PARKS AND PEOPLE OF CUBA

Transcription

1 PARKS AND PEOPLE OF CUBA NOVEMBER 11-18, 2018 TRIP SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Going off the beaten path in search of the authentic Cuba Being immersed in a complex culture and meeting with its diverse citizenry Touring through the best of Cuba's national parks, nature reserves, and world heritage sites Savoring Cuban cuisine and learning about its signature exports Listening (and perhaps dancing) to Cuba's salsa-infused beats Phone: Outside the US: Fax: info@goodadventure.com

2 TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Nov 11-18, 2018 Location: Santa Clara - Havana, Cuba Cost: $3, Activities: Multisport Arrive: Arrive in Santa Clara, Cuba on November 11 Depart: Depart Havana on November 18, preferably early afternoon TRIP OVERVIEW Cuba has long been a subject of fascination for Americans, barred from visiting for political reasons and hearing conflicting information from people who fled the Castro dictatorship. What is not in dispute is that Cuba's forests, mountains, and oceans are beautiful; Cuban culture is vibrant; and the Cuban people are warm and welcoming. On this trip we go beyond Havana into the countryside, where we combine visits to national parks and nature reserves, with visits with naturalist guides, farmers, historians, national park officials, artists, and small business entrepreneurs. This trip is designed for curious travelers who prefer to explore on their feet rather than looking out a bus window, and who want to immerse themselves in living history and culture. RATING This trip is a combination of touring and hiking. The hiking is in Cuba s National Parks; some of the trails are rocky with both downhill and uphill sections that can be very challenging, especially if there has been recent rain. We have rated the trip a 2 and is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity. Patience, flexibility, and an ability to accept conditions as they are, is critical on this trip. Rating: 1 [2] WHAT'S INCLUDED A local Cuban guide and an Adventures in Good Company Trip Leader; transportation in Cuba by private bus; seven nights double occupancy lodging in hotels and casa particulares; all meals from dinner the first day through dinner the last full day; certification of travel to Cuba under the U.S. Department of Treasury general license; all activities and needed equipment for activities on the itinerary; one group airport transfer on arriving and departing days; gratuities for driver, lodges, meals and day guides; clean drinking water available at all time. Not included: Airfare to Santa Clara or from Havana, Cuba Tourist Visa Fee (ranges from $75-$100 depending on where you buy it), alcoholic beverages, AGC and Cuban guide gratuities, personal expenses, activities not on the itinerary

3 OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. Travel in Cuba is a truly unique opportunity and absolutely requires the traveler to have a flexible attitude that embraces everything as it is. Visiting developing countries can be eye-opening and life-changing and we have found visiting Cuba to be both. Please know that things will not always run on time, the water may not always be hot, the air conditioner may not work, the rooms may not be up to some of our western standards and perhaps the food may be less varied than you re used (one group had fish and lobster 3 meals running, there are worse things, right?!) but - the country is beautiful, the people gracious, the scenery spectacular and the memories (as they say) are priceless. Note that the activities and visits listed are not guaranteed but we will do our best to provide the content intent of this People - People program. Remember too that due to demand in excess of supply (particularly in Havana), sometimes our accommodations are changed at the last minute due to factors beyond our control. If you are a traveler who appreciates the authenticity of cultural encounters and are able to embrace all things different that define a culture, we encourage you to join us on this amazingly unique Cuban experience! DAY 1 NOVEMBER 11, SUNDAY Our arrival airport in Cuba is Santa Clara (SNU). We'll be transported to Cienfuegos and our Cienfuegos hotel where we'll have our first official welcome and orientation to the trip. Note: There are several flights into Santa Clara, the one most commonly used is the America Airlines flight that arrives from Miami into Santa Clara around 5pm. The group arrival shuttle is planned for this arrival time. We recommend arriving into Miami the day prior to your flight to Santa Clara to avoid possible travel problems. Overnight Hotel Union or Jagua. DAY 2 NOVEMBER 12, MONDAY Cienfuegos Exploration, Hike in Parque El Cubano and Trinidad We'll start our exploration today with a walking tour of Cienfuegos, a city whose history and architecture is a melding of French, Caribbean, and uniquely Cuban influences. We'll also have the first of our People-to- People visits with the Cantores de Cienfuegos, a world-renown choir. After our concert, we head to Parque El Cubano where we ll enjoy lunch and then a delightful hike to a waterfall and great swimming hole. After our hike, we ll continue along the coast to the historic town of Trinidad. Less than 60 miles away, it's a preserved Spanish colonial settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll check into our Casa Particulares for the next two nights. After dinner at a local restaurant in Trinidad, we have a chance to settle into our accommodations and anticipate more of Cuba the next day. Overnight, Trinidad, Casas Particulares. Walking: 3-4 miles, +/-200 ft. elevation, Driving: 1 hour

