GREATEST VOYAGE IN NATURAL HISTORYThe Amazon is a living labyrinth of forests, wildlife and people, all bisected by a storied river meandering 4,200 miles across South America. Cloaked 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.

cuba

Thomas Hecker and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center offer you this opportunity to explore Cuba.

june 4-13, 2015

exploring Countryside, Coasts & Vibrant HaVana

Let the Rhythm Move You!Pulsating rhythms wrap you like a blanket as the sounds of Cuba — salsa, rumba and jazz — carry from almost every street corner and club, day and night. To truly be immersed in the daily lives of Cuban people, you must first listen. And listen to the music — mingled with laughter — spilling from a local club serving as a warm invitation to join into the daily lives of locals.

Dancers entertain at lunch

Why People-to-People Travel? IE’s people-to-people travel license affords you an immersive opportunity to connect directly with the Cuban people, learning more about each other through direct contact and cultural exchange. Our license mandates that you partici-pate in a daily slate of engaging activities focused on education and cultural exchange.

“Cuba was fabulous, and the genuine people-to-people experiences — the choir, the art/music school, the tobacco factory, etc. — were wonderful. I loved observing a dramatically different social, economic, and political environment, especially at this time in Cuba’s history.” — Fred Schauer of Charlottesville, Virginia

brush aside the Cuba that you “know” from history books and current events, and there is an unfiltered view of this vibrant island found only through the eyes of its people. While traversing the countryside and sipping coffee in small cafés, IE guests encounter working-class locals eager to share, learn and ensure lives and options are transformed.

With music, art and athletic prowess, Cuba has long demonstrated to the world that it is bastion of talent and style. From the Tropicana nightlife to the Buena Vista Social Club, Cubans have entertained us. Cuba’s vices are legendary — mellow cigars of renown quality, lavish cabarets, Salsa dancing and smooth rum. This has always been a playground for inspired eccentrics. Author and adventurer Ernest Hemingway whiled away his time in Cuba, but it was the writings of Jose Marti that best defines Cuba’s hunger for freedom and independence.

Despite governing policies, Cuba’s culture thrives, while nature pays no attention to political differences.

Historic Connection: People-to-People TravelAfter World War II, President Eisenhower wanted to bring people together, recognizing that lasting peace could be advanced by engaging with people of other cultures. Groups of citizen ambas-sadors traveled on programs designed to engender a mutual understanding and appreciation. People-to-people travel continues to enable U.S. citizens to travel with a purposeful objective — to gain insight and understanding for people living in different societies.

A musician in Havana

Cuban tody

Cuban emerald

IE guest sits in with the band

Day 1 – Thursday, June 4 U.S. / SANTA CLARA / CIENFUEGOS 

Board our charter flight to Cuba. After meeting our vehicle and guide, enjoy dinner in Santa Clara before continuing to Cienfuegos, where we spend two nights at Hotel La Union. (D)

Day 2 – Friday, June 5 CIENFUEGOS: BOTANICAL GARDENS,

PEPITO TEY & GUANAROCA LAGOON Cienfuegos is knows as one of Cuba’s most beautiful cities not only because of its location on the bay but also because so many of the build-ings are in the French architectural style due to the city being founded by French settlers. Enjoy a morning stroll through Cienfuegos Botanical Garden which was originally a research facility connected with Harvard University. Dur-ing a visit to the old sugar mill town of Pepito Tey, learn about the days when sugar was the primary industry in Cuba and speak with residents who worked at the mill. Con-tinue to Guanaroca Lagoon near the Bay of Cienfuegos. On a guided hike in this protected area, our local guide shows us the colony of approximately 200 flamingos. Of more than 170 species of birds found here there are eight which are endemic. Though elusive, manatees are also located here. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Saturday, June 6 CIENFUEGOS / TRINIDAD / TOPES

DE COLLANTES Drive to the architectural jewel of Trinidad, where we walk through the colonial heart of the city visit-ing with shop owners and sampling local fare as we go. At Casa Del Alfarero Santander, an artisan workshop, meet local artists and learn about traditional pottery techniques. This pottery studio has been run by the same family for de-

cades, and the Santanders share their family history while we take a turn at the wheel. Stroll through town, with the chance to visit a music club to mingle with the locals and enjoy authentic Cuban music. Head to Topes de Collantes, a national park in the mountains above Trinidad. Spend two nights in a beautiful setting at Hotel Los Helechos. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Sunday, June 7 TOPES DE COLLANTES Enjoy a spec-tacular day in the Sierra de Escambray. Join a local natu-ralist for a nature walk, finding prolific birdlife, including western stripe-headed tanagers, Cuban bullfinches, Cuban trogons, West Indian woodpeckers and Cuban todys as we share stories about our favorite sightings. Meet a local farmer to learn about life in the mountains before and after the revolution. At a local coffee house, relax over a cup of coffee and chat with your guide and other Cubans. Visit a modern art museum, seeing pieces by important artists. Dinner tonight is in a nearby local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Monday, June 8 TOPES DE COLLANTES / BAY OF PIGS /

ZAPATA WETLANDS We travel today to the Bay of Pigs which borders the Zapata Peninsula, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve encompassing Cuba’s most important wetland area. En route we meet Orlando Ramirez, a local natural-ist, for a hike to observe the world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird. Continue walking with Orlando with the expectation of seeing more endemic bird species such as Cuban screech owl and Cuban pygmy owl. On the Bay of Pigs, discuss the importance of the Zapata Wetlands with

