2026 Mexico Cuba and Panama Agri Tour

Mexico City

Bienvenidos!  Welcome to Mexico City, the economic, industrial and cultural centre of Mexico! Sprawling across a valley, encircled by volcanoes and mountains and atop an ancient Aztec civilisation, Mexico City is North America's highest city and one of the world's most densely populated. With a long and fascinating history that runs from ancient native civilisations through to the invasion of the Conquistadors and subsequent colonial rule, Mexico City boasts an array of fascinating sights and attractions. On arrival we will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel, we then enjoy a short walking tour, then free time.

Tonight enjoy your first taste of Mexican food with a tasty dinner! 

Mexico City

We begin the day with a tour of bustling Mexico City. Our sightseeing will include the main city square – Plaza de la Constitución or the Zócalo. The plaza is constructed from the stones of ancient palaces and temples and is said to be the second largest in the world after Moscow’s Red Square. The Zócalo is bordered by the Cathedral to the north and the National Palace to the east. In the centre of the plaza is an enormous Mexican Flag which is ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace.

This afternoon we visit Xochimilco, a borough famous for its canals and hundreds of colourfully decorated boats - Trajineras. Here, we’ll experience the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs.

Mexico City

Today is a special day, our first visit to CIMMYT the international Wheat and Maize centre where we met with Hamish Dunsford; Global Wheat Program Manager, Favio Breseghello; Global Wheat Program Director, Alberto Chassaigne; Global Maize Manager, Itria Ibba; Wheat Quality Specialist. We also visit the Wellhausen-Anderson Plant Genetic Resource centre safeguarding wheat and maize biodiversity for the world with over 180,000 samples held beneath the ground at 18 Deg. After our Visit to CIMMYT we then travel to farmland south of Mexico City to vist a local wheat Producer and CIMMYT experimental station looking at trials and new varieties of Wheat and Maize. 

On returning to Mexico City you have a free evening.

Mexico City

After breakfast , we enjoy a chance to use the local subways and visit Mexico Cities largest food and flower markets ,we travel  by coach to the nearby site of Teotihuácan, considered to be one of the most impressive and mysterious archaeological sites in Mexico. The city was established in 100BC and the name Teotihuácan roughly translates as ‘Birthplace of the Gods’.

Here we’ll marvel at the magnificent structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas, including the Temples of the Sun and the Moon. These are the largest buildings within Teotihuácan, with the Temple of the Sun rising 66 metres above ground level and the Temple of the Moon rising 43 metres.

Tonight free time to enjoy the many fantastic restaurants in Mexico City.

Mexico City - Havana, Cuba

Flight Details: Areo Mexico Flight AM451 - Depart Mexico City 10-20am/Arrive Havana 3-00pm

Transfer to the Airport for our flight to Havana, Cuba,our adventure through Cuba plays out to the soundtrack of a sizzling salsa beat, against a vibrant backdrop of colonial architecture, sweeping beaches and verdant countryside. Cuba’s colourful history still dominates most aspects of daily life, painting the country with an atmosphere like no other. We explore Havana in all its faded glory, uncover the easy beauty of rural Vinales, wander the cobblestoned streets of Trinidad and soak up the coastal vibe of Cienfuegos. Let Cuba’s charm wash over you on an unforgettable journey, on arrival into Havana we are met and transferred to our accommodation.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a lively local restaurant with our local guide,Sitting down to eat in Cuba means experiencing the country’s rich African and Spanish roots. Tonight our local guide  will introduce you to some classic dishes such as picadillo, a flavoursome beef and tomato stew, and ropa vieja, pulled beef with vegetables. You may like to toast to the beginning of a new adventure with a delicious daquiri, which is believed to have been invented in Cuba. 

Havana

We start the day in style as we tour the city in a convoy of classic American vintage cars. Cruise down Havana’s grand old streets as your leader points out significant sights like the Malecon, Revolution Square and Vedado. Finish your ride in Old Havana where you’ll continue your explorations on foot during a walking tour with our local Guide. Learn the history of the Havana cathedral and discover the city’s old-world charm when you stop by Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Enjoy a free afternoon in this exciting neighbourhood – perhaps head to a rooftop bar for a local cocktail or take a leisurely stroll around the famously colourful streets.

Tonight, those who are interested we visit the Buena Vista Social Club Performance.

Havana - Vinales

Today we depart Havana to the spectacular valley of Vinales,we stop by Las Terrazas,a small rural village which was built by the Cuban Government as part of a reforestation project that has since been given a biospher UNESCO listing. We meet with a local community leader who will give us some insight into how the local society works.Upon arriving  at the quaint village of Vinales,where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and limstone outcrops dot the landscape,we settle into our accommodation and then enjoy a quick orientation of the town.  We then meet a local Cuban farner and his family who will show us around their organic farm and expain to usthere farming methodes and practises they use to grow their produce without using pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Tonight dinner will be there farmhouse while we watch the sun set over the limestone hills that surround the valley, it is one of the best views in Cuba.

Vinales

We  begin our day with a guided walk through the verdant farmlands of Vinales, where our local guide will discuss in detail the  geography that makes up the area’s spectacular scenery. Vinales is known for its tobacco farms which still use traditional growing methods – learn more about the longstanding tobacco industry and watch a farmer whip up a world class cigar in seconds. Take some time to find a local place for lunch, then regroup in the late afternoon for a salsa dancing lesson. Find your feet and learn a few steps while embracing the electrifying rhythm of Cuba. After working up an appetite, head to  another family house out of town to enjoy a cooking demonstration of typical Cuban dishes, after the lesson we can sit back, relax and enjoy a well prepared meal.

