As a country that starts with G listed on Countryaah.com, the Guadeloupe islands are of volcanic origin. La Soufrière in Guadeloupe – the highest mountain in the Lesser Antilles at 1,467 m – and the 1,397 m high Montagne Pelée in Martinique are still active today.
Coral reefs in crystal clear water, impenetrable mangrove forests, sugar cane and banana plantations, dense rainforest and cloud-shrouded rugged mountains – the islands offer a multitude of different habitats in the smallest of spaces, populated by raccoons, iguanas, hummingbirds and turtles. Whales are also found off the coast. The rainforests impress with huge tree ferns, bougainvilleas and over 100 species of orchids. The poinsettia, which is so popular with us in winter, reaches heights of up to four meters.
- Day 1: Arrival in Guadeloupe – Welcome to the Caribbean
- Day 2: White beaches, steep cliffs – Grand Terre
- Day 3: The old smugglers’ trail – Basse Terre
- 4th day: A day off
- Day 5: Summit happiness: Climbing the La Soufrière volcano and bathing in a hot spring
- Day 6: Crossing to Dominica
- Day 7: The north coast of the pirate island
- Day 8: Gigantic natural spectacles at Boiling Lake
- Day 9: In the footsteps of the Kalinago Indians and swim in the Emerald Pool
- Day 10: Hike through the Morne Trois Pitons National Park
- Day 11: Crossing to Martinique
- Day 12: Treasure Bay
- Day 13: Free time to relax and unwind
- Day 14: The Pelée – Martinique’s summit
- Day 15: Farewell to paradise
- Day 16: Arrival at the destination airport
The “butterfly island” Guadeloupe combines wild, romantic landscapes rich in vegetation on Basse Terre and flat karst landscapes with sugar cane plantations and old colonial towns on Grande Terre.
Dominica, the greenest and most water-rich island of the Lesser Antilles, offers unique experiences especially for nature lovers and lonely palm-tree beaches characterize the north coast of the “Pirate Island”. On our third stop, Martinique, the tropical exotic mixes with the French lifestyle. The leisurely hikes lead through dense rainforest and tropical dry forests, along old Jesuit trails and up to the Pelée volcano. Connoisseurs will get their money’s worth when visiting a small distillery: This is where the famous Martinique rum is made.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
How to get to Guadeloupe – Welcome to the Caribbean
Flight to Guadeloupe (we would be happy to make you an offer). Arrival in the evening and transfer to the apartments on Grande Anse, the most beautiful beach on the island. Your group tour begins with the welcome dinner.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour
overnight in a hotel / bungalow in Guadeloupe
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
White beaches, steep cliffs – Grand Terre
Sugar cane, cocoa and vanilla thrive on the Grande Terre plantations. From Porte d’Enfer, the “gateway to hell”, we hike along the wave-lashing cliffs of Guadeloupe to Anse du Souffleur. Then we take a refreshing swim on the lonely beach and dine on freshly caught fish in the shade of a coconut palm.
Driving time: approx. 4 hours.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (12 km, +/- 100 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow in Guadeloupe
(B / L / -)
3rd day:
The old smugglers’ trail – Basse Terre
A chain of volcanic mountains overgrown with jungle forms the ridge of the Basse Terre. We hike to the Caribbean coast on an old smuggler trail. It is exciting to experience how the vegetation changes on our way down.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours.
Hike: approx. 4.5 hours (8 km, + 400 / -600 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow on Guadeloupe
(B / – / -)
4th day:
A day off
Enjoy the tranquility in the shade of a coconut palm or explore the exciting underwater world of the Caribbean with diving goggles and a snorkel. You also have the opportunity to take a boat trip to the lonely islands and mangrove coasts of the Grand Cul du Sac nature reserve (booking on site). A visit to the local botanical garden is not only recommended for plant lovers. Those who prefer to lace up their hiking boots can now explore the coast of Deshaies in northern Guadeloupe on their own, for example.
Optional hike: approx. 3 hours (8 km, +/- 250 m)
overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow in Guadeloupe
(B / – / -)
5th day:
Summit happiness: Climbing the La Soufrière volcano and bathing in a hot spring
In the morning we pay a visit to the market in the pretty town of Basse-Terre, with its colorful colonial-style houses. La Soufrière volcano is still active. We climb the highest mountain in Guadeloupe at 1,456 m over the high savannah. Above, a bizarre moonscape awaits us with smoking chimneys and crevices from which sulfur fumes emerge. After the ascent, the warm springs of the Baines Jaunes invite you to take a relaxing bath. On the way back we make a stop at the rushing Ecrevisses waterfalls.
Driving time: approx. 5 hours.
