The Eastern Caribbean is world famous for its beaches, but this island-hopping trip aims to open your eyes to the stunning rainforests, birdlife and mountains of these volcanic isles. As we travel the language shifts from English to Creole to French, there is time to relax, snorkel, wander through traditional villages or stretch your legs and travel down jungle trails to 200 foot high waterfalls.

St Lucia & the Pitons
A former British colony, St Lucia is renowned for its physical beauty. Translucent water covers beautiful coral, the forest covered Pitons rear out of the sea, volcanic sulphur springs and banana plantations combine to make an unforgettable visit. We combine both the east coast, famous for its Atlantic breakers along with the sleepy town of Soufriere on the Caribbean - here there is plenty of time to enjoy snorkelling, visit the interior or the nearby sulphur springs.

Dominica 'Nature's Island'
Travelling by small plane we journey to the rugged island of Dominica, a mere 29 miles long but almost 5000 feet high. Little visited it offers fabulous scenery, snorkelling and whale watching (seasonal). We then head up into the highlands to Morne Trois Pitons NP and our lodge, the base for the next day 2 days. Here there are walks to waterfalls, boiling volcanic springs and time to bird watch in this remarkably pristine area. We then spend two days in the atmospheric capital of Roseau with the chance to travel by canoe along one of the tropical rivers.

French & Creole culture of Martinique
Reboarding the catamaran style ferry, we cross the Martinique passage to Fort-de-France. The ambience is distinctly different here with a distinct gallic slant with French replacing English and Creole. We have time to explore the ruins of the former capital of Saint Pierre or relax on nearby beaches.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Mon Repos. 2 & 3 In Mon Repos; visit Atlantic coast; tour to north of island. 4 Fly to Dominica; drive to Laudat by Morne Trois Pitons NP. 5 In Laudat; optional walk to Boiling Lake. 6 Optional walk to Middleham Falls; drive Roseau. 7 & 8 In Roseau; optional whalewatching and Indian River canoe trip. 9 Ferry to Martinique. 10 In Fort de France; visit St Anne; optional Saint Pierre. 11 Ferry to St Lucia; drive to Soufriere. 12 Visit Pitons area and hot spings; optional snorkelling or relax on a beach. 13 End Soufriere.

Accommodation: 10nts hotel, 2nts lodge; 7 breakfasts included.
Transport: Bus/Plane/Ferry/Taxi/On foot.
Comment: An intriguing combination of rainforest, mountains, beaches and Creole culture. Walks are optional and time can be spent beachcombing or relaxing.
Group: Approx. 14 to 18.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some Local Guides.
Trip Reference: WI