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wiki-travel forums |
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Arima fotos by triniview |
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| BIRD -WATCHING |
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The Asa Wright Nature Centre, Mount St Benedict, the Caroni Nature
Reserve, Nariva Swamp, the Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust,
bird-watching almost everywhere |
Birds of Trinidad & Tobago
more people are watching birds than football and hockey combined.
Brian Ramsey has packed his site full of information about the birds
of TnT and hopes you will become so enthused that buying his CD is a
next step. |
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oilbirds are
the primitive cave-dwelling birds that uses sonar to fly in
the dark |
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Northern Range. |
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The East-West Corridor |
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The corridor is the built-up area of north
Trinidad stretching from the capital, Port of Spain,
15 miles east to Arima.
The Corridor includes such towns as
Barataria,
San Juan,
St. Joseph,
Curepe, St. Augustine,
Tunapuna,
Tacarigua, Arouca, and Five Rivers, once distinct communities, now districts
within a continuous urban area. For the most part it runs along the
Eastern Main Road, between the
Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and the foothills of the
Northern Range. It is a densely populated and fairly congested strip of
development along some of the best agricultural soils in the country. |
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Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporations.
Regional Corporations
in Trinidad which replaced the system of
Counties as local government bodies in 1992.
The Tunapuna-Piarco Regional
Corporation is headquartered in
Tunapuna. Other towns include
Arouca,
Blanchisseuse,
Curepe,
St. Augustine,
Trincity, and
Piarco. |
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The Royal Borough of Arima
(population 35,000) is the fourth largest town in Trinidad and Tobago.
Located 26 km (16 miles) east of the capital,
Port of Spain, Arima supports the only organised indigenous
community in the country, the
Santa Rosa
Carib
Community and is the seat of the
Carib Queen (currently
Valentina Medina). Arima was founded in 1757 by
Capuchin friars as a mission to convert the
Amerindian population to
Christianity. The name is reported to mean "water".
Arima petitioned Queen Victoria for municipal status as
part of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. This was granted the following year
and Arima became a Royal Borough on August 1, 1888. Historically the
third town of Trinidad, Arima has slid into fourth position as
Chaguanas has boomed into the largest town in the country.
The
calypsonian
Lord Kitchener (1922-2000) was a favoured son of Arima. His remains
are interred in the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Cemetery, Arima.
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| The waterfalls of the Northern Range are at
their best during the rainy season (June-December) |
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Overnight Camping |
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"But what's really
unusual about Trinidad hiking is the option to overnight on many
treks, still something of a rarity since most Caribbean hikes aren't
long enough to justify an overnight campout.
Furthermore, on some islands camping is frowned
upon because someone sleeping outdoors doesn't help the hoteliers.
guideto
CaribbeanVacations.com |
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Arima in August |
August [ last week] Arima,
celebrates the Caribbean Amerindians who were settled in Trinidad
long before Christopher Columbus "discovered" it. The streets are
filled with festive processions, led by the Carib Queen, who is the
head of the Amerindian community in Arima. Amerindian food on
sale and art and craft displays of There are about
12,000 people in North-East Trinidad of Amerindian descent. A free
public event that's definitely worth seeing.
On the last Sunday in August is the feast of Santa Rosa de Lima at
the catholic church of the same name. |
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Wikipedia- our
key resource |
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Upon making your first contribution you might
be expected to get a message like
Curran her did.
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Butterflys |
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Trinidad is butterfly heaven:
620 different species of colorful "flutterbys."
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Orchids |
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700 types of orchids |
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Hummingbirds |
 17
humming birds. |
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Waterfalls |
- Aripo Waterfall: Wallerfield Road, North east Trinidad
- Madamas Waterfall: falls into Brasso River situated
North East of Trinidad.
- Rio Seco Waterfall: situated in the Salybia/Matura area
- Crown Trace.
- Lalaja Waterfall: North East Coast of Trinidad.
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Trinidad’s Northern Range and north coast are exceptional and can
only be explored well by car or with a tour guide. A day trip to
this part of the island will ensure that you come across the highest
mountains in Trinidad, El Cerro Del Aripo and El Tucuche.
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NORTHERN RANGE
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Trinidad's Northern Range Rainforest, a 2,313-acre reserve, offers an
incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna.
The densely forested peaks are home to over 100 species of
mammal, 430 types of bird and stunning waterfalls. A region of
tall, ancient rainforests and numerous waterfalls and rivers --- in full spate
or slow and meandering --- that suggest spontaneous dips on a hot day or magical
kayaking explorations.
