Rat Race | Dominica Toe to Tip

Fitness level

You should be a confident hiker with some experience of hilly, technical terrain.

Pace

This challenge has been designed so that you may travel at your own pace. There are some cut-offs however these are very generous and the team will always look to help you to achieve your goals in finishing this challenge, vs having to pull out. Of course, there are early starts to allow the very best possible window for route completion (and to benefit from the cool of the early day). However if you need to stop for whatever reason, the team is there for you. The absolute key is that you enjoy this amazing journey across the length of Dominica; and that you do so within your own limits.

Navigation

You won't be staring at maps or navigational aids any more than you have to. The WNT trail is well defined in many places (and not so well-defined in others). There are also existing marker posts. The team will augment those markers with bespoke signage at some trail junctions plus there will be some assistance from staff and static marshals who will be deployed in the trickier sections.

You'll also download a route file to your smartphone and/or GPS watch. You will be able to follow this ‘line’ when on the route and this will be your main go-to resource for the duration of the challenge. If you do not have a GPS watch, you may rent one. Don’t worry – you won’t get lost. But if you do – support is never far away.

Terrain

It is varied but predominantly off-road and pretty rough underfoot. The WNT trail is well-maintained in some sections and not so fresh in others, leading to a variety of the quality of the path you will be using. In many locations, you will be ascending and descending steep sections, too. With all of the water generated by the climate here, this does make for some slippery sections, too. You will need to constantly concentrate on the terrain to ensure you read it well and prepare for what is coming up in front of you. There are some tarmac and firmer ‘vehicle track’ sections interspersed, too.

Accommodation

The accommodation is a real highlight of the adventure!

• Base hotel at the start - 3 nights
• Camp at the Barana Aute - a 'night in the cultural village'

The hotel at the start of the adventure will be the base for 3 nights before moving north into the tropical interior of the island, up high in the hills with lush views and cool air.

The group camps at the wonderful Barana Aute for an exciting ‘night in the cultural village’ where you will surrender yourself to sleep with the sounds of the jungle and ocean waves.

Hotels are typically offered on a twin basis or doubles on request subject to availability. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room. Occasionally, on this adventure, triple or family rooms are used. Single supplements may be available.

On the camping nights, you will use your own sleeping equipment and enjoy an exciting night of fresh air, big skies and jungle sights and sounds. You may get the odd insect bite but remember, there are no nasties here!

Meals

All meals and Pit Stops are included as standard, at hotels and in camp, cooked up by the expert catering crew. Expect an abundance of local tropical fruit and other fresh goodies!

Kit list

A comprehensive list of mandatory and recommended kit is available.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Douglas-Charles Airport
Marigot
Dominica

You will be greeted at the airport by the team and transferred to the first hotel.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Travel

  On arrival at the airport you will be greeted by the team and transferred to the hotel where the group will stay for the first 3 nights.

• Day 2 | Registration

  You'll get to know the other adventurers and be briefed on the days ahead.

• Day 3 | Scott's Head - Bellevue Choplin (approx. 7-9 hours)

  Transfer the short distance to Scott’s Head at the very bottom of the island. You will cover 18.9km of stunning jungle today as your first taste of the amazing WNT trail, finishing the day at Bellevue Choplin. You’ll take in some of the best scenery the jungle has to offer including enormous river beds, hot springs and remote villages. Today is the first taste of the adventure; the first section of the day is steep and will give you an introduction to the jungle ropes that assist you under the canopy. Once you have finished the stage, you will be transported back to the hotel for one final night.

• Day 4 | Bellevue Choplin, Wotten Waven, Trafalgar Falls (approx. 4-6 hours)

  A bright and early start, fresh Caribbean breakfast and then onto the trail for 13km, giving you a gradual ascent to the rugged heart of the island. Starting the day at Bellevue Choplin, meander towards Wotten Waven and Trafalgar Falls. Today you will have the opportunity for some river crossings within the jungle interspersed with friendly villages and stunning views. 

• Day 5 | Trafalgar Falls, Pont Casse, Baran Aute camp (approx. 4-6 hours)

  Start the day with a steep ascent of a ridgeline. This ridge provides one of the most stunning views of the whole event as you witness the grandeur of Trafalgar Falls. You will then enjoy the gradual descent towards the end point at the Pont Casse The last few hundred metres test the nerves with some further rope sections. Rest assured the team will be there to support you every step of the way. You will cover 20.2km in total. Camp at Barana Aute tonight, the cultural village of the Kalinago tribe on the east side of the island. A real treat awaits with home-cooked food in this most exotic of locations, you will be able to relax in the plunge pools of the local waterfall whilst looking out towards the ocean as the sunsets. 