Hike: approx. 3.5 hours (6 km, +/- 400 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow in Guadeloupe
(B / – / D)
6th day:
Crossing to Dominica
We can still use the morning to relax, because the ship does not go to Dominica, the most pristine island of the Lesser Antilles, until the afternoon. The
colorful market of Roseau, the capital of Dominica, is worth a visit alone. We dive into the world of Caribbean smells and colors. We arrive at our hotel in the evening.
Travel time: approx. 3 hours.
Ferry: approx. 2.5 hours.
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow on Dominica
(B / – / D)
7th day:
The north coast of the pirate island
Right up in the lonely north of Dominica, a varied hike takes us above the cliffs along the picturesque coast to the palm beach of Capucin. In the afternoon we take a boat trip on the Indian River to the locations of the film “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
Travel time: approx. 3 hours.
Boat
tour: 40 minutes, hike: approx. 4 hours (6 km, +/- 250 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow on Dominica
(B / L / -)
8th day:
Gigantic natural spectacles at Boiling Lake
Passing steaming cracks in the ground and sulfur springs, the ascent leads through the rainforest up to Boiling Lake, a lake that is actually boiling. It steams, foams and bubbles – a unique spectacle of nature. The forces of volcanism can still be experienced here in full effect. This is the most demanding hike of our trip.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours.
Hike: approx. 6 hours (13 km, +/- 900 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow on Dominica
(B / – / D)
Day 9:
In the footsteps of the Kalinago Indians and swim in the Emerald Pool
Today we are walking in the footsteps of the locals. The Kalinago Indians still live in the northeast of the island. We get to know the way of life and the culture of the Caribs from then and now. Part of the “national hiking trail” leads us to the museum village of Barana Autê. Here we learn more about the history, boat building and the typical wickerwork made from Laruma grass. Here we also spend your lunch with a magnificent view. On the way back we visit the impressive Emerald Pool, which invites you to take a refreshing swim in the middle of the pristine rainforest.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours.
Hike: approx. 2 hours (8 km, +/- 200 m)
Overnight in a hotel / bungalow on Dominica
(B / L / -)
10th day:
Hike through Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Today is the Morne Trois Pitons National Park on the program. We hike through dense tropical forests to Middleham Falls, where the water rushes through the jungle from a great height. Afterwards we also explore the no less impressive Trafalgar Falls. The twin waterfalls plunge down from 40 and 20 meters. After all, what could be a nicer way to end it than a bath in the hot, steaming sulfur springs called “Ti Kwen Glo Cho”. The joint dinner rounds off our eventful day.
Driving time: approx. 4 hours.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+ 350 / – 300 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow on Dominica
(B / – / -)
11th day:
Crossing to Martinique
Today we take the ferry to Martinique, the last stop of our active trip. We live here in a charming, typical accommodation above the small bay of Tartane, a small fishing village with restaurants and shops. It is only 200 meters to a very beautiful palm-fringed beach. We can explore the romantic surroundings on a first walk along the Atlantic coast.
Travel time: approx. 3 hours
Ferry: approx. 3 hours
Hike: approx. 2 hours (7 km)
Overnight in a hotel / bungalow in Martinique
(B / – / -)
12th day:
The treasure bay
Tropical dry forests and mangroves grow in the nature reserve of the Caravelle peninsula. On the hike we get to know this surprisingly different side of Martinique and visit the castle ruins of the Barons of Dubuc.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (9 km, +/- 100 m)
Overnight in a hotel / bungalow in Martinique
(B / – / D)
13th day:
Leisure day to unwind
Today just enjoy the Caribbean way of life and the white sandy beaches. If you want, you can also go on an individual excursion and take the ferry from Fort-de-France to the coastal community of Les Trois-Îlets. Here you can relax wonderfully in the beautiful Mitan Bay or take a leisurely stroll through the tranquil town center.
Overnight in a hotel / bungalow in Martinique
(B / – / -)
14th day:
The Pelée – Martiniques summit
The green cone of the Pelée rises mightily over the island. As you climb from the mountain village of Morne Rouge, you will always have new, breathtaking views of the green hills of the Piton du Carbet and the north coast. On the way back we visit a rum distillery in St. Marie. Learn all about the real treasure of the Caribbean. The best, it is said, come from Martinique.
Driving time: approx. 4 hours.
Hike: approx. 5 hours (5 km, +/- 800 m)
Overnight stay in a hotel / bungalow in Martinique
(B / – / D)
15th day:
Farewell to paradise
Enjoy the morning on the Caribbean beach. In the afternoon our group tour ends with the transfer to the airport. Flight back to Paris and then on to the starting point. We reach it the following day. Or extend a few more days. We recommend a few extra nights in a group hotel (prices on request).
Driving time: approx. 1 hour
(B / – / -)
16th day:
Arrival at the destination airport
Back in Europe
