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More than a tropical paradise to while away time on the beach...
Wonderful birding in Trinidad.
Join us for one or more of the following tours into the mountain rainforest.
Birding and beaches of Trinidad
Northern Range Forest Adventure
Drive over the north coast mountains into the foothills of
El Tucuche, the islands' second highest peak. Then an exhilarating hike
through rainforest vegetation.
We trek through giant trees, exotic plants and a variety of philodendrons and see birds such as
euphonias, tanagers, honeycreepers. We will also see
small mammals and river creatures. Our first objective is a pool at the foot of a seventy foot
high waterfall, where we swim before trekking back to the cost. We drive
along the coast back to Port of
Spain. Isolated forest dwellers and people in the small villages at the forest
fringe welcome us and we may spend some time talking with them.
Duration: 8
a.m. - 5 p.m.
Activity Level: Moderate
Paria Beach and Waterfall Hike
Drive from Port of Spain over the beautiful North Coast Mountains, visit
coastal communities. Then a memorable hike from Blanchisseuse fishing village
across the wide Marianne River and through forested slopes along the north
coast range.
These foothills are criss-crossed with sparkling streams fringed
with pilodendrums, many quiet pools are covered with water lilies. From giant liana and vine hung trees
you will hear the distinctive call of the bellbird and see many butterflies
and birds, such as woodpeckers, trojans, crested oropendolas and a variety of
tanagers.
When we are near the ocean you will spot various seabirds, hawks and the ornate hawk eagles floating in the breeze.
We descend to the spectacular expanses of the isolated Paria beach. Swim in the Caribbean Sea or soak in a waterfall.
Duration: 8
a.m. - 5 pm.
Activity Level: Very
Hard (2 hours hiking)
El Tucuche Mountain Climb
El Tucuche is the second highest peak of the northern mountains. Fabled in
Amerindian lore as a sacred, it is today important to naturalists as
the last refuge of species long extinct in South America such as the golden tree
frog.
We leave Port of Spain at 6am to drive through St Joseph, the capital of Trinidad in Spanish Colonial times, to Maracas Valley where we begin a steep ascent to the peak. Spectacular views appear and disappear as we ascend the cloud-shrouded mountain. You will see and hear many birds in these pristine rainforests. We pass through white bearded manikin leks, and the habitat of brown voletears and hepatic, blue crowned and swallow tTanagers and collard trojans. Hummingbirds will hover near you and toucan can be sighted in the tall trees overhead.
The vegetation changes as we climb and fall. Giant tree ferns, bromeliads, give way to upland ecosystems of mist shrouded forest where a variety of mosses cover the trees and ferns carpet the ground.
During the strenuous climb to the plateau of El Tucuche we see a variety of monkeys, lizards, frogs and small mammals. The animals appear to be fearless because humans have rarely ventured here to hunt. Good chance of sighting the rare Golden Tree Frog. On the climb down, we may visit a large Rock outcrop bearing the only known Amerindian Glyphs in Trinidad. This trip lasts about 6 hours.
Duration: 8am
- 6pm
Activity Level: Very
Hard
Nariva Swamp Kayak Exploration
This is a memorable exploration by kayak of the famous Nariva Swamp. Nariva is
60,000 acres of wetlands, marshes and swamp forests teeming with more than 200
species of bird -- Snowy Egrets,The Black-crested Antshrike, Silvered Antbird,
Green throated Mango, Flycatchers Kingfishers, Savannah Hawks and Azure
Gannilule.
The vivid colours and loud chatter of the red bellied Macaws and Flocks of Parrots interrupt the silence of the peaceful lily covered expanses of Nariva. Howler and Capuchin monkeys call from the tops of giant trees. Nariva is the habitat of a variety of small mammals including Ant-eaters, Porcupines, the endangered Ocelot, and the Manatee.
Swamp fringe culture Hindu/
Christian/Muslim, is hospitable and a visit with them offers an interesting
glimpse of a unique, tolerant and self-sufficient lifestyle.
Duration:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Activity Level:
Moderate Challenge
Northern Range Exploration
Exploration begins with a Drive through Arima to the Asa Wright Centre, a
world famous nature reserve, where you will see a variety of Humming birds
,Tanagers, Crested Oropendolas, and Honeycreepers. After lunch we journey
through the Northern Range mountain road which winds high above valleys of old
cocoa and coffee estates. On this drive many birds Toucan, hawks will be
sighted as we slowly progress to the Brasso Seco forest where, weather
permitting, we wallk (25 minutes) to a mountain waterfall for a swim.
Before sunset we resume our journey over the mountains to coastal fishing village, Blanchisseuse After exploring the village we continue along the scenic, rugged north coast past and pristine beaches. This drive offers amazing views and scenery for the photographer, as we return to Port of Spain.
Duration: 8
a.m. - 6 p.m.
Level: Easy-
Walk and swim are optional
North East Coast Tour -
overnight Grande Riviere (Turtle
watching is seasonal)
Drive the full length of the Northern range passing many villages and small
towns. At the North East Coast stop for a two-hour hike to a waterfall.
Continue to Grande Riviere village. Remain overnight in a small cabana right
on a spectacular beach and lagoon to watch leatherback turtles come out of the
ocean at night to lay their eggs. The next day hike into the forests to the
habitat of the rare Pawi bird. Swim in the beautiful Grande Riviere or sea
before the return drive. This is a good family tour.
Duration:
8 a.m. Day 1 - 7 p.m. Day 2
Level: Easy
Down the Islands Boat Tour
The channel between South America and Trinidad is broken by a series of
breathtakingly beautiful islands dear to Trinidadians as sites for holiday
homes. This tour offers a glimpse into both colonial history and the way of
life of the well off Trinidadians. These islands in colonial days supported a
flourishing whaling industry, coconut plantations and small communities of
fishermen The remnants of permanent settlements are now one of Trinidad's last
remaining group of French patois speakers.
We set out for 'the islands' from the Chagaramas National Park where marinas
are crowded with yachts from all over the world. We travel by boat through the
gulf of Paria to Gaspar Grande Island to visit limestone caverns, then pass
through ' coves and bays of Scotland Bay, The Bocas, and Monos Island, named
for its bands of Howler monkeys, to the island of Chacachacare a few miles
from South America.
This island had been an outpost of the Venezuelan war of Independence but today only the ruins of colonial architecture and an abandoned convent remain on the island. All is now desolate except for the reputed nightly visitations by the ghost of a nun. We stop on the black volcanic sands of La Tinta Bay to picnic, swim or hike before returning to the mainland.
Duration: 7
hours
Activity Level: Easy
Additional
Accommodation
If you need
accommodation in the cities you travel through book
online or advise your Muir's Tours consultant (always use this option for
extra accommodation in remote locations).