Paria Springs Eco-Community and TIDCO
invite tour operators and media to experience Trinidad’s
Eco/Adventure offerings first-hand at the upcoming FAM/Media Trip
in Trinidad between October 27 and November 3, 2004, throughout
the island. Events begin on Wednesday, 27 October, which is when
we recommend that people arrive in Port of Spain. CLICK
HERE for a more specific itinerary.
Wednesday, 27th October: ARRIVAL
Arrive in Trinidad’s Piarco Airport (airport code: POS),
where you will be met by TIDCO and Paria Springs’ representatives
and transfer to Carnetta’s Inn.
Thursday, 28th October: Meet
the Industry Sponsors; Rainforests, Waterfalls & Kayaking
After breakfast, head north to Trinidad’s spectacular North
Coast. Our adventure begins in the rainforests of the dramatic
Northern Range, where we’ll hike over some short hills and
see and experience the rainforest and its wildlife. Our walk ends
at a gorgeous 70-foot waterfall, where you’ll take a revitalizing
swim in the small pool at the base of the falls. After the waterfall,
we’ll board either single or double kayaks at the mouth
of the Marianne River and the Caribbean Sea, and glide into the
river system. We’ll stay in the unique Pena Blanc, which
has a roll-off roof, and eat an absolutely delicious local meal
prepared by local Carib Amerindians. Topping off the local dinner
is entertainment by a local Parang and Calypso group (Parang is
a traditional form of lively music with Spanish roots, and Trinidad
is the birth place of Calypso).
Friday, 29th October: Red Howler
Monkeys & Transfer To Grande Riverre:
After an early start, we head off to see the amazing red howler
monkeys in the Bush Bush area of Nariva Swamp, driving through
miles of Coconut Palm Trees along the east coast. Hiking along
a flat trail into Bush Bush one can access the monkey viewing
area, where will spend about 5 hours. Getting good views of Howlers
may also mean going off the main trail, tracking them by following
their call. We also will be looking for the much smaller and secretive
White-fronted Capuchins, birds like the Black-crested Antshrike
and Macaws, or butterflies like the Blue Emperor Morpho. A local
family will host and serve a fabulous curry lunch, after which
we head off to Galera Point, where the Atlantic Ocean crashes
into the Caribbean Ocean, then ease over to Grande Riverre, where
we check into Le Grande Almandier and take a swim in the ocean.
Saturday, 30th October: Optional
Tour, Relax, or Adventure Race & Adventure Festival:
On this day you have the option of being taken out on a tour in
the area to waterfalls, or sightseeing or just to relax on the
beach. In the afternoon there will be a short adventure race that
you may join if you wish. Also you will want to spend some time
at the Adventure Festival.
Sunday, 31st October: Optional
Tour, Relax, or Mountain Bike Race & Adventure Festival:
Today there will be several mountain bike races that you may join
if you wish. Also you will be spending some time at the Adventure
Festival to see the International Surfing and various adventure
competitions.
Monday, 1st November: Grande
Riverre River Gorge:
Our day of adventure is spent in the Grande Riverre River, where
you choose the type of adventure you want to take. We start walking
up the river through agricultural lands and into rainforest. Here
amazing butterflies, toucans, lush trees and nature welcome you.
Enter the refreshing waters of the Grande River and float, hike
and swim your way to the beach and back to Le Grande. If you are
fit and want a tougher adventure, we then hike for more than 2
hours through the forest where we enter a small gorge, climbing
over waterfalls pool to pool. Then we return via the river where
we climb over massive boulders, jump off waterfalls, swim long
pools navigating down the river for about four hours before returning
to Le Grande Almandier.
Tuesday, 2nd November: Tamana
Hill & Cave:
After packing and breakfast, we head for Mount Tamana, which lies
on the eastern edge of the Central Range, south of Sangre Grande.
These ancient reefs have been carved with intricate cave systems
that are now home to geckos and other critters, as well as millions
of bats! If we arrive early, we’ll head up to the summit
where wonderful views of the Northern and Southern Ranges may
be seen. At the cave we can enter and do some exploring as thousands
of bats fly around. The adventurous can wriggle through the small
hole that connects the first chamber to the rest of the cave system
and go exploring! We then wait at the cave entrance until the
sun sets, which is when millions of bats depart the cave. Stand
at the entrance as a “river” of bats stream past you,
producing a unique and exhilarating experience. We will stay in
Chateau Guillaumme.
Wednesday, 3rd November: Departure:
Return home via Piarco Airport in Port of Spain.
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