DAY 1: ISTANBUL – HAVANA | Journey to the Heart of the Caribbean
Our meeting for Ejder Turizm guests begins at Istanbul Airport at 11:30 and continues with Turkish Airlines' comfortable direct flight. After taking off at 15:50 and enjoying a pleasant journey above the clouds, we arrive in Havana at 21:30 in the evening. After being greeted, we check into our hotel and get acquainted with the warmth of the tropical climate on our first night in Cuba.
Flight Details: TK 183 Istanbul (IST) – Havana (HAV) | 15:50 – 21:30.
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri 4 or similar.
DAY 2: HAVANA CITY TOUR & CLASSIC CARS | A Breeze of Nostalgia
We start the day by exploring the labyrinthine streets of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the gems of colonial architecture such as Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, and San Francisco Square, the most iconic moment of our tour begins: we take an amazing city tour in 1950s open-top classic American cars covering the Havana seafront Malecon and Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolución). In the evening, you may stop by Hemingway’s favorite place, La Bodeguita del Medio.
Activity: Classic Car Tour and Old Havana Walking Tour.
Accommodation: Hotel NH Capri 4 or similar.
DAY 3: VINALES VALLEY & PINAR DEL RIO | The Story of Nature and Tobacco
After breakfast, we leave Havana and head toward Vinales Valley, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We visit tobacco fields, the raw material for the world’s finest cigars, and hear the secrets of cigar making from local farmers. After admiring the unique view created by the massive limestone hills called mogotes from the Los Jazmines terrace, we take a mystical boat trip on the underground river inside Cueva del Indio cave.
Activity: Tobacco Farm Visit, Los Jazmines Viewpoint, and Cave Boat Tour.
Lunch: Will be served at a local restaurant with a valley view.
Accommodation: NH Capri Havana 4 or similar.
DAY 4: CIENFUEGOS & TRINIDAD | Colonial Gems
Early in the morning, we say goodbye to Havana and head down to Cuba’s southern coasts. Our first stop is Cienfuegos, founded by French settlers and known as the "Pearl of the South" for its elegant architecture. After seeing Jose Marti Square and the Tomas Terry Theater, we move on to Trinidad, which resembles an open-air museum with its cobblestone streets. The city’s colorful houses and Plaza Mayor will take us back to the splendor of the colonial era.
Lunch: Will be served at a local restaurant during the tour.
Accommodation: Brisas Trinidad del Mar 4 or similar colonial hotels.
DAY 5: SANTA CLARA – HAVANA | A Symbol of an Era
After breakfast, we head to Santa Clara, the most important strategic point of the Cuban Revolution. By visiting Che Guevara’s memorial tomb and the historic site where the "Armored Train" attack took place, we witness Cuba’s recent history. After this meaningful visit, we return to the capital Havana in the evening.
Visit: Che Guevara Memorial Tomb and Museo Memorial El Tren Blindado.
Accommodation: NH Capri Havana 4 or similar.
DAY 6: HAVANA – MEXICO CITY | Transition to the Land of the Aztecs
On our last morning in Havana, after free time for souvenir shopping, we transfer to the airport. We fly to Mexico City, Mexico’s massive and mysterious capital, on Aeromexico’s scheduled flight. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting for us, and then proceed to dinner where we will taste the first examples of Mexican cuisine.
Flight Details: Aeromexico | Havana (HAV) – Mexico City (MEX) | 16:15 – 18:35.
Dinner: Will be served at a local restaurant in the city center.
Accommodation: Barceló Mexico Reforma 4 or similar.
DAY 7: MEXICO CITY | Aztecs and Colonial Splendor
We start the day by exploring Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. Our first stop is Zocalo Square, the heart of the city and one of the largest squares in the world, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then, we see the National Palace, which tells the history of Mexico, panoramically. After lunch, we embark on a thousand-year journey at the world-famous National Museum of Anthropology, where priceless artifacts from the Aztec and Maya cultures are displayed.
Visits: : Zocalo Square, Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace, and Anthropology Museum.
Lunch: Will be served at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel NH Collection Mexico City 4 or similar.
