"Eco-Trip Special" Blue Mountains

This is the most popular Eco-trip that is organized by Zion Country Eco-beach Cabins. The steep-faced mountains rise North-East of Kingston and soar in green pleats to a knife-edged backbone -- the grand ridge -- extending West-North-West and East-South-East for about 48 km. The mountain is 20 km wide on average.The chain is flanked to the east by the lower John Crow Mountains and to the west by the less distinct Port Royal mountains.

The Blue Mountains dominate the eastern parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary, rising swiftly from the coast in a series of rounded peaks that culminate in Blue Mountain Peak (2407 m ), the highest point in Jamaica. In the Blue Mountains scallion, thyme, coffee, carrots and yam are grown. The Blue Mountains are much more humid and cooler than the rest of Jamaica, so you find a quite different climate. Because of this more than 500 flowering plant species can be found in this area, about 240 of which are indigenous to the island, including 65 species of orchids. Here you can see the high Tree Fern, Eucalyptus, Rhododendron, Azalea etc. Often you can see the Doctor Bird, a species of the hummingbird, the Jamaican National Bird.

What Zion Country Eco-beach Cabins offers is a 3 (three) day trip to the Blue Mountains. Our drive takes us from Zion Country Eco-beach Cabins through Cedar Valley to the Blue Mountains. On our way we cross 2 rivers and enjoy the many beautiful views. At Hagley Gap we park our car and change to a 4-wheel drive vehicle which takes us to Whitfield Hall, a half hour drive..


There we spend the nights at a "bobo rasta" family’s (Jah-B) house among the coffee farms. Here breakfast and dinner are cooked to order, there are drinks and little snacks available and in the coffee season you can help to pick the coffee beans and make your own world famous Blue Mountain coffee. If you want to go up to the peak we start at around 2 a.m. in the morning. The climb takes about 3.5 hours and you have to be physically fit. We reach the peak just before sunrise. Here you can see the lights of Kingston; on a clear day a fabulous sunrise will dazzle your eyes and sometimes you can see all the way to Cuba. The temperature at the peak can be cold, especially during the months December ‘til June; the coldest temperature is around 5 degrees celsius.( Please bring: flashlights, batteries, sweater, coat, hiking boots, watch, water and dry fruit.) After half an hour at the peak we return to the base through the several distinct ecosystems including an area of bamboo and giant tree ferns.

Further up is cloud forest, dripping with filaments of hanging lichens and festooned with epiphytus and moss. Near the top is Stunted Dwarf or Elfin Forest, with trees such as Hirsute, Soapwood and Redwood no more than 3 m tall –an adaptation to the extreme temperatures. On return at our base, breakfast is served and the rest of the day is reserved for relaxation. An alternative for hiking the peak, is a visit to a waterfall -- a 2 hour hike.The following day you can "chill out " or take a walk, exploring the surrounding area . On the third day we drive back to Zion Country Eco-beach Cabins. Included: All transportation and two nights accommodation. Three day trip.

Prices on request.