Selected by National
Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of
the
"Top Twenty-five New Trips
of 2010"
Spend a week exploring
the hidden gem of the Caribbean –
Montserrat. Known as the Emerald Isle, this
small island was knocked down by Hurricane
Hugo in 1989, then again by a series of
eruptions at the Soufriere Hills volcano
beginning in 1995. Knocked down but not
out, Montserrat is mounting a comeback and
offers visitors a unique opportunity to
witness devastation and recovery, side by
side.
During this six
day/five night package you will visit the
Volcano Observatory to view a history of the
eruptions and the devastation they have
wrought. Although the capital city of
Plymouth, destroyed by an eruption in 1997,
is off limits to visitors by land, you can
view this modern day Pompeii from a variety
of vantage points on the island as well as
up close and personal with a guided boat
tour that takes you just meters from shore.
While the southern
portion of the island remains buried in ash,
the north blooms with color. Opportunities
abound for hiking through lush rainforests
and swimming in crystal clear waters teeming
with life. Local guides will lead you on
adventures through fields of heliconia to
find the Montserrat Oriole and the Mountain
Chicken, a nearly extinct species of frog
found only in Montserrat & Dominica. Kayak
tours along the Leeward Coast of Montserrat
provide ample opportunities for snorkeling
on secluded beaches and exploration of our
world famous bat cave, home of the
endangered fruit bat. A trip to another
nearby extinct volcanic island for hiking or
diving completes your experience.
After a full day of
exploration, relax in the privacy of your
own vacation villa, perched atop the hills
overlooking the volcano and the Caribbean
Sea. Tradewinds Real Estate will ensure
that you have everything you need to make
your villa experience a pleasure!
The villas are fully
furnished and equipped, so just bring your
suitcase. Each villa has a full kitchen for
the gourmet in you - or not!!! There is
Cable TV with 50 stations including CNN &
BBC, high speed internet for your laptop, CD
and DVD players (so bring your favorite
music & movies if you wish). Delight in the
private fresh water swimming pool, and catch
some rays while drinking a refreshing ice
tea or rum punch. Sunsets are amazing, and
yes, you might even see the elusive Green
Flash (not to be mistaken for a Green
Monkey!). As night approaches, watch the
fire flies dancing in the air preparing you
for a star-studded sky.
Villas are located near
restaurants and the grocery store is only a
5 minute drive. Walk down to the beach and
talk to the fishermen as they pull in their
morning catch. Pick mangoes and limes off
the trees in your garden. Your package will
include accommodations (based on double
occupancy) at one of the following beautiful
villas:
Villa Pimenta: Gorgeous
pimento colored home & 30 ft pool with
spectacular view of volcano and beach,
sunsets, beautifully furnished in local red
cedar, terra cotta tile, and plump mint
green cushions, perfect for 2 or 4 persons,
and actually will sleep 6 adults and 2
children (in small bunk bed room).
Connemara: Crisp white
tiles and furnishings compliment the
surroundings, this villa also overlooks the
beach and volcano, and has a large outdoor
living area on the same level as the 30 ft
pool. Perfect for 2 or 4 persons, but will
also sleep 6 adults and 2 children (in small
room off one of the guest bedrooms).
Vest View: Cozy 2
bedroom villa overlooking the beach and with
volcano view, with 24 ft pool that is 6 feet
deep in deepest end. An indoor/outdoor
living area w/gazebo and shutters really
bring the view inside.
Several other villas
are available in the same price range.
Extra nights are also available at seasonal
rates. For more information about
accommodations or to reserve your villa,
contact Tradewinds Real Estate at
susan@tradewindsmontserrat.com
or visit their website at
www.tradewindsmontserrat.com.
This package is
available throughout 2010 at a price of US
$885 (for the Vest Vue Villa Packages) or
$955 for the Pimenta or Connemara Villa
Package) per person (based on double
occupancy). You can make this even more
affordable with a group package. Rates for
a group of 4 are $785 and $830 respectively
(per person).
Voyage to the Volcano: Montserrat
Nature Adventures - Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in
Montserrat AM. You will be met at the
airport and accompanied to your villa where
your rental car will await you. After a
bit of time to unpack and enjoy the
spectacular view from your pool deck of the
volcano and Caribbean Sea, proceed
to the Green Monkey Dive Shop in the
soon-to-be new Capital city of Little Bay
for an afternoon of fun in the water. A
guided kayak tour of the Leeward Coast
awaits you, with stops along the way for
snorkeling at our secluded black sand
beaches.
