Nature experience in Hidden Paradise

Day 1: Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo Airport - Santo Domingo Old Town (30 kilometers - 45 minutes)
Personal welcome at Santo Domingo airport (driver with name sign outside the terminal) and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Included services: Transfer with Spanish speaking driver.

Day 2: Barrera

Santo Domingo - Baní - Barrera (180 kilometers - 3 hours 45 minutes)
After breakfast and check-out, your guide will pick you up at the hotel reception at 09:00. Then you will explore the first city in America built by Europeans by bike. During the approximately one and a half hour guided tour you will get to know the most important sights of the historic old town. The Zona Colonial is the former home of the Spanish colonial master's and the oldest European settlement on the American continent. It is home to the first cathedral, the first hospital and the first school in the New World, among others. During the tour, you will make stops at historically significant places and picturesque squares and learn, for example, why Columbus' son Diego lived in a far more pompous house than his father Christopher. But the darker sides of colonial history are also illuminated during this excursion. You will learn how the native Taínos were exploited and how slavery was introduced in America, because the first slave market of the New World was also located in Santo Domingo. The tour is thus not only the fastest, easiest and most fun way to discover the Zona Colonial, but also a crash course in Dominican history. Afterwards, you will leave Santo Domingo along the coastal road heading west and arrive at the main town of Peravia province, Baní, at lunchtime. There you can have lunch in a modern Dominican restaurant (cost to be paid by participants) before learning all about one of the country's export hits: Mango*. Because according to the locals, the world's best mangoes grow in Baní. Here you will visit an agricultural research facility where a wide variety of mango varieties are studied for their characteristics such as yield, taste, etc., in order to provide valuable knowledge to local producers. As soon as you enter the mango plantation, you can smell the wonderful, sweet fragrance. Be amazed by the diversity of different varieties that you have never seen in a local supermarket. The highlight of the visit is the tasting of the ripe fruits directly from the tree - a real taste explosion! You will be surprised how different the different types of mangoes taste. Next, visit the Baní Dunes, a breathtaking natural wonder. The desert landscape of the dunes appears almost surreal and offers visitors an unforgettable setting for exploration and relaxation. Adventurous travelers can glide down the dunes here on a surfboard. Not far away is the Baní Salt Works, where salt is extracted from seawater in the traditional way. There you will make a brief stop and then continue your journey westward, reaching the ecological Hotel Altos de Caobita in the late afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: Rental bike and helmet, visit to mango plantation incl. tasting (in season from March to August), entrance fees, English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.

Day 3: Barahona

Barrera - Barahona - Los Patos (145 kilometers - 3 hours)
The day begins with a 30-minute morning walk to Caobita Beach. Take advantage of the early morning hours for an invigorating swim in the Caribbean Sea. You can take the walk before or after breakfast in consultation with your tour guide. After check-out, continue your journey to the southwest. After about two and a half hours of driving you will reach the seaside resort of Los Patos, famous for its natural swimming pool formed by the Los Patos River, the shortest river in the Antilles. The water of the pool is crystal clear and cold, as the river rises at the foot of a nearby mountain. In Los Patos it flows into a picturesque pebble beach. Here you can spend a wonderful afternoon switching between the two bodies of water as you please. The gastronomic offer on site with local specialties and delicious cocktails will complete your stay (costs to be paid by the participants). After a 30-minute drive you will reach your accommodation for the next days, Casa del Mar a Caribbean eco-lodge with private beach directly on the sea.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, cap or hat, swimwear, towel and a change of clothes if necessary.