• Day 6 | Layou Valley, Salisbury (approx. 6-8 hours)

  After a restful night sleeping with the cacophony of jungle sounds and the distant rumbling of the waves. You will be greeted with fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast. Today see a fast flowing day compared to yesterday with 21.6km to cover. Run down the Layou Valley using mainly minor roads and paths today, giving some well earnt downhill before hitting the final up of the day to finish on a high with views of the west coast and the town of Salisbury.

• Day 7 | Syndicate Trail Centre (approx. 7-9 hours)

  Another adventurous day of 17.1km. Today's route snakes through the jungle linking together farmer settlements and off-the-beaten-track roads to eventually spit you back out onto the WNT heading towards Syndicate Trail Centre to finish.

• Day 8 | Portsmouth (approx. 7-9 hours)

  Today covers 18.7km and starts at the Syndicate Trail Centre, turning north back into the jungle terrain. Even though back in the dense jungle the first 8km of this route is quick. This will be a good chance to shake out the legs before heading into a more remote and steep section of the jungle and through ancient estate lands. Head towards the lower slopes of the west coast and the area around Portsmouth. At the end of the stage you will be whisked away to another lovely hotel setting to wash away the sand from the previous night’s beach-camp. 

• Day 9 | Capuchin (Cape Melville) (approx. 3-5 hours)

  Your final day on the trail will bring you to Capuchin (Cape Melville) at the very northern tip of the island, covering 14.5km. After high fives all around, a good Caribbean welcome and a beer you will be transported back to the cosy hotel in Portsmouth for a celebration dinner and drinks.

• Day 10 | Travel

  After a final breakfast together, you will be transferred back to the airport, or you may choose to say your goodbyes to the group and spend some more time in this wonderful island paradise.

Included

• Accommodation

  9 nights hotel and camping.

• Meals

  All meals included.

• Transfers

  Airport transfers at the beginning and end.

• Guides and support

  Professional support vehicles, jungle guides, safety staff, medical and welfare.

• Safety

  Professional local and UK safety staff, medics, drivers, route safety staff and experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.

• Transfer policy

  Flexible event transfer policy up to 12 weeks before your departure.

• Extras

  High quality medal, rat rag and premium t-shirt for all participants.

Trip leader

Abbi is your leader for this adventure. She's a highly experienced Expeditions Manager with more than 10 years of exploring under her belt.

Environmental pledge

This adventure has made a firm commitment to really elevate its approach to a sustainable and environmentally aware way of working. Each activity has been assessed to improve its environmental impact, including:

• race t-shirts to be collected at the event and not shipped across the world
• wooden medals instead of metal
• phasing out single-use plastics
• local event catering
• tighter recycling activities

This event is on track to achieve carbon-neutral in its day-to-day business activities and is making progress with carbon off-setting for worldwide travel, including ground-breaking ways to make a difference in some of the host locations.

Age

16 and 17 year olds will be considered on an individual basis, if taking part with a responsible adult.

Instalment plan

eg. Pay £375 in 10 instalments.

Choose how many months you want to spread the cost over, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan a recurring payment will be set up and your card will be debited on the same date each month.

Refund protect

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance.

Costs

It was brilliant - easily the best thing I've done this year. And really tough, in a good way. The toughness made it a real challenge and very worthwhile.

This is a fantastic trip for anyone who loves tropical wildlife, or anyone looking for a more trekking-based sport over running or cycling. Saying that it is really tough. The heat, the terrain and the early mornings to do it all over again. But that just made it all the more satisfying getting to the end. I would recommend this adventure to anyone. Rachel 2021

The event was grueling and the most difficult thing I've ever done, but it was also AMAZING!

The crew did an amazing job at preparing us up to the event with webinars, kit lists, and email check-ins. Everything regarding the event was run well - professionally and efficiently. We stayed at great hotels, ate great food, and only had to show up and hike - again and again and again! The actual event was hard but manageable. I always felt safe - on the island, with the medics, and with the tracking provided. I'm currently looking at events in 2023. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Jason 2022

Was it worth it … absolutely …. definitely a bucket list adventure not to be missed. Life begins on the edge of your comfort zone’. Now go do it :-) Andy 2022