Since Trinidad has no
dangerous animals, hiking is a safe and popular activity.
The Northern Range crosses the entire width of the island from Galera Point in
the North East to the Dragon's Mouth in the North West. The range rises into two
peaks, Cerro Aripo and El Tucuche, the highest point being 940.3 metres. Roads
have been built over the range to Maracas Bay and Blanchisseuse.
Within the Northern Range are three distinct nature preserves: Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Asa Wright Centre,
and Valencia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trinidad's Northern Range is
actually an eastern spur of the Andes, all that remains of a
sunken mountain range. Situated just seven miles off the coast, Trinidad was
probably joined to South America as little as 10,000 years ago.
Because of its
continental origins and close proximity to South America, Trinidad has
evolved into a huge animal and plant reserve, a
microcosm of South American flora and fauna. The island's unique location supports plants and wildlife native to both the Caribbean and South America. In addition to species such as the golden tree frog, armadillo, and wild pig, Trinidad also supports a thick canopy of palms, mahogany and balata.
| Places To Stay |
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asawright.org/ Asa Wright Nature Centre 667-4655 Arima |
The
Aripo cottage is built on one of several ridges in the verdant
Aripo valley of the Northern range of Trinidad and just nine miles
north of the town of Arima. The Aripo River with its impressive
limestone formations waterfalls and several pools of crystal clear
water in addition to the cottage pool which is supplied with water
from the natural springs awaits the less adventurous. A guide can be
made available on request for those who enjoy hiking or are
interested in visiting the Jabloteh Oil Birds which inhabit the
Aripo caves |
hosanna.isfun.net/
18 Units,
5 miles of the Piarco
International Airport to the east and 10 miles of the capital city
of Port of Spain to the west.
Smoke-free & alcohol-free hotel located within the Santa
Margarita district of the university suburb of St. Augustine a short
drive from The University of The West Indies (UWI).
" May God richly bless you! " Check
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sadilahouse.com/
Waterpipe Road, Five Rivers, Arouca, Trinidad, W.I. Tel: (868)
640-3659
west of
Arima and east of
Tunapuna |
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Le Sportel Inn & Nelson M
645-6324
34 Rooms Centre Of Excellence, Macoya Road | Tunapuna, Port of Spain, |
www.paxguesthouse.com
Pax Guest House Mt St Ben 662-4084
Tunapuna
18 rooms
A historical house with a teashop, dining rooms, nature trails, bird
watching, shuttle service and conference facilities.
Located at the edge of the Northern range and in the cooler heights of
Mt. St. Benedict Monastery Estate. Discover the
verdant rain forest and hike among nature trails.
About 5 minutes from the University of the West Indies. |
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Arima |
Trinidad’s third-largest city is home to the
last remaining organised group of Amerindians on the island, the Santa Rosa
Caribs.
Arima Attractions
Cleaver Park
This park is
located just off the Eastern Main Road and Cleaver Road in the Eastern Royal Borough of Arima. The
park is well known for its nature trails and a thatched hut containing a display
outlining the existence of the first descendents in Trinidad and Tobago, the
Amerindians.
Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church
built by the Capuchin priests who founded Arima
in the mid 1700s. A few years ago, the church received regional and
international attention when a statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered "crying"
tears of blood.
ANNUAL EVENT
August -
last Sunday - the feast of Santa Rosa de Lima
more
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Brasso Seco |
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Asa Wright Nature Center |
Asa
Wright Nature Centre
P.O. Box 4710, Arima Trinidad 667-4655
Covering 700 acres and including an old plantation house, the Center
also includes trails and guided tours, a small cave and man-made pool, and
minimal food accommodations.
Knowledgeable guides will lead you through this former cocoa
plantation, pointing out interesting species of birds, lizards, and other
animals that you may encounter on the way. Staff put out fresh fruit everyday to
attract birds, so that even sitting on the wide and comfortable verandah, a
guest will be entertained by the local fauna.
From Blanchisseuse: there's a winding route to the Asa Wright
Nature Centre that takes you through canyons of towering palms, mossy
grottoes, and imposing bamboo. In this rain forest keep an eye out for
vultures, parakeets, hummingbirds, toucans.
