by Paul Shaw, Vice President, KTA Board of Directors and Co-Owner, Treks & Trails, International
Reserve the dates: January 25-31, 2015. Travel with Keystone Trails Association to St. Johns in the US Virgin Islands, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and pristine of all the islands in the Caribbean. The Virgin Islands National Park comprises 60 percent of the island and provides wonderful opportunities for hiking on its 20+ trails. Each day you will have the option of a guided 3-5 mile hike through a striking variety of terrain including sub-tropical forest, white sand beaches, and cactus scrub. We will also take advantage of diverse National Park programs including birdwatching, stargazing, and the cultural history of the island. A must-see on our itinerary is a visit to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Trunk Bay, and its spectacular snorkeling trail, a wonderful place to observe coral reefs teeming with multi-hued tropical fish.
Our home base in St. Johns is the Concordia Eco-Resort outside the village of Coral Bay. We will be staying in canvas-walled cabins (two people per cabin) situated high on a hillside with breathtaking views of the sea and the nearby beach. This is not a luxury resort, but a comfortable sanctuary built in harmony with the natural world. Electricity is provided by photovoltaic cells and cabins are designed to take advantage of breezes coming off the sea. Solar panels on each cabin produce hot water for showers. Our two support vans provide access to restaurants, excursions to Cruz Bay (the only town on the island), and anyplace else we choose to go.
St. Johns is not visited by cruise ships and is less “touristy” and quieter than other Caribbean islands. But if you prefer strikingly beautiful landscapes, tropical hiking and white sand beaches over wild nightlife and non-stop shopping, St. Johns is the island for you.
This unforgettable trip is led by KTA Vice-President Paul Shaw (co-owner of Treks & Trails International) and KTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter. Cost is $2,995 per person and includes round-trip airfare from Harrisburg, PA to St. Thomas; all transportation including taxis, ferries and vans; lodging; National Park access fees; and guide fees. Meals are not included. For the budget-minded, each cabin has a fully-equipped kitchen with a small refrigerator.
All net proceeds benefit KTA. Look for more details appearing soon on KTA’s website, www.kta-hike.org. Space is limited to twelve people. To reserve your space, contact Paul Shaw at pshaw@ptd.net or 717-215-8339. See you in Paradise!