ExperienceAn In-depth
JourneyGREATEST VOYAGE IN NATURAL HISTORY to Cuba The Amazon is a living labyrinth of forests, wildlife and people, all bisected by a storied river meandering 4,200M milesarc acrossh South 11-20, America. Cloaked 2014 in mist, boasting every shade of green, the heart of the Amazon is a wilderness that has pulled at the spirits of adventurers for centuries. Over the 33 years that International Expeditions has been exploring the Amazon, our guests have enjoyed unrivaled access to the rainforest’s most pristine areas and the company of the river’s most knowledgeable guides. Leaving behind only the diminishing wake of our riverboat, IE can transport you to the Amazon of your imagination to discover a rainforest that pulsates with diversity of life.
NATURAL SCIENCES GUILD TRAVEL IE guest sits in with the band Vinales
Cuban emerald Classic car in colonial Trinidad
10-day itinerary in brief 10 Days from $4,798 » Details online at www.IEtravel.com/Cuba International Expeditions, Inc. is licensed (CT-2013-299822-1) by the United For years, legal travel to Cuba has been almost impossible States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to engage, organize and conduct authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba that for Americans, making this island of salsa, Colonial architecture engages participants in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba. and Caribbean beauty a forbidden fruit for the adventurous. Now IE has been licensed to provide people-to-people Day 1 Miami Our program productions. Later interact Cuba travel for U.S. citizens. Not only does this allow you begins in Miami with an with spirited vendors who to travel to Cuba legally, but you can experience Cuba in overnight at the Marriott line the atmospheric squares the most authentic way possible — through the eyes of its for a briefing and welcome of these cities. Continue to people. This immersive, nature-focused itinerary offers a reception. Sancti Spiritus and overnight fascinating opportunity to interact with Cuban locals, birders at Hotel Del Rijo or similar. (D) and conservation groups on a deep level — making you a Day 2 Camaguey or true ambassador and not a “tourist.” cienfuegos / Sancti Spiritus Day 3 Trinidad See the Board our charter flight. ruined hulls of sugar es- “IE had a more interesting and inviting itinerary. We liked the Depending on your de- tates in the Valle De Los idea that we were able to stay in different places around the island parture day, you will fly to Ingenios, and chat with and see the country from that perspective and not just being in Cienfuegos or Camaguey. villagers in Manaca Iznaga Havana. The variety of daily activities made it enjoyable.” In Cienfuegos, enjoy a while enjoying a glass of — Ed and Louise Mahoney, Ohio performance by the Cien- cold sugar cane or mango fuegos Choir or head to the juice. Experience Trinidad Camaguey Ballet Company, like a local, visiting with meeting the dancers and shop owners and sampling talking to them about new local fare as we walk Gulf of Mexico Maria Lezcano Garden. Spend 3 Havana To miami two nights at La Moka or
Vinales cuba similar. (B,L,D Daily)
Zapata Wetlands 2 Playa Larga Day 8 Soroa & vinales / Topes de Sancti Spiritus Collantes Havana Survey an orchid El Naranjal 1 Nature Reserve Trinidad garden with staff from the Florida University of Pinar del Rio. Camaguey Miami from miami Meet local naturalists, busi- Havana ness owners and farmers in the planned “green” Caribbean Sea community of Las Terra- zas. Stop at Cafe de Maria for a cup of locally grown coffee and chat with the 1 Truly Trinidad 2 Bay of Pigs 3 Preserving Tradition family who runs the busi- & Beauty Want to get an authentic Playa Larga is one of ness. Stop to pay homage people-to-people expe- two beaches where In 1999, UNESCO to Ernest Hemingway by rience? Join locals at a anti-Castro forces landed designated the beautiful music club or strolling the in April 1961 Vinales Valley, where much discussing his work with square on Saturday night in of Cuba’s tobacco is grown, Cuban Hemingway special- Trinidad! as a World Heritage Site. ists at his former home, Finca Vigia. Spend two nights at the Melia Cohiba or similar. (B,L,D) through the heart of the de Collantes National Park. Day 5 Zapata Peninsula / Day 9 Havana In Old Ha- city. At Casa Santander Join a local naturalist for a Bay of Pigs The Zapata vana present the children at meet local artists and learn nature walk, finding en- Peninsula encompasses a public library with books about traditional pottery demic birdlife as we share Cuba’s most important and share your favorite techniques. This pottery stories about our favorite wetland area. Join Orlando tales. At the Belen Convent studio has been run by the sightings. Meet a local Ramirez, a local farmer, discuss humanitarian pro- same family for decades, farmer and join him for and his friends on a hike to grams with the volunteers. and the