dossier
Secrets of St. Lucia Walk
SECRETS OF ST LUCIA - DAY BY DAY & WHERE YOU STAY
Le Haut Plantation AAA
Soufrière, Days 1+2+3
This wonderful hotel is located in Soufrire, the original French capital of St Lucia. It sits on a steep mountainside high above the town, facing the most impressive view St Lucia has to offer – the two pitons. The views of the sea below and the pitons across the bay are really enthralling. La Haut Plantation grows a variety of tropical plants on its 52 acres of land such as: Coffee, cocoa, nutmeg, cashew nuts, soursop, guavas, mangoes, avocadoes, breadfruit, papaya, bananas and plenty of coconuts. The gardens are also teeming with many colours of flowers and tropical plants like bougainvillea, oleander, ginger lily, bird of paradise, crotons and hibiscus. Rooms at La Haut are painted in white with pale blue trim, in the style of the colonial Caribbean with fretwork trim. All rooms have king size beds, private balconies and en-suite bathrooms. They each have a ceiling fan, fridge, electric kettle and ample storage space. The furniture in all rooms is antique white rattan and blends well with the architecture of the building itself. The rooms do not have televisions, direct dial telephones or air conditioning, though nights are generally cool, with trade wind breezes to keep the temperatures and humidity down.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 1 Arrive on St Lucia
We meet you at the airport and transfer you to Soufrière (50 mins) in time for dinner .
Day 2 Balembouche country walk 10km/6mi/4hr
We explore the south today, taking an uphill path past wild ginger and pineapples to the only freshwater lake on the island where we enjoy lunch. We continue uphill past banana and cocoa trees to an atmospheric overgrown homestead lying next to abandoned cocoa drying sheds. We return on country
tracks via an ancient sugar mill to lovely Balembouche homestead on the coast, where we enjoy cold drinks on the wrap-around veranda, before returning for dinner .
Day 3 Grand Piton 5km/3mi/5hr
Grand Piton is the definitive St Lucia hike. We take our time ascending the challenging trail under sugar apple and avocado trees, passing caves where escaped slaves made camp. After being rewarded with fantastic views from the top and enjoying a picnic, its back down to the hotel where two panoramic
swimming pools await.
Day 4 Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail 5km/3mi/3hr
Following a drive along the west coast, our walk takes us along the Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail, a haven for bird life with 30+ species, including the endemic St Lucia Black Finch, Parrot, Warbler, Oreole and Pewee. The trail also provides a breathtaking view of the John Compton Dam, the largest in the Eastern Caribbean. After lunch, we continue to our second hotel, the Auberge Seraphine.
Auberge Seraphine AAA
Castries, Days 4+5+6+7
Auberge Seraphine is a colonial villa style property located around Pointe Seraphine at the entrance to the main harbour of Castries. The hotel itself overlooks Vigie Yacht Marina from where yachts and boats take out daytrippers, and is just next to a natural water feature providing a home for dozens of white egrets who come home to roost here every evening in the surrounding trees. The twenty-four rooms are spacious and presented in a simple Caribbean style with white walls and floors, wicker beds and white embroidered bed covers. All are air-conditioned and come with cable TV and direct dial telephone.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 5 Free day
Lots of choice for your free day today in Castries. Perhaps start with a visit to the local market - full of local character - then perhaps a spot of duty free shopping in the famous tax-free centre at Pointe Seraphine. Spend the afternoon on the beach, or alternatively, just laze by the fabulous pool and soak up the stunning Caribbean views.
Day 6 Mamiku Gardens Trail 7km/4mi/3hr
We follow a trail through the Mamiku Plantation, stopping off as we fancy to snack on coconuts fresh from the trees! Our gentle ascent through bamboo and sugar cane is rewarded with fabulous views out across Praslin Bay. After lunch we descend to the ruins of a small fort where Sir John Moore commanded British soldiers in C18.
Day 7 Turtle Beach 15km/9mi/5hr
We begin with views of Sorcerer’s Mountain and the Mabouya Valley as we descend steeply through an iguana sanctuary past bananas, bamboo and breadfruit trees to the crashing azure Atlantic surf at Grand Anse beach. After a picnic under the palms we walk through a series of steep sided valleys spotting
orange and black St Lucia oreoles, before arriving at the pastel houses of Desbarra village. We return to the hotel from here in time for a swim before dinner .
Day 8 Leave St. Lucia
Spend the morning at leisure before we take you back to the airport for the flight home - extra nights possible, just call for details.
WALKING DETAILS
Walkers should be confident and comparatively fit. All trails are well cut - the Grand Piton walk is stepped, fairly steep and challenging in places. Walking boots are essential.
For extra nights we recommend either of the below hotels.