4 DAY 3 NOVEMBER 13, TUESDAY Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve, Trinidad We'll spend the morning exploring the Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, a highly protected nature reserve park of deep green forest, crashing waterfalls, and junglecovered limestone mountains (known as mogotes). We begin with a visit to a small open air museum with displays (and explanation from our park guide) depicting coffee productions past and present and the traditions and role of coffee in Cuba. And - to finish out this experience, there is a café with plenty of coffee choices you can enjoy. After being immersed in both the history and the drinking of Cuban coffee, we ll stretch our legs with a hike. Our hike begins at the museum and follows a trail that will take us up and down hills and through deep forest to a hidden pool - a quick swim is always an option! After lunch in the mountains, we return to Trinidad in time to continue exploring the town sights. Our day culminates with a People-to-People opportunity of visiting and learning about several local shops including a pottery shop and a women s co-op (specializing in embroidery). Can't get enough of Cuban music? If time and energy allow, spending a bit of time exploring the local music scene after dinner is always an option! B, L, D. Overnight Casas Particulares. Walking: 3-7 miles, +/-200 to 600 ft. elevation. DAY 4 NOVEMBER 14, WEDNESDAY Playa Giron, the Bay of Pigs, Zapata National Park and Playa Larga We head west today, along the coast to one of Cuba's most famous locations - the Bay of Pigs, site of the infamous and unsuccessful CIA-sponsored invasion took place in We visit an excellent museum in the town of Playa Giron to learn about the story behind the headlines. Fortunately, Playa Giron is now known for warm Caribbean waters and coral reefs. After our museum visit, our next stop is a local resort for lunch, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach! Mid-afternoon, we ll leave the resort and meet a local guide for a beautiful and mellow hike in Zapata National Park along the Enigma Las Rocas. Our hike will take us through the dense forest, walking on beautiful limestone, watching for endemic species such as the Cuban pygmy owl, bee hummingbird and Zapata rail, peering into the mangrove swamps at the gators and into cenotes (sinkholes in the limestone.) After hiking, it s back to our bus and on to the town of Playa Larga to check into our Casas Particulares. After dinner we'll meet with Frank Medina, Director of Zapata National Park, to learn about the joint pressures of tourism and conservation facing the park. B, L, D. Overnight Casas Particulares Playa Larga or Playa Giron. Walking: 3-4 miles, +/-200 ft. elev. Driving: hrs.

