Cuba | Birding Cuba’s Foothills, Wetlands and Coast

Individual arrivals in Havana today. Hotel check in is at 3pm.

After breakfast, meet your guide, driver and Cuban ornithologist, who will accompany you throughout the entire program and will help facilitate meaningful interactions the local community at each location. This morning visit Quinta de los Molinos and learn how this urban park is used to connect residents with nature. Walk through Old Havana before dinner at a local paladar. A paladar is a small, family-run restaurant, many paladares appear and operate much like any other restaurant but in some cases are a converted part of their home.

Depart for La Güira National Park in San Diego de los Baños. Along the way, stop for birding at Las Terrazas, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, meet with Fidel Hernández from the Ecological Station of Las Terrazas. Target species are Cuban Grassquit, Olive-capped Warbler, and Cuba's national bird, the Tocororo or Cuban Trogon. Meet with community residents who helped save this site, now a model of sustainability and ecotourism. This afternoon arrive at La Güira National Park, 54,000 acres of mountain wilderness, picturesque valleys, and hidden caves, and home to species such as the Cuban Solitaire, Cuban Tody, Cuban Bullfinch, and Cuban Pewee.

Early breakfast followed by morning birding at Cueva de Los Portales, a limestone cave adjacent to hills covered in lush vegetation. The cave is interesting both geologically and historically, famous for being Che Guevara's headquarters during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The area is renowned for being an excellent place to spot Cuban Solitaire, our target species, and Scaly-naped Pigeon. This afternoon visit a tobacco farm and the home of Nils Navarro, world-renowned nature artist and author, in the Viñales area.

Depart early for the long drive to the Zapata Swamp. The Zapata area consists of scrub, mangrove swamp, and coastline. Over 200 species have been recorded here, including the endemic Zapata Wren and Zapata Sparrow. Also look for species such as Cuban Blackbird, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Greater Antillean Oriole, and Cuban Emerald. Late afternoon birding if time permits.

Depart after an early breakfast for the Santo Tomas area, where you may find Zapata Wren and Zapata Sparrow. After lunch enjoy birding at Salinas, an area frequented by many species of waterbirds that live in mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, and woods. Over 165 indigenous and migratory birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates are found here. Expect to see flamingos, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy and White Ibis, herons, pelicans, Peregrine Falcon, Cuban Black Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, and others.

After breakfast leave for the Bermejas site. Target species include the Cuban Parakeet, Cuban Pygmy-Owl, Bee Hummingbird, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Fernandina's Flicker, Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, and Cuban Grassquit. A mosaic of dry forest, swamp, mangrove and mudflats, the Zapata Peninsula is one of the best-preserved ecosystems on the island. Other species you might encounter are Bare-legged Owl, Blue-headed Quail-Dove, and Gray-fronted Quail. Have lunch at a local restaurant with Zapata area conservationists who will provide updates on projects underway to preserve Cuba's largest wetlands. Next, visit the town of Palpite, where a special visit with artists of the Korimacao Project has been arranged. The Korimacao Community Project consists of residents from Cuban communities who are given the opportunity to develop and improve their performing skills such as singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Learn about the program's development and interact with the talented artists. Dinner out at a local paladar this evening.

Early breakfast, then depart for the long drive to Cayo Coco. Stop for lunch at Laguna de la Leche. Afternoon birding on the hotel's grounds.

Morning visit to Cayo Guillermo, returning to the hotel for lunch. This afternoon visit Cueva del Jabali. The Cayo Coco area combines an ideal spot for observing Cuba's bird life with beautiful beach and snorkeling opportunities. Look for Oriente Warbler, Thick-billed Vireo, Bahama Mockingbird, and Cuban Gnatcatcher, in addition to a variety of waterbirds including the West Indian Whistling-Duck.

This morning visit Cayo Paredon Grande for birding, hopefully catching any species you have missed in the cayos. Afterwards depart for 6 hour drive back to Havana, stopping en route for lunch at a local paladar. Upon arrival you will have time to relax and freshen up before the farewell dinner this evening.

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight(s) home.