Cuba Photosafari from 20th Nov to 2nd Dec 2015

Route Map

Route Map

PhotoSafari once again is organising a discovery and fun trip to Cuba. We went there last year and it has left a great impression with most of us. This is the best country for street photography according to photosafari’s “Five top places to visit for Street Photography”.

Cuba has been a relatively unknown place to most Malaysians due to the distances and media influences. Photosafari has set out to organise a photography trip to debunk some of the myths and bring you the real Cuba. This photosafari is tailored for photographers only (ahem! Or smart phone photographers). We will be staying in lodging houses operated by the locals. These lodging houses are like Airbnb standards for those who are familiar with a Western world comparison. We will be staying at the heart of the action. You will waste no time travelling from the hotel to the places to shoot. Besides, this is the best way to learn about Cuba…..from the horse’s mouth so to speak. You will not only witness but feel how the local Cubans live after all these years of Communism.

This year we will be doing a bit of exploring on almost the whole island except for the Western part. The journey starts at Havana. Havana or Habana is the capital city of Cuba. We will be spending a couple of days in Havana to explore the different facets of the city and the famous Malecon Boulevard. We will take in the sights and sounds of Havana and enjoy the vibrant city life in a 60”s setting.

From Havana, we will drive down to Matanzas. I will not talk too much about the towns that we are visiting. It is for you to read it up and discover it for yourself and form your own opinion. From Matanzas, we will travel to Cienfugos, Trinidad, Camaguey and Santiago. From Santiago, we will return to Havana via Hoiguin and Santi Spiritus.

Malecon at sunrise

Malecon at sunrise

We will be hiring either a small bus or a couple of MPV’s which can sit about 5 participants comfortably. Most of the people in Cuba speaks Spanish, however, we have engaged an English speaking local guide who is able to show you the true face of Cuba.

You can assume that there are no internet facilities except in certain places which are hard to come by and very expensive. This is not a bad thing though. Cell phones too do not work here.

Breakfast will be provided. We won’t be providing any other meals due to participants with various dietary preferences. Food is very easy to get in Cuba, seafood especially lobsters are cheap at about US10 each. For those who can’t get away from rice, there is always seafood or meat paellas. Why not try some of their local meals?

This is probably the last chance to visit Cuba before it is opened to Americans. We believe things will change once Cuba is opened to America.

Old Quarters, Havana

Old Quarters, Havana

Old Quarters, Havana

Old Quarters, Havana

Itinerary

Day 1 – 20th Nov

Havana

  • arrive in Havana
  • check-in lodging house
  • free and easy

Day 2 – 21st Nov

Havana

  • Morning walkabout
  • Breakfast
  • Havana city walkabout
  • Lunch
  • La Habana Vieja
  • Tropicana club (Optional)

Day 3 – 22nd Nov

Matanzas

  • Breakfast
  • Malecon, Havana
  • Breakfast
  • Havana to Matanzas
  • Check-in lodging house
  • Walk around
Residents of Trinidad

Residents of Trinidad

Day 4  – 23rd Nov

Cienfuegos

  • Breakfast
  • Check-out lodging house
  • Last look around
  • Matanzas to Cienfuegos
  • Check-in lodging house
  • Free & easy

Day 5 -24th Nov

Cienfuegos

  • Breakfast
  • Walk around and discover Cienfuegos

Day 6 – 25th Nov

Trinidad

  • Breakfast
  • Travel from Cienfuegos to Trinidad
  • Check-in lodging house
  • Discover Trinidad
Santi Spiritus

Santi Spiritus

Day 7 – 26th Nov

Trinidad

  • Breakfast
  • Discover Trinidad

Day 8 – 27th Nov

Camaguey

  • Breakfast
  • Travel from Trinidad to Camagüey* stop over town*
  • Check-in lodging house
  • Free and easy

Day 9 – 28th Nov

Santiago

  • Breakfast
  • Travel from Camaguey to Santiago
  • Check-in lodging house
  • Free and easy to explore Santiago

Day 10 – 29th Nov

Sancti Spiritus

  • Breakfast
  • Travel from Santiago to Sancti Spiritus
  • Check-in lodging house

Day 11 – 30th Nov

Havana

  • Breakfast
  • Travel from Sancti Spiritus to Havana
  • Check-in lodging house
Graffiti Art, Santi Spiritus

Graffiti Art, Santi Spiritus

Day 12 – 1st Dec

Havana

  • Breakfast
  • Havana
  • Last minute shopping

Day 13 – 2nd Dec

  • Breakfast
  • Fly out of Havana
  • End of Trip

**Please note that the organiser do not warrant the itinerary will be followed to the letter. It will change to suit the ground situation, weather conditions and anything unforeseen that may happen along the route.

If you are interested to join this photosafari, please email: Maxby Chan 

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