Rainforest and Beach

3 nts Cuffie River, 7 nts Castara

Overview

This itinerary includes 3 nights in an inland nature retreat and 7 nights in a stunning eco hotel in the village of Castara. At Cuffie River Nature Retreat you will spend three nights in one of their spacious deluxe rooms with views across the beautiful grounds. Meals are included and are taken in the airy dining room. The onsite bird guide will accompany you on a walk around the grounds and inform you of the local flora and fauna. There are many bird species on the grounds of the hotel including Rufous Tailed Jacamar, Trinidad Motmot, an array of hummingbirds that come to the feeders and feed on the surrounding plants, such as the White Tailed Sabrewing and the stunning Ruby Topaz. The lodge has many areas for viewing birds or just enjoying nature, there is also a open air pool and games room.

You then transfer to Castara Retreats an eco-hotel set in the cliff above Castara Village and with stunning views across Castara Bay. Each room is individual at Castara and they have open air living rooms, some of outside terraces with tables and chairs, and they have fully equipped kitchens. Onsite is the Caribbean Kitchen restaurant where lunch and dinner is served. Castara Retreats is also a short walk from the village of Castara where you can relax on the beach, snorkel from the shore, or dine out in one of the local restaurants. The fishermen of Castara use seine nets to fish and you can watch them bringing in the catch at the end of the day, or even join in.

Included in your stay is a guided walk in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve where you may see a number of bird species, as well as snakes, lizards and small mammals. Another day you will take a trip to Little Tobago which is a bird reserve island off the north east coast of Tobago and you may have a chance to spot rare Red Footed Boobies, Tropicbirds and Magnificent Frigate birds.

Price Guide

10 nights from £1,870 per person based on double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average flight prices vary depending on time of year and can be considerably more expensive at peak times (Christmas, Easter, Summer). Flight routes vary, please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Call for specialist advice

020 8274 8510

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival and transferred to Cuffie River Nature Retreat, relax at the hotel and enjoy the pool or watch the array of brightly coloured hummingbirds on the feeders or in the gardens. In the evening you will dine in the open air restaurant this evening (D).

Day 2

Today you will take a guided nature walk with onsite guide who will share with you his vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna. You may see the endemic White-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird, Blue-backed Manakin, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, Trinidad Motmot and the Rufous Tailed Jacamar (BLD).

Day 3

Take a guided wetlands tour with a Cuffie River guide and explore the south western part of the island, visiting places like the Bon Accord lagoon and the Tobago plantations where you may see a variety of wetland birds such as Yellow Crowned Night Herons, White Cheeked Pintails, Black Bellied Whistling Ducks. Overnight Cuffie River Nature Retreat (BLD).

Day 4

Transfer by vehicle to nearby Castara Village to stay at Castara Retreats. Settle into your room and enjoy the stunning views across the bay (B).

Day 5

Met at Castara Retreats by your naturalist guide for a trip to the Main Ridge Rainforest Reserve and take a guided walk. Overnight Castara Retreats.

Day 6

Today you will travel to Speyside in the north east of the island and take a trip to Little Tobago, an island which is a protected bird sanctuary. You will take a walk with your naturalist guide who will help you spot birds such as the majestic Red Billed Tropicbird, rare Red Footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds. After walking to the lookout on the island you will visit a nearby reef for some snorkelling. Overnight Castara Retreats.

Day 7

Day at leisure. Hire sunloungers to relax on the beach at Castara, snorkel around the bay or visit the nearby waterfall. Or visit neighbouring beach Englishman's Bay which is peaceful and secluded with a few stalls and a local restaurant. Hiring a car is an option to visit some of the waterfalls of the island or to visit the beach at Pigeon Point. Overnight Castara Retreats.