5 DAY 5 NOVEMBER 15, THURSDAY Hemingway's House, Parque Lenin, Pinar del Rio Ernest Hemingway lived just outside of Havana for 20 years and this morning we get an early start for our drive to Finca Vigia, his former estate and now a museum. We'll take a short walking tour to immerse ourselves in this beautiful estate and learn about Hemingway s interesting history and relationship with Cuba. After our tour it s a late lunch at a local restaurant prior to making our way to our next accommodation. Time permitting, we ll visit a local orchid garden that boasts fabulous orchids and a spectacular view over the valley from the top of the garden. If time runs out for visiting the garden today, we ll fit it in tomorrow! Overnight Villa Soroa or similar or Casa Particulars. Walking: 1 mile, +-100ft elevation. Driving: 4 hrs DAY 6 NOVEMBER 16, FRIDAY Vinales National Park, Soroa Today, our entire day is spent in one of Cuba's finest national parks, Valle de Vinales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for both its dramatic steep-sided limestone outcrops (mogotes), and the original architecture of its traditional farms and villages. Considered the finest karst valley in Cuba, it is riddled by bizarre shapes that are the eroded remnants of the limestone that forms it. We ll be walking throughout these varied landscapes, learning about the dramatic geological forces that shaped the valley. This region is also internationally famous for fine tobacco, one of Cuba's signature exports. We'll meet with a cigar maker, visit a tobacco processing plant, and learn how green tobacco leaf is processed into the final product. We'll also visit one of the valley's tobacco plantations, with its rows upon rows of tobacco plants, and perhaps hear the vaguero, or field workers, whose songs reflect the valley's unique melding of indigenous, Spanish, and African cultures. After a full day we'll return to Villa Soroa for dinner and rest. Overnight Villa Soroa. Walking: 2-4 miles, +-200ft elev. Drive: 2 hrs.

6 DAY 7 NOVEMBER 17, SATURDAY Soroa to Havana, Walking Tour of the Old City Leaving the countryside, we head to Havana, the political and cultural capital of Cuba. We start with a walking tour of Old Havana, visiting sites that mark both revolutionary and colonial times. As we walk, we learn more about Havana s turbulent past and hopeful future. We ll walk thru town concentrating on 3 particular squares, each with its own unique history. There will be time in each square to drop into something that interests you. Prior to retuning to our hotel well visit a large market in Mercado San Jose that specializes in Cuba souvenirs - an excellent place to get any last minute items you just have to have! After a short stop in our hotel rooms to drop off our backpacks, we'll gather once again in the evening - this time for a fabulous farewell dinner at one of Havana's best paladars, celebrating all we learned and shared this week. For some of us, it may be time to call it a day. For others, Havana's energy may be irresistible and enjoying some of the night life in Havana may be a great choice! Your Cuban guide will have plenty of recommendations! Overnight Havana Hotel such as Hotel Presidente, Riviera, Havana Libre OR SIMILAR. Walking: 3-4 miles +/-50ft elev. Drive: 1 hr. DAY 8 NOVEMBER 18, SUNDAY Adios Cuba! This morning we offer one group airport shuttle that matches the departure time of the majority of the group. We suggest planning a late morning or early afternoon flight if possible. If that doesn't work for your connections, getting transportation to the Havana airport is quite easy and your guides can instruct you on how to take a taxi at your convenience (not included.)

7 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE There are a couple of airline that fly into Santa Clara, Cuba. AGC recommends you consider using American Airlines. There is a daily flight from Miami to Santa Clara leaving MIA around 3:45 and arriving Santa Clara around 5pm. This will be the arrival time the group shuttle will be planned for. If you arrive earlier, there is a small cafe to hang out in but otherwise there are not areas to explore right around the airport. Please note the following details: You cannot book through a travel agent, but will need to book your flight directly on the internet or by calling the airlines. This trip begins in Santa Clara and ends in Havana. When it is time to purchase your flight, please book accordingly. If booking via the internet, you will likely see something like 'By continuing, you agree that you comply with the travel restrictions." If you need to select a category for travel, this trip is in the category of Educational/People-to-People. Requirements for Travel to Cuba: 1. It is mandatory for foreign visitors to have a Cuba Tourist Card while traveling in Cuba. You will need your tourist card to board your flight to Cuba, as well as to get through customs and immigration upon arrival. If you are traveling with American Airlines, they work with Cuba Visa Services to provide access to the Cuba Tourist Card for their passengers. You can purchase cards from their website, Cuba Visa Services at: It is also available for purchase at your gateway airport from a Cuba Ready kiosk. The purchase of this card is your responsibility. We recommend purchasing in advance. This does save money and gives peace of mind. 2. For U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba, a Certification of Travel to Cuba form is required. This serves as proof that you are visiting Cuba under an approved travel category (e.g. the People to People educational travel category) and includes the general license number applicable to your tour. This Certification of Travel will be sent to you with the Information Needed toward the end of July At that time, you will need to print the document, sign it, keep a copy for yourself and send a copy to AGC. Instructions on how to accomplish this will be included in that The Cuban Government requires that all visitors entering the country have a minimum amount of medical travel insurance. This is actually very easy because all airlines who have service to Cuba must by Cuban law include this in the ticket price. To prove you have this insurance, all you ll need to do is keep your boarding pass with you while in Cuba. If you need medical attention while traveling in Cuba, it will be free of charge. Since the above mentioned required insurance does not cover things like trip cancellation, travel delays, lost luggage, etc. we strongly recommend that you also buy trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance. This insurance covers your cost if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. 4. Please note: As of 2017, individual travel in Cuba is no longer allowed by the U.S. government. If you wish to spend additional time in Cuba, it needs to be under a different certification of travel other than the one being

