PARKS AND PEOPLE OF CUBA

PARKS AND PEOPLE OF CUBA NOVEMBER 12-19, 2017 HIGHLIGHTS TRIP SUMMARY Ging ff the beaten path in search f the authentic Cuba Being immersed in a cmplex culture and meeting with its diverse citizenry Turing thrugh the best f Cuba's natinal parks, nature reserves, and wrld heritage sites Savring Cuban cuisine and learning abut its signature exprts Listening (and perhaps dancing) t Cuba's salsa-infused beats Phne: 877-439-4042 Outside the US: 410-435-1965 Fax: 410-435-3084 Email: inf@gdadventure.cm

TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Nv 12-19, 2017 Lcatin: Cienfuegs - Havana, Cuba Cst: $3,495.00 Activities: Multisprt Arrive: Arrive in Cienfuegs n Nvember 12 Depart: Depart Havana n Nvember 19, preferably early afternn TRIP OVERVIEW Cuba has lng been a subject f fascinatin fr Americans, barred frm visiting fr plitical reasns and hearing cnflicting infrmatin frm peple wh fled the Castr dictatrship. What is nt in dispute is that Cuba's frests, muntains, and ceans are beautiful; Cuban culture is vibrant; and the Cuban peple are warm and welcming. On this trip we g beynd Havana int the cuntryside, where we cmbine visits t natinal parks and nature reserves, with visits with naturalist guides, farmers, histrians, natinal park fficials, artists, and small business entrepreneurs. This trip is designed fr curius travelers wh prefer t explre n their feet rather than lking ut a bus windw, and wh want t immerse themselves in living histry and culture. RATING This trip is mre a walking tur than a hiking trip and is apprpriate fr any wman in gd health with gd mbility and stamina. Patience, flexibility, and an ability t accept cnditins as they are, is critical n this trip. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5 WHAT'S INCLUDED A lcal Cuban guide and an Adventures in Gd Cmpany Trip Leader Transprtatin in Cuba by private bus Seven nights duble ccupancy ldging in htels and casa particulares All meals frm dinner the first day thrugh dinner the last full day Certificatin f travel t Cuba under the U.S. Department f Treasury general license All activities and needed equipment fr thse activities n the itinerary One grup airprt transfer n arriving and departing days Gratuities fr staff and day guides Clean drinking water available at all times Nt included: Airfare t Cienfuegs r frm Havana, Cuba Turist Visa Fee (ranges frm $25-$100 depending n where yu buy it), alchlic beverages, guide gratuities, persnal expenses, activities nt n the itinerary

OUR ITINERARY Travel in Cuba requires a flexible attitude. Our days are full and things dn t always run n time. Nte that the activities and visits listed are nt guaranteed but we will d ur best t prvide the cntent intent f this Peple t-peple prgram. Visiting develping cuntries can be eye-pening and life-changing, and hpefully visiting Cuba is bth. Accmmdatins may nt be up t the standards yu are used t air cnditining may nt wrk, ht water may be absent, etc. Remember t that due t demand in excess f supply (particularly in Havana), smetimes ur accmmdatins are changed at the last minute due t factrs beynd ur cntrl. We ask yu t appreciate the authenticity f yur cultural encunters as well as the peple, fd, culture, and adventures that are exceptinal in their difference. DAY 1 NOVEMBER 12, SUNDAY American Airlines is the nly airline flying int Cienfuegs and it's likely we will all be n the same flight frm Miami. We'll be transprted t ur Cienfuegs htel where we'll have ur first fficial welcme and rientatin t the trip, fllwed by ur first taste f Cuban cuisine. We'll then see sme f Cienfuegs, knwn as the Pearl f the Suth, and sme f the nightlife as we engage in that mst quintessential Latin American activity, strlling the Malecn (a bardwalk alng a sea wall) with views f the natural harbr. Overnight Htel Unin r Jagua. (Nte: If yu prefer t cme early, we'll have suggestins fr htels in the PreDeparture dcument) DAY 2 NOVEMBER 13, MONDAY Cienfuegs Explratin, Hike in Parque El Cuban and Trinidad We'll start ur explratin with a walking tur f Cienfuegs, a city whse histry and architecture is a melding f French, Caribbean, and uniquely Cuban influences. We'll als have the first f ur Peple-t-Peple visits with the Cantres de Cienfuegs, a wrld-renwn chir. Leaving Cienfuegs, we enjy a delightful hike t a waterfall at Parque El Cuban befre cntinuing alng the cast t the histrical twn f Trinidad. Less than 60 miles away, it's a preserved Spanish clnial settlement and a UNESCO Wrld Heritage Site. We'll explre with anther walking tur befre checking int ur Casa Particulares fr the next tw nights. After dinner at a lcal restaurant in Trinidad, we might pt t enjy an utdr cncert and dancing at Casa de la Musica n the city's steps. Overnight Casas Particulares. Walking: 3-4 miles, +/-200 ft. elevatin, Driving: 1 hur

