The Grenadine islands, scattered like green jewels in an impossibly aquamarine sea, are just as one imagines the ‘old’ West Indies, exclusive and unspoilt.
The Grenadine islands, scattered like green jewels in an impossibly aquamarine sea, are just as one imagines the ‘old’ West Indies, exclusive and unspoilt.
We commence our journey with two nights on the mountainous island of St Vincent, discovering the Botanical Gardens, endemic parrots and British colonial architecture. Established in 1765 to ‘facilitate botanical discoveries and encourage the cultivating of nutritional, medicinal and commercial improvements for the island’s population’, the St. Vincent Botanic Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in the Western Hemisphere. Our guided walk through this important national landmark provides the perfect introduction to our 11-day trip through this tropical archipelago.
A short ferry ride takes us to sleepy, laid-back little Bequia, exuding a quiet Caribbean charm that never fails to enchant visitors. Situated at the top of the Grenadine chain, the island has a centuries-old tradition of shipbuilding, piracy and sailing. During our eight-night stay at luxury beachfront suites, we walk gently on country lanes and through fishing villages, explore a historic plantation and a model boat workshop, have opportunities to swim from sandy beaches and snorkel over coral reef and take two full day sailing trips to Mustique and the Tobago Cays.
HIGHLIGHTS of our walking tour include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
'Caribbean bliss! It's a beautiful part of the world and it was one of the best holidays we have ever taken.'
'Very well researched and organised tour with beautiful beaches, restaurants, countryside, numerous boat trips enjoying the blue skies and blue seas, the company and warmth of the local people, and rum punch! A really relaxing place for a varied holiday, highly recommended.'
'A wonderful and varied introduction to the West Indies - a highlight was sailing from Bequia to Mustique on the schooner Friendship Rose, and we loved being able to swim, shiver free, from idyllic palm fringed sandy beaches.'
DAY 1
D included
After meeting in the afternoon at St. Vincent’s international airport, we have a 30-minute drive to our historic hotel for 2 nights, a former colonial residence perched on a hill with panoramic views of the bay below. We enjoy a welcoming rum punch before dinner on the terrace.
Day 2
B, L, D included
A slow-paced day exploring locally begins with a stroll through the colourful fish and vegetable markets and visits to the 19th century Fort Charlotte and to St George’s Cathedral, the principal Anglican church of the Diocese of the West Indies. We have a guided tour of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the western hemisphere, particularly known for the collections of South Sea plants (including breadfruit) brought from Tahiti by Captain Bligh in 1793. The afternoon is free for relaxing by the pool at our hotel.
Day 3
B, L, D included
We start early for a guided walk along a well-maintained nature trail (1 mile) in the mountains, hoping to see and hear the endemic St. Vincent Parrot. Continuing into the rural interior, we reach the Montreal Estate, set at 1,500 feet, and walk the manicured paths between spice and tropical fruit plantings. Hummingbirds and bananaquits flit around heliconia and ginger flowers and broad-winged hawks soar overhead. After lunch on the coast, we catch the afternoon ferry for the one-hour scenic crossing to Bequia. We are met at the dock and whisked to our elegant beachfront hotel, with its extensive tropical grounds, two pools, library, spa and first-class restaurant overlooking the sea.
Day 4
B, L, D included
In the island’s small capital, Port Elizabeth, we take our bearings from the 18th century Hamilton Battery, located high above the harbour on Admiralty Bay, then walk down to visit one of the model boat-builder’s workshops for which the island is famous. We stroll through the lanes with their colourful wooden cottages and visit the delightful, blue-painted St Mary’s Anglican church, before walking around the bay to lunch at a sophisticated beach bar. The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing on the beach.
Day 5
B, L, D included
We are up in good time to board the ‘Friendship Rose’, a 100 ft Bequia schooner which served as the main island transport for decades. Once clear of the harbour, the sails are unfurled to catch the Trade winds; refreshments are served and we settle back on comfortable cushions for the scenic 3.5 hour sail across to the beautiful Tobago Cays. This group of 5 uninhabited islands set in a Marine sanctuary offers exceptional snorkelling over coral reefs and the opportunity to swim with green turtles. Lunch is served on board, Royal terns and Magnificent frigatebirds patrol the skies and everyone can enjoy the luxury of Grenadine island sailing.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
This morning we have a leisurely high-level walk from Mt. Pleasant, learning about pirates such as Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake, who regarded this as the best hiding place in the West Indies. After lunch and a swim from a lovely, hidden, small beach, we return to our hotel and enjoy grilled lobster and the local steel pan band in the evening.
Day 7
B, L, D included
Following a leisurely breakfast, we set off by open top jeep along the southwest coast, passing the traditional fishing villages of La Pompe, with marvellous views of the islands of Petit Nevis and Isle a Quatre, and Paget Farm, with its black-bellied Barbados sheep. On a short coastal walk we learn about the eccentric architecture of Moonhole, sea view rooms carved into the volcanic rock, with whalebone used as decor, before relaxing on the stunning white sand beach.
Day 8
B, L, D included
We visit a turtle sanctuary run by a retired fisherman to improve the survival rate of endangered hawksbill turtles, then walk on the wild Atlantic coast to ‘Firefly’, a 250 year old working plantation producing pineapples and coconuts. We have a guided walking tour and see their historic sugar mill before lunch on the estate. Back at our hotel, we have a free afternoon to enjoy the beach, with water sports available, swimming pools and extensive gardens.
Day 9
B, L, D included
Early this morning we board an elegant 63 ft yacht for a day sailing to the celebrated island of Mustique. The 2-hour passage is accompanied by flying fish and red-footed boobies and once anchored in Britannia Bay (named for the Royal Yacht) we go ashore for a guided jeep tour to see the villas of the rich and famous. We have time to explore the little fishing village of Lovell on foot and to snorkel or swim from a beach with many turtles before lunch in the legendary Basil’s Bar. Back on board the yacht we relax with a rum punch and enjoy the sail back to Bequia, hoping to see dolphins surfing on our bow wave.
DAY 10
B, L, D included
A privately guided tour of the Bequia Heritage and Boat Museum introduces us to the fascinating history and traditions of the island. A leisurely walk down through coconut groves brings us to Friendship Bay where we walk along the beach for a light lunch at a fun beach bar. In the afternoon, we can choose between free time investigating the art galleries and craft markets in the village or a snorkelling trip out to ‘the Devil’s Table’ in the bay, with a chance to see extensive fans and corals populated by many tropical fish species, octopuses and rays.
Day 11
B, L included
We spend our final morning relaxing on the hotel beach, or by the pool, before departing by ferry to St Vincent and on to the airport for international flights home or perhaps to spend a few additional nights on Barbados.
Please note that the double room for single use supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable.
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
Visitors from the UK, EU, USA and Canada currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. If you are a national of any other country, you will probably be granted a short stay visa on arrival. Please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Normally, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 guests.
