Havana and the Gardens of the Queen Shark Diving, 10 days / 9 nights

An educational exchange with the Cuban people

Shark Diving - Garden of the Queen - Cuba

Join Dive Discovery Travel and Eco Cuba Outings on an educational people-to-people trip to Havana and the Gardens of the Queen. You will exchange ideas about art, music, dance and history with the Cuban people as you journey to cultural and historical venues in and around Havana, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will also interact with the locals as you visit community projects that benefit their neighborhoods.

You will eco-dive at the Gardens of the Queen, where you will meet with marine experts to gain insight into the conservation measures that Cuba is taking to preserve their delicate aquatic ecosystem. The Gardens of the Queen is comprised of a chain of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands located 60 miles off Cuba’s southern coast. You will exchange ideas about the protection of the environment in the Jardines de la Reina, which was declared a Marine Park in 1996. "This area has been preserved for future generations as an intricate network of untouched marine ecosystems that have been regarded by many knowledgeable scientists and organizations as a benchmark of the original status of coral reefs as found by Christopher Columbus in the early years of his discovery."

Itinerary

Day 1	Havana Accommodation: 4-5* Hotel Morning Flight Miami to Havana (the charters are often subject to delays) Arrive in Havana - José Martí International Airport and meet your Havanatur driver and guide Lunch at Cafe del Oriente Meet up with the group Old Havana - Journey through Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and interact with the local performers as you visit the four historic plazas Hotel check-in Dinner on your own

Day 2	Havana Accommodation: 4-5* Hotel Breakfast at the hotel Cigar Factory - Meet some of the people in the factory and watch how cigars are made in the centuries-old tradition. Central Havana - Havana is considered one of the most architecturally diverse cities in the world. Travel down Prado Street and see El Capitolio, inspired by the US Capitol building, and the Gran Teatro Alicia Alonzo, home of the National Ballet and the National Opera. The famed Bacardi Building is also in this area. Lunch at El Litoral Morro Castle, La Cabaña Fortress - Interact with the locals as you see this famous fortress that guards the entrance to Havana Bay Dinner on your own

Day 3	Gardens of the Queen Accommodation: liveaboard Early breakfast on your own at the hotel Hotel check-out Pick up by Dive the Run - Travel to Jucaro by bus - 7 hrs. including time for lunch Snack on your own along the way Boat check-in, lunch on board and travel to Gardens (5 hrs) Exchange ideas with marine experts about Cuba’s intricate ecosystem and how this can be applied to other oceans in the world Dinner on the boat (included)

Day 4 - 8	Gardens of the Queen Accommodation: liveaboard Breakfast (included) Meet with marine experts to gain insight into the conservation measures that Cuba is taking to preserve their delicate aquatic ecosystem in the Gardens of the Queen. “Jardines de la Reina was declared a Marine Park in 1996 – and with the support and management of Avalon, along with the Research Center for Coastal Ecosystems in Ciego de Avila and the Fisheries Control Department, this area has been preserved for future generations as an intricate network of untouched marine ecosystems that have been regarded by many knowledgeable scientists and organizations as a benchmark of the original status of coral reefs as found by Christopher Columbus in the early years of his discovery.” Lunch and dinner (included) 15 dives (included)

Day 9	Havana Accommodation: 4-5* Hotel Breakfast (included) Travel by boat from Gardens to Jucaro (5 hrs) Interact with marine experts to exchange ideas about the flora and fauna and discuss the differences between Cuba’s reefs and other reefs around the world Lunch included on the boat Travel to Havana (5-6 hrs) Hotel check-in Dinner on your own
Day 10	Fly to Miami Early breakfast on your own and hotel check-out Morning Flight Havana to Miami (the charters are often subject to delays)

COST: Please request for rates

The Havana land package cost includes:

Chartered Round-Trip Flight: Miami - Havana - Miami
Hotel - 3 nights
Airport transfers
Daily transportation
Cuban bilingual guide
Medical Insurance (as required by Cuba)
Visas
People-to-people license
Meals as listed on itinerary

The land package cost does not include:

Round-trip flight to Miami from your home city
All expenses in Miami
Extra beverages
All tips: restaurant, driver, guide, guides at some venues, hotel bellhop and maid
Havana airport exit tax ($28 US paid to the charter in Miami)
Single Supplement

Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina

Havana and the Gardens of the Queen

an educational exchange with the Cuban people
OFAC License: Educational Activities (515.565)
THU-SAT (10 days/9 nights)

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info