Day 01: In San Juan, Puerto Rico, meet with our staff-members of Exploration & Adventures who will organise and accompany you in the flight to the island of Dominica. If originating from another city, you should plan to arrive in Puerto Rico a day earlier for the flight to Dominica. Upon arriving in Dominica and clearing customs, we will travel to our Camp on the west coast of Dominica.
Day 02: After a tropical breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area of the camp and discover some of the exotic beaches of the Island in a nice trip around the coast in a local fishing boat. Swimming and snorkeling (please have your own equipment). A Tour along the most beautiful natural beaches of the island, and see the beautiful island of Dominica from a different point of view- from the ocean! This is an opportunity to view the magnificent cliffs and beautiful bays as you could never see them by land. As you travel along the coast on the boat skippered by a local fisherman, his expert knowledge of the coastline and ocean will provide you with a wealth of new information. During the trip, you can swim and snorkel at sites accessible only by boat. On the return and after dinner, you can enjoy a campfire, music and singing and fellowship, organized by the guides. You might also carry a few simple board games with you for the evenings.
Day 03: After breakfast, you will take an easy hike close to our Camp, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, your local guide will help you to sample many of the fruits growing in the rainforest. Leaving the ridge, you will make a descent to the banks. After a refreshing dip in the ocean, you return via the same route, keeping your eyes peeled for a sighting of the Sisserou Parrot--Dominica's national bird. BBQ at the beach: a real good experience, food and music included!!!
Day 04: The Emerald Pool. We travel into the interior of the island to visit our most celebrated site: a grotto with its own mini-waterfall and small pool, surrounded by lush vegetation and tropical plants, flowers and ferns. Then, a gentle 10-minute walk through a transition zone of forest. The winding trail cuts through rich vegetation. The thick canopy discourages growth of too many ground plants, but epiphytes flourish with some giant ones seen around the pool. The area is rich in bird life, especially with hummingbirds and the elusive Mountain Warbler. Bring your swimsuit and mask & snorkel to take a peek at the crayfish.
Day 05: Carib Territory: Admire their culture, local crafts. Only a short trip from our Camp, the Carib Territory is a living history lesson. The Carib Indians are the oldest inhabitants of the Caribbean, and the Carib Territory is their home in Dominica. The Carib way of life, for many of them, is the same as it as been for centuries. The area covers 3,700 acres of land with an extensive shoreline and agricultural land behind. Travel trough magnificent scenery between the mountains and the coast, and have many of the age-old skills of the Caribs described to you. Today the Carib Indians engage mostly in agriculture and fishing. They still make their traditional dug-out canoes by hand. They also practice their ancient skills of pottery and basket-weaving. Particularly fascinating is the way in which they produce their sea-going canoes. You will have an opportunity to stop in their local stores to admire the local crafts and to buy unique souvenirs.
Day 06: Whale and Dolphin Watching: They are really amazing!!! One of Dominica's greatest natural wonders is not on land, but is of the sea. Off the coast of Dominica is one of the few places in the world where you are likely to see whales. You will travel on Dominica's largest and most comfortable whale-watch boat, the “Anchorage”. The sight of one of these magnificent creatures is an experience of a lifetime, let alone a holiday--it is something you will never forget. While looking for whales is the prime purpose of this trip, it is highly likely that you will also see dolphins.
Day 07: Indian River: A boat ride along the Indian River, full of Mangroves - an experience you are not likely to forget. The Indian River originates from the mountains of Dominica and reaches the sea at Portsmouth, the second largest town on the island. As the river approaches the sea, it flows gently through a mangrove forest. A relaxing boat trip up the Indian River allows you to explore the wildlife of this fascinating part of Dominica. This river is particularly rich in bird life and your boatman will help you identify them. You may also have a close encounter with an other inhabitant of the mangroves--the crabs!
Day 08: Hiking to the Secret Beach. After a forty-five minute walk, or a ten-minute drive, followed by a difficult tree-root descent from a cliff, you reach the Secret Beach. Here you will see a magnificent waterfall cascading 100 feet off the cliff directly into the ocean. The beach can also be reached by boat, and, again, you will not find this special place on the general tourist maps. This hike is not easy and is only for those that have absolutely no fear of heights and who are reasonably fit.
