Exploring the French Caribbean

Location: The French Caribbean. Holiday type: Independent walking, twin centre. Managed by Headwater appointed agent. Activity level: 1 boot Duration: 12 days (11 nights) Hotels: Luxury/stylish. Meals: Continental breakfast and evening meals. Prices from: Please call. Departs: Selected Tuesdays from 22 Nov '11 to 11 Dec '12   JFMAMJJASOND

Highlights The islands of Martinique and Guadeloup both have a distinctly French flavour - from familiar yellow post boxes to freshly baked baguettes every morning! Out walking, you'll enjoy verdant volcanic hills, swaying sugarcane, banana plantations and palm-fringed beaches.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive on Guadeloupe

Arrive at Pointe-a-Pitre airport, where you collect your hire car. Then an easy 75min drive to your hotel.

Day 2 - Three Cabret Waterfalls 10km/6mi

A relaxing day exploring Basse Terre's cascading Cabret waterfalls. A stairway of three thundering falls descend from their source on La Soufriere volcano, which forms a jagged backdrop to the day. Yellow warblers swoop overhead, as the Cabret River gushes through rainforest thick with ferns, ruby heliconia and tree vines on its journey to the tranquil Caribbean waters at Capesterre-Belle-Eau.

Day 3 - Les Saintes 5km/3mi or 7km/4mi

You arrive at Terre de Haut's harbour where colourful fishing boats sway gently in the sheltered bay. A coastal cacti-fringed path winds towards Pompierre Bay and to the Napoleonic Fort where iguanas bask in the sunshine. Time to relax on the palm-fringed sands or take a dip in the sea before heading back to Jardin Malanga.

Day 4 - North Basse Terre 10km/6mi

Today you explore Guadeloupe's agricultural heartland where fields of sugar cane blanket the rolling landscape and pure white egrets speckle the panorama. Nearby Plage des Amandiers provides a tempting spot for a refreshing dip in the sparkling Caribbean waters.

Day 5 - Marie Galante

For a relaxing day take the early morning ferry (small cost, pay locally) to Marie Galante, an island paradise of turquoise waters, swaying coconuts and sun kissed sands. Walking through mango, almond and guava trees, you descend to beautiful Plage de Moustique, the air fragrant with white frangipani for lunch. Alternatively, we provide walking notes for the more energetic to hike La Soufriere.

Day 6 - Grande Terre's Coastal Paths 4km/2mi or 7km/4mi

First to Pointe de la Grande Vigie viewpoint, spectacular views of Antigua and Montserrat on the horizon. An inland path bright with pink oleander and trumpet trees leads to Pointe du Souffleur, where Atlantic breakers crash against the jagged volcanic cliffs. Then along the coast to Porte d'Enfer lagoon, for a late afternoon swim then back to your hotel for your final delicious dinner at Jardin Malanga.

Day 7 - Transfer to Martinique

After a tropical breakfast, take the coastal road back to the airport for your 40min flight to Martinique. It's an easy 25min drive to your beautifully located Plein Soleil just outside Le Francois.

Day 8 - The Sleepy Southern Coast 5km/3mi

Driving south past sugarcane and banana plantations you reach the southeast Atlantic coast. Frigate birds swoop overhead as you explore the Domaine de Grand Macabou, a lonely chapel guards the headland. A sheltered palm fringed bay, scattered with conch shells, appears magically through the mahogany forest. Continue to Piton Creve Coeur, where an easy ascent rewards you with incredible views across sleepy St Anne, its turquoise harbour dotted with colourful fishing boats.

Day 9 - Exploring Northern Martinique 4km/2mi

After a visit to the Volcano Museum in St Pierre, you head to the northern Caribbean coastline. Here a path contours the craggy headland past spectacular Kapok trees strung with lianas, before descending to stunning Anse a Voile - the perfect setting for an al fresco lunch.

Day 10 - Free day

Perhaps take time to relax today by the hotel's sparkling pool. Or follow the incredibly scenic Route de la Trace, which weaves inland across the island's spine through the Absalon rainforest, studded with scarlet heliconia, returning perhaps via Le Francois.

Day 11 - La Caravelle Peninsula 7km/4mi

Descending through dry tropical forest you reach the salt rich coastal mangroves. After a picnic overlooking the ocean, explore the ruins of Chateau Dubuc - a fascinating reminder of plantation days. Time for a paddle at Tartane's sandy bay before returning to the hotel for your final Caribbean dinner.

Day 12 - Leave Martinique

After a relaxing morning by the pool, or perhaps some last minute shopping in Fort de France, you drive to the airport in time for your flight home.