Dominica, an island territory in the eastern Caribbean Sea of the Lesser Antilles. It is located between, to the north, the French islands of Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante and, to the south, Martinique. Since independence in 1978, the nation has been a member of the Commonwealth. The island is 29 miles (47 km) long and has a maximum width of 16 miles (26 km).
Roseau is the capital and chief port. Generations of nature lovers have been fascinated by Dominica ‘s great natural beauty, especially its spectacular mountainous topography.
The island has volcanic roots. Dominica has a number of volcanoes that are active, even though eruptions are uncommon. Fumaroles (volcanic vents) and hot springs contain other signs of geothermal activity. Boiling Lake sits 2,300 feet (700 metres ) above sea level in the south; its waters are also raised 3 feet (1 metre) above average by exhaust gas pressure.
Alluvial and volcanic soils are rich on the island. There are many rivers, all of them unseaworthy.
The most heavily forested island in the Lesser Antilles is Dominica. A considerable number of birds and animals live in the area. In Dominica alone, two parrots are found: the imperial parrot or sisserou (Amazona imperialis) and the smaller red-necked parrot (Amazona arausiaca).
There are several hummingbirds, of which only Dominica and the neighbouring island of Martinique are native to the blue-headed (Cyanophaia bicolor).
One of the four amphibian species on the island, the large frog known as crapaud or mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax), has long been an emblematic part of Dominica’s fauna (and national dish), but has become highly endangered due to a fungal disease.
Day 01: Arrive Dominica
On arrival in Dominica you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
Located in the village of Picard in the North-West of Dominica, over-looking the Caribbean Sea, the hotel offers a stunning view over Prince Rupert Bay, the hills of Cabrits, Portsmouth and its surroundings, and on a clear day you can see the island of Guadeloupe. Because all the rooms and the bar are facing West, on most days you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 02: Cabits National park
Tour to Cabrits, Fort Shirley and Indian River-This will be a simple first day to acclimatise and explore the scenic and historic region and the north, accompanied by your very knowledgeable guide. The first stop will be the Morne Aux Diables Crater, a volcano drive where you can make a quick 10-minute walk to a sulphur cloud spring. From this vantage point, you can also get a wonderful view of the surrounding French islands. Cabrits National Park, which encompasses 1,313 acres, preserves tropical forests, coral reefs and wetlands. It is situated on a peninsula just outside the town of Portsmouth, to the north of the island. There will also be an opportunity to visit Fort Shirley nearby, the former British garrison that once housed 600 troops.When you are transported in a hand-rowed river boat up the slow-moving river at a leisurely speed, the day will end with a trip to the Indian River, so that you can enjoy the many kinds of wild life and plants along the mangrove-lined river bank. See for yourself where the Pirates of the Caribbean scenes were shot.
Come back to Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 03: Syndicate Forest – Bird Watching Trips
Guided Bird watching at Syndicate Forest – Nestled on the foothills of Dominica’s tallest mountain, Morne Diablotin, and close to the Picard River Gorge, is the Syndicate Nature Trail. Today you will visit this National Park, with your specialist birding guide, Dr Birdy, who is the very best on the island. Syndicate is home to Dominica’s two indigenous birds, the Sisserou or Imperial Parrot which is the national bird of the island, and the Jaco or Red Necked Parrot.The Parrot Research in Roseau, the population is recovering and spreading further south. The Syndicate area is popular for bird watching, as it is a sanctuary for some of the 170 other bird species in Dominica.
Come back to Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 04: Whale and Dolphin Watching
Depart for an exciting boat ride from the nearby jetty at Portsmouth to see whales and dolphins, which are seen so often that Dominica is generally considered to be one of the best places for encounters with these fascinating creatures in the Caribbean. An range of residents and visiting cetaceans, Spinner and Spotted Dolphin pods, Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, False Orcas and at least a dozen other species can be found in these waters during the year.
Come back to Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 05: Roseau Valley. Freshwater lake Trafalgar Fall
Venturing up the Roseau Valley to the Freshwater Lake, where you can do a fairly easy hike around the serene and tranquil lake. Due to the weather and location, the area around the lake is a combination of upper montane and cloud forest. The vegetation is fairly low growing, consisting of ferns, mosses and mountain palms. Bromeliads, colourful gingers, heliconias and orchids can also be found growing around the lake trail. It is also possible to kayak on the lake. After this, you could visit Trafalgar Falls, which are located nearby and are stunning with a deep pool and small hot water springs nearby. The source for the Falls is a river that runs from the Freshwater Lake via Titou Gorge in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. It will be possible to swim at Trafalgar falls, then have lunch in the valley, and in the after-noon stop for a hot sulphur bath at Wotten Waven. If you are feeling adventurous, you might prefer to attempt the trek to Middleham Falls, which leads you into the heart of the primary rainforest. You can then swim from the base of a waterfall and through a series of natural rooms and ponds created by high cliff walls, canopied by interlaced trees, to Titou Gorge, which means “Little Throat” in the Kalinago language. Or even the very fit could choose to try the demanding Boiling Lake hike.
