Dossier - Wild Frontiers

Haiti – The Undiscovered Caribbean (Recce Tour)
Like many of the destinations we offer, Haiti is a country which is widely perceived in a
negative light. But look a little deeper or talk to anyone who has actually been there and you
will soon realise that the reality of what you are likely to experience on the ground promises
something very different. Beyond the obvious appeal of a largely undeveloped Caribbean
coastline, Haiti lays claim to a unique history in being the first independent black republic
and as such has a distinctive legacy of not only art, music and voodoo but also – and to the
surprise of many – the largest and most spectacular fort in the whole Caribbean. Add to that
a backdrop of stunning mountains just waiting to be explored, idyllic waterfalls that look like
they’ve been photo-shopped and some of the most-welcoming people in the Caribbean and
you have a destination which is primed to defy expectations. This unique tour offers the best
of Haiti including classic sights such as La Citadelle and Bassin Bleu but in true Wild Frontiers
tradition we aim to get below the surface of this relatively unknown country as we traverse
La Visite National Park in local style “rhino” jeeps, go whale and dolphin-watching, relax on
pristine beaches and spend 2 days in the remote hills taking day walks and staying with local
families. Now is the time to visit Haiti and to discover its charms before the masses come…
“I am delighted to find an adventure company that ticks all the boxes: Adventure,
flexibility, and a small company independence. A refreshing change from the bigger
competitors.” Diana Henderson
Duration: 11 Days
Start: Wed 28 Dec 16
Average group size: 5 – 10
Finish: Sat 07 Jan 17
Looking for alternative dates? Check the website or give us a call
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
TOUR DETAILS
TOUR CODE: HAI/C
HIGHLIGHTS
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The UNESCO World Heritage fort of La Citadelle – the largest fort in the Caribbean
The stunning mountain scenery of La Visite National Park
Dolphin and whale watching from Petit Goave
Walks and homestays in the Central Plateau
Beautiful waterfalls, beaches and snorkelling opportunities
Accommodation: As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful
accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the
night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On
this particular trip we will be in a combination of city hotels, beach resorts and basic
homestays. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a
guide only and is always subject to availability.
Transport: On this tour we will use minibuses, local style 4WDs known as “rhinos”, boats and
feet!
Climate: Haiti has a tropical climate and daytime temperatures on the coast typically range
from mid-20’s to early 30’s. The rainy season is from April to November and the hurricane
season from August to November; naturally our tours are designed to avoid this period. Up in
the mountains, temperatures can drop quite dramatically but this is still the Caribbean so
it’s all relative and an extra layer or two is usually sufficient to combat the cooler
temperatures.
Is this trip for me? It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone
and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please therefore take
time to read the dossier carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the
trip but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. Should you have
any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the
office.
Adventure Rating 
Comfort Grade 
Fitness Level
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Cultural Interest 
Additional Comments:
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should
be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however all participants should enjoy walking if
wanting to get the most out of the trip. Please note also that infrastructure in Haiti is still in
its infancy in some areas and as such you should be prepared for some bumpy roads and a
general sense of unpredictability.
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
des Bouquets area is a metal sculpture
workshop. Moreover, every workshop has
its own different designs, all made out of
recycled steel drums or parts of old cars.
This is a favourite destination for many
visitors to the island and few are able to
resist the temptation to leave without
purchasing at least one of these unique
pieces of art. Designs range from original
Vodou designs to beautiful Haitian
designed crosses. You name it, you can get
it here. This evening we’ll head to the
Oloffson Hotel for dinner. This hotel not
only featured in Graham Green’s novel
“The Comedians” but was apparently also
the inspiration for the Addams’ Family
mansion! It is run by a vodou priest, whose
band RAM give “must see” concerts every
Thursday. We aim to catch one of their
memorable performances.
Le Plaza Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 1: Tour starts in Port au Prince: The
tour starts at lunchtime today in Haiti’s
frenetic capital, Port-au-Prince. Perhaps
most famous for having been at the centre
of the devastation of the 2010 earthquake,
the city has bounced back and these days
is as vibrant as ever. This afternoon we’ll
take an orientation tour around the city to
see some of Haiti’s famous “gingerbread
houses” (eye-catching tall buildings with
steep metal roofs, wide porches and
balconies
decorated
with
fine
latticework), some of which date from
over 120 years ago. In addition we’ll get
an introduction to the turbulent history of
this tiny island and see some of the
evidence of the earthquake’s strength.
