Haiti
Haiti – Land of Mountains Tour – a 12 day Small Group Tour.
Occupying half of the island of Hispaniola, Haiti is an economically impoverished but culturally rich state that has borne a weight of negative preconceptions far in excess of its size for decades.
Port-au-Prince’s sclerotic traffic and its teeming shanty of Cité Soleil assault the senses but there’s more than just chaos. The beautiful town of Jacmel, the remarkable UNESCO sites of Henri Christophe’s palace and fortress at Cap-Haïtien, along with the tranquil coast of Port Salut and Cormier Plage tell a different story.
The dictator Papa Doc Duvalier and his cabal have long gone. The earthquake of 2010 was a catastrophe for Port-au-Prince but much of the country wasn’t ever directly affected. The UN stabilisation force withdrew in 2017. It’s time at last to go beyond the headlines and see for yourself. Haiti is a surprising place.
Not the obvious choice for a holiday and one of the least visited countries in the Caribbean, Haiti holds a wealth of historical sites and a vibrant and unique culture that belies its small size. Haiti doesn’t even feature on the radar of most, which is why we’re so excited about offering a truly unique journey to this charming and resilient nation.
On this small group tour we experience the world’s first black republic, with the magnificent Citadelle Henri Christophe and the Palais Sans Souci, charming colonial style architecture in Jacmel, as well as stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches and welcoming people.
Undiscovered Destinations offers both group tours and tailor made holidays to this hidden gem that take you to the heart of the country, exploring its history and culture. The world’s first black republic offers visitors the chance to see a different, more authentic side to the Caribbean and to explore a history full of pirates and revolutions that still resonates today.
Travel in Haiti can be challenging, with poor roads and infrastructure challenges, but it is always stimulating and sure to shatter your preconceptions about what a holiday in the Caribbean is meant to be like.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour Pace
Busy
Tour style
Pioneer
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary.
Day 1 (Thursday) – Port au Prince
Arrive in Port-au-Prince and transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore independently. A group briefing is planned for 6.00pm. Overnight Le Plaza or similar.
Day 2 (Friday) – Barbancourt Distillery and Cité Soleil*
This morning we visit the landmark of Barbancourt Rum Distillery. The distillery was founded in 1862 and its rum is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest, and certainly one of Haiti’s most recognisable exports. Later, we head to the maelstrom of the Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince’s largest ‘shanty town’, home to an estimated 400,000 people and formerly a no-go area for tourists and police. Thankfully, things have changed. Accompanied by a local resident we’ll see community projects that continue to regenerate the area and improve the lives of those who live here. Overnight Le Plaza or similar. (B)
Please note: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the Cité Soleil area of Port-au-Prince. Those not wishing to visit may choose to spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel.
Day 3 (Saturday) – Port Au Prince and Vodou Ceremony
Today there’s a tour of the city’s historic areas followed by a visit to an authentic vodou ceremony, a blend of West African voodoo religion unique to Haiti. Later in the afternoon we drive into the mountains surrounding Port-au-Prince to the village of Furcy. We take a walking tour of the village, and enjoy the cool, fresh mountain air. Overnight Le Plaza or similar. (B)
Day 4 (Sunday) – Port-au-Prince - Lake Azuéi – Port-au-Prince
This morning we drive to Lake Azuéi, Haiti’s largest lake, also known as Etang Saumâtre, located 29km from Port-au-Prince on the border with the Dominican Republic. We meet an environmental specialist who will explain habitat and water management projects in the area. There’s an opportunity to take a boat onto the lake and see fish cages, as well as time for a swim. Kayaks are available for hire at an extra charge. We return to Port-au-Prince later in the afternoon. Overnight Le Plaza or similar. (BL)
Day 5 (Monday) – Jacmel and Bassins Bleu
Leaving the capital, we drive across the mountains to the former coffee port of Jacmel. We explore some of this beautiful town’s most interesting sights, including the old coffee warehouses built in New Orleans-style, the cathedral, and the port itself. Afterwards we drive to the pools and waterfalls of Bassin-Bleu. Overnight Hotel Cyvadier or similar. (B)
Day 6 (Tuesday) – Route du Café and Port Salut
This morning we leave the hotel and begin a tour of the Route du Cafe.. Jacmel is a well known coffee growing area and you will get a chance to see the coffee making industry in the region. After lunch (not included) we travel out to the Highway and get the local tourist bus (not private) down to Aux Cayes, in the South of Haiti. Once we arrive at Aux Cayes we get a ride to Port Salut and settle in to our hotel just 2 minutes away from the lovely long beach. Overnight at Le Reposoir du Village Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7 (Wednesday) - Marie Jeanne Caves and Aux Coteaux
Today we drive to the Marie Jeanne Caves, an underground cave system with interesting rock formations. Afterwards we continue to Coteaux and the ‘500 Marches de la Médaille Miraculeuse’, literally ‘500 Steps to the Miraculous Medal’, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It’s a fairly steep walk up the steps but those who make the ascent are rewarded by excellent views. Overnight at Le Reposoir du Village Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 8 (Thursday) – Travel to Cap Haitian
After breakfast, we will take a taxi back to Aux Cayes to board the 10am return bus to Port au Prince. On arrival in Port au Prince, we travel to the airport for or flight up to Cap Haitian, where we will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. Overnight at Hotel Roi de Christophe (B)
Day 9 (Friday) - La Citadelle La Ferriere and the Palace of Sans Souci
Today we visit the country’s most incredible site – the vast Citadelle, an imposing fortress built atop a mountain to resist a French invasion that never came. We take a gentle horse ride (led by handlers) or walk to the top and explore the site with a local guide. We also visit the palace of Sans Souci situated below the Citadelle and dating back to the same time. Lunch is taken at a local community restaurant before we return to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Roi de Christophe (BL)
Day 10 (Saturday) – Cap Haitian
After breakfast we take a walking tour of Cap-Haïtien, exploring its wealth of well-preserved French colonial architecture. During and after the Haitian Revolution many craftsmen from Cap-Haïtien fled to French-controlled New Orleans, now the USA. As a result, the two cities share many similar architectural styles. Especially notable are the ‘gingerbread houses’ lining the city’s older streets. On our return to Cap-Haïtien we drive to a beautiful beach location outside town. Overnight at Cormier Plage. (BD)
Day 11 (Sunday) – Cormier Plage
A relaxing day by the beach. The hotel has tennis courts for the more energetic or maybe you would prefer to lie in one of the hammocks and listen to the waves crashing on the beach. There are no plans for today so you are free to fill your final day in Haiti as you please. Overnight at Cormier Plage (BD)
Day 12 (Monday) – Cap Haitian
Transfer to Cap Haitian airport for departure flight. Tour ends. (B)
Dates & Price.
Tour Notes
Minimum Group Size
This group tour operates subject to a minimum group size of 4 travellers.
Single Supplement
Single Supplement from £425.
Flights
Return flights from London to Port au Prince and return from Cap Haitian start at £625. Contact us for a quotation.
Please note that most flights will route via the United States and will require an overnight stay on the outbound.
You should note that if you have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, this may disqualify you from entering USA on an ESTA visa.
Transfers
Airport transfers are included if you are booking pre and/or post tour accommodation at the hotel mentioned in our tour dossier.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Domestic flight
- All accommodation
- Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
- Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Tour exclusions.
- International flights to Colombia
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Visa if applicable
- Drinks
- Tips (Discretionary)
Read more about our tours in Haiti and our other Pioneering tours
Undiscovered Destinations
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