Day 4: Barahona

Larimarmines and Cave of the Virgin (Full Day Excursion)
The pride of the Dominican jewelry industry is the larimar, which changes between white, light blue, green-blue and deep blue, which you will get to know today. An off-road vehicle will pick you up at your hotel at 9:00 am. Along a scenic coastal road you will drive to Bahoruco. From here you will head high into the mountains to the only Larimar mine in the world. The gemstone was discovered in 1974. It is scratch resistant, can be polished and is used for various jewelry pieces. Your driver will drop you off just below the mine; you will need non-slip shoes for the climb. Once at the mine, you will be given a guided tour of the mining village. Entry into the tunnels is not recommended and visit at your own risk. Back in the village of Bahoruco, you will visit a typical larimar workshop where locals work the stone. You are welcome to bring your own stone, which you can buy in the mines from one of the flying merchants, but please ask your guide before making such a purchase (purchase is not compulsory, cost to be paid by participants). Afterwards, you will continue to La Ciénaga, from where you will take a hike of about 45 minutes to the Cueva de la Virgen, the Cave of the Virgin. The way there leads through a rainforest with an impressive biodiversity and full of beautiful native flowers, including several species of ferns and fruit trees. During the hike you can listen to the songs of native birds, including the endemic palm warbler, hummingbirds and more than 40 other species. Completely hidden in the lush forests of the Sierra de Bahoruco, the walk along and through a river is as exciting as the swim in the cave's emerald pools fed by a plummeting waterfall. Remember to wear shoes that can get wet for the hike. Afterwards, you will visit Villa Miriam. The estate of a Barahona-based family, whose garden has been opened to the public, is located directly on the San Rafael River with natural pools and waterfalls. The refreshing watercourses invite you to take a swim. If you wish, you can also have something to eat here (cost to be paid by the participants).

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, hat or cap, bathing suit, towel, change of clothes and (non-slip) shoes that can get wet.

Day 5: Barahona

Paradise hike (Full Day Excursion)
Today you will be picked up from your hotel around 8:00 am and go on a hike in the surrounding mountains. The trail will take you to the village of Paraíso. From there you will hike for about two hours along the edge of the mountain at an altitude of about 300 meters. Various fruit trees line the path, providing frequent opportunities to sample exotic seasonal fruits, including freshly picked cacao beans, which have a unique sweet and sour taste. Once at the top, you will visit a local family who lives far from civilization and is dedicated to farming. Here you can rest and have a simple typical lunch cooked over an open fire. During the visit you will get an idea of what it means to live in the simplest conditions. At the same time, you will be making a small contribution to the family's livelihood, as 20 percent of the trip fee will go to them in the form of a donation in kind or food. After the rest, you will continue the hike and return to your starting point. We recommend bringing a small backpack for water and snacks for the hike. You must be in good physical condition to be able to tackle the mountain on your own.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch during the hike.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, hat or cap, and sturdy closed-toe (hiking) shoes.

Day 6: Barahona

Crocodile Lake (Full Day Excursion)
Today you will leave around 7:30 a.m. and head northwest. On the way to the Salt Lake, which takes about two hours, you will pass numerous typical Dominican villages and a statue of the Taíno chief Enriquillo, after whom the lake is named. You will stop at a viewpoint from where you can take pictures of the beautiful landscape. Lake Enriquillo is one of the most charming areas in the country and is almost 40 meters below sea level. The area is hot and dry, but extremely fertile in places due to springs and small rivers. In the desert-like environment around the encrusted Salt Lake, some former Taíno settlements have been discovered. Before boarding the boat, you will have the opportunity to visit the cave Las Caritas with stone carvings of the Taíno Indians, located on the mountainside opposite the lake. The following boat trip on the lake will take you first to a section of the shore, from which the chances of observing the crocodiles living in the lake are particularly good. The national park is a refuge for American pointed crocodiles and rhinoceros iguanas. On the way back, you will visit the village of Neyba, known for its grapes, and Las Marias, a place where locals spend their free time. If you would like to have lunch in a typical Dominican restaurant, please inform your guide (cost to be paid by the participants). Afterwards, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, hat or cap and camera, sturdy closed shoes and passport.

