spend the better profit leader who is also a life- part of the day visiting the park and return to Baracoa long outdoorsman. He is an avid in the late afternoon. Lunch may well be a box lunch to mountain biker and kayaker (both enjoy in the park and dinner will be on own to explore whitewater and ocean), who has the paladars in the city. Overnight at Hotel Castillo or gone hiking and birding in six of similar. (BLD) the seven continents. He has a NOVEMBER 19 - BARACOA special interest in environmental This morning, return to Parque Nacional Alejandro de conservation and exploration in Cuba. Humboldt for a look at the coastal area called Bahía Currently, Chris is President of Innotrove, LLC, de Taco, which protects roughly 5,600 acres of marine through which he advises leading venture funds and ecosystems, including mangroves, an offshore caye, and biopharmaceutical companies. He serves on the boards white sand beaches that end in coral reefs. Manatees of several biotechnology companies and science-driven can also be seen. Our visit today includes hiking, philanthropic organizations, including serving as a Trustee snorkeling, boat riding and time to soak up the amazing of the MD/DC chapter of The Nature Conservancy. natural beauty of this area. Overnight at Hotel Castillo or In prior roles, Chris was the first President and CEO similar. (BLD) of BIO Ventures for Global Health, a non-profit NOVEMBER 20 - LA MENSURA NAT’L PARK organization that harnesses biotech R&D in creating Today depart for Pinares de Mayarí, an eco-lodge new cures for infectious diseases of the developing world. located at about 995 meters above sea level in the Chris also served as Managing Director of Perseus Capital pine-forested, misty altiplano of La Mensura National and the Perseus-Soros BioPharmaceutical Fund, and Park. Upon arrival, explore the area, starting with the CEO of Avitech Diagnostics, Inc. Chris received a BA in Cuban Academy of Sciences Integral Montane Research Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD Station, which includes an orchid garden. Also visit in Cellular and Developmental Biology from Harvard and swim in the beautiful Salto del Guayabo, a twin University. waterfall. The lookout point offers incredible views of the canyon and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Birding in CARLOS PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ this area is very worthwhile, with more than 17 endemic species that can be seen here. Overnight at Pinares de Carlos Peña Rodríguez is Mayarí or similar. (BLD) a researcher and naturalist specializing in ornithology with NOVEMBER 21 - HOLGUÍN the Center for Investigation and This morning continue to explore and bird La Mensura Environmental and Technological National Park, taking the second trail that can be Services in Holguín, Cuba. enjoyed from the lodge area. This afternoon return He has taken part in more than to Holguín for your final evening. Dinner at a local 20 investigation projects, some paladar. Overnight at Hotel Pernik. (BL) of them involving the study of resident and migratory bird communities in different NOVEMBER 22 - DEPARTURE Cuban ecosystems, and he has authored more than 40 This morning bid Cuba farewell and board the flight to scientific articles related to the study of Cuban avifauna. Miami and onward connections. (B) His educational pursuits have related to environmental Important note: This trip is intended for the education for the conservation of birds, mainly migratory adventurous traveler. Participants will explore off-the- birds on the northeastern coast of Cuba. beaten-path areas, and some areas will likely require Carlos is a member of the Caribbean Ornithological four-wheel drive. There are multiple activities that Society, Cuban Zoological Society, and Cuban require endurance and stamina, including some difficult Ornithological Society. Previously he worked with the hiking in the mountainous Granma province. Lodging Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of in Cuba is generally not comparable to international Cuba and Environmental Consultancies. He has an MS standards, and on this trip in particular, participants degree in Ecology and Systematic Zoology. Carlos is fluent should be prepared for very rustic accommodations. in Spanish and English. Baracoa Photo by Piviso
LAND COST
$4,900 Price includes all accommodations, meals, non- alcoholic beverages with meals, entrance fees and activities as listed in the itinerary, plus gratuities for local guides, waitstaff for meals, and bellhops. Does not include international airfare (estimated at $575 from Miami and includes Cuban visa, departure tax, and mandatory Cuban health insurance); gratuities Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) for Cuban national guide, Cuban naturalist leader, or Photo by Julio Larramendi driver; or items of a personal nature.
THE FINE PRINT
Cost is based on accommodations in double occupancy; for a single room throughout the trip add $600. A $500 per person deposit and enrollment form are required to secure your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until August 8, 2016 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Final payments are due no later than August 8, 2016; cancellations received after this date are not refundable.
Rio Toa Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly Photo by Julio Larramendi recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849. *Due to the nature of travel in Cuba, some accommodations are subject to change, as noted in the itinerary. In the case of substitutions, every effort will be made to offer an equally substantive alternative.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit holbrook.travel/cubaoriente or contact Lisa Palmese-Graubard at [email protected] or 800-451-7111 x339 Plaza de la Revolucion Photo by William John Gauthier