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<strong>Trinidad</strong><br />
active <strong>and</strong> adventure<br />
The North Coast Trek<br />
The best trek on the isl<strong>and</strong>, the 24 mile trail<br />
from Brasso Seco to Matelot. The route follows<br />
several old Spanish ‘bench trails’ <strong>and</strong> there is a<br />
strong sense of the isl<strong>and</strong>’s <strong>for</strong>gotten past.<br />
Asa Wright to Brasso Seco<br />
Day 1 LD Depart from Port of Spain to be driven up into the<br />
Northern Range <strong>for</strong> a morning visit to the Asa Wright Nature<br />
Centre. You then take an easy walk down the Marianne River<br />
to where it meets the Petite Marianne with a lovely deep<br />
pool: ideal <strong>for</strong> a refreshing swim.<br />
Just a little further on there is another pool fed by a sparkling<br />
waterfall. Stay in the village of Brasso Seco–a rewarding<br />
introduction to rural village life.<br />
For the next section we can arrange porters, in the <strong>for</strong>m of<br />
local village lads, if requested in advance.<br />
Brasso Seco to Paria Bay<br />
Day 2 BLD Set off on a good clear trail into the <strong>for</strong>est that<br />
winds northwards, eventually reaching the Jordan River<br />
which you will follow until it joins the Paria River.<br />
Not long be<strong>for</strong>e the end of the trail you reach Paria Falls–<br />
magical in the dappled sunlight of the <strong>for</strong>est. It is then a<br />
short walk to reach the sea at Paria Bay–a pristine wilderness<br />
beach backed by palms. Camp here overnight.<br />
Paria Bay to Gr<strong>and</strong> Tacarib<br />
Day 3 BLD The trail rambles over a succession of small ridges<br />
<strong>and</strong> down to the sea again at Gr<strong>and</strong> Tacarib. Camp here<br />
overnight.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong> Tacarib to Gr<strong>and</strong>e Riviere<br />
Day 4 BLD We walk good <strong>for</strong>est trails to Matelot village, from<br />
where we are driven to nearby Gr<strong>and</strong> Riviere. Stay 2 nights at<br />
Mount Plaisir Estate near the edge of the rain<strong>for</strong>est.<br />
Day 5 BLD A well deserved day to relax in the sleepy fishing<br />
village of Gr<strong>and</strong> Riviere. In season leatherback turtles come<br />
here in great numbers to lay their eggs. If you are still<br />
bursting with energy you might take an optional ‘wet’ walk<br />
along the Shark River.<br />
Port of Spain<br />
Day 6 B Transfer by road back to Port of Spain or to the<br />
international airport <strong>for</strong> your return flight home, or onwards<br />
to <strong>Tobago</strong> or Guyana.<br />
active <strong>and</strong> adventure<br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> on two wheels<br />
Exhilarating <strong>and</strong> strenuous cycling in the<br />
north followed by flat roads through coconut<br />
plantations on the east coast.<br />
Northern Hills<br />
Day 1 LD You will be collected from you hotel in Port of Spain<br />
<strong>and</strong> transferred by road to the starting point of your cycling<br />
trip. Cycle winding <strong>for</strong>est roads through the northern hills<br />
to the high pass just below Morne Bleu <strong>and</strong> coast down the<br />
breathtaking descent to Brasso Seco village. Then take a dirt<br />
trail to visit Soho waterfall be<strong>for</strong>e returning to the village <strong>for</strong><br />
a night in a very simple local homestay <strong>for</strong> a taste of rustic<br />
village life.<br />
Cycle the North Coast<br />
Day 2 BLD Cycle on to Blanchisse<strong>use</strong> on the north coast,<br />
stopping <strong>for</strong> a river walk to another hidden waterfall <strong>and</strong> a<br />
refreshing swim in a clear pool. We spend the night at Laguna<br />
Mar set behind a splendid long s<strong>and</strong>y beach with great views<br />
along this magnificent stretch of coast.<br />
