PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR CUBA - 19 of November.

Our Cuban photo tour is specifically designed for photographers of all levels. Our intention is to show you hidden places, locations where you can accomplish great photographs, and above all, to show you the essence of the more urban Cuba, which we will find in Havana, and the most rural one, in the valley of Viñales.

After more than 10 years guiding photography tours across all of Cuba, I would undoubtedly say that the locations that are most liked by travelers are prearranged sessions with ballet dancers, boxing training sessions, visits to hidden places, terraces, and above all, the visit to a community of farmers living in the Valley of Viñales, where the kind people and incredible atmosphere of the place make us experience unforgettable moments while having coffee, playing with the children, chatting with the farmers and making great portraits.

After more than 20 years living in Cuba, I have designed a tour for small groups of no more than 7 persons, guaranteed to be performed with a minimum of 2 travelers.

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My photographic trips to Cuba are extremely flexible, just as Cuba is, below you will find a scheme with the main activities that we will do in these 8 days, but I have to tell you that the order will change often since the photographic surprises are abundant in my photo courses.

After many years of doing this kind of photo workshops, I realized what foreign travelers like best in Cuba, activities like visiting a community of farmers living in Viñales who live far from the life of cities and tourism, witnessing a rehearsal of Afro-Cuban dancers, entering private homes of friends to share a coffee with a Cuban family, going to a 100% Cuban party, visiting Afro-Cuban religious, attending a boxing rehearsals, visiting artists (Cuban painters and photographers) Photographs with a good wine or a good rum, etc. ...

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Sometimes I jest that my mind has two neurons, one is to teach photography and Cuban culture and the other is to take pictures, so my trip is specially designed to be able to teach a small group of between 2 and 7 travelers, a small group with which we can move agilely and enter places where larger groups cannot enter.

I like to work with small groups because I can analyze the photos of all my travelers and thus guide them so that they can improve their work and their photographic level.

CUBAN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 

The reason why this photo tour allows for a maximum of 7 travellers is because this enables us to be flexible, enter special places and share experiences in Cuban family homes, etc. Large groups of photographers in Cuba are difficult to guide and they end up becoming almost tourist trips where it is very difficult to tutor all photographer-travellers.

Another special attribute of this photographic adventure are accommodations. We won’t stay in hotels, but in private homes instead, with all the comforts of a Hotel but in direct contact with the Cuban people.

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We won’t just stroll the streets with our cameras; we will also carry out pre-arranged photo sessions as well as organize visits to hidden spots and special places.
My deep knowledge of the country and the small-sized group will allow us to live exclusive experiences and different photographs from the usual touristic ones.

 

PRICING:

Price:  US$ 3,395 - ( 2 - 7 travelers)
Individual supplement : 280 $

Price: non-photographers is USD$ 2,895

INCLUSIONS

8 days, 7 nights
Accommodation (7 nights) in official Casa Particulares in Havana (Cuban B&B’s)
Breakfast in casa partitular (our private house)
Tuition : Louis Alarcon
Local English-speaking guide
Private, set Photo Sessions
All  local ground transportation in Havana and Vinales
Admission to all public buildings and visits listed in the itinerary.
Coordination of all listed activities
Meals

EXCLUSIONS

International Flights
Airline baggage fees.
Travel Insurance (required).
Local Tips for guides and drivers.
Individual house / expenses (minibar, room service, laundry fees, etc.)

Locally Sourced Cuba is the specialized agency that manages and sells my photography courses in Cuba; here’s all the detailed information to make your reservation.

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Some of the Tour Highlights

- Take outstanding photos of Cuban people and activities away from the tourist scene.
- Discover a boxing gym of a former Olympic Champion.
- Find the Che Guevara Graffiti route in Havana.
- Take portraits of farmers, photos of landscape in Vinales village, visit to their special farms and "tobacco houses".
- Experience the Havana´s life and Malecon scenes, including sunset in the right place at the right time.
- Walk around agrifood colorful markets
- Private photo session with afrocuban dancers.
- Learn about the forbidden pictures.
- Capture the interior of Cuban houses.
- Visit photographers studio
- Get expert tuition on a camera´s configuration, proper lense use, etc.
- Enjoy and work like a professional who knows how to choose the best pictures.
- Tell stories with your series of photographs.
- Visit an Afro-Cuban priest.
- Cuban architecture.
- Get lots of surprises in our daily photo tour
- Rest in official Cuban houses.

