Trinidad & Tobago — The Americas — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

rro Pitch Lake TRINIDAD km 0 50 Trinidad and Tobago are synonymous with tropical beach holidays, but on this trip we aim to show you the aspects of these tropical islands overlooked or ignored by the vast majority of visitors. Separated from the South American continent by a narrow stretch of water, they are home to expanses of rainforest clinging to high mountains, populated by a huge array of birdlife exceeding any other islands in the Caribbean. The culture is a mix of African and East Indian Tobago Nature's Island We take a ferry to the South of Tobago and have time to relax, snorkel over Bucco Reef and visit the pristine sands of Pigeon Point. We head to the northwest of the island and stay in the fishing village of Castara. From here we visit Little Tobago by boat, home to the red-billed tropic bird and one of the highlights for any nature lover. Georgetown & the Interior Passing through sugar estates and rice fields, and crossing the Corentyne River by ferry, we enter the former British colony of Guyana. The capital Georgetown epitomises faded elegance with fine wooden buildings and a riot of tropical vegetation. Travelling by 4WD we head for Surama, where we stay with the local community of Amerindians. This area is famed for its flora and fauna by using local guides we maximise our chances of encountering Tapir, Giant Otters and the elusive Guianan Cock-of-the Rock. Iwokrama Field Station in Search of Jaguar The next three days are spent exploring the Amerindian children/Romilly Turl bu San Fernando 0 30 River camp Otters/Tapirs rro CARAHAA LANDING km 0 160 Canoe Rainforest walk Cock-of-the-Rock' search area on foot and by canoe, with an overnight hammock camp in the rainforest. There's the option to hike up to Turtle Mountain for expansive views over the rainforest canopy, and stay at the Iwokrama Field station, one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. We drive to Shanklands where there is the option of a day trip to Kaieuter Falls the most beautiful in the Americas, before journeying down the Essequibo. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Paramaribo. 2 City tour. 3 Drive Brownsberg Plateau; wildlife spotting. 4 Drive Paramaribo. 5 Drive and ferry to Georgetown (Guyana). 6 4WD via Iwokrama rainforest to Surama. 7 At Surama; search for Guianan Cock-of-the Rock. 8 Walk to Burro Burro River (1 hr). 9 Giant Otter spotting by canoe; 4WD to Canopy Walkway. 10 Drive to Iwokrama Field station; search for jaguar. 11 At Iwokrama; Wildlife spotting by boat; day walk up Turtle Mountain (2 hrs). 12 Drive to Shanklands. 13 In Shanklands; nature trails, optional Kaieteur Falls trip. 14 Boat and bus to Georgetown; fly London. 15 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 4nts hotel, 1nt bungalow, 2nts field station, 2nts village house, 2nts hammock camp, 2nts lodge; 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 9 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/4WD Land cruiser/Motor launches/Canoes/On foot. Comment: An exceptional wildlife and rainforest adventure to one of the least visited areas of the Americas. Included walks are within the capabilities of anybody of normal fitness and are fully supported. Accommodation in the interior is dorm style or in hammocks. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen, rangers and some Local Guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Port of Spain. 2 & 3 In Port of Spain; city tour and visit Caroni bird sanctuary. Optional excursion to south of island. 4 Drive to Maracas Bay. 5 Swimming and relaxing, optional kayaking and waterfall hike. 6 Drive Paria Springs, homestay. 7 Drive Grand Riviere. 8 In Grand Riviere, optional shark river and turtle spotting (AprOct). 9 Drive and ferry to Crown Point (Tobago). 10 & 11 At Crown point, beachcombing, optional snorkelling. 12 Drive Castara. 13 & 14 In Castara village, visit Little Tobago island. 15 Fly via Port of Spain to London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 6nts hotel, 7nts guest house, 1nt village house; 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Buses/Ferry/Flights as itinerary /On foot. Comment: We spend 2 weeks exploring some of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Driving distances are short, there is plenty of time to swim, birdwatch and walk. Accommodation is simple, but allowing us to see the real Caribbean. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 14 to 18. 206 Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement Bu THE AMERICAS Kaieteur Falls (optional)/John Telfer TRINIDAD * TOBAGO Pristine beaches SURINAME * GUYANA Trinidad & Tobago Ref TNT Amerindian & Wildlife Adventure 15 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES/HAMMOCKS BACKWATERS OF SOUTH AMERICA Ref GUY JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 16 DAYS HOTEL/GUEST HOUSE/VILLAGE HOUSE BETWEEN CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Trinidad & Tobago Ref TNT CARIBBEAN SEA TOBAGO Little Tobago (amongst others), a diversity is reflected in the food and music and of course the warm waters beckon. Port of Spain & Wildlife Wetlands Sandwiched between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, Trinidad has soaring mountains, primary rainforest and an array of dazzling beaches. We visit Port of Spain, famous for its carnival, and with luck witness one of the steel bands at practice. We travel by boat through Caroni swamp and watch flocks of scarlet ibis and egrets return to their nests at dusk. Caribbean Exploration & Carib Indians Leaving the capital behind, we head to Maracas Bay to beach comb, hike to waterfalls or kayak in a rainforest lagoon. In the interior we overnight in a Carib Indian village to truly experience a totally different aspect of these tropical isles. Before leaving Trinidad, a stay in Grand Riviere may give us the opportunity to watch leatherback turtles lay their eggs (seasonal), or walk along Shark River. Fishing village CASTARA Rainforest Reserve Scarborough Optional boat trip CROWN POINT PARIA SPRINGS MARACAS BAY PORT OF SPAIN Caroni Bird Sanctuary Airport Chaguanas Hindu temple Guyana and Suriname have attractions rivalling their neighbours, but with a fraction of the visitors. Beyond the narrow populated coastal strip lies dense virgin rainforest, waterfalls, superb wildlife and a unique melange of cultures Amerindian, African, Dutch and East Indian. Paramaribo & Brownsberg Plateau We explore the atmospheric and slowly crumbling colonial Dutch architecture of Paramaribo on foot, and take a launch across the Suriname River. Heading south to the Brownsberg Nature Park. We ascend the 500m high plateau giving expansive views over the Amazonian rainforest and search on foot for Tapir and monkeys. Amerindian & Wildlife Adventure Ref GUY GUYANA SHANKLANDS E ss e q u i b Optional visit to Kaieteur Falls Orinduik Falls GEORGETOWN ATLANTIC OCEAN PARAMARIBO Ferry Turtle Mountain BROWNSBERG NATUREPARK PLATEAU Nature walks Tapirs o GRANDE RIVIERE Optional Shark River Birdwatching IWOKRAMA SURAMA SURINAME Field Station Jaguar spotting CARAHAA LANDING ATLANTIC OCEAN Amerindian Village Detail of 4WD Route km TURTLE MOUNTAIN Camp Optional excursion IWOKRAMA CANOPY WALKWAY Es sequibo SURAMA

The Americas contd… Trinidad & Tobago