This evening we’ll have dinner in a popular
restaurant in the Petionville district of the
city.
Le Plaza Hotel (L, D)
Day 2: In Port au Prince: Our first stop
this morning will be to the Boutilliers
Observatory with its panoramic view
overlooking Port-au-Prince and the bay.
Then we’ll pay a visit to the urban artists
of downtown Grande Rue. These artists
make the most amazing pieces of art using
anything they can find on the streets!
We’ll also travel out to the unique village
of Noailles where every house in the Croix
Day 3: Port au Prince – La Visite NP Jacmel: Our adventure truly starts this
morning as we get picked up by local style
4WDs known as “rhinos” and head up into
the wilds of La Visite National Park. This
stunning national park offers tremendous
views and although the roads beyond Furcy
and Seguin will be bumpy and slow-going
in places, we’ll also have the chance to get
out and walk for a couple of hours so as to
fully appreciate the natural splendour of
the mountains here. After lunch in Seguin
we’ll then head down to Marigot and on to
our beachside hotel near Jacmel.
Cyvadier Plage (B, L, D)
Day 4: In & around Jacmel: Jacmel
boomed in the late 19th century due to its
wealthy coffee-merchant class and one
day soon it hopes to be listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage site, being famed for its
art and architecture. This morning we’ll
visit some of its impressive papier maché
and mosaic creations before heading out
to the nearby picturesque waterfall known
as Bassin Bleu. These stunning falls have
become one of the iconic symbols of the
country’s potential for tourism and
provide a great opportunity for swimming,
walking and exploring the surrounding
subtropical surrounds. Later, we’ll return
to Jacmel for a second night by the beach.
Cyvadier Plage (B, L, D)
Day 5: Jacmel – Petit Goave - Côte des
Arcadins: Leaving Jacmel early this
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
morning we will cross the mountains
through farmland to arrive at Petit Goave
where we’ll board a research boat owned
by the Haiti Ocean Project to look for
sperm whales and dolphins. This coast has
a unique feature in that, only a few miles
offshore, the coastal shelf drops off
sharply to a depth of around 13,000ft
meaning that sperm whales can often be
found here. Returning to shore, we’ll have
lunch in a local restaurant before driving
north to the Côte des Arcadins. En route
we will pass mango and banana plantations
as well as corn-growing areas before
finally we come to a view of the Arcadins
which are tiny uninhabited islands out in
the bay between the mainland and the
Island of La Gonave.
Kaliko Beach Club (B, L, D)
Day 6: In & around the Côte des
Arcadins: This morning we’ll hike up the
southern edge of the Matheux mountains
in the Côte des Arcadins area. Here we’ll
discover extraordinary fauna and flora as
well as superb panoramic views. Our
destination - at an altitude of
approximately 900m – is the small village
of Kay Piat which specialises in the
development of watercress. Here we
expect to receive a warm welcome from
the local population as well as having the
chance to swim in the cool waters that
provide the source of irrigation here in the
heart of the mountains. In the afternoon
we’ll descend from the mountains and
head for Moulin sur Mer where there’ll be
chances for swimming and snorkelling in
the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Kaliko Beach Club (B, L, D)
Day 7: Côte des Arcadins – The Central
Plateau: We go off-piste today as we leave
the coast and drive through the Artibonite
valley to Hinche. From here we’ll take a
short detour to visit the Bassin Zim
waterfall, which terminates in a plunge
pool more than 50m wide, before heading
up into the Central Plateau for a chance to
take to our feet and walk through the
impressive scenery in this relatively
unvisited part of the country. With local
guides, we’ll have a unique opportunity to
meet Haitians who live far from the capital
and the coast and who make their living as
farmers in these peaceful highland areas.
The walking is classed as moderate. For
the next two nights we will eat local food,
sleep in Haitian homes, and have bucket-
showers. This looks certain to be a very
rewarding experience but come prepared
for some basic conditions.
Homestay (B, L, D)
Day 8: Walking In The Central Plateau:
We have a full day today to explore more
of the region on foot. Expect 4-5 hours of
moderate walking and lots of encounters
with the locals. Those not wishing to walk
for the full amount of time can opt out but
the walking should be within the abilities
of anyone who enjoys walking and leads a
healthy lifestyle. Once more we’ll be
accommodated in local Haitian homestays.