8 provided for the AGC trip. If this is a possibility for you, we can put you in touch with our partner. Please let the office know if you need this information. If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Barbara Phillip, Scan East West Travel, at barbara@scaneastwest.com or call ACCOMMODATIONS On this trip we stay in both hotels and Casa Particulares. Similar to a B&B, Casas Particulares are comfortable bedrooms in private houses. Sometimes they have the feel of a small boutique hotel, and sometimes they feel like you re visiting family and enjoying the spare bedroom. All are operated by warm and welcoming hosts, offering the unique experience of staying with a Cuban family. This can be a highlight of your trip, with the understanding that the accommodation may lack standard amenities or the air conditioning may not be working or the hot water quickly used up. Also, please note these accommodations are basically small businesses and details such as decor, breakfast served in the morning, etc. will be different from one casa to another. A truly unique experience! Just so you know - there will always be at lease 2 members of the group in the casa, you will not be in a casa particular by yourself. WEATHER November is a great month to visit Cuba! It is cooler and drier than much of the rest of the year, although rain and warm temperatures are always possible. Expect highs in the low to mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. Havana is cooler than Cienfuegos. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use as your location number on the Get A Quote page.

9 PACKING LIST The Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers what is essential for your safety and comfort for this particular trip. Please follow the packing list carefully. Packing light is essential for this trip. FOOTWEAR 1 pair sturdy lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes 1 pair of comfortable shoes for general use (tennis shoes, sturdy sandals - no flip flops) 2 3 pair light synthetic or merino-wool socks CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT 1-2 pair of comfortable long/3/4 pants for hiking - zip-offs work well 1-2 pairs of shorts for hiking/touring (If not shorts, increase the long/3/4 pants by 1) 1 lightweight long-sleeved shirt for sun protection 2-3 synthetic or lightweight merino wool T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts 1 wide brimmed or baseball style hat for protection from the sun/rain 1 light-weight fleece/down pullover/jacket 1 rain jacket/poncho waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex 1 bathing suit (nylon shorts and a running bra also work as swimwear) 1 2 changes of casual clothes to wear at end of day Underwear and pj s ESSENTIALS Passport (and copy of passport, valid for 6 months after the date of arrival) 1 daypack (see notes on packing list for recommended capacity) Capability to waterproof your backpack. Either a rain cover or a heavy-duty plastic bag to line your pack. Hiking poles (Strongly Recommended) Sunglasses (100% UV protection) w/retention strap Capacity to carry 2 liters of water (Please see Notes on Packing List) Small headlamp or flashlight Watch with an alarm and/or small alarm clock Ear plugs (for a good night s sleep) Small/travel umbrella bandana/buff 2 3 gallon Ziploc bags (wet clothes) Bus Bag (Please see Notes on Packing List) Water shoes (Please see Notes on Packing List) TOILETRIES (small everything - please see Packing Notes for important information) Towel, biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hand sanitizer, contact essentials, etc. Sunscreen (30 or higher) and lip protection with sunscreen (SPF of at least 15) Insect repellant (Something with DEET works best) Personal medications and patch kit (Please see Notes on Packing List) Important Note: Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an epi-pen. Please consult your physician. OPTIONAL Camera/extra memory card A supply of snacks (not readily available in Cuba) TSA-accessible lock for luggage security when not on your person Extra pair sunglasses (also glasses if you wear them) Book, notebook, journal Binoculars

