ECOTOURISM

THE PATHMASTER Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago www.thepathmaster.com
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Overview

It is The Pathmaster’s intention to meet the IUCN requirements for ecotourism. Whenever it is possible, they make suretours have a positive impact on local people and on the protection of natural environments and the organisms in them.

For those who wish to hone their bodies while they broaden their minds, The Pathmaster offers soft adventure activities tailored to the individual skill levels of clients, including hiking, kayaking and mountain biking.

The Pathmaster strives to meet the highest international quality and safety standards, and all but the easiest tours will be led by two leaders, picked to provide a team with the most appropriate interpretive and activity skills. Their subcontractors providing land and sea transport and specialist tours have been chosen because of their commitment to deliver safe and high quality services. All tours are monitored from The Pathmaster headquarters from the moment leaders leave to pick-up clients until those clients are dropped off at their accommodations at the end of each day.

In addition, The Pathmaster specializes in environmental education, field support to legitimate collectors and researchers, wilderness leader training and a wide range of ecotourism consultancy services.

Also, the staff and specialist partners are experienced at designing and delivering corporate team builders tailored to meet the needs of all types of business groups seeking to improve their team performance.

About Tours

Information and Interpretation
The Pathmaster Ltd. specializes in nature tours for small groups, with in depth environmental and biological interpretation. Leaders will add cultural and historical information appropriate to the areas through which they pass. For a deeper understanding of culture and history and a more rounded experience of Trinidad and Tobago, The Pathmaster has a selection of sites and attractions tours that have been chosen specifically for this purpose. These are mainly driving tours with a little gentle walking at the site.

Leaders and Languages
All tours going deep into the bush, or covering difficult terrain, or where trails are unclear, will be accompanied by two leaders. The Pathmaster recommends two leaders with all tours, but for easy and relatively short trips, clients may request the budget option of one leader. All tours are conducted in English, but they can also provide German-speaking guides.

Transport
All tours are inclusive of all transfers. For couples and threesomes, The Pathmaster usually uses in-house transport, a 4WD Hilux purchased new in 2005, which has ample secure space for luggage and equipment. For groups of four to seven, The Pathmaster utilizes 10/12-seater buses, and for eight to twelve clients 20/22-seater buses, so there is ample space for your packs, binoculars and refreshments. All subcontracted buses have seatbelts, and The Pathmaster strongly believes that the slightly higher transport charges they have to pass on are worth it.

Accommodations
All multi-day tours include accommodations. In locations where different standards and prices of lodgings are available, The Pathmaster offers the choice of mid-level or upmarket hotels. These would approximate to two-star or three-star on international scales. However, whatever the standard of fixtures and fittings, all accommodation partners have been selected because of the quality of their management, their assiduous attention to their customers and the culinary delights that emanate from their kitchens. For budget clients, in Port of Spain and south Tobago, The Pathmaster can also offer relatively low-priced accommodations with self-catering facilities.

Scheduling
In general, hiking, cycling and sites and attractions tours are offered year round, though certain trips that could be hazardous after heavy and prolonged rainfall may not be offered in the late rainy season when run-off is at a maximum and flash-flooding possible.

Ocean kayaking in the Gulf of Paria is possible year round, though even this enclosed sea can develop a healthy swell if a hurricane passes close to Tobago. Kayaking on the North Coast of Trinidad is only offered between March/April and September/October because during the winter months a deep northern ground swell creates large surface swells and pounding surf, making entries and exits hazardous for all except the most experienced kayakers. However, there are several sheltered bays and coastal waters that are suitable for shorter trips year round. In Tobago the best recreational kayaking is in the sheltered bays of the west coast as the Atlantic shore is usually rough, with heavy swells and fast currents.

Inland kayaking on both fresh water and brackish water is available year round, although the water levels in some wetlands drop too low for kayaking as the dry season progresses. March to May are the driest months.

Cycling tours are available throughout the year, guided by one or two leaders as appropriate. For long rides, one leader follows discretely in a support vehicle carrying refreshments, spares and an opportunity for the tired to take a breather.

Camping
There are no formal camp sites in T&T. The Pathmaster finds attractive, secluded locations close to fresh water for camps. Usually this will be on one of the North Coast beaches far from any roads.

On camping tours, The Pathmaster provides lightweight two-person tents with integral ground sheets, sleeping mats, camp stove, pots and pans, water filter etc Please bring your personal gear and medications, a backpack of appropriate size (70-90 l) and either a sleeping bag or a bag liner (which is usually sufficient as temperatures rarely fall below 24°C). The Pathmaster has a limited selection of equipment for rental to customers. They expect clients to share in carrying the total load with the leaders, including the camping gear and food. For an additional fee porters can be hired.

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