Homestay (B, L, D)
Day 9: Central Plateau – Cap Haitien: This
morning we’ll have some final time with
our hosts before heading north to Cap
Haitien, where we’ll check into our hotel
and have the rest of the day to explore this
compact and historical “second” city. It
once was the richest city in the Caribbean
but these days offers a much slower pace
of life than Port-au-Prince. We plan to
overnight in one of the most historical and
atmospheric hotels in the country.
Roi Christophe (B, L, D)
Day 10: In & around Cap Haitien: Today
will surely be a tour highlight as we head
to Citadelle la Ferriere and Sans Souci
Palace. La Citadelle was built in 1805 after
the revolution. It is not only the largest
but it is also considered to be one of the
finest forts in the entire Caribbean.
Interestingly it is the only fort built by exslaves (and not by the English, French or
the Spanish!) It took 20,000 men 14 years
to build and the result is an astoundingly
located and well-preserved bastion with
walls 40m high and 4m thick. We’ll have
ample time for exploring this magnificent
structure before also heading to the
nearby remains of Sans Souci Palace,
which must rank as one of the more bizarre
sights on the island, having been modelled
on the palace of Frederick II of Prussia (!)
by the king Henri Christophe in the early
19th century. We’ll then return to Cap
Haitien for our final night in the country.
Roi Christophe (B, L, D)
Day 11: Tour ends in Cap Haitien: The
tour ends with breakfast at the hotel. (B)
Extensions:
you have more time
available, why not arrive early to adjust to
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
a new time zone or just to get a feel for
the country before your tour starts? Or
alternatively you might choose to allow a
few extra days after the tour to relax or to
undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can
usually arrange anything from simply
additional accommodation and transfers
to full tailor-made itineraries.
Here is just a small sample of what you
could do:Beach: Why not extend your trip with a
beach extension? Allow approximately 15 days.
Please contact the office for more
details and to discuss your individual
requirements.
Recce Tours: As we all know, the world is
a constantly changing place - destinations
& routes that were once cutting-edge now
regularly find themselves appearing in
mainstream brochures. Coming up with
truly original tour ideas is a constant
challenge but at Wild Frontiers we are
committed to offering you a real
alternative to the mainstream and each
year we run a handful of new and original
adventures. These are our so-called Recce
Tours and since the very beginning have
proven incredibly popular with those of
you who like to act as our “guinea pigs”
and join us on these tours. Fantastic fun
and highly rewarding, Recce Tours will
assuredly not go 100% to plan and it is not
uncommon for clients to take an active
role in tweaking the itineraries along the
way. More challenging than our normal
tours, these will often require a greater
degree of flexibility...they will not be for
everyone.
PRICING
Tour price: All our tours are priced on a
land-only basis, giving you maximum
flexibility when deciding how to get to and
from your tour. For the latest prices,
please refer to our website or contact the
office.
Travelling Solo & Single Supplements: As
a company approximately 70% of our
clients are solo travellers, so it’s very
unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twinshare
accommodation
but
single
supplements are not compulsory for any
Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to
pay a single supplement we’ll pair you
with someone else of the same sex for you
to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a
single supplement then please note that it
will cover you for all nights of the tour
except perhaps during the 2 nights
homestay where rooms are limited.
Flights: If you would like us to send you a
quote for the suggested tour flight (see
GETTING THERE) or on any alternative
flight that may suit you better, please let
us know although it should be noted that
in most cases we are only able to quote on
flights originating in the UK.
Please remember that all Wild Frontiers
tour prices mean NO hidden extras, NO
local payments and NO compulsory single
supplements.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
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Full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour
Leader with local guides and drivers
Meal plan as detailed in the itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
with drinking water as required with
the majority of meals being taken in
local restaurants where viable
All transport as outlined in the
itinerary.
