Cuba Photo Tour

This journey is organized in partnership with PhotoWorkshop Adventures

10

DAYS

13

Jan 1970

4995

EUR

Easy

LEVEL

8

PERS

in summary

Why this trip ?

Your Cuba photo tour / traveling workshop begins and ends in Havana, spending a total of four nights in this unforgettable city. In addition to the iconic places, you’ll get the opportunity to meet and photograph everyday Cubans in their homes; discover hidden places; and take advantage of Tristan’s groundwork to show you some special street photography locations. He’ll have a long list of photography surprises for you, don’t worry about that. ?

From Havana we drive to beautiful, bucolic Viñales, the most highly prized tobacco region in the world. It’s also a great place to experience the rural side of Cuban culture up close and personal. And for anyone who wants to try a Cuban cigar while photographing the harvest, please do so with our compliments!

After two nights in Viñales and a memory card change, we take the road to tropical Trinidad for three nights, via French colonial Cienfuegos. The popular and vibrant city, with its beautifully preserved Spanish buildings and horse carriages clippity-clopping along cobblestone streets, is also home to Cuba’s most lively music scene.

La Habana

Trinidad

Vinales Cuba

AT GLANCE

highlights of this trip

    • The Amazingly Kind & Welcoming People of Cuba!

      • Private shooting with old American Cars in Havana

        • Live Street Photography Workshop

          • Afro-Cuban Music & Street Dance

            • The Beautiful Rural Tobacco Region of Viñales

              • Magnificent Spanish & French Colonial Architecture

              day by day

              detailed itinerary

              Parque Central Havana Cuba

              DAY 1

              Bienvenidos a Cuba!

              Welcome to Cuba ! Meeting at the airports lobby with Tristan your tour leader, and 30 minute drive to Havana Vieja Meet in the hotel lobby for a tour presentation that will be given by Tristan. He will cover the key points of the itinerary and give you some initial tips on how to make the most of the photo opportunities in Cuba. Tristan will offer street photography techniques including how to approach Cubans for street portraits. Then to the iconic boardwalk known as the Malecon Wall, always a great opportunity to interact with the Cuban people and take pictures.

              • D
              • 2h
              • 30min
              • Private House
              Plaza Vieja Havana Cuba

              DAY 2

              Havana

              Today we will soak up the unchanging atmosphere of Habana Vieja, passing by the cathedral square, Plaza Vieja, Calle Obispo. This will be an opportunity for us to meet Cubans and start making unforgettable portraits. Who says Cuba, says Mojitos: we will make an alte to quench our thirst at the famous Bodeguita del Medio. This afternoon, direction the south of Havana Vieja, where we will have the privilege to document a boxing training, national sport in Cuba, incubator of world champions We will continue our walk with a relaxing photo session, in the less frequented areas of old Havana After a refreshment break at the hotel, we leave to enjoy the golden hours near the iconic Capitol and Central Park.

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • Private House
              Havana Cuba

              DAY 3

              Havana

              On Sunday morning, Havana rests and its streets are quite quiet. We will take advantage of it to start this beautiful day with the central park and Paseo del Prado. Prepare your memory cards, there are photo opportunities everywhere! And to embellish our photos we bring 2 models with us to give a human scale to our photos. Stroll to the Chinese quarter, gateway to the lively area of Havana Centro for a street photo session. The human warmth is what characterizes the Cubans. We will visit a family in the old Havana district to discover the Cuban way of life. This afternoon, riding in an American car, we will discover the surroundings of Havana and pass by its most iconic places, including a stop at the Callejon de Hamel, to discover the roots of Cuba: the Rumba! Our route will include the Plaza de la Revolucion, the Malecon, the Christ of Havana for a beautiful panoramic photo of the city. The blue hour being a treat for the photographers, we will return in the center to pose our tripod

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • Private House
              Vinales Cuba

              DAY 4

              Havana to Viñales

              New chapter in our journey, this morning we leave for the Viñales valley! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the Viñales Valley has everything to please! It is among Cuba’s most beautiful landscapes, traditional tobacco plantations, caves and mogotes make it a must-see on any trip to Cuba! We’ll be soaking up the beauty of the valley from the very first moments on our discovery tour. Sites will include the Indian Cave, the prehistoric mural, and other photo opportunities along the way. Our journey will end with a sunset at the most beautiful viewpoint of Viñales and capture its majestic landscapes. The opportunity for us to perfect our landscape photography techniques.

              • B, L, D
              • 3h
              • 3h
              • Private House
              Vinales Cuba

              DAY 5

              Viñales

              Put on your walking shoes, this morning we will discover the valley from the inside. Let’s meet at first light to photograph the mogotes at sunrise before going down for a walk through the fields. We will be there at the time of the tobacco harvest, the occasion for us to make splendid environmental photographs. We’ll pass by a little frequented farm and discover why Cuba produces the best cigars in the world. To refresh from the walk, head to the sea! Cayo Jutias is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. We will spend the rest of the afternoon under the coconut trees. For the more sporty, another option will be proposed to you: horseback riding to explore the 3rd valley of Viñales (with supplement) Our journey will end with a sunset at the most beautiful viewpoint of Viñales and capture its majestic landscapes. The opportunity for us to perfect our landscape photography techniques.

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • Private House
              Trinidad Cuba

              DAY 6

              Viñales – Cienfuegos – Trinidad

              After the nature, the Colonial charm! Today we take the road to Trinidad. Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is no longer a secret that Trinidad is one of the best destinations in Cuba. Lunch break on the road. Short walk to discover the boulevard of Cienfuegos and its main square. Installation at the hotel. Then Tristan will take you on a discovery tour of the city, its small cobblestone streets, lined with colorful colonial houses, old American cars, horse-drawn carriages and panoramic views making Trinidad a real postcard!

