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The Best of the Lesser Antilles
Tour Code: LCA02An exciting 12-day tour in search of endemic Caribbean birdlife, cetaceans and other wildlife on the stunning islands of St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Dominica.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Nestled in the glittering Caribbean Sea, the Lesser Antilles archipelago is a chain of largely submerged mountains. The outer arc from Anguilla to Barbados comprises largely flat limestone islands; the inner arc is a series of dramatic volcanic cones from Saba to Grenada. This holiday takes us to the lush, heavily forested, volcanic islands of St. Lucia, Dominica and Guadeloupe, each home to a diverse range of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife with high endemism.
- Fantastic range of endemic birdlife
- Whale-watching (Sperm Whales likely)
- Wonderful Caribbean climate
- Stunning scenery, including the sprawling Des Cartiers Rainforest
- Private catamaran cruise along St. Lucia’s stunning west coast
- Stay in locally owned boutique hotels
- French picnic with local Ti' Punch
- Snorkelling over a coral reef
Grading
A/B. This tour is mostly graded 'A' – mostly easy birdwatching walks, though occasionally in fairly steep and mountainous terrain. All excursions are optional. The walking is not strenuous throughout the trip, with the exception of one hike on St. Lucia. The Des Cartiers trail is approximately 1.25 miles each way, and there is a gradual ascent on the way up to the viewpoint. Walking poles are advised for those who would usually use these, or for those who feel unsteady on their feet.
We start and end this holiday on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, enjoying our first three nights on a secluded 60-acre site with lush, tropical gardens and private beach. Even at breakfast, on the large open-air verandah, we can enjoy nesting Antillean Crested Hummingbirds, Bananaquits and Mangrove Cuckoos. Birding the sprawling Des Cartiers Rainforest, coastal woodlands, and dry broad-leaved forests, species will range from the magnificent St. Lucia Parrot, minuscule Lesser Antillean Euphonia, bemusing Grey Trembler and inquisitive Scaly-breasted Thrasher. At the island's highest point we find Red-billed Tropicbirds! We also take a boat trip to St. Lucia’s two small island neighbours - Maria Major and Maria Minor, home to two of the rarest reptiles on the planet: St. Lucia Whiptail Lizard and St. Lucia Racer! Another privately chartered catamaran cruise allows us to snorkel in the calm, azure waters, home to Hawksbill and Green Turtles as well as a staggering variety of tropical fish.
Leaving St. Lucia, we take a short flight to the stunning, forest-clad, rugged island of Dominica for four nights. Within the lush rainforests of towering Mt. Soufriere we aim to observe a range of species from the critically endangered Whistling Warbler to the majestic Imperial Amazon, with migrant North American warblers such as American Redstart, Prothonotary and Black-and-White Warbler. Again, we shall take to the waters to observe mighty Sperm Whales at close quarters along with other cetaceans and a range of special seabirds.
We then enjoy two nights on Guadaloupe. We will spend a relaxed morning birding in Parc National de la Guadeloupe. In the north of the island we visit a large wetland which, given the timing of our tour, should prove a reliable site for a selection of overwintering North American waders and waterfowl. These tiny island gems are a true naturalist’s delight.
Outline Itinerary
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
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