Vinales-Ciefuegos (via Bay of Pigs)

Prepare for an adventure as we travel through the Cuban Countryside making our way to Cienfuegos, we visit a local Sugar Cane farm and a local co-operative as Cuba is the world’s largest exporter of Sugar. Our next stop is to visit the Bay of Pigs for lunch. After lunch, you may like to take a dip in the crystal-clear water or unroll your beach towel and sit back as guide shares stories of the botched USA Military counter-revolutionary invasion in the Bay of Pigs. Now a tranquil spot for relaxing, it’s hard to imagine the chaotic battle that took place here in 1961. Then it is just a short drive to Cienfuegos, one of Cuba's prettiest coastal spots. Arriving   early evening we join our local guide on a short orientation walk before visiting the Palacio del Valle, Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. It's grandiose carvings in Venetian alabaster strike an impressive pose in this beautiful seaside city.

Cienfuegos -Trinidad (via Santa Clara)

A little free time in Cienfuegos – perhaps stop by a local cafe for a fabulous cup of Cuban coffee or take a stroll along the boulevard to the main square. Then we continue on to the beautiful city of Santa Clara, where you’ll enjoy a visit to the Che Guevara mausoleum. Here you’ll see the imposing statue of the iconic revolutionary leader. In the museum that accompanies the mausoleum, you'll find an intriguing spread of photos and other ephemera related to Che – letters, medical devices, and firearms. We then visit a local farm for lunch and a swim at a local waterfall before travelling to Trinidad, a brightly coloured town peppered with colonial influences. On arrival, our guide will introduce us to the town’s history and stunning architecture during a walking tour. Take in Trinidad’s eye-catching combination of cobblestone streets, colourful houses, and old-fashioned locals. It's a great town to explore on foot, and almost every scene offers superb photographic opportunities – from residents relaxing with huge cigars on their doorsteps to old Chevrolets cruising by. 

Tonight, free to explore.

Trinidad

First up we enjoy a morning hike to a waterfall just outside the city of Trinidad, in the foothills of the forested Escambray mountains, after enjoying a lovely swim in the natural pools we return to Trinidad to enjoy cultural tour of the historic centre of town. There were some very wealthy residents here in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, having made fortunes out of the sugar industry, some of these grand houses have been turned into museums and visiting these will give you a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the elite class during this time. At a local bar we take a rest to enjoy the shade and the taste of the local drink called canchanchara, which is made from Rum, lemon and honey. 

Trinidad - Havana

En route back to Havana we pass by an historic sugar plantation, here a 147 ft tower dominates the skyline, it was built so the estate owners could keep a vigil on the slaves as they worked the cane fields. The village around the old mansion is inhabited by direct descendants of those slaves, here we learn about the history of the slave trade and slavery in Cuba.

On arrival back into Havana we check into our hotel, tonight we enjoy a Special Farewell Dinner at the Buena Vista Club.

Havana - Panama City

Morning transfer to Havana Airport for our flight to Panama City, on arrival we enjoy a city walking tour before checking into our hotel.

Panama City

Panamá Canal Partial Transit & Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre

INCLUSIONS: Transportation, admission fees, Spanish/English speaking narrator guide, and lunch.

The transit through the Panama Canal is the best way to experience and enjoy of one of the marvels of engineering of all times. The transit tour starts at the north end of the Gaillard cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value.

The vessel will travel the Gaillard Cut for over 13 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides; and just before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks, at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal.

Once the vessel enters the Pedro Miguel Locks - which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, it will be lowered 9 meters in one step to reach the level of the Miraflores Lake - which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Once at the Miraflores Locks, the vessel will be lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps to reach the Pacific Ocean level. From there, the vessel will sail to the marina where you will disembark - passing under the Bridge of the Americas, and with the chance to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's splendorous skyline.

Then, you will visit the emblematic Panama Canal. Visiting the Miraflores Locks visitor center – the nearest set of locks to the city, makes it possible to learn about the history and the daily operation of the Canal. This visitor center has two main attractions at now: the IMAX Theater where you can watch the film about the history of the construction of the Panama Canal, and the viewing platform from where you can see the ships passing through each stage of the locks.

Tonight free to explore Panama City.

Panama City

This morning, we travel by coach along the Panama Canal to experience the Gamboa jungle green from within, ascending about 280 feet from the shadow of the forest oor, through the dense undergrowth and up to the canopy sun bathed in its thousand shades of green that is only interrupted by the vibrant colors of the owering trees. Colorful birds and butter8ies abound in Gamboa and you can also nd sloths and hear the cry of the howler monkey. Once at the top, you will have the opportunity to climb our observation tower (also wheelchair accessible), where you will have uninterrupted views of the great rainforest of the Soberanía National 

Park, as well as the narrowest part of the Panama Canal. Once our visit to the Cable Car and Natural Exhibitions is over, we will take a 20-minute walk through the heart of the Panama Canal. The boat will slow down and enter the labyrinth of jungle islands of Gatun Lake. In this protected area the fauna is abundant, and it is probable that we will nd capuchin monkeys, sloths, howler monkeys, several kinds of toucans, as well as caimans, crocodiles, turtles and butterflies in abundance. This is an exceptional place to experience the sights and sounds of the jungle. Our trained naturalist guides will ensure that you have a unique experience. 

Afternoon free.

Panama City - End of Tour

Your tour ends this morning in Panama City after breakfast.

For those who wish extend their trip to visit Machu Picchu please see below 4-night programme.