10 NOTES ON PACKING Luggage: Small to medium roller suitcase or a duffel bag will work well. Please use the packing list and try not to add extra things. Packing light is essential - there is plenty of room on the bus for luggage but you will be transporting your luggage to/from the bus to/from your accommodations and elevators are a luxury not found in all the accommodations. There will be stairs - please pack light. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy boots or trail shoes are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general hiking, lightweight or midweight cordura or leather boots with a Vibram sole work well. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get boots that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. Even boots billed as waterproof need to be treated with a waterproofing product. Water Shoes: Recommended for water crossings and getting to the swimming holes on day 2 and day 4 hikes. Clothing: Cuba is typically warm and humid with some rain. Bring clothing that can get wet, is easily washed out and dries quickly. NO COTTON for your active wear. Daypacks: Your daypack should be large enough to hold all items that will be necessary on your hikes - this will include, 1-2 liters of water, rain jacket/poncho, snacks (for the day), sun screen, insect repellant, personal first aid kit, hat/sunglasses (if not wearing), and personal items such as camera,etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between Liters ( cubic inches) with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and lifters. Before you leave home check to be sure that it is comfortable to wear all day and has sufficient space for all of the items listed above. Pack Cover: You do want to be able to waterproof your backpack. This can be accomplished by purchasing a pack cover (an elasticized water resistant/proof cover designed to fit over your backpack) or by lining the inside of your daypack with a durable plastic bag to keep your belongings dry. If you choose to purchase a pack cover, be sure to purchase the cover designed for the size of your backpack. Bus bag: Transportation in Cuba will be on a luxury type bus. Your bus will always be nearby and your driver always with it. This gives you the opportunity to take those extras you might like to have with you during the day but will not want to necessarily have in your backpack when touring or hiking. This bag can be as simple as a small, open type fabric bag or perhaps a small, zippered duffle - whatever you prefer. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? If you choose to purchase/use a poncho, be sure it is of good quality and not an inexpensive plastic poncho that will both leak and tear easily. Hydration: Being able to easily access your water without assistance, so that you can drink frequently, is important to your safety and enjoyment. One method is to use water bottles - either rigid bottles or collapsible. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and MSR bladder bags, which are collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. Please have the capacity to hold 2 liters of water. If you use bottles, bring 2, one liter bottles. If you use a hydration system, please consider bringing a water bottle in addition to your hydrations system (experience is that water bottles are easier to use when traveling on the bus.) Water will be provided throughout the trip. You will be refilling your water bottles/hydration systems from large bottles. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are strongly recommended for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. If you are not familiar with trekking poles, read this blog post that addresses the most commonly asked questions:

11 Personal First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with familiar medicine and first aid supplies you might need. Recommendations include the following: blister or foot remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, or similar, a small role of duct tape (always useful!), remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach ailments, sore muscles/joints. Other over the counter medications to consider would be remedies for motion sickness, allergic reactions, and topical creams for itching and/or minor scrapes. The guides will have a first aid kit but having what you know works well for you is a good idea. Other commonly used items that are difficult/impossible to find in Cuba that you may want to consider bringing would include pre-moistened toilette packets or disposable shower wipes such as Wet Ones and hand sanitizer, Important Note: Please be sure to bring enough of your personal medications and other personal items that are important for your health and welfare with you from home. Most items (including glasses, contacts, contact solution, etc.) are difficult and often impossible to find/replace in Cuba.