Day 7: Barahona

Balneario La Plaza (Full Day Excursion)
Today you will spend actively and in the midst of the lush nature of Barahona with a hike to the Balneario La Plaza. After breakfast, you will go in a four-wheel drive vehicle to the starting point of the hike above the village of La Ciénaga. Here begins the excursion along the Bahoruco River, which according to the locals is the most crystal-clear river in the country. The hike goes upstream and passes through a lush jungle landscape. The trail is challenging and very rocky, so it is important to put on shoes with a sturdy sole that can get wet. This is because in numerous places you will cross the river, sometimes moving through knee-deep water. After about an hour and a half you will reach your destination and the highlight of the hike. The bathing place La Plaza fascinates by its unique situation in the midst of untouched nature - here you have the feeling to be far away from civilization in a forgotten paradise. The play of colors of the crystal-clear refreshing water varies between turquoise, light blue and opal shades. Dare to jump into the cool water and refresh yourself from the hike. Adventurous travelers jump into the natural pool from one of the adjacent cliffs. Afterwards, head back to your starting point. The subsequent refreshment, you have earned after the hike honestly. Local specialties fresh from the sea await you in a typical regional restaurant - a feast for all lovers of fish and seafood. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the sea and the coast. Of course, vegetarian or dishes without fish are also offered.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch after the excursion.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, hat or cap, bathing suit, towel, change of clothes and shoes that can get wet.

Day 8: Enriquillo

Barahona - Laguna de Oviedo - Oviedo (75 kilometers - 2 hours)
For the grand finale of your round trip, you will change hotels again today. After checking out in the morning, today's tour will take you further west along the coastal road with fantastic views. The destination is the village of Oviedo. Here you will visit The Laguna de Oviedo, a saltwater nature reserve in Jaragua National Park, separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. During the boat ride in the lagoon, you can observe numerous large birds such as herons, spoonbills and ducks. The Oviedo Lagoon consists of a total of 24 small islands of different sizes. Visiting one of these islands, you will have the opportunity to observe iguanas in their natural habitat. After the island walk, continue by boat to the largest flamingo colony in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the experience of watching an entire flock of flamingos pass by. End the excursion with a mud bath in the lagoon, which is said to have therapeutic and cosmetic effects. Have fun like a child playing with mud. After the excursion you will reach your accommodation for the last days. The ecological Hote Ecolodge Vistamar is located in the small village of Enriquillo and blends perfectly with the natural surroundings. The combination of rustic details in the decoration, a family ambience, a pool to relax in and the magnificent view of the Caribbean Sea make the stay an experience for all senses.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, hat or cap and camera, sturdy closed shoes and passport.

Day 9: Enriquillo

Bahía de las Águilas (Stay as desired)
To crown the round trip, today you will visit the Bay of Eagles in Jaragua National Park. The beach is considered the most beautiful beach on the island and is one of the top beaches in the world. After breakfast, you will drive along the coastal road towards Cabo Rojo. A few minutes later you will reach La Cueva, where you will take a typical boat that will take you 15 minutes along the coast to the beach. This is characterized in particular by about 8 km of exceptional coastal landscape with crystal clear waters in shades of turquoise and opal blue that merge with the sky on the horizon. Enjoy your stay on the beach, go swimming or snorkeling (snorkeling equipment can be rented on the beach) and experience the untouched nature. If you want to have lunch, the local restaurant is very famous for its typical dishes (cost to be paid by the participants). At the end of the afternoon, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.

Day 10:

Oviedo - Santo Domingo Airport (265 kilometers - 4 hours 30 minutes)
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport according to your departure time.
Alternatively, we recommend a beach extension at Eco del Mar, on the edge of Jaragua National Park. This ecological glamping hotel offers vacationers a paradisiacal retreat amidst unspoiled nature not far from Bahia de las Águilas. Guests can relax here on the white sandy beach, enjoy the crystal-clear sea and delight in freshly caught fish and seafood at the hotel's restaurant. Everyone who is looking for nature, peace and harmony will find happiness here. The sunset and night sky are breathtaking - a place for nature lovers!

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: English-speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish speaking driver.