Day 09: Victoria Falls: A nice walk, beautiful falls, you won't forget it!!! Dominica is blessed with an incredible number of beautiful waterfalls, but one of the most beautiful is Victoria Falls. Set in the heart of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park (a worldwide heritage site), Victoria Falls is accessible only by walking. This hike is, however, appropriate for anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness. Because of its remoteness, this is a full-day trip, and you will be provided with a packed lunch and drinks. Once you reach the falls, you will be able to have a refreshing bath in a large pool just under the falls--this will set you up for the walk.
Day 10: Boiling Lake & Valley of Desolation: The most difficult hike in Dominica. Early in the morning, we start a hike toward the Boiling Lake, considered the largest of its kind in the world. This lake actually boils due to heat coming from a volcanic crater. There are a very few other places in the world where you can experience this type of phenomenon. Initially, you will enter and pass through the rainforest, enjoying this unique hiking environment. Soon you emerge from the rainforest into the valley of Desolation--a truly descriptive name! In this valley, ongoing volcanic activity has produced gases bubbling up through fumaroles, flooded vents in the crater, as well as large numbers of sulfur springs, and pools of boiling water and mud--a very desolate landscape indeed. A brief walk through this scene takes you to the boiling lake itself--a potent reminder that you are standing on the top of a volcano! A strenuous three- to four-hour hike, each way.
This magical tour will also take you for a drive to the Fresh Water Lake, the largest lake in Dominica at 2500 ft. above sea level. It continues with a ¾-hour hike along a trail through elfin woodlands, past several hot and cold springs, to the freshwater Boeri Lake. After a rest-stop at Rocky's, we return by the same route to climax the tour at Titou Gorge. A swimsuit, change of clothes & shoes for water are recommended. Also bring along mask and snorkel. Total time: approximately four hrs.
Titou Gorge--this dark, narrow water-filled canyon winds along to the base of a waterfall. The powerful flow of the water, which is too deep for standing, makes this little trip diversion an adventure. If conditions deem it necessary, life jackets will be provided for a more leisurely swim up the gorge. A hot cascade at the mouth of the canyon can also provide a pleasant relief.
Day 11: Cabrits National Park. This tour will take you to Dominica's northwest coast. It is one of our unique protected sites - one of a kind in the Caribbean. There is much natural history in this 1313-acre national park that was established in 1986.
In Cabrits, as you stand atop the renovated ordnance store at Fort Shirley, let your mind take you back in history to the 18th and 19th centuries when the Fort was occupied at times by British military personnel and at other times by the French. Take a leisurely tour of the many ruins of the fort, some of which have been restored. The restored powder magazine has been converted into a small museum that contains displays and artifacts collected at Cabrits over the years. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, such as iguanas, a large endemic bluish ground lizard, endemic tree lizards with their orange throat-fans, hermit and black crabs, mangrove cuckoos and red-necked pigeons, that add to the biological diversity of this marine and terrestrial park. Stunning mountain scenery, tropical deciduous forest and swamp land, volcanic sand beaches, coral reefs and the romance of a fortified 18th century garrison, Prince Rupert's Garrison, are linked together within this park. From lookout points at the site, one looks northward across the channel to the French islands of Les Saints and Guadeloupe. The picturesque ruin of the garrison, one of the most impressive military sites in the West Indies, is hidden beneath the lush vegetation covering Cabrits. The buildings are constructed of the same volcanic stone found scattered all over the hillsides. The cement used to bind walls throughout the garrison was made of coral limestone collected on the reefs nearby. Except for the action of tree roots, this fort has certainly stood the test of time for over 200 years.
Day 12: Red Rock. A hike along the Syndicate Nature Trail will lead us to Syndicate Falls. Next, we take you for a boat ride up the Indian River and stop for a snack there. We continue to mystical Red Rock, a cliff of red clay with an extraordinary view of the ocean. On the way back through Carib Territory, we stop at the Emerald Pool. Total time: about six hours.
Day 13: Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling. This tour begins with a drive from our campsite to our launching point just past the village of Pt. Michel. There your guide will set you up with Malibu II Sea Kayaks, snorkeling equipment (mask & snorkel) and instructions. Heading south along the stunning and rugged shoreline, you will soon encounter your first snorkeling site. Frolic in the warm water of the sub-aquatic hot springs, appropriately named "Champagne", as volcanic activity spews out bubbles and hot water.
