Duration – 8 Days
Travel Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Holguin early afternoon.
Drive to Gibara. Accommodation for 2 nights at Hotel Ordoño.
Late afternoon walking tour of Gibara, a Colonial fishermen village known as La Villa Blanca.
Welcome dinner on the Hotel Terrace.
Day 2: Gibara
Panoramic boat ride in Gibara Bay.
Lunch by the bay.
Visit a Cigar Factory.
Explore Bakers’ Cave (Cueva de los Panaderos).
Dinner in a private restaurant with a town view.
Day 3: Gibara to Pinares de Mayari
Breakfast.
Drive to Cupeycillo Valley (15 mins). Trail Cañada de Cupeycillo (1.5km trek).
Lunch at a rural eco-friendly family restaurant.
Continue to Pinares de Mayari Mountains. Dinner and accommodation for 2 nights in a villa.
Day 4: Pinares de Mayari
Morning bird walk on forest trails.
Visit Salto del Guayabo Waterfalls, Cuba’s 2nd highest waterfall.
Lunch at a lookout point.
Afternoon birding in La Mensura National Park.
Dinner.
Day 5: Humboldt National Park
Breakfast and departure to Humboldt National Park (3+ hours).
First stop at the park visitor center for birding and interaction.
Lunch by Recreo river with a possibility to swim.
Continue to Baracoa. Accommodation for 2 nights in a private accommodation.
Dinner in a private gourmet restaurant.
Day 6: Baracoa
Visit Yumuri Canyon for lookout points, boat ride, and short trails for bird-watching.
Lunch by the beach.
Visit a Chocolate farm.
Dinner in a private restaurant.
Day 7: Baracoa to Santiago de Cuba
City tour in Baracoa.
Lunch in a private restaurant.
Drive to Santiago de Cuba through La Farola Mountain road.
Stop at La Gobernadora viewpoint.
Accommodation at Hotel Casagranda for 3 nights. Dinner at local private restaurant
Day 8: Gran Piedra
Drive to Gran Piedra.
Early morning birding.
Breakfast and summit walk.
Lunch at a historic French coffee plantation.
Afternoon birding.
Dinner in a private restaurant.
Day 9: Departure
End of the tour. Departure.
Duration: 9 Days
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Havana. Transfer to Soroa. Accommodation in Airbnb for 2 nights.
Welcome meeting and dinner at location.
Day 2: Soroa
Visit Soroa Orchid Garden for birdwatching.
Lunch at Castle in the Clouds Restaurant.
Transfer to Viñales. Accommodation in Airbnb or Hotel Mirador Los Jazmines for 2 nights.
Dinner in a private restaurant.
Day 3: Viñales
Early birdwatching at the Mogotes and trek at a private tobacco farm. Learn about the tobacco harvesting process.
Lunch on the farm.
Explore the Indian Cave for bat and herp watching.
Dinner in a private restaurant at sunset.
Day 4: Las Terrazas
Birdwatching and visit an old French coffee plantation.
Lunch at a private Eco-0Farm.
Transfer to Playa Larga in Zapata Swamp. Accommodation in Airbnb for 3 nights.
Dinner in a private restaurant.
Day 5: Bay of Pigs
Breakfast. Departure for Santo Tomás or La turba trail (1h).
Birdwatching via pole-powered boats.
Lunch at Tiki restaurant.
Visit Casa Ana Birding for Bee Hummingbirds. Dinner.
Day 6: Zapata Swamp
Early breakfast. Visit Salinas de Brito at sunrise for waterbirds.
Lunch in a private restaurant in Playa Larga.
Swim in Cueva de los Peces. Snorkelling options.
Dinner in a private restaurant.
Day 7: Cienfuegos
Early departure to Bermejas Protected Area for birdwatching.
Lunch in Guajimico Villa.
Afternoon birdwatching. Dinner and accommodation in the villa for 2 nights.
Day 8: Guajimico
Birdwatching and looking for Butterfly bats at dusk. Sunset among coral reefs.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Day 9: Guanaroca
Explore Guanaroca lagoon in Cienfuegos, boat ride included.
Lunch in Cienfuegos city in an old Moorish mansion.
Transfer to Havana. Quick stop at Playa del Chivo at sunset for birdwatching.
Accommodation in Havana for 2 nights. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 10: Departure
End of the tour. Departure.