Day 3 BL Cycle westwards along the impressive north coast<br />
by long golden crescent beaches separated by rugged rocky<br />
headl<strong>and</strong>s. Bathe at Las Cuevas Bay <strong>and</strong> sample the bake<br />
‘n’ shark at Maracas Bay, where we dismount <strong>and</strong> are driven<br />
back over the Northern Range <strong>and</strong> down to Port of Spain.<br />
Cycle the East Coast<br />
Day 4 BLD You will be picked up from your hotel in Port of<br />
Spain <strong>and</strong> driven to the starting place <strong>for</strong> this part of the<br />
trip. Cycle along <strong>Trinidad</strong>’s east coast, past mile after mile<br />
of impressive windswept beach fringed by coconut palm.<br />
Pass the mangrove wetl<strong>and</strong>s to reach our accommodation in<br />
Mayaro <strong>for</strong> 2 nights, where surf rolls ashore along a 6 mile<br />
beach. Overnight in a local guestho<strong>use</strong>.<br />
Day 5 BLD Visit a mud volcano then walk into Bush Bush<br />
Sanctuary encircled by the Nariva wetl<strong>and</strong>s a good place <strong>for</strong><br />
wildlife <strong>and</strong> birdwatching.<br />
Country lanes<br />
Day 6 BL Cycle back northwards, through tiny villages where<br />
many aspects of the isl<strong>and</strong>’s traditional way of life are still<br />
practised. Rejoin your support vehicle <strong>and</strong> arrive back in Port<br />
of Spain in the late afternoon.<br />
Carnival Party Marathon!<br />
Party till you drop at the mother of all carnivals.<br />
Base yourself in a guestho<strong>use</strong> or hotel in Port of<br />
Spain, pick a costume, <strong>and</strong> join in the fun.<br />
Friday<br />
Day 1 Arrive in Port of Spain <strong>and</strong> transfer to your chosen<br />
hotel or guestho<strong>use</strong> which will be your base <strong>for</strong> the next 6<br />
nights. If you are intending to take part in the parade your<br />
costume will be waiting <strong>for</strong> your in your room.<br />
Saturday<br />
Day 2 B Today you will get the opportunity to see the<br />
Children’s Carnival <strong>and</strong> in the evening you will be taken to see<br />
Panorama; the finals of the steelpan competition.<br />
Sunday<br />
Day 3 B Free day to recover from the night be<strong>for</strong>e or we<br />
can arrange an excursion. Tonight you will be taken to the<br />
Dimanche Gras Show where this year’s Calypso Monarch<br />
<strong>and</strong> Carnival King <strong>and</strong> Queen are chosen. Then in the early<br />
hours you have the option to go downtown to take part in<br />
the J’Ouvert celebrations which start at 2am <strong>and</strong> continue to<br />
dawn. Prepare to get down <strong>and</strong> dirty when the mud starts<br />
flying!<br />
Monday<br />
Day 4 B You will be collected from your hotel <strong>for</strong> the Parade<br />
of Costume B<strong>and</strong>s which winds through the streets with the<br />
masqueraders ‘whining’ to the sound of Soca <strong>and</strong> Reggae<br />
Dancehall, if you have elected to, you will be taking part.<br />
Shrove Tuesday<br />
Day 5 B Put your costume back on <strong>for</strong> the principal day of<br />
Carnival or, if you want to just view the floats <strong>and</strong> costumes,<br />
we can arrange a seat at the gr<strong>and</strong>st<strong>and</strong>s at Queen’s Park<br />
Savannah (the best viewing place). Calypso is a big part of<br />
Carnival <strong>and</strong> you will have lots of opportunities to hear it from<br />
the Carnival b<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Wednesday<br />
Day 6 B Today you will take a ‘recovery’ trip, like a true Trini<br />
reveller, to the beach at Maracas Bay <strong>for</strong> some RnR <strong>and</strong> a<br />
legendary Bake ‘n’ Shark lunch.<br />
Thursday<br />
Day 7 B Transfer to the airport <strong>for</strong> your international flight<br />
home . “Fete ovah, back to wuk!”<br />
party!<br />
12<br />
GEODYSSEY | trinidad www.geodyssey.co.uk/trinidad 020 7281 7788