Day 06: Water Fall
Transfer to your second hotel in Dominica, which is situated on the wilder East coast. On the way, stop at Emerald Pool, where you can hike to the lovely Falls and perhaps have a swim. Then continue to Jaco Falls, an easily accessible waterfall that you can walk down to. Afterwards you will visit Spanny Falls, which has 2 waterfalls. Here you can view the first waterfall after a 20-25 minute walk, however the second one is a little more challenging. You have to climb up the mountain by holding a rope and the roots of the surrounding trees – but it is easier than it sounds! Then you will visit the Hidden Falls, a very private location containing 4 waterfalls. Your hotel is part of a plantation, which is completely organic, and runs alongside the Taberi River, facing Bout Sable beach, where turtles come to nest in season. This peaceful heaven in a protected valley lies just beneath the Trois Pitons National Park and is surrounded by hundreds of acres of prime tropical forest.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 07: North East Coast Touring
This is a Complete North East Coast tour. A discovery drive along the North coast to the famous Batibou Beach, where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed, then on to the village of Calibishie and its red rocks. Continuing along the East coast and Pagua Bay, you will then travel through the scenic Kalinago territory. Before the Europeans, the island was inhabited by various peoples who came over from the American continent, of whom the best known were the Kalinago, whom the Europeans referred to as Caribs. With rather more appreciation of our island’s uniqueness than Columbus, they called it Waitukubuli – “tall is her body” – an elegant image of this mountainous and fertile land. Dominica is home to the last remaining community of Kalinago in the West Indies, a population of a little over 2,000 living in a 3,700 acre territory on the north-western side of the island. set aside for them at the beginning of the last century.
After an exciting and informative day, there will be a stop to visit the Kalinago Barana Aute and to enjoy their arts and crafts and maybe some cassava bread, returning in the afternoon.
Day 08: Water Sports Activity
Snorkel Champagne Reef, Soufriere and Scott’s Head – Head south of Roseau, where there is a spectacular undersea crater with a unique underwater hot spring at Champagne. This is where you can snorkel amongst the bubbles formed from volcanic gases just offshore. Your snorkelling experience begins directly from the shore, when your guide will walk with you down the beach and assist you with your gear and then lead you into the water. You will see how the underwater geothermal springs vent gasses in the form of thousands of warm bubbles, creating a feeling of swimming through a giant glass of Caribbean Sea champagne. This phenomenon was created after molten lava solidified on entering the sea and gases were trapped, during the volcanic era when this island was formed. The reef provides vibrantly coloured corals and sponges as well as tropical fish, lobster and is a permanent habitat for Hawksbill turtles, you may even spot seahorses. After snorkelling, travel a short 15-minutes to discover another example of Dominica’s rich volcanic history at the Soufriere Sulphur Springs. There is a network of trails you can explore or simply soak in the relaxing, warm and rejuvenating Sulphur water in one of the pools fed from the volcanic activity in the Soufriere hills. The springs are known for their ability to relieve stress, cure rheumatism, and other ailments reported. More importantly, they feel just fine! It is worth a visit to the pretty town of Soufriere and you can also make a stop at Bubble Beach, where you can have a drink or snack and play around in the rudimentary hot pools that have been fashioned from rocks where the sea meets the bay.Then proceed to the peninsula of Scott ‘s Head, a narrow isthmus separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea, where you can hike to take advantage of the most spectacular views.
Day 09: Departure
Morning Breakfast at Hotel.
Check out from Hotel.
Then proceed towards airport for your departure.
Place | Night (s) | Hotels |
Domenica | 01 | Picard Beach Cottage |
Carbits National Park | 07 | Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski |
- Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
- Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
- 08 nights in accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per Program
- Boat Ride
- Guide Services ( English language )
- Entrance fees to the monuments.
- All taxes.
• International flights
• Personal Expenses.
• Camera / Video Camera Fees.
• Medical Aid.
• Tipping.
• Travel Insurance.
• Visa If any.
• Accommodation in good hotels.
• Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
• Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
• A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
• If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
• While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
• Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
• In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.