Snorkeling along the reefs you can expect to see many different kinds of fish and marine critters – frog-fish, sea-horses, batfish, flying gurnards, electric rays, reef squid, octopus and a large variety of eels being among the favorites. Also look for the occasional turtle or stingray. Your guide will gladly help you spot them and explain Dominica's rich and very beautiful marine life. You may also cool off with a swim or just relax and observe the Frigate Birds circling above looking for fish. Re-boarding our kayaks, we continue heading south through the azure glass-like calm waters of the Caribbean Sea to our final stop at Gachettes Seaside Lodge in the Scotts Head Marine Park for some island snacks and refreshments. From there we will return to our camp by vehicle.
Day 14: After breakfast, a trip through a beautiful, hidden little valley in the heights of Wotton Waven to "Ti Kwen Glo Cho", an organic farm blessed with incredible amounts of amazing mineral water. Not only does it have its own hot springs and waterfall, but the owner, a young Dominican entrepreneur, has used local bamboo to pipe the hot sulphur water directly into attractive little hot-tubs. Get in, relax, and feel the stress evaporating up into the clean, wholesome air. He also has a small sulfur mud bath bubbling away in one corner of the farm, perfect for some good dirty fun.
Day 15: A visit after breakfast to the magnificent waterfall in the local village with an afternoon mingling with locals in the village, visiting a farm or learning some Indian crafts. During the night you will trek the Space Mountain, an incredible tour that you never will forget.
Day 16: Hiking & Mountain Bikes. A ride around the village and its beautiful sites. We have hikes from the novice to the extreme. A quarter-mile nature walk will take you to the Emerald Pool - this quiet little waterfall is perfect for those wanting a refreshing swim or to just take in the beauty of nature. The hike around the village is a nice 45-min. moderate walk and ends up at the beautiful Middleham Falls. Or you can go for one of the toughest hikes in the Caribbean - to the Boiling Lake. one of the largest of its kind and through a most fascinating area, the Valley of Desolation. Mountain Bikes are available for those who are fit and adventuresome, a great way to explore, with guided full-day tours or unguided half days along some gorgeous trails. Back to civilization.
Day 17: Cricket. Play cricket in the local village of Grand Fond. The pitch is not quite world-standard, but the locals are keen and good, and will show you how to really enjoy the national game of Dominica. Later, horseback riding into the jungle.
Day 18: Trafalgar Falls. A tour to one of Dominica's most popular sites, Trafalgar Falls. These two cascades fall side by side out of deep gorges. The tallest falls on the left is known locally as the father falls, and the shorter one on the right, the mother falls. Bring your swimsuit and water shoes!
Day 19: Middleham Falls. A moderate hike to one of Dominica's tallest waterfalls. It shoots down into a narrow cul-de-sac similar to a half-open funnel, at the bottom of which is a round clear pool. Throughout the trail you walk through a true rainforest, and of particular interest is the diversity of trees and other plant species. There are no large wild mammals in the area, but this lack in diversity in the wildlife is more than adequately made up for in the richness of the bird life. On the way to the falls, a far-from-pleasant aroma fills the air - The Stinking Hole. This hole is a deep crevice in the forest floor, a haunt for thousands of bats, whose smell, mixed with some subterranean sulphurous fumes escaping from a collapsed lava tube, give the area its name.
Day 20: Botanical Garden & the Aviary at Roseau. The gardens cover some forty acres, once planted in sugar cane. Its function was strictly of an economic and experimental character with ornamental plants grown to make the grounds attractive and interesting. Today, the gardens are divided into two sections, an economic and an ornamental section. At the Aviary you have the opportunity to see Dominica's two indigenous species of parrots. The Sisserou Parrot (Amazona imperialis) is Dominica's national bird and one of the rarest of all the Amazon parrot species. The smaller Jaco or Red Necked parrot (Amazona arausica) is more colorful and more plentiful. A tour to the Parrot Reserve is set in the Syndicate area located on the foot of the hills of the 4747 ft.-tall Morne Diablotin. Here you will again have the opportunity to view the national bird, the beautiful and almost extinct Sisserou Parrot, and also the Red-necked Parrot. There are 172 species of birds to see on the island.
Day 21: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the homeward trip. We can provide an extra night in San Juan if needed for your flight connections, or you can meet your parents in San Juan. If desired, we can set up a tour for the whole family in Puerto Rico.