Day 2 Explore
the Emerald Isle with your private guided
taxi tour. You will visit the world
renowned Montserrat Volcano Observatory;
drink from the water at Runaway Ghaut
(legend has it that those who drink from her
waters are destined to return); explore the
little Bay area where the new capital city
is taking shape; and
take in the views from the Jack Boy Hill
volcano viewing facility which overlooks the
destroyed “old airport” on the eastern side
of the island. Somewhere in between you
will stop for a lunch of delicious roti and
local vegetables and end your tour at a one
of our “rumshops” for a game of dominoes.
(Drinks are not included)
Day 3 Rise
early this morning, grab a bottle of
Montserrat-bottled water, and meet your
local guide for a hike through one of
Montserrat’s mountain trails. You will
find yourself surrounded by heliconia,
bananas, mango trees, and a variety of
other fruit trees and foliage unique to
Montserrat. Along the way, your guide
will call the Montserrat Oriole, our
rare National Bird. You will also have
the opportunity to observe a species
that few in the world have ever seen –
the Mountain Chicken. This nearly
extinct genus of frog is found only in
two countries: Montserrat & Dominica.
After a morning of
exploring by foot, you will spend the
afternoon exploring via sea. Nothing can
get you closer to a view of the devastation
wrought by the Soufriere Hills volcano that
a guided boat tour with the Green Monkey
Dive Shop. Departing from Little Bay, the
trip proceeds south past the luxurious
Cliffside villas so distinctive to
Montserrat, past the Belham River Valley
where the rich and famous used to show off
their golf strokes, then on to the former
capital city of Plymouth. Years of
eruptions and pyroclastic flows have nearly
buried parts of the town, but much of it
still stands, rising out of the mud and ash
and standing against the background of the
steaming giant.
Day 4 It’s
another early morning as you rise for the
hour-long boat ride to the nearby
uninhabited island of Redonda. The island
“Kingdom” of Redonda lies fifteen miles
northwest of Montserrat and was once “ruled”
by Montserrat under King Felipe I. For
those who are divers, Redonda’s underwater
world offers pristine virgin diving with
magnificent visibility. You will marvel
at six-foot barrel sponges, completely
untouched by human hands. Swim with giant
Southern Stingrays, Moray Eels, and the
occasional Spotted Eagle Ray, while keeping
watch for Nurse Sharks and ancient
Barracudas reaching more than five feet
long. Divers can also search for remnants
of the sunken barge along with ships’
anchors encrusted in a myriad of
multi-colored coral. For non-divers,
there’s plenty to do as well. You can
choose to snorkel with the families of Sea
Turtles, or, for the truly adventurous, a
hike to the summit of Redonda to see the
remnants of the 19th century mining camp is
an accomplishment few have experienced.
After returning to
Montserrat and relaxing for a few hours by
the pool, enjoy dinner at Olveston House,
the private home of Beatle’s producer Sir
George Martin. This beautifully landscaped
villa has been transformed into a guest
house featuring a popular restaurant, pool,
tennis court, and views of the Soufriere
Hills volcano. The menu offers a selection
of British favorites, infused with an island
flare. (Drinks are not included)
Day 5 Sleep in
this morning, enjoy breakfast and a cup of
coffee on your veranda, then head to the
Green Monkey for another day of kayaking.
This time, you will head north to
Montserrat’s only white sand beach,
Rendezvous Bay, where a spectacular reef
awaits you. You are likely to have this
secluded beach all to yourself. And on the
way, tie the kayak to the nearby mooring and
snorkel into the “bat cave,” if you dare!
After a day in the sun,
stop at the Monkey Bar for a few drinks at
their beach bar, and then do a bit of
souvenir shopping on your way home. Be sure
to stop at “Last Coconut in Paradise” where
Montserrat’s most famous photographer, Kevin
West, exhibits and sells his spectacular
photographs and paintings of the Soufriere
Hills Volcano.
Day 6 Your last
and final day in Montserrat is yours to do
with as you wish. Perhaps you’d like to
explore another of Montserrat’s many trails
– the Cot, the Dry Waterfall, or the Silver
Hills. Or visit one of Montserrat’s other
secluded beaches for a snorkel and picnic.
Or simply enjoy the pool at your villa. The
choice is yours today. Just be sure you
drank from the water at Runaway Ghaut!
This 6 day/5 night package includes:
Villa Accommodations
Airport transfers
Car rental for 5 days (including
driver’s license)
Guided Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
Island Tour with lunch (alcoholic drinks not
included)
Mountain Hike with Local Guide
Plymouth Boat Tour
Dive/Hike/Snorkel Trip to Redonda
Dinner at Olveston House (alcoholic drinks not
included)
Kayak Rental & Snorkel Gear for
Rendezvous Trip
BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY BY
CONTACTING US AT
info@divemontserrat.com or by phone at
664-496-2960 or
664-496-3483
