On arrival in Eastern Cuba, you will be met in Santiago de Cuba by our friendly staff and taken directly to your homestay. All our homestays are carefully selected with your comfort in mind.

Morning visit to a unique fern and orchid garden. This garden is home not only to 3000 species of ferns (the most complete collection in the Americas) and more than 200 different endemic and exotic orchids, but is also host to hundreds of birds. Humming birds abound, as do many visiting and endemic smaller birds. Noon sees a proliferation of butterflies. Lunch and free afternoon.

Very early morning departure. Your first stop will be on the lower slopes of the Gran Piedra to hear and see up to four species of owls returning from a night of hunting. Local species include the Barn Owl and the threatened Pygmy Owl. Stop for birding and a picnic breakfast along the coast road. This is ideal habitat for Lizard Cuckoos, winter migrant warblers, and many forest birds, American Kestrals occupy the power poles. La Laguna is an extensive wetland which is home to numerous wetland and forest birds. A boat trip will take us through fresh and salt water channels, and down to tidal flats. The large, fresh water lagoon abounds with many different species. The reserve is also home to Cuba's crocodile, now recovering from over hunting, and fresh water dolphins. On the way to lunch we will stop at a Cactus garden which provides an extensive habitat for many local species. Lunch at an Artisans' Village.

Early departure for historic Baracoa. We leave early to allow for birding en-route, picnic breakfast. Baracoa was the first town in Cuba, founded by the Spanish founded in 1512. This journey takes you along the coastal plain, through the town of Guantanamo, through Cuba's desert, and then up the amazing Farola highway through the mountains. Along the way we will stop a various lakes, inlets, and coastal stretches to enjoy the proliferation of wetland birds. Brown Pelican, snowy and cattle egrets, great and lesser blue herons, grebes, ducks, colourful sparrows, and visitors from the prairies and eastern Canada; all congregate along this tiny hospitable strip. Lunch on arrival in Baracoa.

Early Breakfast. An early morning walk in the forests of 'El Yunque, the anvil shaped mesa which distinguishes the view from the town of Baracoa. Part of an extensive first and second growth forest which covers the mountains around Baracoa, this area is full of birds, butterflies and bromeliads. Large parts of this mountain and forest remain unexplored, who knows what treasures will be discovered! Riverside picnic for a cooling swim and more birding. Leave for Parque Humbolt. This remote park is a UNESCO preserve and research station. An overnight stay will give you time to enjoy late afternoon and early morning birding. Accommodation is rustic, we provide camping equipment (indoor camping) and all food etc.

Early morning hike along park trails through the changing terrain of this wilderness park. The last known sighting in Cuba of an ivory billed woodpecker was in this park. The multiple eco-systems of the park have yielded high species counts of endemic and exotic species, forest and water birds. Late afternoon feeding time brings other species. Overnight in park.

Early breakfast walk, and morning boat ride for water and shoreline species. Time to watch the sea ospreys with their amazing dives. Mangrove swamps provide a full banquet for industrious shore and water birds.

After lunch leave for Santiago.

Farewell Dinner under the stars and Afro-Cuban entertainment. (For groups of 4 or more)

An optional tour of the city's craft and art galleries. This will be a fine time to finish buying those little gifts for home. Want to buy something big and have no room in your suitcase - we will arrange shipment for you.

You will be picked up at your homestay and transferred to the airport for your flight home or to other destinations.


Prices for This Tour:

Tour Includes:

Accommodation - double occupancy

• Homestays in Santiago and Baracoa generally with private bathroom, air conditioning and/or fan
• Rustic Accommodation in Remote Park

Meals

• All breakfasts and dinners for full tour days
• Dinner with entertainment (Groups of 4 or more)

Other

• All transfers
• Air-conditioned transportation
• Expert lecturers
• All entrance fees
• Tour co-ordinator
• Security
• Deposit $800.00 Canadian non-refundable

Not Included

• Personal expenditures
• Tips
• Additional beverages

Birding Groups

• Deposit $500.00 CAD - on booking. Deposit is non-refundable.
• 90 days prior 50% of total
• 60 days prior balance
• Basic Cancellation and Medical coverage will be included - please note that those with special medical conditions or over 65 may be assessed an additional premium