Morning: visit to the Museum of Natural History Felipe Poey located at The University of Havana. The museum displays the collection on endemic species brought together by eminent Cuban scientist Felipe Poey during the 19th century. The exhibit includes specimens of the world’s smallest bird, an extinct pigeon and indigenous Cuban birds!

Introduction to the program and lecture on Cuban endemic birds by Cuban Professor from University of Havana.

Followed by guided walking tour of Old Havana, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit to San Francisco Square, one of the oldest in the historical quarter.

Visit to Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building around. Here we will visit important institution for visual arts.

Lunch at La Mina restaurant.

Afternoon: visit to Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as:

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales was the former seat of colonial government. Today the building houses the Museum of the City.

Palacio del Segundo Cabo, the seat of the second authority of the island.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits chart Spain and Cuba's naval history.

Visit to the Cathedral Square, the most beautiful and private 18th century colonial plaza of Cuba, named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order.

Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans.

Drive along the Malecón, Havana’s famous waterfront, on our way to Soroa in Pinar del Rio province. Check-in at hotel Villa Soroa.

Dinner at the hotel.

Early departure for La Guira National Park.

Once a huge privately owned state, this area is preserved now as a national park that protects over 21,850 hectares and offers picturesque valleys and hidden caves.

Bird watching session in La Guira National Park.

We’ll be looking for the Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth), Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra), Great Lizard Cuco (Saurothera merlini), Cuban Toddy (T. multicolour), Olive-capped warbler (Endroica pityophila), Green woodpecker (Picus viridis), Gundlachs hawk (Accipiter gundlachi) and others.

Packed lunch.

Afternoon: visit to Soroa’s Orchid Garden, created by Cuban naturalist Camacho. The Garden features a collection of 250 orchids endemic to the island, and over 700 from around the world, along with numerous species of exotic plants that thrive here thanks to the local climate. Today, there is also an Orchid Research Center belonging to the University of Pinar del Rio.

Relax by Soroa Waterfall. Soroa is often called "the rainbow of Cuba" because at certain hours, it is possible to observe a small Rainbow at the waterfall as the sunlight defuses through the mist.

Morning: visit to Las Terrazas eco-community in Sierra del Rosario, first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Cuba.

Four rivers run through the evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical forest of Sierra del Rosario, natural habitat to one of the world's smallest frogs and more than 115 bird species including a large number of migratory birds that nest in Cuba’s tropical climate.

We will be looking for:

Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus), the national bird of Cuba, Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus), Gundlachs hawk (Accipiter gundlachi) and others. Later we visit the ruins of a French Coffee Plantation built in 1801 where we will have lunch.

Afternoon: transfer to Peninsula de Zapata National Park, declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar Site, located in the southern coast of the island.

It covers an area of 5000 square kilometres of woods and seacoast vegetation, marsh and mangroves. The park is the natural home to over 160 bird species and 900 varieties of higher plant families. It is also a favourite stop for tens of thousands of migratory birds!

This is the habitat of endemic bird species such as the Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), the Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai) and Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata). The swamp is also the natural habitat of the Cuban Crocodile (Crocodrylus rhombifer Cuvier), considered as a national symbol after its resemblance with the geography of the island.

Check in at Villa Playa Larga. Dinner at hotel

Morning: early breakfast and enjoy a boat ride in Hatiguanico River for observation of typical flora and fauna. Birding expedition to Hatos de Jicarita.

We’ll be looking for:

Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai), Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata), Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai), Bare-legged Owl (Gymnoglaaux lawrencii), Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) (the smallest bird in the world), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanoce) and others.

Lunch at Fiesta Campesina.

Visit to Guama Crocodile Breeding Farm, that has successfully bred one of the largest reptiles of Cuba since 1974: the Cuban Crocodile (Crocodrylus rhombifer Cuvier), considered an endangered specie that can be found at the Zapata Swamps and Lanier Swamps only.

The Cuban Crocodile (Crocodrylus rhombifer Cuvier) is one of the two most aggressive species of crocodiles in the world and endemic to Cuba.

Return to your hotel. Time for a go snorkelling in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Day excursion to Las Salinas Wildlife Refuge, unique Cuban site for birdwatching where two continental corridors of migratory birds coincide.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Peninsula de Zapata, is the largest protected area in the Caribbean. There are numerous areas designated for environmental conservation, such as the Zapata Swamp Natural Reserve and Las Salinas Wildlife Refuge.

The swamp is not only known for its size but also for being the best preserved wetlands in all of the Antilles, designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.

We will be looking for the Roseate Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Sand hill Crane (Grus canadensis), Yellow-headed Warbler (Teretistris fernandinae), Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris), Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) and others.

Packed lunch.

Afternoon: we journey on to the historic city of Trinidad.

Guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinidad’s Historical Center, a perfect relic of the early days of the Spanish colony with beautifully preserved streets and buildings with hardly a trace of the 20th century anywhere.

We will stop at a mirador (lookout) over the Sugar Mill Valley, where the sugar barons used to have their countryside mansions and mills. This site is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trinidad is well known for its pottery makers. We meet with a family that has been passing the tradition for generations: the Santanders.

Check in at all-inclusive Trinidad del Mar Beach Resort. You'll have time for a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Evening: celebrate New Year’s Eve at a venue of your choosing tonight (optional/ not included in tour costs). Your tour guide will give you advice on the numerous venues in the city where you can partake in the celebrations for New Year’s Eve. He will also help you book your favourite dinner and event. Tour desks can also help with booking events for this special night where one more anniversary of the Cuba Revolution is also celebrated.

Morning: we will board former Russian army trucks for Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountain Range, Cuba's second highest mountain range- reaching 3,700 feet atop Pico San Juan. The mountains are home to small mountain villages and are a delight for birders and walkers alike. Slopes are swathed in Caribbean pines, ancient tree ferns, bamboo, and eucalyptus.

Bird watching session along Curva de Juana trail, visit to Javira Reserve and El Cubano park.

Topes de Collantes National Park in the Escambray mountains in Central Cuba is a perfect place for encountering the Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii), Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Cuban Parrot (Amazono leucocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)…

Lunch at El Cubano restaurant.

Afternoon: transfer back to Havana city. Check in at your hotel Habana Libre hotel.

Early morning departure to Havana City International Airport for departure.