DAY 8: MEXICO CITY – CANCUN | Return to the Caribbean
After breakfast in the morning, we transfer to the airport and fly to Cancun, Mexico’s holiday paradise. After about a 3-hour flight, we arrive in Cancun on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. After checking into the hotel, we enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Guests who wish can sunbathe on the white sandy beaches or relax with the facilities offered by the hotel.
Flight Details: Aeromexico | Mexico City (MEX) – Cancun (CUN) | 09:30 – 12:55.
Accommodation: Wyndham Garden Cancun Downtown 4 or similar.
DAY 9: CHICHEN ITZA & VALLADOLID | One of the Seven Wonders of the World
Today, we set out early to discover the ancient city of Chichen Itza, the pinnacle of Maya civilization and one of the new seven wonders of the world. While visiting the Kukulkan Pyramid, Jaguar Temple, and Temple of Warriors, we will admire the genius of this mysterious civilization in mathematics and astronomy. Continuing our tour, we take a swimming break in a sacred "Cenote" for the Mayans (natural water well), and then visit the town of Valladolid, famous for its colonial architecture.
Lunch: Will be taken at a traditional Maya restaurant.
Accommodation: Wyndham Garden Cancun Downtown 4 or similar.
DAY 10: CANCUN | Free Time on Turquoise Shores
On this special day added to our tour, we give you a full day of free time so you can relax in Cancun’s deep blue waters and enjoy the Caribbean. Guests who wish can join boat tours, go snorkeling, or shop for Mexican art in Cancun’s lively bazaars. A relaxing and enjoyable stop for Ejder Turizm guests.
Accommodation: Wyndham Garden Cancun Downtown 4 or similar.
Note: There is no guided tour today; our guests may enjoy the day as they wish.
DAY 11: CANCUN – ISTANBUL | Return Journey
After breakfast, we enjoy the sun and sea one last time until noon. At the time determined by our guide, we transfer to the airport and begin our return journey to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines’ comfortable direct flight. After spending the night on the plane, we arrive in Istanbul on the morning of day 12 and conclude our tour with unforgettable memories.
Flight Details: TK 184 Cancun (CUN) – Istanbul (IST) | 14:40 – 10:40 (+1).
Arrival: 10:40 on the morning of Day 12
DAY 12: ISTANBUL | arrival 10:40
Our arrival. The end of our tour.
Transportation
TK 183 IST - HAV 15:25 / 20:45 Istanbul - Havana (Outbound)
AM 452 HAV - MEX 16:15 / 18:35 Havana - Mexico City (Connecting Flight)
AM 518 MEX - CUN 09:30 / 12:55 Mexico City - Cancun (Connecting Flight)
TK 184 CUN - IST 14:40 / 10:40+1 Cancun - Istanbul (Return)
Personal expenses and items collected by official authorities are not included in the tour price:
Personal Expenses: Mini bar, telephone, spa services in hotels, and all personal shopping.
Beverages: All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not included on the table during lunch and dinner.
Free Time Meals: Dinners not stated as included in the program and lunches on free days.
Official Payments: Exit fee from the country.
Tips: The recommended tip amount collected on behalf of the group for local guides and drivers, totaling 120 USD per person.
VISAS
CUBA: No visa is required for Green Passport (Special Passport) holders.
Burgundy Passport (Ordinary Passport) holders require an E-Visa (provided by our agency.) The E-Visa fee is 50 USD per person.
MEXICO: Burgundy Passport (Ordinary Passport) holders: A Mexico E-Visa is required.
The Mexico e-visas for our guests holding Burgundy passports are obtained free of charge by us.
Green Passport (Special Passport) holders: Mexico requires a visa. However, if our guests have a valid U.S., U.K., or Canadian visa as of their travel dates, they do not need to obtain a separate visa for Mexico and may travel visa-free.
For Green Passport holders without a valid U.S./U.K./Canadian visa, there are two options: an individual visa application must be made to the Mexico Consulate.
For application details, please contact the relevant Consulate / Embassy. If the guest obtains a Burgundy passport, the Mexico e-visa can be arranged free of charge by us.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Guests holding passports from other countries must check the visa requirements applicable to their own country.