Day Trips

• Asa Wright
  Formerly a coco and coffee plantation in the Northern Range, the Estate lies 1,200 ft (370 meters) above sea level. It comprises nearly 1500 acres of naturally forested land; it is home to a spectacular variety of birds, reptiles, butterflies, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. A special attraction can also be found on this property in the Dunston Caves as this houses a natural breeding colony for the nocturnal oilbird. It is the most easily accessible colony of these remarkable creatures in the world. The Asa Wright Lodge or the 'Great House' was constructed in 1906-1908 as a Victorian Estate house. You can enjoy a local buffet lunch after doing the guided tour through the rain forest or you can spend a few nights there and go to the Caves to view the oilbirds. In 1999 the Audubon Magazine selected the centre as one of just nine eco-lodges worldwide that is considered one of 'The World's Ultimate Outposts.'
  
  
• Maracas Bay
  Maracas Beach is situated on the island's north coast and is possibly the most popular beach on the island. It is about 1850 metres long with clean white sands and blue waters. There are many local vendors selling snacks and local craft. But the one delicacy you must sample is the bake and shark.

• Caroni Swamp
  The Caroni Swamp is best visited in the evening when huge flocks of scarlet ibises come home to roost at dusk-- it is an unforgettable sight. Going through the swamp on flat bottomed boats you can see many species of birds. The swamp is also home to millions of tree crabs and the waters team with snook, salmon and grouper. You can see caymans, snakes and the two-toed sloth. The Swamp and Bird Sanctuary consists of about 12,000 acres of mangrove forest, marsh and tidal lagoons.

• Nariva Swamp
  The Nariva Swamp is the only sizeable freshwater swamp in the southern Caribbean. It is a sanctuary for migratory birds and the endangered manatee. It is also home to beautiful macaws, the red howler monkeys and the weeping capuchin monkeys, as well as caymans. We will take you on a hike through Bush Bush Island after a boat ride through the swamp to view the wildlife.

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• Temple in the Sea / 80 Ft. Murti
  Before the 1950's the Hindu religion was not recognized by the colonials and considered barbaric. So when Siewdas Sadhu, a labourer, built a temple on the beach in 1947, the temple was bulldozed and he was imprisoned for a short while. However he was not deterred and he built a platform about 100 yards (90meters) into the Gulf of Paria, he did this single-handedly, carrying rocks out at low tide. Though he died in 1970 before completing the entire structure, the temple was rebuilt in 1994 as a tribute to coincide with the first annual Arrival Day celebrations.
  While there you can also visit the Dattatreya Mandire which has an 85-foot Hanuman Murti and is in itself an architectural masterpiece with exquisite artwork done by specialized hand masons from India.

• Wild Fowl Trust
  The Pointe-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust is one of the most unusual bird sanctuaries in the world as it is set in the midst of a massive oil refinery complex. The sanctuary is about 26 hectares of land and has two lakes. It is dedicated to the breeding of endangered species of waterfowl and to re-introducing them to natural wildlife areas. It also hosts many migratory birds and water fowls from North America. The national bird, the Scarlet Ibis, is also bred at this sanctuary. There are over 80 species of birds that can be seen there. There is a small Amerindian Museum and Learning Centre at the Trust.

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• Mt. St. Benedict's Monastery / Tea
  The Abbey of Mt. St. Benedict was established in 1912 by Brazilian monks. The monastery is set high in the hills of the Northern Range above the town of Tunapuna, 800 ft (243 meters) above sea level. It offers a spectacular view of the Caroni Plains and it is very popular with birdwatchers, naturalists and nature lovers. The complex also offers a guest house which is spartan but comfortable for staying overnight. The guest house is the oldest in Trinidad and is well renowned for its high teas which are served in a lovely outdoor tea-garden.

• San Fernando Hills
  Above the city of San Fernando, which is Trinidad's second largest community, lies the San Fernando Hill. It is oddly shaped and was once privately owned and quarried for the high grade gravel, until due to public opposition, the quarrying was stopped by the government. It is about 655 feet (200 meters) high. It is believed to have been inhabited by Amerindian tribes and is steeped in native myth. The Hill is now a park and gives a wonderful view of San Fernando and Paria Bay--a very nice spot for picnicking and kite-flying.

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• Pitch Lake
  The Pitch Lake in Trinidad is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is one of only 3 pitch lakes in the world. The one in Trinidad however is the largest in the world and is about 100 acres across and about 300 feet deep in the middle. Legend has it that one of the Amerindian tribes who inhabited the area, in celebrating victory in battle, killed and ate humming birds, a species which is sacred to the gods. The angry gods then caused the thick black substance to well up and engulf the entire village and its inhabitants. During the 16th century Sir Walter Raleigh used the pitch from the lake to caulk his boat, he claimed it was better than anything he had ever used. Today the tar is exported to Europe and most of the Caribbean and it was used to pave roads in New York City and Paris. In fact, wherever in the world natural asphalt is used to build roads, it came from Trinidad.

• La Vega Estate
  La Vega Estate can be found in the Central part of the island in a town called Gran Couva. To get there one must drive through the Central Plains through lush sugar cane and cocoa estates. La Vega is a large natural retreat and there is a small lake where you can canoe or go on a guided nature trail and view the many different types of tropical plants growing there. There is also an estate nursery where you can purchase local plants.

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