Grenada and Carriacou - Christmas Walking in the Spice Islands

Grenada and Carriacou - Christmas Walking in the Spice islands

According to legend, a Dutch missionary gave nutmeg seeds from the Moluccan islands of Indonesia to a Grenadian sea captain in the late 1700s - nutmeg trees thrived in the volcanic soil and tropical climate, as did cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, lemongrass, turmeric and ginger, earning Grenada its reputation as the Spice Island. The nutmeg is ubiquitous, even featuring on the national flag, and as we explore the island we walk through spice plantations, watch the processing at a Nutmeg Station, and enjoy rum punches Grenada-style, dusted with freshly grated nutmeg.

We stay in one hotel throughout, mahogany-built villas set on a private bay, taking daily walks in the tropical rainforests in the National Parks and along scenic coastal tracks; visiting some of the superb private gardens on the island; exploring the Forts, market and museum of the picturesque capital, St. George's; taking a whale and dolphin watching trip by catamaran; and swimming in waterfalls high in the hills. We island hop to the neighbouring island of Carriacou for a walk with marvellous views of the Grenadine island chain; and savour Grenadian cuisine based on fresh seafood and tropical vegetables with subtly spiced sauces.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting in the late afternoon at Grenada's small airport, we have a short drive along the south coast to our hotel, comfortable and well-equipped villas (with airconditioning plus fans, as preferred) and individual wooden verandahs facing the sea. We have a Grenadian rum punch at the poolside bar before dinner overlooking the yachts in the private bay.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

In nearby St. George's we board a fast catamaran for a whale and dolphin watching trip out in the Caribbean sea, hoping to see humpback, sperm and short-finned whales and bottlenose, striped, spotted and spinner dolphins. Lunch overlooking the Carenage is a gastronomic delight with dishes such as crabback baked with brandy and nutmeg and flying fish in a saffron and coconut sauce. Fortified, we explore the 18C Forts which protect the harbour and the Pre-Columbian collections of the National Museum, then round off the day with a visit to a private garden, famed for its orchid, cycad and palm collections, and an ideal vantage point to watch the sunset with a glass of wine to hand.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

This morning we walk on the east, Atlantic, coast of the island, following rough tracks which lead across low headlands and grassy savannahs grazed by goats to secluded small bays where we can swim and snorkel. Meeting our transport, we travel inland a short distance and then have a short uphill hike to the Royal Mount Carmel waterfalls, the tallest on Grenada, where we have the opportunity to take a cool freshwater ‘power shower’. This afternoon we have a guided walking tour of a spice farmer's co-operative, gaining an excellent introduction to the island's plants.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

We follow an old estate road through citrus groves and stands of nutmeg and cinnamon trees into a Forest reserve, with towering mahogany and gommier trees where Antillean crested humming birds are readily seen and Burmese mongoose and 9 banded armadillo may put in an appearance. Crossing mountain streams, we traverse Blue Mahoe forest and complete our walk descending through a cocoa plantation. The rest of the day is devoted to a Christmas meal Grenada - style and time to relax on the beach or by the pool.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

After a leisurely start we drive to the north of the island to walk along the fine beach and then look for herons, stilts and waders in the mangrove swamps of the Levera National Park. A traditional West Indian buffet lunch precedes a tour of the 18C Belmont Estate, originally planted for sugarcane but now devoted to cocoa and nutmeg. We follow the old-fashioned processing of the cocoa beans and can purchase the organic chocolate bars of the Grenada Chocolate Company before walking round the estate gardens.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

High in the mountains of the island's interior we take a fairly energetic walk round the Grand Etang lake, an extinct volcanic crater, and then 600 feet up through elfin mountain forest to the peak of Mt. Qua Qua, with commanding views if the mists lift! A muddy, slippery trail through dense rainforest, with many tropical ferns and rare orchids, continues to the Seven Sisters waterfalls where we can take a well - earned swim. Broad-winged hawks and Lesser Antillean swifts are common and if we are lucky we may encounter a troop of African Mona monkeys.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

We island-hop by ferry to Grenada’s small sister island of Carriacou, looking out for flying fish, brown pelicans and rare red-footed boobies en route. Landing at the ramshackle jetty in Hillsborough, we drive across to the fishing village of Windward to commence our walk on a track round the top of the island - the views of Petite Martinique, Union island and the Grenadines stretching north are superb. After a grilled fish lunch we relax on the aptly named Paradise beach before returning to Grenada on the late afternoon ferry.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

Travelling up the east coast we visit the Nutmeg Station in Grenville where a major portion of the world's supply of nutmeg and mace is traditionally processed by hand. Continuing to Lake Antoine, another extinct volcanic crater, we walk the perimeter (looking out for the Grenada snail kite and fulvous whistling-ducks) before visiting the River Antoine Rum Distillery, still powered by its 1785 waterwheel. We complete the day with a walk through the beautiful heliconia plantations of the Balthazar estate, source of Grenada's award-winning displays at the Chelsea Flower Show.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

This morning we take two contrasted short walks - the first, on a nutmeg shell-covered trail through undisturbed rainforest, leads up to a lookout platform with long views - the second is through spice, banana and citrus trees planted alongside a small river. After lunch we have an appointment to visit one of Grenada's most celebrated private gardens, where century-old mahogany trees shade hibiscus hybrids and bromeliads and Cuban Royal palms grace the lawns.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

We explore another delightful private garden, set amongst the ruins of a sugar mill, before relaxing for the rest of the day on a pink sand beach with good snorkelling on the coral reef offshore, plenty of shade for reading in comfort and a first class restaurant for lunch. We celebrate New Year's Eve in Grenadian style with a live Calypso band.

DAY 11

B, L included

A late brunch and a last leisurely swim before we transfer to the airport for flights home.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 11 on a double shared basis

All meals (with wine and Caribbean cold beer at lunches and dinners) as listed in the daily notation, including a festive Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve gala dinner

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

Ferry ticket for the return trip to Carriacou

The whale and dolphin watching trip as described

All entrance, sightseeing and guiding fees as described except during free periods

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Grenada. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Grenada.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Grenada. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for information on a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.