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solitaire
or mountain whistler
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Rain
Forest
Aerial
Tram
Commonwealth
of
Dominica
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was opened to the
public on 1st October 2003, operating on
cruise-ship days only from 10.00am to 4.00pm
July 2012 update: bad news - it has been announced in
the local media that this service is being suspended due
to inadequate volume of sales.
Should the situation change, we will keep you informed
and update this page accordingly.
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Visitors to Dominica can enjoy
a unique rainforest experience.
Transported in a hanging gondola, which seats
up to 8 people, the journey is through approx.
1 mile of protected tropical montane
rainforest bordering the Morne Trois Pitons
National Park. A narrow corridor through the
trees allows close observation of the diverse
plant and bird life to be found in this
enchanting habitat.
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This
facility
is just a 30 minute drive from the capital,
Roseau.
The base station, not far
from Titou Gorge, is at an altitude of
approx. 2,000 feet above sea level. 22
gondolas depart in turn on the upward
journey through this pristine forest at an
intermediate height of around 70 feet. At
this level the trunks of Gomier and
Chataignier trees are host to a myriad of
vines, ferns, anthuriums, bromeliads and
other non-vascular epiphytes. The forest
floor below is decorated with heliconias,
sedges, orchids and a wide variety of ferns,
including several species of tree fern.
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The gondolas ascend to and
over the deep Breakfast River gorge. A
pedestrian suspension bridge has been
erected across the gorge, adjacent to the
aerial tram.
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From
the last station passengers may, if they wish,
disembark and walk the short trail over this
bridge (not for the feint of heart!)
to the next station, where they may rejoin the
ride for the return journey.
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Some
tramway pylons are 150 feet in height, and much of the
return journey is at a higher level than the
outward ride, where views across the canopy
can be enjoyed - Morne Micotrin (4,006ft.),
Morne Anglais (3,683ft.) and the Caribbean
Sea.
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At
this level, the canopy itself may be inspected
at close range. Many flowering blossoms and
seed pods provide food for colourful
butterflies and many of Dominica's 175 bird
species. Commonly seen at close range is the
purple throated hummingbird, and always heard
though seldom seen is that most elusive of
Dominican birds, the Rufus Throated
Solitaire, known locally as the Mountain
Whistler.
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The
entire ride lasts for approx. 70 minutes,
during which your guide will describe the
trees, plants and birds to be observed. After
returning, guests may relax and take
refreshments in the courtyard or purchase mementos from the souvenir shop.
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This
is only the second such aerial tramway of it's
kind in the Caribbean region. The other, built
by the same parent company, is in the
rainforest of Costa Rica in Central America
and has been operating safely for several
years.
Price:
per
person........................ US$55.00
per
child up to age 12 years..... US$30.00
children
under
age 2 years.................. Free
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For
those with time to spare after enjoying the
aerial tram ride, the nearby Titou Gorge is worth a visit. Confident
swimmers may enter the gorge, to reach a small
waterfall at the far end. Be warned though,
the water is deep with sheer wall faces,
nowhere to stand, and few places to grip.
Below the gorge is a small river, at the side
of which is a hot mineral spring in a shallow,
sandy pool, where you may enjoy a good soak.
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This
is also the starting point for the all day
hike to the Boiling
Lake, in the
Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Follow
this  to find out
more about this UNEP
World Heritage Site. Some other hikes to places
of natural beauty within the park commence
from the nearby village of Laudat.
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Note:-
images displayed on
this website are the property of Colin A Lees,
Nature Island Destinations Ltd., PO Box 1639,
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, W.I. and may
not be reproduced without consent.
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