Guadeloupe: Caribbean Walks and Whales in the French West Indies

The Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and has been an integral part of France since 1816. French, African and East and West Indian influences have created a fascinating blend of Creole language, French colonial and Antillean architecture, and the distinctive Gwoka music - plus tropical fruits, delicious seafood, excellent local rums and imported French wines.

Walks in the mountain forests and along scenic coastal paths in the National Parks are complemented by superb snorkelling and swimming, a whale and dolphin watching trip, a morning exploring the colourful markets and museum of Pointe-a-Pitre and visits to coffee and cocoa plantation houses. Hummingbirds hover over the luxuriant tropical flowers, magnificent frigate birds patrol the beaches and the alizés (tradewinds) keep the temperature a pleasant 80°..........

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting in the afternoon at Pointe-à-Pitre’s international airport we have a 45 minute road transfer along the south coast. Once settled into our hotel (comfortable individual cottages in bright Caribbean colours, each with a private verandah opening into the luxuriant tropical gardens) we can stroll down through the grounds to the private white sand beach for our first swim. Drinks (the local favourite is ti punch, made with fresh lime, cane sugar and Guadeloupe rum) are served in the clifftop bar, with breathtaking ocean views, before our introductory dinner together.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

Our first day's walk begins at the ruined windmill of a former sugar estate and then takes us along a spectacular coastal path where the limestone rock has been sculpted by the waves into dramatic arches, blowholes and caves. At La Porte d'Enfer - paradoxically, a calm and limpid clear lagoon - we swim and snorkel, then picnic under the sea grape trees. The afternoon is free to enjoy the gardens and private beach before dinner in a characteristic nearby restaurant - a typical Guadeloupe menu here might include a gratin of christophine (a local vegetable), magret de canard au cacao and bananas flambéed in rum.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

Between the islands of Grande Terre and Basse Terre lies the marine reserve of Grand Cul-de-Sac, a shallow protected lagoon containing mangroves and scattered small islands. Once aboard our VTT des mers (a Porsche version of a pedalo!) we set off pedalling quietly through the mangroves with a local naturalist explaining the intricacies of this marine ecosystem. Magnificent frigate birds, plus snowy and cattle egrets breed on the islets and royal terns and brown pelicans fish around us. Landing on a deserted sandy beach, we swim and snorkel whilst a barbecue lunch is prepared - inquisitive mongooses often attend in the hope of a snack! We return in the late afternoon and dine once more in the hotel's well regarded restaurant, enjoying the wonderful view over the Caribbean.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

Pointe-à-Pitre, the island’s small capital, has a lively and colourful market by the inner harbour - women wearing traditional Madras cotton turbans sell flowers, spices, cocoa bricks, baskets, straw hats and mountains of tropical fruits and vegetables. We visit the nearby Museum Saint-John Perse, an ornate colonial era building constructed by the Eiffel factory, before crossing to the more mountainous island of Basse Terre. After lunch on the quiet seafront in Sainte Rose, we drive along the spectacular north coast road and stroll amongst the luxuriant vegetation of the Botanic Gardens, full of orchids, ginger, strelizias, giant leaved philodendrons and vanilla. Our destination is a natural harbour popular with yachts, backed by high green hills where our hotel is placed on a splendid vantage point, with well-appointed, light and airy rooms in wooden villas overlooking the sea.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

The spectacular Route de la Traversée takes us up into the centre of the island from where there are panoramic views over the leeward coast. We trace the course of the river Davide - a 2 hour walk through the incredibly lush green tropical forest, before a riverside picnic. In the afternoon we visit the late 17C coffee plantation at Beauséjour, superbly sited on the mountain summit. We follow an explanatory walking trail, visit the historic house and enjoy a cup of estate coffee, before returning to our hotel for some free time by the pool. At dinner we taste some more Créole fish specialities - perhaps blaff de poissons (a fish stew with pimento, thyme, cloves, garlic and lime) accompanied by baked breadfruit, and followed by wickedly good puddings!

