INTINERARY
 

DAY 01 – 02: Arrival to Las Americas airport. Our Exploration & Adventures starts in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, one of the biggest islands in the Caribbean.

Santo Domingo is a fine example of a Spanish colonial city. In the old part of the city there are many places to explore from the time, the City was founded on 5 August 1498 (although the first houses were built in 1496) by Columbus’ brother Bartolomé on the eastern bank of the Río Ozama and hence was the first capital in Spanish America. From this city originated the colonization of many American countries.

Santo Domingo itself holds the title of ‘first’ for a variety honors: first city, having the first Audiencia Real, cathedral, university, coinage, and others. In view of this, UNESCO has designated Santo Domingo a World Cultural Heritage site (Patrimonio Cultural Mundial). You will enjoy the beautiful early 16th-century buildings. The old city of Santo Domingo, is very attractive, with open air cafés and pleasant squares near the waterfront. During the night you will be able to dance in La Guacara Taina, an unique underground cave dancing place.

In the Old Santo Domingo City we will explore historical monuments and churches such as Alcázar de Colón, Museo Virreinal (Viceregal Museum) as well as many many churches like Capilla de La Virgen del Rosario, Catedral Basílica Menor de Santa María and Primada de América, the first cathedral to be founded in the New World. Its first stone was laid by Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus. In 1892, the government of Spain donated the tomb in which his remains lay, behind the high altar, until their removal to the Faro de Colón. You will enjoy seeing El Reloj de Sol (sundial), built, by 1753, and walk in the tourist area of Puerta del Conde. At the mouth of the Río Ozama, you will see the Antigua Ceiba tree, where Columbus moored his caravels, the Plaza de Armas, the city’s original drainage system and the old city wall. Steps lead up to the Alcázar de Colón where the Plaza de España has been established. In the afternoon we will visit the Botanical Garden, highly recommended for its Japanese Garden. There are also horse-drawn carriages and a small train tour.

DAY 03: During the third day you will visit the National Aquarium, on the East Coast of the city, a manatee is one of the very popular exhibits. From the Aquarium you will go to the Faro de Colón (Columbus Lighthouse), in the Parque Mirador del Este, which is in the shape of a cross. Where the arms of the cross intersect is the mausoleum containing the supposed remains of Columbus. The navy mounts a permanent guard over the tomb. Spotlights project a crucifix of light into the night sky, spectacular on a cloudy night, less so when it is clear. Later we will move to Tres Ojos, a popular tourist attraction. There are actually four, not three, water-filled holes, which used to be public bathing pools going back to the times of the Taínos.

DAY 04 - 08: From Santo Domingo city we will travel to the far southwest of the Republic which is a dry zone with typical dry-forest vegetation. It also contains some of the country’s most spectacular coastline and several national parks. We will backpack and explore virgin beaches of the region, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. We will visit Polo town; a place where there is a high magnetic effect, salt mines, and takes a bath in the mineral waters (sulfuric waters). From here we will explore Enriquillo Lake, a unique place 45 meter below the sea level, rich in exotic birds, flamingos, iguanas and salt water crocodiles.

We will explore Baní and observe sugar cane, coffee, vegetables and banana plantations. In Las Tablas, a village nearby, is one of the last places to conserve indigenous ways of life. This region is spectacular as the setting is beautiful, looking across the bay to the mountains inland.

DAY 09- 15: From the Baní region we will travel to Jarabacoa, where you will spend 7 fabulous and exiting days of unusual exports available to the group, from white-water rafting, rock climbing, canoeing horseback riding and canyoning. One day will visit the Jarabacoa Valley by mountain bike and observe the magnificence of this unique region, you will appreciate the Dominican culture and lifestyle. From here we start to climb the tallest elevation in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. Our journey to the Duarte peak will be a 4-days excursion, by foot and mule; you will enjoy everything from tropical forests to pine forests and a wide variety of ferns, bromeliads, exotic birds that include parrots and peacocks. Hiking, you will cross crystal streams, waterfall and rivers of the region. You will appreciate the beauty of nature, and experience that will be unforgettable forever. Or you can choose to stay in Jarabacoa repeating your favorite adventures.

DAY 16 -17: From Jarabacoa we will travel northeast to the Haitises National Park. This park is a unique place in the Dominican Republic; there you will explore mangroves, caves and karts-mogotes. The are a large number of caves used by the Tainos Indians and later by pirates in which you will observe the anthropomorphic cave drawings and other pictures. The park is rich in exotic flowering plants and in birds. Some of the caves have bats; there are manatees in the mangroves and inland the solenodonte (Solenodon pardoxus), an insectivorous mammal found only on this Island.

DAY 18 –20: From the Haitises we will travel to another area of virgin beaches in the north coast of the Island were you will find more aquatic sports, from swimming to sea kayaking. During the night you will enjoy the bonfire and the stellar observations. In Kayo Levantado, you will explore several beautiful offshore islands. The white sand beach is nice though, and there are good views of the bay and the peninsulas on either side. A lovely drive is to go east of Samaná around the tip of the peninsula to Las Galeras, through beautiful scenery, passing by many bays and several small beaches where you can stop and swim.

Finally, we will visit Puerto Plata, a beautiful city in the north coast of the Island rich in culture and Spanish heritage.

DAY 21: Departure from Santo Domingo homeward flight.