Santanders share lunch. Chat with your guide observe the bee hum- Interact with the locals as their family history while and other locals at a coffee mingbird. On the Bay of we explore an art market. inviting us to take a turn at house. Visit a modern art Pigs, discuss the importance (B,L,D) the wheel. Stroll through museum. Dinner is in a of the wetlands with a local town, visiting a music club privately owned paladar, environmentalist. Overnight Day 10 Havana / Miami to mingle with the locals. where we learn about the at Hotel Playa Larga or Transfer to the airport for our Spend two nights at Hotel challenges and opportu- similar. (B,L,D) charter flight to Miami. (B) Costa Sur or similar. (B,L,D) nities facing Cuba’s new entrepreneurs. Sit down Days 6 & 7 bay of pigs / Please Note: A trip to Cuba is an Day 4 Topes de Collantes / with local families to discuss Soroa & vinales At the active one that calls for good health. Trinidad In the Sierra de daily life and enjoy a few Korimakao Project meet You should be able to walk without Escambray, board Russian laughs before being invited some of Cuba’s finest assistive devices or the help of trucks for a journey in Topes into their homes. (B,L,D) musicians and artists and others a minimum of two hours at discuss the transformative a somewhat brisk pace in order to participate in this expedition. The Havana power of art. During a stop activities involve a great deal of at a tobacco sorting factory, walking on uneven terrain such chat with the women pre- as cobblestone streets or slippery paring tobacco to become trails, and standing, all of which cigars. Enjoy two chances will be in hot weather. to meet families working the land while visiting an organic farm and the private march 11-20, 2014 why people-to-people travel? Double Occupancy ...... $4,798 IE’s people-to-people travel Single Occupancy ...... $5,548 license affords you an im- Charter Air ...... $575 mersive opportunity to connect directly with the Charter airfare is subject to change and must be Cuban people, learning more purchased through International Expeditions. about each other through $600 per person deposit is required to reserve your space. direct contact and cultural CANCELLATION FEES PER PERSON exchange. Our license man- $175 from the time of booking to 90 days prior to departure dates that you participate in $350 from 89 to 61 days prior to departure a daily slate of engaging 100% of the full program cost from 60 to 0 days prior activities focused on educa- to departure. tion and cultural exchange. Costs based on minimum of 12 guests.
what’s included
Full schedule of Cuban visitor visa engaging people-to- 23 meals people activities Fully escorted by Hotel in Miami prior to IE leader, Cuban departure expedition leader & Welcome reception in local guides Miami Exclusive excursion to Two drinks — choice Korimakao Project of local beer or soft drink — at group Cuban trogon Donating books at a Havana library Visit to Hemingway’s Finca Vigia lunches & dinners Walking visits in Bottled water Camaguey or on transfers & excursions IE’s Cuba is for the Birds Bring Adventure, Poetry & Cienfuegos, colonial Trinidad & Havana Cuban-government Birding excursions mandated medical Against a backdrop of dramatic Seuss to Havana’s Children insurance limestone mogotes, tobacco-dotted with local farmers & In a country where government naturalists Tips to porters, day valleys and wetlands hugging an Nature walks in Topes guides & waiters for regulates what citizens see and hear, included meals historic coast, IE participants — along de Collantes National book donations can be problematic. Park & Zapata with experienced Cuban environ- Wetlands with local With children’s books, there is far less mentalists — will search out some of naturalists suspicion. While one children’s library Cuba’s renowned endemic birdlife and Expedition Price Does Not Include: has operated with a small number of the migratory species which stop over Airfare, passport fees, items of a personal nature, old, tattered books, IE guests are and tips to expedition leader, Cuban national guides between November and April each donating Spanish versions of popular or driver. year. Join resident birding enthusiasts children’s stories. Guests spend a to observe bee hummingbirds, Cuban delightful afternoon with the children trogon, Cuban emerald and some of of Havana, sharing their favorite tales the island’s other 25 endemic species. For more information and chatting with librarian Adrian contact trip leader: Guerra. Rita Reining The accommodations used range from simple to [email protected] comfortable; however, it is hard to guarantee specific hotels in advance as availability is controlled by the Cuban government. Please also be aware that Cuban hotels may not reflect the same standards and amenities found on other IE journeys. While in Las Terrazas, we plan to use La Moka (pictured left) an intimate boutique hotel set amid forested hills.