DAY 6

B, L, D included

This morning we have a choice of activities: either walking and swimming at a quiet nearby beach; or, for confident and experienced swimmers, the opportunity to snorkel in the superb marine reserve around the Pigeon Islands (first brought to the world's attention by Jacques Cousteau) where the crystal-clear waters around these volcanic pitons reveal coral gardens and giant sponges alive with brilliantly coloured shoals of fish. After a seafood lunch we all board a stable 14m catamaran and head out into the Caribbean sea on a whale and dolphin watching trip, guided by a research group specialising in the study and protection of marine cetaceans and turtles - species we are likely to see include humpback and sperm whales, plus shoals of pan-tropical spotted dolphins.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

Travelling down the west coast of the island, we learn about the history and cultivation of chocolate (dégustation included) at La Maison du Cacao, have lunch overlooking a quiet cove and in Basse Terre, walk round the splendid Fort Louis-Delgrès, one of the great military architect Vauban's most elaborate constructions. The coastal road passes through characteristic Guadeloupe villages, with brightly painted tin roofs, lacy wrought ironwork, and goats, children and dogs wandering at will. Our hotel is a luxurious plantation property with fine sea and mountain views from the private verandahs (each provided with a hammock), an infinity pool and a restaurant featuring Créole influenced French cooking.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

This morning's walk high on the slopes of La Madeleine follows an often muddy path through the tropical forest to a spectacular waterfall. Lofty gommiers, wide-buttressed chataigniers, giant tree ferns, heliconias and ginger plants form the natural habitat of the racoon, symbol of the National Park, and provide the chance of seeing brightly coloured tree frogs and the endemic Guadeloupe black woodpecker. After a picnic with far reaching views out over the Caribbean, we explore the Parc Archéologique des Roches Gravées. Paths criss-cross this beautiful botanical garden where huge banyan trees and clusters of flowering tropical plants are alive with hummingbirds, and petroglyphs dating from about 300 A.D. depict Arawak carvings of human faces, animals and simple geometric designs.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

En route to Basse Terre we follow the scenic coastal lanes and visit the lighthouse at Vieux Fort, before island-hopping by boat to the sleepy small island of Terre-de-Haut, capital of Les Saintes. On this relatively vehicle-free haven we walk through the narrow village lanes (with a detour via a wild beach) to our delightfully eccentric hotel, known far and wide for its first class restaurant. There is time for a ‘swim with a view’ before a candle-lit dinner.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

A winding lane leads us up to the commandingly sited Fort Napoleon which contains an interesting museum (one room is devoted to the decisive Battle of Les Saintes between England and France in 1782) and a cactus garden inhabited by enormous dragon-like iguanas. Walking on, we follow the lanes to a perfect coconut palm-backed beach where we swim before strolling back to the village. A late lunch is followed by an afternoon at leisure - sunbathing and reading, or exploring the fisherman's church and the little shops and cafes in the bright painted wooden houses around the harbour.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

More island hopping today, with a short boat ride across to neighbouring Terre-de-Bas, one of the most laid-back little islands in the Caribbean. We spend the morning walking up through the dry forest and along an avenue of flamboyants before returning via a panoramic route to lunch under the coconut palms. There is good surf on this beach - the less energetic may prefer a hammock! We return to Terre-de-Haut by boat in the late afternoon and enjoy a farewell rum punch and dinner under the brilliant Caribbean stars.

DAY 12

B included

Our final morning is left free for individual interests before we board the afternoon boat back to Pointe-a-Pitre - a spectacular journey, with the mountains of Basse Terre to port and the scattered islands of the archipelago and Dominique visible to stern. Our visit to Guadeloupe concludes with an airport transfer for evening flights home.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 12 on a double shared basis

All meals with wine at lunches and dinners, other than those excepted in the daily notation

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

All boat transportation between islands as described in the itinerary

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU and the US currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to France. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of France.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to France. Residents of countries in the EU can claim free (emergency) medical treatment in France by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is issued in the UK by the Department of Health. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by 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.