All accommodation
All entrance fees, as per itinerary
A carbon-offsetting contribution to
Carbon Clear (if booking international
flights through WF office)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
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Visas (if applicable)
Local airport taxes
Tips (always optional, but some
guidance will be given in the predeparture information pack you’ll
receive after booking)
Beverages other than drinking water
& any costs of a personal nature
International flights to/from the
start/finish of the trip
Airport transfers (unless booking
suggested flights through WF office)
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
GETTING THERE
For this trip our suggested flights* from
the UK (subject to change) are:
27DEC AA39 LHR-MIA 11:05/17:05
28DEC AA949 MIA-PAP 09:55/11:53
07JAN AA1659 CAP-MIA 14:00/15:59
07JAN AA56 MIA-LHR 19:15/07:45+1
Key:
LHR – London Heathrow
MIA – Miami
PAP – Port Au Prince
CAP – Cap Haitien
AA – American Airlines
*These flights require an overnight in
Miami on the outbound journey.
NB If you wish to arrange your own flights
you are completely free to do so and in this
case we can arrange any transfers or
supplementary accommodation that you
may require.
Please note that if you are planning on
making your own flight arrangements,
we recommend that you first check with
us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We
then suggest that you purchase flights
that are flexible and ideally refundable
as due to the nature of adventure travel,
itineraries and destination accessibility
can change at any time. For more
information, please refer to our booking
conditions.
Insurance: Insurance that provides cover
for emergency repatriation in case of a
medical emergency is compulsory for all
tours. You should be aware that due to
some of the geographical areas visited and
some of the activities included on certain
of our trips some standard insurance
policies may not always provide adequate
cover. As such we strongly recommend
that you purchase a policy that adequately
covers your trip.
Travel & General offer a tailor-made
policy that provides cover for all Wild
Frontiers trips. Under this policy there are
two different levels of cover available Standard and Elite.
Cover explained:
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel
insurance policy that provides cover for all
Wild Frontiers activities, including
trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not
provide cover for travel to areas where the
FCO is advising against all or all but
essential travel except where it has been
previously agreed.
Elite
policy:
provides
the
same
comprehensive level of cover as the
standard policy. In addition the Elite
policy also provides cover for travel to
areas where the FCO is advising against all
or all but essential travel. The policy will
not provide cover for any claims arising
from or relating to the reasons why the
FCO is advising against travel.
For this trip the minimum requirement
would be the Standard policy.
These policies are only available to those
travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday and
can be purchased on a trip-specific basis
or annual cover. For more information
please refer to the details on our website
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/insurance
or by calling Travel & General direct on +
44 (0) 845 345 3456. This insurance is
available to EU residents (excluding
Norway & Switzerland) up to the age of 75.
It covers horse riding, mountain walking,
trekking, white-water rafting and all other
activities we offer as part of our tours.
If you are over 75 and/or a resident of a
non-UK European country then you may
still be able to get your insurance arranged
by Travel & General Insurance Services
Limited. Please contact us for assistance
with this.
If you do decide to purchase alternative
insurance, then you must ensure that it
covers you for every aspect of this trip.
Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer
Appointed Representative of Travel &
General Insurance Service Ltd, details of
which can be found at the website of the
Financial
Conduct
Authority
(FCA)
www.fca.org.uk
Please note that no insurance policy will
cover every eventuality and terms and
conditions will apply in the event of any
claim.
Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the
destinations we travel to and while we aim
to provide you with the most up-to-date
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
information, requirements frequently
change and as such for the latest advice
we advise that you check with the relevant
embassies.
For this tour, UK passport holders
currently do not require a visa for Haiti.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK
residents should contact the relevant
embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on
booking, however ensuring that correct
and valid visas are obtained remains the
sole responsibility of the client.
Responsible Travel: Responsible travel
and sustainable tourism are fundamental
ideas that Wild Frontiers has been
committed to since our birth. It is our
strong belief that these words should not
be simply ‘tagged on’ to dossiers and
websites but should be at the very core of
each trip, and our adventures are
therefore designed with the local people,
culture and eco-system in mind. We
believe that a successful trip not only
delivers a unique and unsurpassable
journey for our clients, but that it also
benefits the peoples whose lands we are
privileged to visit.
In 2012 we were delighted to be awarded
the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel
Award.
