SUPPORTING

OUR ROUTE IS FOCUSSED ON THE STUNNING WAITIUKUBULI NATIONAL TRAIL WHICH SNAKES ITS WAY UP AND DOWN THE ISLAND.

Dominica is known as the Caribbean’s nature island: Packing stunning coastline, lush vegetation, sparkling-clear streams and waterfalls, hot springs and a rugged interior full of jungle mountains, this really is a volcanic island paradise rising dramatically out of the warm Caribbean Sea.

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29 JUNE - 8 JULY / 2023
26 JUNE - 5 JULY / 2025

EVENT DATES:

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DISTANCE:

100 MILES (160 KM) ON FOOT

SLEEP STYLE:

HOTEL AND CAMPING

LOCATION:

DOMINICA, CARIBBEAN

DURATION:

10 DAYS /
9 NIGHTS

DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?

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

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

ACCOMODATION

9 nights accommodation / hotel and camping.

TRANSFERS

Airport transfers.

SAFETY

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

ALL MEALS

All meals included as standard, at hotels and in camp, cooked up by our expert catering crew

EXTRAS

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

GUIDES AND SUPPORT

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

POLICY

Flexible transfer policy.

YOUR TRIP LEADER:
Abbi

Your leader for this trip is Abbi
she's our highly experienced Expeditions Manager with more than 10 years of exploring under her belt.

ABOUT ABBI

RAISE £5000 AND GET UP TO £2500 REFUNDED

SET UP YOUR JUST GIVING PAGE HERE OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITY PARTNERSHIP HERE

MORE INFORMATION:

The event will use the WNT extensively and will provide a stunning route for those looking to stretch their legs either as walkers or runners in this amazing new tropical adventure. Do not be fooled by what looks like relatively short distances to some, the humidity and elevation may catch your legs off-guard if you don’t pace yourselves. The jungle is renowned for being some of the toughest terrain for hiking; it’s both muddy and steep. Multiple sections of the route have ropes to hold – these are there to assist you up and down the trail. In addition to the WNT the route will encompass some short road sections, additional bespoke routings and off the beaten track sections to create a route that embodies the island culture. One other unique thing about Dominica: There are no poisonous animals. So you can enjoy the wonders of the tropical rainforest, with no nasties..! As Dominica is a Nature island it is famous for wildlife and creatures in the jungle, even though they are not nasty we are still on their home turf.

After collections and transfers from Melville Hall International airport, plus a Registration and pre-challenge preparation day, our journey will commence at the dramatic southern tip of Dominica at Scott’s Head. The route then makes its way through jungle, over mountains, through tropical farmland and into coastal regions once populated by runaway slaves. It is a truly swashbuckling route – rough underfoot, with plenty of elevation but all the time with classic Rat Race support at hand to allow you to get the job done. We will use a variety of local accommodation, including superb hotels, a cosy lodge and B and Bs, plus a night camping in the Kalinago cultural village. At journey’s end we will congregate at a wonderful waterside spot in Portsmouth for a final celebration dinner and one last night together on this magical island.

DAY FOUR

2nd July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 4-6 hours

Another bright and early start, fresh Caribbean breakfast and then onto the trail for another 17 miles, giving you a gradual ascent to get you right into the rugged heart of the island. Starting the day at Bellevue Choplin we will 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.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel - twin shared basis
MEALS: Breakfast, pit stops and dinner provided.

DAY FIVE

3rd July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 4-6 hours

You will 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 our end point at the Pont Casse The last few hundred metres testing our nerve with some further rope sections. Rest assured we will be there to support you every step of the way. We will be camping at Barana Aute tonight, this is 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.

ACCOMMODATION: Camping – shared basis. The lodge is available as a communal and social area throughout the evening stay.
MEALS: Breakfast, Pit Stops and dinner provided.

DAY SIX

4th July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 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 a flowing day compared to yesterday. We will run down the Layou valley using mainly minor roads and path today, given us some well earnt down hill before hitting the final up of the day to finish on a high, views of the west coast and the town of Salisbury.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel – twin shared basis. Doubles are available on request (no surcharge). Single supplements are available with surcharge applied.
MEALS: Breakfast, pit stops and dinner provided.

