Ecology, environment studies, ornithology, biking/adventure Cuba

This is what Lawrence Academy (LA) writes about Winterim:
"Other schools have toyed with programs like Winterim, but LA's commitment to experiential education since the early 1970s is only growing stronger. Both on and off our 100-acre campus in the picturesque town of Groton, students learn to redefine the boundaries of their own education. Pepperell or Peru, Headstart or the homeless, museums or marine biology - there is an astonishing variety of entrées on this menu of exciting opportunities."
To find out more about Winterim in general, click here

The March 2003 was such a success that Lawrence Academy returned to Cuba in March 2004. The 2004 study trip is basically the same as the 2003 itinerary, aside from some modification based on the initial experience. See itinerary and program below.

Itinerary and Program

From March 6^th to 18^th, 2004

All transport in a private modern air-conditioned bus. The Cuban guide is bilingual and will be with the group throughout the trip. Top-level Canadian-made bike rental and mechanical support in Cuba is included in the itinerary. The bilingual Cuban mechanic is with the group throughout the period of biking. Bikes will be carried on a 4 tons truck on the first day and the last day of biking. Two spare bikes.

The amount of kilometres per biking day is indicated in bold.

Day 1 - Saturday, March 6

Arrival at at the Dorval Airport in Montreal at least 4 hours before departure time, that is 2:30P.M. at the Cubana counter. Arrival to the José Martí International Airport at 10:30P.M. Once passing through immigration and customs, the group will be picked up at the airport by our Cuban partners. Private airport transport to hotel Colina. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 - Sunday, March 7

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Around 8:30 A.M. short information meeting on the program with Cuban representative and guide, mechanic and Arnold August from EduToursToCuba.com.

Panoramic city tour of Old Havana and visit to the Museo de la Revolución.

1:00P.M Lunch at the restaurant El Patio in Old Havana.

After lunch, visit to the Museo de Bellas Artes.

Return and dinner served at the hotel Colina.

Day 3 - Monday, March 8

FIRST BIKING DAY 45 km (28 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Transfer by bus to the Ciénaga de Zapata, a Biosphere Reserve located in Matanzas Province.

Lunch served at the restaurant Fiesta Campesina. From this point you start your biking journey to Playa Larga. Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Playa Larga.

Day 4 - Tuesday, March 9

30 km (19 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Biking to Playa Girón. Lunch served at the hotel Playa Girón. Visit to the Museo Playa Girón, famous for the Bay of Pigs. Free time at the beach.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Playa Girón (all inclusive).

Day 5 - Wednesday, March 10

65 km (40 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Biking to Cienfuegos. Lunch served at the hotel Rancho Luna. After lunch, panoramic city tour of Cienfuegos.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Rancho Luna (all inclusive).

Day 6 - Thursday, March 11

84 km (52 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Biking to Trinidad. Lunch served at the restaurant Santa Ana.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Costasur, located on the Ancón peninsula.

Day 7 - Friday, March 12

20 km (12.5 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Free day to enjoy the beach or to visit by bike the centre of Trinidad at one's own pace.

Lunch at your own expense.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Costasur.

Day 8 - Saturday, March 13

21 km (13 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Biking as far as the intersection at the road to the Topes de Collantes natural park located in the Sierra del Escambray, one of the three main mountain system in Cuba. From this point, transfer in a military truck to the summit of the Guanayara mountains, commonly called Sierra del Escambray.

Lunch served at the restaurant Finca la Gallega.

Accommodation in tents at the Casa de Campañas. Dinner served at the Casa de Campañas.

Casa de Campañas (camping area)	Finca la Gallega (Eating area)

Day 9 - Sunday, March 14

31 km (19 miles)

Ecologic breakfast served.

Transfer in a military truck as far as the intersection at the road to Trinidad. From this point, biking to Guajimico. Lunch served at the hotel Gaujimico.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Guajimico.

Day 10 - Monday, March 15

LAST BIKING DAY 41 km (25.5 miles)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Biking to Trinidad. Lunch served at the hotel Costasur. Afternoon free.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Costasur.

Day 11 - Tuesday, March 16

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Transfer by bus to Santa Clara via the Valle de los Ingenios (Sugar Mill Valley), which was also declared a World Cultural Site due to the high development of sugar production in the region during the early 19th century.

Lunch served at the hotel Los Caneyes. Visit to the Tren blindado (armoured train) and to the Che Mausoleum.

Accommodation and dinner served at the hotel Los Caneyes.

Day 12 - Wednesday, March 17

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Transfer by bus to the hotel Tropicoco, located in Playa del Este.

Lunch served at the hotel Tropicoco (all inclusive).

Exchange with Cuban people.

Day 13 - Thursday, March 18

Breakfast and transfer to the Havana airport for 9:45AM (4 hours before departure time).

Back to Customized Trips to Cuba for High School Students in order to fill out the Customized Education Tour Information Request Form.

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