For more information, please refer to
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt
The Wild Frontiers Foundation: In order
to facilitate an enduring support structure
for the communities we visit, and to show
a commitment to these values, Wild
Frontiers has set up a charitable
foundation through which we can channel
funds to both existing NGOs and our own
development projects. In addition to
organising ethically sensitive tours, having
our own charitable foundation allows us to
raise money – through the cost of our
tours, charity trips and fund raising events
– which can then be used to fund various
projects
in
education,
sanitation,
reforestations and a number of other
important issues facing developing
communities. Wherever possible we are
happy for our clients to visit these projects
to see for themselves where and how this
money is being spent. Our website has
more information about our responsible
travel policy, the foundation and also has
a full list of partner NGOs. Should you wish
to read more or donate to the foundation
please contact the office or follow this
link:www.wildfrontierstravel.com/foundation
The Environment: Trying to do our bit for
the environment, in 2005 we were among
the first UK-based travel companies to
automatically offset every client’s
international flight (if booked with us)
with a payment to Carbon Clear to help
promote sustainable energy. To read more
about the work of Carbon Clear, please
follow this link:www.carbon-clear.com
AITO Membership: Wild Frontiers is a
member of AITO, the Association of
Independent Tour Operators. AITO’s
charter states that its exclusive members
strive to create overseas holidays with
high levels of professionalism and a shared
concern for quality and personal service.
The Association encourages the highest
standards in all aspects of tour operating.
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership,
finance and quality which must be
satisfied before new companies are
admitted to membership. All members are
required to adhere to a Code of Business
Practice
which
encourages
high
operational standards and conduct.
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
Events: From time to time we hold
informal presentations, photo exhibitions
and dinner evenings mainly in the London
area. To find out more see here –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/events
British Foreign & Commonwealth Office:
The travel advice of the British Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) highlights
potential hazards people might experience
when travelling abroad and as an advocate
of their “Know Before You Go” campaign
we strongly suggest that you refer to it
before booking and contact us if you have
any queries or concerns. Details can be
found on the website below.
Wild Miles Club: Everyone that has booked
a trip directly with us will become an
automatic member of the Wild Miles Club
gaining instant access to a range of
exclusive discounts from a variety of travel
partners from bookshops to outdoor
clothing shops. In addition, regular direct
bookers will earn “Wild Miles” which can
earn you up to 10% in discounts off of all
tours. For more information visit this page
- www.wildfrontierstravel.com/wild-miles
Facebook: Keep up to date with the latest
news and special offers by liking our
Facebook
page
www.facebook.com/wildfrontiers
HAITI – THE FACTS
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel
advice of their respective governments.
Wild Frontiers Community
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or
just want to see get some different
perspectives, then why not have a look at
the wide variety of resources we have on
our website?
Clients’ Views: See what other travellers
have said about our trips –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/views
Blogs: See what our tour-leaders, staff and
clients have posted from the road www.wildfrontierstravel.com/blog
Videos: They may not find their way on
the list for Oscars nominations but we have
an extensive (and growing) collection of
short videos giving you an insight in many
of our destinations –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/video
Photos: Our popular “Photo of the month”
competition has added to the vast gallery
of photos we already have from around the
world. See them here www.wildfrontierstravel.com/photos
Haiti: Occupying the western half of the
old island of Hispaniola, the Republic of
Haiti was once called the ‘Pearl of the
Antilles’. Traditionally home to the Taino
people, its long and complex history is
steeped in blood and tragedy, from the
arrival of Columbus in 1492 to the
devastating earthquake that levelled
much of the country’s capital in January
2010. The country is however one of the
most
fascinating
in
the
western
hemisphere. When it gained independence
in 1804 it became the first independent
country in Latin America. It is also the only
country in the world to have been founded
as the direct result of a slave revolt. The
third largest in the Caribbean (behind
Cuba and the Dominican Republic), away
from its major cities Haiti is blessed with
some truly stunning landscapes, from lush
mountain peaks to beautiful Caribbean
beaches. Culturally its rich mix of French,
African and Spanish influences have
produced a staggering diversity of customs
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
and mores, from the African rhythms of its
music, to voodoo ceremonies and colonial
architecture. The country is also famed for
its distinctive art styles, in particular its
paintings and sculptures, whilst its cuisine
combines the flavours of the Antilles with
an enticing fusion of French sophistication
and African aesthetics.