DAY SEVEN

5th July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 7-9 hours

Another adventurous day! Today 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.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel – twin shared basis. Doubles are available on request (no surcharge). Single supplements are available with surcharge applied.**
MEALS: Breakfast, pit stops and dinner provided.

DAY EIGHT

6th July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 7-9 hours

Today starts at the Syndicate Trail Centre, turning North back into the jungle terrain. Even though back in the dense jungle the first 5 miles 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. We will start heading 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 NINE

7th July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 3-5 hours

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

DAY TEN

8th July 2023

After a final breakfast together, we will transfer you back to Melville Hall International airport, or you may choose to say your goodbyes to the group and spend some more time on this wonderful island paradise.

ACCOMMODATION: NA
MEALS: Breakfast provided.

** Not all hotels will have the capacity for a single supplement.

DAY ONE: ARRIVE

29th June 2023

Arrive (or meet at Jungle Bay, if you are already in Dominica) Melville Hall International Airport. Transfers will be arranged from the airport to our first accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel – twin shared basis. Doubles are available on request (no surcharge). Single supplements are available with surcharge applied.**.
MEALS: Dinner provided.

DAY TWO: REGISTRATION DAY

30th June 2023

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel – twin shared basis. Doubles are available on request (no surcharge). Single supplements are available with surcharge applied.**
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

DAY THREE: TIP TO TOE BEGINS

1st July 2023 / Estimated time on your feet: 7-9 hours

We will make our way the short distance to Scott’s Head at the very bottom of the island. You will cover 12 miles of stunning jungle today as your first taste of the amazing WNT trail, finishing the day at Bellevue Choplin. Today you’ll take in some of the best scenery the jungle has to officer 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 the hotel in which you have been staying for one final night here before our camping adventure tomorrow night as our journey continues north the following day.

ACCOMMODATION

Our accommodation will be a real highlight of the event. We will use a base hotel at the start of our journey, spending 3 nights at the same location before moving on as our route moves further North. We are then into the tropical interior of the island, up high in the hills and benefitting from lush views and cool air. We camp at the wonderful Barana Aute an our exciting ‘night in the cultural village’ will see you surrendering yourself to sleep with the sounds of the jungle and ocean waves on our night of camping, before we will head back to good quality facilities at our hotel in Salisbury for two nights and then the final hotel in Portsmouth, at which we will spend another 2 nights.

Where we use hotels, accommodation is typically always offered on a twin room basis, or doubles on request and 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. Please note that due to the limited accommodation on the island on very rare occasions there maybe triple or family rooms used. Single supplements may be available for a surcharge on the hotel nights. Please enquire.

Where we are using other accommodation, rooming will be shared and it will vary depending on exact group and venue configuration.

On the camping nights, you will all 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’s no nasties here!

MEALS

BREAKFAST

This will typically be served in your accommodation and will consist of typical local choices in line with he hotel’s offerings. Expect an abundance of local tropical fruit and other fresh goodies.

We will always endeavour to provide vegetarian, GF and Vegan choices at meal-times.

DINNER

We will normally eat at the hotel or accommodation that we are using. We will use some local restaurants, too. Where we provide meals, these will be hearty and of good quality. This may be a set menu, buffet or a al carte depending on the setting. In all cases you will pay for your own drinks – although the first round is most definitely on us on the final night to toast a job well done!

PIT STOPS

During the challenge you will have access to our famously well-stocked Pit Stops multiple times throughout the journey. On all stages, these will typically be set-up from our snowmobile team at set spots on the route. You will carry your own supplies, including a flask of hot drink, in a day bag also. This ensures you are always self-sufficient with food and fluids.

Pit stops will typically have a minimum of the following available:

Water – Ensure you leave with water bottles and bladders filled so you have enough to get you to the next Pit Stop.
Sports Food Bars – flapjack or similar oat-type bars.
Salty snacks – such as crisps and peanuts.
Savoury treats – We will feature sandwiches, savoury pastries and other goodies at selected pit stops, around lunchtime.
A fruit option – Either oranges or bananas and always looking to feature some fresh local tropical fruit too.
Sweets – such as Haribo and Skittles.
A variety of sandwiches, pastries or cakes.

We will always endeavour to have good quality and filling local options lined up, so you can savour the flavour of Dominica as you make your way through her lush interior.