Viñales

an official from the Zapata National Park. Spend tonight at Hotel Playa Larga, located directly on the Bay of Pigs. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Tuesday, June 9 BAY OF PIGS / SOROA There are around 900 species of flora, 171 species of birds (18 en-demics), 31 species of reptiles and many mammal species on the Zapata peninsula. Our new Cuban friend joins us on an early morning natural history exchange as we search for endemic bird species. We hope to observe Cuban green woodpeckers and Cuban parrots. Cuba’s national bird, the Cuban trogon, is commonly found here as are Cuban vireos and Cuban todys. Continue our day at the Korimakao Project, where we meet one of the directors. The proj-ect houses some of Cuba’s finest musicians, dancers and artists, who refine their skills before traveling to remote villages to perform and teach. Observe rehearsals and have the chance to learn about transformative power of art in the lives of ordinary Cubans. Afterwards we drive to the outskirts of Havana to pay homage to Ernest Hemingway at his former home Finca Vigia, preserved as it was on the day he left, and discuss his life with a Cuban Hemingway expert. Continue our journey west toward the Sierra Del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. Spend two nights at Hotel Villa Soroa. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Wednesday, June 10 VIñALES VALLEY Drive further west into the scenic Vinales Valley. This is the area where the best tobacco is grown for the finest Cuban cigars.

Enjoy a boating excursion into one of the huge limestone caves running through a mogote — limestone karst out-croppings. Before lunch, call on a facility where 50 very skilled women sort and grade tobacco among other tasks in the process of getting tobacco ready for the cigar factories. Sample the homegrown vegetables grown at an organic farm while meeting the family who is responsible for the land. Walk an easy trail accompanied by a local resident to a private botanical garden, where we hope to spot Cuban solitaires. Browse a bodega, where locals shop with their ration books. Time permitting, visit a family-fun tobacco farm to chat with the famer and his family about the steps they take to ensure their product is of the highest quality. (B,L,D)

Havana

Cuba Guests’ Experiences“Cuba was fabulous, and the

genuine people-to-people

experiences — the choir, school,

tobacco factory — were wonderful.

i loved observing a dramatically

different social, economic and

political environment, especially

at this time in Cuba’s history.”

Fred S.

Day 8 – Thursday, June 11 SOROA /

HAVANA Enjoy an early morning walk through the forests surrounding our hotel in the Sierra Del Roasario Bio-sphere Reserve. Join a local botanist from the University of Pinar Del Rio to explore a lush orchid garden. Look for great lizard cuckoos, Cuban emeralds, Cuban orioles and Cuban grassquits. In the nearby planned eco-community of Las Terrazas, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, have lunch in a former coffee plantation house and chat with locals. The self-contained community is sur-rounded by foliage thick with indig-enous species, including hibiscus, teak and ebony, trees that were part of a reforestation project. Drive to Havana with a stop at Revolution Square for photos before checking into our hotel. Spend two nights at the Hotel Melia Cohiba. Dinner this evening is at Dona Eutimia in Old Havana. Chat about the

“new” Cuban economy with the entre-

preneurs operating this small, private restaurant. Stroll along the pedestrian boulevard of Obispo Street to Heming-way’s favorite bar, the Floridita, where the daiquiri was made famous. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Friday, June 12 HAVANA 

Begin our day with a visit to Old Havana, walking through the historic streets and squares with numerous stops and visits with local artists in their studios. Pay a visit to the librarian of the children’s section of the Havana library to present children’s books in Spanish. Interact with the locals as we explore an art market along the har-bor’s edge. Following dinner there is an option to see a show by the Buena Vista Social Club at the nearby Café Taberna for those who wish. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Saturday, June 13 HAVANA /

MIAMI Transfer to the airport for our flight to Miami. (B)

A Note About Accommodations

IE has carefully sought out accommodations that provide the best service and location available; however, Cuban hotels outside of Havana may not reflect the same standards and amenities found on other IE journeys. Whether it comes to changes in your accommodations or our daily schedule, travel to Cuba requires flexibility and a sense of adventure.

Cuba often seems frozen in time

Full schedule of engaging people-to-people activities

Fully escorted by IE leader, Cuban expedition leader & local guides

Visit to Hemingway’s former home, Finca Vigia

In-studio discus-sions with a variety of Cuban artists

Sampling of local fare at privately owned paladars

Nature walks

Birding excursions with local farmers & naturalists

Tour galleries & museums

Cuban visitor visa

26 meals

Choice of local beer or soft drink – at group lunches & dinners

Bottled water on transfers & excursions

Cuban-government mandated medical insurance

Tips to porters, day guides & waiters for included meals

JUNE 4-13, 2015

what’s included

expedition price does not include: Airfare, passport fees, items of a personal nature, and tips to Cuban government guide, driver & expedition leader.

deposits & payments: $600 deposit due at time of application. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations: $300 from time of booking until 90 days prior to departure. 50% of trip price from 89-61 days prior to departure. 100% penalty 60-0 days prior to departure.

Double Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,198

Single Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,148

Plus Charter Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575

pricing based on 15 travelers. Charter airfare is subject to change and must be purchased through International Expeditions.

Trinidad

Cienfuegos

Havanadepart

arrive

Gulf of Mexico

Caribbean Sea

cuba

HavanaMiami

Playa Larga Santa Clara

Viñales

Soroa

Topes de Collantes

Zapata Wetlands

International Expeditions, Inc. is licensed (CT-2013-299822-1) by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to engage, organize and conduct authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba that engages participants in

meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.

cubaFor more information on joining International Expeditions’ journey contact:

Thomas S. Hecker CHARLOTTE HARBOR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

(941)575-5435 Cell: (239)682-0674 thomas@checflorida.org

www.checflorida.org

Culture & art of HaVana & tHe Varadero peninsula