Port Au Prince: Overlooking the waters of
the Gulf of Gonâve, Haiti’s capital city has
a long and chequered history. Founded as
a base for French pirates, the city has
suffered an almost endless catalogue of
natural and civil upheavals, culminating in
the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck
the city on January 12, 2010, killing over
200,000 people. The city is beginning to
re-emerge from the rubble though and
provides a fascinating insight into the
resilience of the Haitian people. The
National Palace, once one of the city’s
most impressive landmarks, was destroyed
by the earthquake, but the tent city that
once surrounded it has now been replaced
again by one of the largest parks in the
country, the Champs-de-Mer. In the
Marche de fer (Iron Market) you can find
life going on as it has for generations, with
vendors selling everything from voodoo
paraphernalia and masks, to tea sets and
coconut belts, whilst the Village Artistique
on the outskirts of the city is the place to
shop for a stunningly original piece of art
made from recycled oil drums. The city
can also boast a surprising number of very
good restaurants and the colonial facades
of the famous Hotel Oloffson provides the
venue for regular performances by RAM,
one of the city’s most influential bands.
Jacmel: Nestling beside the calm waters
of a sheltered bay, just around an hour’s
drive from Port au Prince, Jacmel has
earned a reputation as one of Haiti’s most
engaging towns. Occupying traditional
heartland of the Taino Indians, this was
the old capital of the southeastern part of
French
Saint-Dominigue.
Originally
developed to boost sugar production from
the outlying plantations, the town went on
to become a major trading centre for
coffee and today the old historic part of
Jacmel is still filled with wonderfully
preserved examples of 19th century
French colonial architecture. These
mansion would later go on to influence the
style of buildings famed today amongst the
old French Quarter of New Orleans. Many
have been converted into shops these
days, selling handicrafts, papier-mâché
masks and carved wooden animals. With a
vibrant and thriving arts scene, the town
is the undisputed handicraft centre of
Haiti and is also home to one of the
country’s most famous festivals. It was
also the birthplace of two of Haiti’s most
influential artists, the poet René
Déspestre and the artist Prefétè Duffaut,
whose stunning murals graced the Holy
Trinity Cathedral in Port au Prince.
Citadelle
La
Ferriere:
A
large
mountaintop fortress lying to the south of
Cap Haïtien, La Citadelle Laferrière is the
largest fortress in the Americas. A UNESCO
World Heritage Site, this immense bastion
was built by Henri Christophe, a key leader
of the Haitian slave rebellion, during the
early 19th century. With walls rising some
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
40 metres, the entire complex covers over
10,000 square metres and from its
towering battlements the views take in the
city of Cap Haïtien and the Atlantic Ocean.
Designed
to
protect
the
newly
independent Haiti from French incursions,
the fortress took 20,000 workers 15 years
to complete and was part of a system of
fortifications that also included Fort
Jacques and Fort Alexandre, which were
built on mountains overlooking Port au
Prince. The citadel was kitted out with 365
cannons, huge stockpiles of cannonballs
and room to store enough food for 5,000
defenders for up to a year. As it happened,
the threatened French invasion never
came, but the fortress itself has withstood
numerous earthquakes and is today
considered one of the finest examples of
early 19th century military engineering.
The fortress is reached by way of an 11
kilometres trail that leads up from the
town of Milot and most of its interior is still
accessible to visitors.
Cap Haitien: The old capital of the French
colony of Saint-Dominigue, Cap Haïtien
was founded during the early years of the
18th century, going on to become the
capital of the Kingdom of Northern Haiti
following the civil strife that followed the
Haitian Revolution.
It was close to here that Columbus
founded the ill-fated La Navidad, the first
European colony to be established in the
New World. Filled with French colonial
architecture, very reminiscent to the style
of buildings found amongst the old French
Quarter of New Orleans, the city is home
to Haiti’s largest collection of historic
monuments
including
the
notable
‘gingerbread’ houses that line the city’s
older streets. Over the years the city’s
isolation from much of the political
instability that has blighted the south of
the island, along with its picturesque
Caribbean beaches, has tended to attract
more of Haiti’s upper classes to its
coastline. The city also provides an ideal
base from which to discover some of the
country’s most important historic sites
including La Citadelle Laferrière, Bois
Caïman and Vertières, site of the last
defining battle of the Haitian Revolution.
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
How to book:
In order to confirm your booking we need to have a completed signed booking form for each client
together with a £400 deposit per person. You can either return your booking form to us by post or
by booking online at www.wildfrontierstravel.com
You can contact the office by email to info@wildfrontierstravel.com or we are very happy to take
your call on + 44 (0) 20 7736 3968.