Trinidad enjoys are more than 430 different species of birds, 620
different species of butterflies, and 2,300 different flowering shrubs and
plants (700 of them orchids). |
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Mount St Benedict |
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Mount
St Benedict
Established in 1912 Mount St Benedict is the oldest Benedictine monastery
in the Caribbean lies on the flank of the Northern Range 800 feet above St
Augustine, with spectacular views over the central plains, beautiful gardens and
nature trails.
The breads and sweets are baked by the Benetictine monks, so they're fresh and
delicious. The cost is minimal for the tea service. The entire complex is
peaceful and because it is situated so high on the mountain, it is wonderfully
cool. For the physically fit, there are Stations of the Cross that begin
at the bottom of the mountain and end at the church. The Stations are along a
rather steep road, requiring exercise for the body and soul.
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Guanapo Waterworks
Once past the outskirts of Arima, a turn-off at the WASA Guanapo Waterworks sign
leads to the Heights of Guanapo Road . This is a fantastic hiking area,
but not a place to explore without a guide. The breathtaking Guanapo Gorge , the La Laja and Sombasson waterfalls are here
- a vine-wreathed deep channel, a twenty-metre and a three-tiered fifty-metre
cascade respectively - and you can see them all in a day, though you'll need to
be pretty fit. |
El Tucuche Reserve or Northern Sanctuary,
Maracas El Tucuche is the second highest peak at 3,072 ft. Forest with
interesting flora and fauna such as the Giant Bromeliad, and exotic orchids. The
Golden Tree Frog and various birds abound. They include the orange-Billed
Nightingale Thrush. Hiking only. Several trails can be used. Guides can be
hired. The most popular trail is the Ortinola from the Ortinola Estate.The
climb up is steep, but the last two hours will keep you comfortably shaded in
high-canopied
tropical forest above 1,600 feet.
El Tucuche: Trinidad's second highest peak. The El Naranjo Tropical
Gardens on the side of El Tucuche is particularly beautiful: streams, flowers of
many kinds, silk cotton trees and primary forest are well worth the effort to
see.
El Naranjo Tropical Gardens on the side of El Tucuche are particularly
beautiful: streams, flowers of many kinds, silk cotton trees and primary forest
are well worth the effort to see.
GETTING THERE: Accessible from Port-of-Spain along the Maracas Royal Road.
The turnoff onto Acona Road is on the right, before the turn to Maracas Falls.
A guide is highly recommended to navigate the unmarked trail
through old plantations, river beds and 2 mountain passes before you reach
the trail that ascends the summit. |
Hollis Reservoir
A rich birdwatching area in the foothills of the Northern Range. Clearance from
WASA, the water authority in St Joseph, is needed to enter the reservoir area |
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Caurita Plantation:
Set 1,200 feet above sea level in the Northern Range, this 400-acre estate is
another special nature center rich in tropical flora and fauna. Field trips are
provided through the stream-lined mountainside, including special trips to
Amerindian rock inscriptions found only in this area. The lodge has 4 double
rooms with bath, two without. |
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Aripo Caves |
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Airpo
The Aripo Caves offer fabulous stalagmites and stalactites with oilbirds
near their entrance. Trinidad's largest cave system requires a lengthy
hike and a good guide.
GETTING THERE: Located about four miles east of Arima, a steep road
follows the Aripo River to Dandrade Trace, a distance of about 10 miles.
Trinidad 's highest peak is El Cerreo del Aripo (3,083 feet), a noteworthy climb
of nine miles that also leads to the Aripo Caves.
Trailhead: About four miles east of Arima, a steep road follows
the Aripo River to Dandrade Trace, a distance of about 10 miles.
The winding path can disappear to the unfamiliar, hire a guide!
The Aripo river is seasonal
www.aripocottage.com/photocaves.htm
Lopinot
The quiet village of Lopinot is nestled in one of the higher and most beautiful
valleys of the Northern Range. It was developed as a cocoa estate in the early
1800s by a French count, Charles Joseph de Lopinot. It's
said hia ghost still prowls his former home on stormy nights. His restored
estate house has been turned into a museum -- a guide is available from 10 to 6
-- and a center for parang, the Venezuelan-derived folk music and the
traditional music of Trinidad Christmas.
GETTING THERE: Take Eastern Main Rd. from
Port of Spain to Arouca; look for sign that points north.
COST: Free. OPEN: Daily 6-6.
Paramin
Town located up in the winding hills near of Maraval Village, home to
authentic parang music and folk traditions including the most famous gathering
of blue devils during Carnival. Paramin is
 famous island-wide and in several
Caribbean islands as the village where the very best seasonings are grown.
