QUOTE
Martinique GEMS 2025
GEMS World Academy Chicago | Khadija Snowber
Volcanic in origin, Martinique is a mountainous stunner crowned by the still-smoldering Mont Pelée, the volcano that famously wiped out the former capital of St-Pierre in 1902. Offering a striking diversity of landscapes and atmospheres, Martinique is a cosmopolitan and sophisticated island that boasts world-class beaches, top-notch hiking, great culinary experiences, an enormous array of activities and some colourful cultural life. We look forward to exploring with your school.
Activities & Attractions
- Participate in private Creole lessons
- Biology research projects on the beach
- Enjoy hiking at Mount Pelée
- Watch a music performance at Tropiques Atrium
- Participate in a pottery making workshop
- Snorkeling Afternoon
- Complete a walking tour of Forte-de-France with a local guide
- Enjoy an afternoon at the beach
- Learn the history of Martinique while visiting La Savane des Esclaves, the Pagerie Museum, and the Aimé Césaire Museum and Theatre
- Enjoy a cooking workshop using local produce from the Grande Marche market
- Enjoy an afternoon of community service and engaging with the local community
- Explore mangroves via kayak
Trip Details
Accommodations
- 6 nights’ accommodations at hotel Karibea Valmeniere
- Triple Occupancy for students
- Single Occupancy for Chaperones
Meals
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included in tour cost
Transportation
- Return airfare from Chicago to Forte-de-France via connection
- Private coach transportation as needed for duration of tour
Additional Personnel
- 1 Evolve Tours Director
- Additional Local Guides
Exclusives
- Creative trip programming and leadership activities
- Pre and Post Trip Curriculum
- Forever Green by Evolve Tours- Carbon Offset this whole trip (ask for details)
Insurance
- $312: Travel Insurance student for medical, baggage, cancellation and trip interruption with CFAR coverage
Package Price is based on
- Prices subject to availability and change until contract signed
- Total Package price may vary if number of paying customers changes
- Does not include airline baggage fees if applicable
- Tips for drivers and guides are INCLUDED
- Happy with what you see? Sign a 2-year contract with Evolve and pay the same rate for two years. Ask us for more information. *Based on same group size
Itinerary
TRAVEL TO MARTINIQUE!
Day 1: June 16, 2025
Depart
Board flight for Miami. Overnight in Miami Airport Hotel
Day 2: June 17, 2025
MIAMI>MARTINIQUE
MORNING
Board flight to Martinique
AFTERNOON
In the afternoon, arrive in Martinique! Meet your Evolve Tours Guide excited to spend the next week with you. From the airport, hop on your coach bus and head to the hotel to check-in, drop off your bags, and freshen up.
We will walk by Schoelcher waterfront and enjoy a majestic sunset.
Enjoy a welcome group dinner, before returning to you hotel to rest for the evening.
Day 3: June 18, 2025
HIKE MOUNT PELÉE
| Morning | In the morning, discover the history of Mount Pelée at the Maison des Volcans (Volcanoes house) in the town of Morne Rouge. Inaugurated in 1991 by volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft, the museum monitors the volcanoes eruptive mechanisms through applications of volcanology, and a video recounts its 1902 eruption. |
| Then, a local guide will take you hiking in the Mount Pelée region. Here, you will be immersed in pristine landscapes and be able to take in breathtaking views as you hike. Your guide will have a wealth of knowledge to share with you about the area, its history, and your surroundings. | |
| Afternoon | Snorkeling adventure at Anses d’Arlet.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon on the beach and enjoy the majestic sunset. |
Day 4: June 19, 2025
FORT DE FRANCE, CREOLE LESSON
| Morning | In the morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Fort-de-France led by a local guide. Stops on the walking tour will include a range of historical landmarks including Schoelcher Library, St. Louis Cathedral, Palais de Justice, and Pavillon Bougenot.
Then learn about Creole culture and language. Get familiar with words and phrases that you can use to interact with the local population. |
| Afternoon | Marine Biology Workshop with proffesor from UWI Campus of Schoelcher |
| Evening | Group dinner and activity led by Evolve leader |
Day 5: June 20, 2025
NATURAL LANDMARKS, HISTORICAL SITES & COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
| Morning | This morning, enjoy breakfast.
We will drive to the town of Les Trois-Îlets and visit the village de la Poterie for an interactive pottery making class. Visit the Pagerie Museum to learn about the history of slavery on the island. |
| Afternoon | After lunch, we will take a tour of La Savane des Esclaves.
Then, you’ll have the wonderful experience of participating in a community service project. Interact with the local population, test your language skills, and engage in a cultural exchange. Here are some examples: help run programs at a local school, planting initiatives, painting and light repairs…etc. Project specifics will be determined closer to the date, as they are designed to address the current needs of the community at the time. |
Day 6: June 21, 2025
LOCAL MARKET TOUR & COOKING WORKSHOP
| Morning | Wake up, grab breakfast at the hotel. | ||
| Local Market tour | |||
| Afternoon | After lunch, the group will participate in a Creole cooking workshop! Our chef will lead us through the steps to prepare and cook a traditional three-course Creole meal.
Enjoy some beach time in the later afternoon. |
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This evening, we will have a group dinner at a local restaurant and witness a music performance at Tropiques Atrium. |
Day 7: June 22, 2025
AIMÉ CÉSAIRE MUSEUM & BALATA GARDENS
| Morning | In the morning, board the bus to the Fort the France for some last-minute shopping for souvenirs. |
| Then visit the Aimé Césaire Museum. Aimé Césaire, founder of the Négritude Movement, was a monumental figure in the struggle for civil rights. Feel his presence and learn more about Martinique’s history as you explore the museum and the theatre. | |
| Midday | Then, we will take a stroll through Jardin de Balata to discover Martinique’s unique flora and fauna. |
| Afternoon | Board our Flight for Miami. Arrive in Miami spend night in Airport Hotel |
Day 8: June 23, 2025
Departure
| Morning | Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check out. |
| Afternoon | Board our flight from Miami to Chicago |
| Evening | Arrive in Chicago. End trip |