DAY 3 NOVEMBER 14, TUESDAY Tpes de Cllantes Nature Reserve, Trinidad We'll spend this mrning in Gran Parque Natural Tpes de Cllantes, a highly prtected nature reserve park f deep green frest, crashing waterfalls, and junglecvered limestne muntains (knwn as mgtes). We have several chices f hikes, after which we'll learn abut ne f Cuba's best knwn agricultural prducts: cffee! We'll visit a nearby cffee plantatin with a small museum t learn abut the traditins and rle f cffee in Cuba. After lunch in the muntains, we return t Trinidad in time t cntinue explring the twn sites. Our day culminates with a Peple-t-Peple meeting with Juli Munz, an acclaimed phtgrapher and unin representative fr the self-emplyed. Can't get enugh f Cuban music? We'll have time t explre the lcal music scene after dinner. B, L, D. Overnight Casas Particulares. Walking: 3-7 miles, +/-200 t 600 ft. elevatin. DAY 4 NOVEMBER 15, WEDNESDAY Playa Girn, the Bay f Pigs, Zapata Natinal Park and Playa Larga We head west tday, alng the cast t ne f Cuba's mst famus lcatins - the Bay f Pigs, site f the infamus and unsuccessful CIA-spnsred invasin tk place in 1961. We visit an excellent museum in the twn f Playa Girn t learn abut the stry behind the headlines. Frtunately, it is nw knwn fr warm Caribbean waters, great diving, and sme f the healthiest cral reefs in the wrld. We'll experience it first hand as we snrkel in Zapata Natinal Park with a lcal guide wh will explain Cuba's rle in prtecting its marine ecsystems. Birds and ther wildlife abund in the dense frests and mangrve swamps, and we'll lk fr endemic species such as the Cuban pygmy wl, bee hummingbird and Zapata rail. After lunch we'll hike alng the Enigma Las Rcas, als stpping t lk at the centes (sinkhles in the limestne) that dt this area. In late afternn we arrive at the small twn f Playa Larga and check int ur Casas Particulares, with time t take a swim at a nearby beautiful beach. Befre dinner we'll meet with Frank Medina, Directr f Zapata Natinal Park, t learn abut the jint pressures f turism and cnservatin facing the park. B, L, D. Overnight Casas Particulares Playa Larga r Playa Girn. Walking: 3-4 miles, +/-200 ft. elev. Driving: 2.5-3 hrs. DAY 5 NOVEMBER 16, THURSDAY Hemingway's Huse, Parque Lenin, Pinar del Ri Ernest Hemingway lived just utside f Havana fr 20 years and this mrning we get an early start fr ur drive t Finca Vigia, his frmer estate and nw a museum. We'll take a shrt walking tur f the estate t learn abut his interesting histry and relatinship with Cuba. A shrt drive then brings us t Parque Lenin, ne f Havana's largest. With a name like that, it's nt surprising t learn it was cnstructed between 1969-72 by Celia Sanchez, lng-time assciate f Fidel. We'll stp t stretch ur legs and have a picnic lunch befre cntinuing t ur muntain resrt, called Sra. Befre dinner, time permitting, we'll visit a lcal rchid garden. Overnight Villa Sra. Walking: 1 mile, +/-100ft elevatin. Driving: 4 hrs.

DAY 6 NOVEMBER 17, FRIDAY Vinales Natinal Park, Sra We'll spend ur entire day in ne f Cuba's finest natinal parks, Valle de Vinales, a UNESCO Wrld Heritage Site knwn fr bth its dramatic steep-sided limestne utcrps (mgtes), and the riginal architecture f its traditinal farms and villages. Cnsidered the finest karst valley in Cuba, it is riddled by bizarre shapes that are the erded remnants f the limestne that frms it. We spend ur day walking thrughut these varied landscapes, learning abut the dramatic gelgical frces that shaped the valley. This regin is als internatinally famus fr fine tbacc, ne f Cuba's signature exprts. We'll meet with a cigar maker, visit a tbacc prcessing plant, and learn hw green tbacc leaf is prcessed int the final prduct. We'll als visit ne f the valley s tbacc plantatins, with its rws upn rws f tbacc plants, and perhaps hear the vaguer, r field wrkers, whse sngs reflect the valley's unique melding f indigenus, Spanish, and African cultures. After a full day we'll return t Villa Sra fr dinner and rest. Overnight Villa Sra. Walking: 7-8 miles, +/-200ftelev. Drive: 2 hrs. DAY 7 NOVEMBER 18, SATURDAY Sra t Havana, Walking Tur f the Old City Leaving the cuntryside, we head t Havana, the plitical and cultural capital f Cuba. We start with a walking tur f Old Habana, visiting sites that mark bth revlutinary and clnial times. As we walk, we learn mre abut Havana s turbulent past and hpeful future. In the afternn we'll have mre t explre what interests us mst. There's the large art and craft market f Mercad San Jse, the impressive internatinal cllectin Museum f Belles Artes, lively neighbrhds, and the famus seafrnt Malecn. We'll gather again in the evening fr a fine farewell dinner at ne f Havana's best paladars, celebrating all we learned and shared this week. Fr sme f us, it may be time t call it a day. Fr thers, Havana's energy may be irresistible. Optins include visiting Fabrica des Artes, hme f Cuba's best avant-garde art; r the UNEAC (The Unin f Writers and Artists f Cuba) fr an evening bler and ther singing perfrmances. Overnight Havana Htel such as Htel Presidente, Riviera, Havana Libre OR SIMILAR. Walking: 3-4 miles +/-50ft elev. Drive: 1 hr. DAY 8 NOVEMBER 19, SUNDAY Adis Cuba! This mrning we ffer ne airprt transfer at a time that matches the departure time f the majrity f the grup. We suggest planning a late mrning r early afternn flight if pssible. If that desn't wrk fr yur cnnectins, yur guides can instruct yu n hw t take a taxi t the airprt at yur cnvenience (nt included.)

ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE Currently American Airlines is the nly airline with a flight scheduled frm Miami t Cienfuegs (leaves MIA at 3:45, arrives at 5pm). Many airlines that fly ut f Havana. Yu cannt bk thrugh a travel agent, but yu can bk yur flight directly n the internet. Yu will likely see smething like 'By cntinuing, yu agree that yu cmply with the travel restrictins." If yu need t select a categry fr travel, this trip is in the categry f Educatinal/Peple-t-Peple. It is mandatry fr freign visitrs t have a Cuba Turist Card while traveling in Cuba. Yu will need yur turist card t bard yur flight t Cuba, as well as t get thrugh custms and immigratin upn arrival. American Airlines wrks with Cuba Visa Services t prvide access t the Cuba Turist Card fr their passengers. Yu can purchase cards frm their website: Cuba Visa Services (https://cubavisaservices.cm/prduct/aa-visa-card/r at yur gateway airprt frm a Cuba Ready kisk. Purchasing these cards in advance will save time and mney! Fr U.S. citizens traveling t Cuba, a Certificatin f Travel t Cuba frm is required. This serves as prf that yu are visiting Cuba under an apprved travel categry (e.g. the Peple t Peple educatinal travel categry) and includes the general license number applicable t yur tur. We will send yu the frm with the PreDeparture dcument. After yu buy yur ticket, a representative f Cuba Travel Services will call yu t cnfirm yu have the dcuments and permits required and talk t yu abut what t expect n yur trip. Yu can als call them first at 877/511-2822. Frm the airprt we will be transferred as a grup t ur htel. If yu want t arrive n an earlier date, we will prvide a list f htel and suggestins fr hw t get frm the airprt t where yu're staying. Yu will be respnsible fr making yur wn arrangements. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE The Cuban Gvernment requires that all visitrs entering the cuntry have a minimum amunt f medical travel insurance. American Airlines includes the required amunt f insurance with the purchase f a rund-trip ticket t Cuba. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALSO BUY TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP fr medical reasns, trip delay, lst baggage, and ther unfreseen emergencies. Adventures in Gd Cmpany will send yu infrmatin abut travel insurance with yur registratin infrmatin, r yu may purchase cverage thrugh yur wn insurance cmpany. In rder t avid disappintment and expense in the event that yu must cancel yur trip we strngly urge yu t purchase sme type f insurance cverage. Yu can als sign up fr it nline at Travelex Insurance. T get the best rates, use 20-0016 as yur lcatin number n the Get A Qute page. ACCOMMODATIONS On this trip stay in bth htels and Casa Particulares. Similar t a B&B, Casas are cmfrtable bedrms in private huses. Smetimes they have the feel f a small butique htel, and smetimes they have the feel f staying with warm and welcming hsts wh ffer us the experience f staying with a Cuban family. This can be a highlight f yur trip, with the understanding that the accmmdatin may lack standard amenities r the air cnditining may nt be wrking r the ht water quickly used up.