Our Pit Stops are there to help supplement any personal sports nutrition plan you may have. If you have any special dietary requirements then please plan for this and pack your kit accordingly. Rat Race aim to offer Pit Stop snacks that are tasty and functional for as broad a mix of needs as possible. We have options available that are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and availability of this will depend on demand. If peanuts are served these will be in individual portioned bags to reduce the chance of contamination but Rat Race cannot guarantee that the food does not contain contamination from allergens such as nuts or gluten in its preparation or serving.

Please make sure you sanitise your hands prior to eating any food. Please, please, please take care with your trash and help us in our aim of leaving these incredible islands tidier than we find them. This is even more critical in this environment, with any lost trash instantly becoming a choking hazard for the marine life we are here to admire.

The date-range is set and the route is tried and tested. However, our challenges unfold in some of the most spectacular places on Earth. Sometimes we do have to change plans on account of weather or other unforeseen factors. If we do have to do so, you will be informed and usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end! That having been said, our route is likely to remain largely intact, regardless of any on-the-ground changes.

Click ‘Buy Event Voucher’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure. If you wish to participate as a family group or with a responsible adult and you are 16+, we will consider applications on an individual basis. Please contact us if this is the case.

Getting to the start line is important and we are there to help you as best we can. However, if you feel on reflection that it is just not your time yet, we do have a transfer system that you can use to transfer out, receive Rat Race credit and come back again next year or do something else. Credit is typically valid for 12 months and there is a fee to be paid for transferring out in this way. We want to be really clear that this option is there for you if you need it, but it does have a deadline. View our full terms and conditions here.

The latest kit list will be sent to you before the event within the Essential Event Information Document.

Of course. If you run for Children with Cancer UK and raise the target amount for this event per person, we will refund your entry fee up to the amount of £2500. You are of course more than welcome to fundraise for any cause close to your heart.

Yes, you can. We welcome support on almost all of our events and if you do decide you want to come and work with us, we will make sure we look after you. Click here to find out more about volunteering for Rat Race.

We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.

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. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.

Yes. You need a decent travel policy covering you for general travel and which covers participation in outdoor sports. You will also need what is called an Evacuation Insurance Policy, which is for if we need to send you back to the closest city for urgent medical attention via a helicopter or similar. We also recommend you have this in place as soon as you enter this event and that if you book flights, we highly recommend booking a flexible option for any last-minute changes you might need to make or to ensure you have maximum flexibility if you cannot attend for any reason.

Travel insurance is compulsory for our events, so please make sure your insurance policy covers the activities you will be participating in. There are a number of specialist providers available including Mann Broadbent.

Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will be kept in the loop closer to the event when we will send out our Essential Event Information approximately 12 weeks ahead of the event, detailing the full itinerary, what you need to bring and other important information relating to the specific event you have signed up for. We will also host webinars which you will be invited to (again, closer to the event), where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and go through your kit. There will be a final email one month ahead of the event, just to check you’ve completed all the important forms and are ready for the event ahead. If you have chosen to pay in instalments, we will also get in touch with you if any of your payments have been missed.

Rat Race have been audited and accredited to the prestigious BS8848 expedition safety standard. We have firm emergency protocols and response systems in place whilst out on our adventures. Our main priority above all else is to keep you and our staff safe. Before we leave for each trip a comprehensive in-country risk and threat assessment has been conducted by the Head of Expeditions. All protocols are put in place relating to those assessments. We make sure that the staff involved have the highest level of first aid training; a higher level of medical cover is also put in place if needed; all instructors have qualifications and/ or competencies to match the adventure we will undertake. In the event of an emergency, Rat Race staff and appointed contractors have comprehensive knowledge of procedures which will rapidly be put in place. If needed, our staff will provide first aid and then further medical assistance and evacuation if needed in line with a published Medical Procedures Plan. We have medical back-up and Clinical Directorship provided by a specialist events medical company and we have further emergency response support services provided by competent contracted partner. All our cover is available 24/7 while operations are underway. We use our knowledge and emergency procedures to provide the best possible care in our often remote and austere environments. Before leaving on a trip, we will advise on the insurance cover you are required to have in place for the trip; we will ask for a copy of these insurance details before the departure date.

Race entry includes a glorious finishers medal and bespoke event Rat Race tee. We will request your tshirt size and this will be the size you will be given at Registration.