The hills of Paramin are also home to the country's authentic folk traditions
and the very best in parang music
The Maracas Waterfall
is situated in the upper part of the Maracas valley, in the Northern Range north
of St Joseph. It's height of 91.5m. makes it the highest in
TnT. Situated in cool, beautiful surroundings makes it a popular spot for
picnickers, campers, swimmers and bird-watchers. At the end of the
Waterfall Road there is a car park where security and tours are provided by the
participants of the National Service program under the Forestry Division of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources. The remaining walk of
2.4 km. is an easy hike from the road. Can be unimpressive in the dry
season.
St Joseph
Trinidad's oldest European town and first official capital . Lined with
fret worked French and Spanish architecture, it's one of the better places along
the EMR to get a flavour of the East-West Corridor.
Maracas Lookout: Overlooking La Vache Bay, this is the
last stop before Maracas Bay on the scenic north coast drive. You can sample
local foods from the vendors and take in the incredible view. |
TnT
Telephone Directory by Teldir.com
Listings of all phone directories on
the web
Trinidad Weddings
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Tours: Northern Range & Coast |
 A
J M Tours ||
Port of Spain & Crown Port Airport Tobago
a comprehensive range of sightseeing tours and Destination Management. |
Avifauna
Tours ||
Trinidad Tours ||
Tobago ||
Diego Martin, Trinidad
Tours- by wildlife photographer and naturalist R. Neckels USA.
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Banwari
Tours Bourg Malatresse, Lower Santa Cruz, t 675 1619
Cultural tours around Port of Spain and Chaguaramas, will do birding
as well
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caribbeandiscoverytours.com
Caribbean Discovery Tours Ltd.
(9B Fondes Amandes, St. Ann's, Port of Spain, Trinidad,
t 624 7281. including
Stephen
Broadbridge,
A birding and wildlife specialist
El
Tucuche Mountain Climb
El Tucuche is the second
highest peak of the Northern Range. Fabled in Amerindian lore as a sacred
mountain, it is today important to naturalists as the last refuge of species
long extinct in South America like the Golden Tree Frog.
Northern
Range Exploration |
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CHAGUARAMAS Tours by
chagdev.com government employees |
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gailsexclusivetours.com |
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gstt.org/ THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
c/o Trinidad & Tobago Institute of
Technology,
Esperanza Road, Brechin Castle, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago1-868-679-6064
or 1-868-761-7680 |
hikeseekers.com/
Diego Martin Tel: (868) 632 9746
Hikes and
camping trips are geared to all levels: Easy walks in natural
surroundings; Moderate hikes in the rainforest; Strenuous rugged
hiking and overnight camping trips into the mountain rainforests of
Trinidad. Your guide
Laurence “Snake” Pierre
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Joy Tours, t 633 4733
Cultural tours around Port of Spain, trips to the islands off
Chaguaramas, will do birding as well
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Kalloo's www.kalloos.com
(Piarco International Airport, Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago.
PHONE: 868/669-5673 or 868/622-9073, )
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Mountain Bike Tour of Northern Range
http://www.bike-nz.com/downloads/pdfs/trinidad.pdf |
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James Meddoo, Bamboo
Grove Settlement, 1 Butler Hwy. (tel. 868/662-7356), who
has explored the swamps for some 25 years. His 3-hour Caroni
Bird Sanctuary excursion leaves daily at 3pm and costs US$10 per
person, or US$5 for kids. |
PanCaribeTours.com
Trinidad Carnival Always and for
Nature Lovers, with activities of all kinds, including snorkeling,
birding, fishing and hiking. |
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pariasprings.com Paria Springs
Eco-Community Ltd., specializes
in guided exploration of challenging areas Managing Director,
Courtenay Rooks |
Sensational Tours & Transport
www.sensationaltours.ne
(47 Reservoir Rd., La Pastora, Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago.
PHONE: 868/676-2937 or 868/6687-7832,
FAX: 868/676-3008,
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The Travel Centre
Eco-Tours
Level 2, Uptown Mall, Edward Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad,
Go aboard the luxury yacht "Soca Samba"
for a cruise around the mainland area of Chaguaramas and the
offshore islands of Monos, Gasparee and Chacachacare |
Tour Operators Directory at tnthotels.com
Member of Trinidad Hotels, Restaurant and Tourism Association |
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