PACKING LIST The Adventures in Gd Cmpany's packing list cvers what is essential fr yur safety and cmfrt fr this particular trip. Please fllw the packing list carefully. Packing light is essential fr this trip. FOOTWEAR 1 pair sturdy lightweight hiking bts r trail shes 1 pair sandals with hard sles and ankle straps (n slides r flip flps) 2 3 pair light synthetic r merin-wl scks CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT 1 pair lightweight pants: (Supplex, r nyln/plyester/spandex blend). Zip-ffs wrk well 1 lightweight lng-sleeved shirt fr sun prtectin 2 pairs f shrts: Quick drying nyln is recmmended 2 3 buttn up shirts r t-shirts (synthetic fr paddling is recmmended) 1 wide-brimmed hat, fr rain, sun and high fashin (a string tied t the hat will keep it frm blwing away) 1 light-weight packable fleece, vest, r sweater, r light jacket fr warmth in the evenings and mrnings Underwear and light pajamas One lightweight raincat (a windbreaker that has sme waterprf qualities will wrk as well) 1 bathing suit (nyln shrts and a running bra als wrk as swimwear) Sarng (ptinal, but handy fr changing clthes. Sitting r laying n grund etc) 1 2 changes f cmfrtable infrmal clthes t wear arund the htels and ut t dinner (e.g. pants and/r skirt, with a cuple f tps; quick-dry sprt dress; casual shes) ESSENTIALS Passprt (and cpy f passprt, valid fr 6 mnths after the date f arrival) Sunglasses plus retentin strap: 100% UV blcking, plarized are preferable fr clarity 1 ne-liter water bttles r hydratin pack Headlamp r flashlight with extra bulb and batteries bandana/buff Bug repellant 2 3 galln Ziplc bags (wet clthes) Watch with an alarm and/r small alarm clck Small day r fanny pack fr day use (hiking). See Ntes n Packing Ear plugs (fr a gd night s sleep) Universal electrical plug adapter (mst utlets in Cuba will match U.S. plug types, but ther types may be present) Headlamp r small LED flashlight TOILETRIES (small everything, see Packing Ntes fr additinal items and infrmatin) Twel, bidegradable sap, tthbrush, tthpaste, dental flss, hand sanitizer, cntact essentials, etc. Sunscreen (30 r higher) and lip prtectin with sunscreen (SPF f at least 15) Persnal patch kit : band aids, safety pins, blister band aids and mleskin, ibuprfen, persnal medicatins. Individuals allergic t insect bites must bring an epi-pen. Please cnsult yur physician. OPTIONAL Camera and film/extra memry card A supply f snacks, Gatrade pwder and/r electrlyte mix TSA-accessible lck fr luggage security when nt n yur persn Extra pair sunglasses (als glasses if yu wear them) Hiking ples Bk, ntebk, jurnal Binculars

NOTES ON PACKING Luggage: Either a rll-n suitcase r a duffel bag will wrk well. Clthing: Cuba is typically warm and humid with sme rain. Bring clthing that can get wet and that can wash ut easily (synthetics are best, cttn takes frever t dry in a humid climate). Small daypack r fanny pack: large enugh fr the items yu ll want t have with yu during walks/hikes and daily tur activities (camera, clthing layer, sunscreen, water bttle, hat, etc.) Als cnsider hw easily accessible and rganized yur pack allws thse items t be. One ptin t cnsider is a hiking/hydratin daypack, which can serve as yur persnal item during yur flights, as well as yur daypack each day during yur tur. While we will prvide plenty f drinking water thrughut the tur, a hydratin pack with a remvable hydratin bladder (1.5 2 liters shuld be adequate) will allw yu t carry a larger amunt f water vs. a water bttle, and will minimize yur need t refill. Cmmn brands f hydratin packs include Camelbak, Osprey, and Salmn. Rain gear: We recmmend a jacket made f waterprf/breathable fabric r cated nyln. This layer will mst likely be wrn mre ften as a wind-prf layer than a rainprf layer n this trip, s having it be breathable is a gd additin. Cated nyln is nt very breathable, but it is lightweight, waterprf, and can be relatively inexpensive. Glasses/cntacts: Be sure t bring a back-up fr glasses and/r plenty f cntacts and supplies. An extra pair f sunglasses is als a gd idea. First Aid Kit and Tiletries: (mst, if f the prducts listed belw are nearly impssible t find in Cuba please plan accrdingly) Pre-mistened tilette packets r dispsable shwer wipes t refresh Persnal medicines/prescriptins (Dramamine-mtin sickness, Benadryl -allergic reactins, Advil r Aspirin, etc.). Make sure that any prescriptin drugs include yur dctr s/pharmacist s identificatin label n the utside f the cntainer. Insect repellent- we recmmend repellent with DEET r Picaridin Insect Repellent (Picaridin is less txic and less harsh n gear/clthing than DEET. Here is ne example f a Picaridin-based repellent: sawyer.cm/prducts/picaridin-insect-repellent/) Anti-itch medicatin and/r tpical cream (e.g. Benadryl) Heavy duty skin ltin fr dry, sun-baked, and salted skin Small squeeze bttle f hand-sanitizer gel Shamp and bdy wash (ne small travel flask f each - these items can als be scarce in Cuba and casas particulares will nt always prvide them) One rll (r partial rll) f tilet paper Feminine hygiene prducts