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • 6h
              • Private House
              Plaza Mayor Trinidad Trinidad Cuba

              DAY 7

              Trinidad

              Morning walk to capture beautiful scenes of life as the city wakes up. On the menu: photos of colonial architecture, life scenes, nice portraits and panoramas. We will tour the museums and palaces offering the most beautiful views of the city. To quench our thirst, a small detour to taste a local cocktail, which will undoubtedly increase our creativity! To understand the history of Trinidad since its foundation, we will also have to visit the Manaca Iznaga Tower. Lunch break on the road with a breathtaking view of the valley. Back at the end of the afternoon, a relaxing tour in the center of Trinidad until nightfall.

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • 2h
              • Private House
              Museo Nacional De La Lucha Contra Bandidos Trinidad Cuba

              DAY 8

              Trinidad

              Located at the foot of the Sierra de Escambray, Trinidad is also famous for its parks & waterfalls. A 3.6 km hiking trail (Las Huellas de la Historia) will lead us to the Javira waterfall, where we will be able to practice long exposure photos before taking a short dip. On the way, we will be escorted by a beautiful bird, the Trogon, wearing the colors of the Cuban flag. We will dedicate the afternoon to street photography bringing out the timeless ambiance of Trinidad, portraits in natural light, and beautiful panoramic views of the city. Photo session with a horse drawn carriage to create unique photos at golden hour Last opportunity to take beautiful pictures in the blue hours. Our tripods will be on the lookout!

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • 40min
              • Private House
              Plaza Vieja Havana Cuba

              DAY 9

              Trinidad – Havana

              And yes, already the hour to leave Trinidad… but to find the magnificent Havana! Journey of about 5 hours This afternoon we will have VIP access to an Afro-Cuban ballet rehearsal with one of the best companies in town. Then free time to enjoy Havana as it prepares for Saturday night. Tonight, an aperitif on a terrace with one of the best views of the city, a perfect opportunity to review our best photos of the trip. followed by our farewell dinner in one of our favorite restaurants.

              • B, L, D
              • 6h
              • 5h
              • Private House
              Hotel inglaterra Havana Cuba

              DAY 10

              Havana

              All good things must come to an end. Last morning free to soak up the “Cubanías” one last time. Tristan will offer you an optional session to review your beautiful photos, or a photo editing session. Once your bags are packed, transfer to the airport with only one desire: to return to this magical country!

              • B, L, D
              • 4h
              • 30 min
              PHOTO GALLERY

              The Journey in Image

              Included in this Trip

              Included

              • Meals indicated in the program
              • Accommodation in first class hotels
              • Transportation in comfortable vehicles
              • Tour leader and English speaking guide
              • Local guides specialized in the region

              Not included

              • International flights
              • Additional drinks and meals
              • Medical insurance
              • Expenses not specified in the program
              • Tips
              Conditions

              Prices & details

              FROM

              4995

              Usd / Pers

              • 5% discount on your next trip
              • Covid Special Guaranteed reimbursement on D-15 in case of health emergenc

              Next departures

              • 01 Jan 1970
              • 01 Jan 1970

              Testimonials

              Traveler’s experience

              Your instructor

              About the photographer

              Tristan has been working in tourism since 2003 as photographer, leisure manager in high end resorts across 15 countries, tour leader, and digital marketing manager for travel agencies. Highly attracted by nature and local cultures, he decided to make South America his home for pursuing his passion for photography.

              Tristan Photographer

              What ? How ? When ?

              Frequently Asked Questions

              Yes sure. For any private journey, please refer to my page customized photo trips for more details. We can build together the itinerary of your dreams.

              These photo tours are designed by photographers, for photographers… As experts of the destinations, we have worked hard to select the corners that best reflect the light and moments.. Easy hikes, where the days are punctuated by many spontaneous breaks, the ideal way to connect with the elements that surround us and take the time to frame before pressing the shutter release.

              It will mainly depend on the main topic of the day wether the focus is on people, landscape or wildlife.
              We will live to the rhythm of light and weather phenomena.
              Always ahead of time, from dusk to dawn, playing with relief, contrasts and shadows…
              On landscape assignement a typical day will consist of taking advantage of the lights that are present at sunrise and sunset. Depending on the weather and other factors such as fatigue, we may stay a few hours in hotels to devote ourselves to photo post-processing.

              As the groups are small, each traveler is followed individually. 

              Not all people have the same interests or the same level of knowledge and, by travelling in small groups, we can be aware of the specific needs of each traveller.

              There are general group activities as well as individual ones, in which more emphasis is placed on the qualities and shortcomings of each one.

              The hotels are depending on the country of destination where we make the Photographic Trip. They are mainly 4* hotels although there are trips in which we combine the experience of staying in private houses to guarantee a fast and correct cultural immersion.
              Single rooms are also available upon request.

              In general we eat in typical restaurants for lunch for a better cultural immersion, and we titillate our taste buds in the evening in finely selected restaurants.
              Also, don’t forget to try out the various local specialities when the opportunity arises.
              As said earlier, all the meals are included during the trip from day 1 to the last breakfast.
              *At the time of booking, please let us know the foods to which you are allergic, as well as any food intolerances.

              We use confortable mini vans with few spare seats for the camera bags.. Occasionnally, in some remote hardly accessible llocations, it can be 4×4.

              We only work with local guides or agencies. We want the money to stay in the countries we visit, and not to be left behind by intermediaries or foreign agencies. We believe that this is a way to give back a little bit of what these countries have given us.

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