Protection for you money:
You can book your holiday with Wild Frontiers in complete confidence that all
monies you pay to us for your tour are fully protected. Wild Frontiers is fully bonded
and licensed by ABTOT (The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Ltd) in
respect of all land only tour packages. Our ABTOT number is 5228. Under the terms
of the bond, monies are secured by a bank guarantee. For further information visit
www.abtot.com
If you choose to book your international flights with us then you will also be ATOL
protected as we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 5975. In the unlikely event of our insolvency,
the CAA will arrange to refund any monies to you that you have paid for an advance
booking and ensure that you are not stranded abroad. For further information visit
www.atol.org.uk
We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking in the event
that you are no longer able to travel as all deposits are non-refundable – full booking conditions
can be found on the booking form and online at our website.
As I’m sure you can appreciate, Wild Frontiers trips can be
quite complex affairs to arrange and certain elements (such as
permits, visa authorisations, trains and flights) may need to be
requested several months in advance. As such, wherever
possible, we would encourage you to plan ahead and book
early to avoid disappointment. Moreover, by booking early you
are always guaranteed to get the best price with us as we will
automatically offer you a retrospective discount if we happen
to reduce the price of the tour later on. For further details,
please refer to www.wildfrontierstravel.com/price-guarantee
Further information:
When you make a confirmed booking with Wild Frontiers we will send you a pre-departure
information pack giving you details on visas, health and vaccinations, packing lists, suggested
reading on the region, photography and other useful tips to make your trip more enjoyable.
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
Why Wild Frontiers?
As a young and innovative independent company, Wild Frontiers is delighted to have been voted one of
the ‘Top 10 Tour Operators’ by Wanderlust readers each of the last 6 years - coming third in 2007 and
second in 2009. When National Geographic Adventure Magazine awarded us a similar accolade in 2010,
we were equally thrilled.
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Below are a
few of the factors that we believe set us apart from our competitors and form the reasons as to why our
clients travel with us again and again…
Personal Service & Expertise: Our London office is manned by experienced expedition leaders and most
trips we run stem from our first-hand knowledge - in short, we run the kind of holidays that as passionate
travellers, we like to do ourselves. When you ring our office, you can be guaranteed to chat to someone
who knows the region and the terrain and is able to offer sound and practical advice.
Authentic Experiences: Our unique, original itineraries allow you to take journeys that venture beneath
the surface of the region. We rarely run any group tour more than a couple of times a year and they are
typically on routes we have discovered for ourselves, meaning we are able to give a truly authentic, offthe-beaten-track experience.
Be the First: Our style of travel is all about exploration, and nothing excites us more than opening up
new routes to genuine travellers. We keep abreast of new destinations and are often the first to return
to places that have vanished from the tourist map. We were the first back into Pakistan after 9/11, the
first to return to Kashmir after a decade of tourist isolation, and amongst the first to run a commercial
travel trip to Afghanistan for almost 30 years. Since then we have helped bring Colombia, Yemen, Georgia
and Bangladesh back into the tourist fold, specialising in ground-breaking reconnaissance trips and
imaginative expeditions.
Small Group Size: On our escorted tours, we believe it is imperative to keep the group sizes small. Most
trips are limited to an average maximum of 12 travellers, thus giving you more access to fragile cultures,
better opportunities to interact with local people, and the knowledge you are making less of an impact
while there. “Having been a bit apprehensive about joining a group as a single traveller, I found myself
surrounded by interesting, friendly, helpful people who I hope to catch up with again on future trips.”
Angela Chick, Kashmir Group Tour
Cost of Group Tours: We believe in an honest, upfront pricing structure so you know exactly what the
tour will cost before you book. On our group tours we avoid local payments, ‘optional extras’ or forcing
our clients to go through the annoying procedure of splitting every meal bill. Our tours are provided on
a predominantly full board basis, with drinking water, government permits, entrance fees and transport
all included.
Our clients: Your companions can make or break a trip, and it’s lucky therefore that our clients are often
our greatest asset. Travelling to remote regions is not for everyone, and as such we tend to attract openminded travellers looking for genuine experiences, and a desire to reach those hard to get to places.
Responsible Travel: Awarded 5 star status by AITO (Association of Independent Tour
operators), responsible tourism (RT) has always been an integral part of our company
ethos and our adventures are designed with the local people, culture and eco-system
in mind. In 2012 we were awarded the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel Award.
For further details please refer to the RT section of our website www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com