 

This photo tour to Cuba is 100% focused on photography, culture and people .

 

 

WHATCH THE EXPERIENCE

In order to clearly understand these photo tours to Cuba  and my style, you may see the videos recorded during my guided tours around Cuba.

 

Photography tour to Cuba - 1st December.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – ARRIVE IN HAVANA - PHOTOWALK (D)

Today is the photo tour arrival day and we will organise an airport transfer to your accommodation in Havana. This will be your first opportunity to meet with Louis and your guide to discuss the itinerary.

This evening will also present the perfect opportunity to take a photowalk along the Malecon with your hosts, feeling the sea breeze and seeing all that the city has to offer.

 

B,L,D – denotes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today you will have your first opportunity to capture the lively street theatre of Havana Vieja. Louis and your guide will take you to streets not often frequented by tourists as well as the main squares and points of interest.

Today Louis will also share with you tips about taking photos in Cuba, including the Cuban personality with photographers and the people and places you shouldn’t photograph. The focus today is on Cuban culture and Cuban people.

You will also have the opportunity to photograph colourful markets, courtyards and terraces as well as a vintage gym which provides a very unique atmosphere.

During the day Louis will ask you to share with him you photos, so you can discuss and analyse, as you can see in this link with photos of our previous travelers.

Day 3 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today the focus is on Afro-Cuban roots and Afro-Cuban religion.

You will visit an Afro-Cuban priest and get the opportunoty to take photos of Afro-dancers during their daily performances.  You will visit the colourful streets of Callejon de Hammel to view Salvador Gonzales Escalona handiwork as a famous cuban painter, muralist and sculptor

In the evening during sunset, we will visit the Malecon and the Prado intersection. Making sure we are in the right place at the right moment, in the right light!

Day 4 – VINALES (B,L,D)

This morning we will be up early and on our way to the rural township of Vinales. We will have lunch at the Los Jazmines look-out point and you will be blown away by the natural beauty of this area.

Today you will have the opportunity to photograph the Vinales valley, prehistoric mural and the Palenque de los Cimarrones.

Accompanied by Louis and you local guide, you will learn all about the special lifestyle in this area.

The evening provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy local music amongst the warm and friendly locals.

Day 5 – VINALES BACK TO HAVANA (B,L,D)

This morning we will be up early again to journey into the heart of the valley. Hear we will meet farmers who are preparing their morning coffee and meet the local wildlife amongst a sea of green back-drops.

You will have the opportunity to go inside the houses of the locals, getting to know the families as you share a local “criollo coffee”.

Be ready to capture memorable portraits and daily scenes of this special part of Cuba.

Take photos of the beautiful Vinales valley until your heart is content and visit a Tobacco farm to see a cigar rolling demonstration and learn more about the local industry.

In the afternoon you will travel back to Havana with Louis and your guide.

Day 6 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today we continue to focus on street photography, exploring new areas of the city.

We will focus on the Classic American cars that cruise the streets as well as external colonial facades and families on balconies.

We will visit a Cuban family in Havana to learn more about daily life and meet a former Olympic Boxing champion at his own Gym.

You will also visit the San Jose Market meeting well known painters, sculptors and artisans. This is a great opportunity to view and buy cuban art, finding many photographic opportunities that mix paintings with people.

Louis will always be there to review your work, offering advice and assistance to help you improve as a photographer.

Day 7 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today we will follow the Che Guevara route in Havana. There are many graffiti works of Che Guevara in Havana of which some are hidden and others are not.

While strolling the Che Guevara Route you will visit other points of interest and visit a popular Cuban photographer to learn more about their work and photography in Cuba.

We will end the day with a special farewell dinner.

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