Day 1: Barahona
Santo Domingo - Barahona
Pick up at your hotel in the Old Town and transfer to the bus station. Here you will transfer to the comfortable public bus. You will drive along the coastal road out of the city to San Cristóbal, the birthplace of the dictator Trujillo. The villages are surrounded by mango trees, coconut palms and banana trees. In Hatillo you will catch sight of the Bahía de Ocoa Bay. The road leads into the mountains, through a dry and rocky area dotted with cacti and agaves. In the afternoon you will reach the provincial capital of Barahona, located on the Bay of Neiba. Upon arrival at the bus station, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel.
Included services: Escort and transfer from your Old Town hotel to the bus stop in Santo Domingo, bus ticket and transfer from the bus stop in Barahona to your hotel.
Day 2: Barahona
The crocodile lake - Lago Enriquillo
You will be picked up from your hotel at 7:30 am. From here you will head northwest. On the approximately two-hour drive to the Salt Lake, you will stop at a viewpoint where you can take pictures of the beautiful landscape. You will also pass numerous typical Dominican villages as well as a statue of the Taino chief Enriquillo, after whom the lake is named. 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, although springs and small rivers make it very fertile in some places. The next trip in a typical boat on the lake will take you first to a section of the shore from where you have a good chance to see the crocodiles living in the lake. On the way back, you will visit the village of Neyba, known for its grapes, and Las Marias, a place where the locals spend their free time. If you would like to have lunch in a typical Dominican restaurant, please inform your tour guide. The cost of the lunch is to be paid by the clients. Afterwards, the driver will take you back to your hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: Transportation from/to your accommodation in Barahona, English or Spanish speaking local tour guide and local non-alcoholic beverages.
To take with: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, mosquito repellent, sturdy shoes, swimsuit, change of dry clothes and towels if you want to swim in Las Marías.
Day 3: Barahona
Hiking in paradise - Plantations and locals
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 typical lunch.
Included services: Transportation to/from your hotel or accommodation in or around Barahona, English or Spanish speaking local tour guide, typical lunch cooked in the mountains with firewood and local non-alcoholic drinks.
To take with: Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun protective clothing, hat, camera, mosquito repellent and hiking boots.
Day 4: Barahona
Mountain Combo - Minas de Larimar & Cueva de la Virgen
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 8:00 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, visit Villa Miriam The estate of a Barahona-based businessman, whose garden has been opened to the public, is located right on the San Rafael River with natural pools and waterfalls. The refreshing watercourses invite you to 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: Entrance fees, transportation from/to your hotel or accommodation in or around Barahona, English or Spanish speaking local tour guide and local soft drinks.
To take with: Sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, cap or hat, swimwear, towel, change of clothes and (non-slip) shoes that can get wet.
Day 5: Barahona
Hiking to the „Balneario La Plaza “- A crystal clear river in the south
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, at 8:00 a.m. you will leave 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.
Included services: Transportation from/to your hotel or accommodation in or around Barahona, English or Spanish speaking local tour guide, lunch after the excursion and local non-alcoholic beverages.
To take with: Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun protective clothing, hat, camera, swimsuit, towel, change of clothes and shoes that can get wet.
Day 6: Barahona
Nature Combo - Bahia de Las Aguilas & La Laguna de Oviedo
You will be picked up from your hotel around 7:30 am. The tour will then take you along the road along the coast. From time to time, you will come across fantastic landscapes, if you want to take photos let your guide know. In Cabo Rojo you will continue to La Cueva, where you will board a typical boat that will take you in about 15 minutes to a natural beach that is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Bahía de las Águilas stretches for more than 8 km and offers an extraordinary coastal landscape with crystal clear waters, whose color ranges from turquoise to opal blue and that merge with the sky on the horizon. Enjoy your stay in the sea, take your time to swim and get in touch with nature. On the way back, you can have lunch in a local restaurant known for its typical dishes. The cost of the lunch is to be paid by the clients. Afterwards, you will continue to Oviedo, a small village where time seems to stand still because everything is very peaceful here. Here you will visit the Oviedo Lagoon, a natural saltwater reserve separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. After receiving your wristbands to enter the national park, you will board another typical boat. On the lagoon you will be able to observe a number of large birds such as herons, spoonbills and ducks. The Oviedo Lagoon consists of a total of 24 islands of different sizes. While visiting one of these islands, you will have the opportunity to observe iguanas in their natural habitat. Following the boat tour, you will go in search of the largest flamingo colony in the Dominican Republic and enjoy the experience of watching the flamingos fly out. At the end of the afternoon, you will be taken back to your starting point.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Included services: Transportation from/to your accommodation in Barahona or surrounding area, English or Spanish speaking local guide, entrance fees to the national park, typical boat and local soft drinks.
To take with: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, mosquito repellent, hiking boots, beach shoes, swimsuit, dry change of clothes and bath towels.
Day 7:
Barahona - Santo Domingo
Today you will be picked up at the hotel according to the public bus schedule and taken to the bus stop in Barahona. Afterwards, you will take the public bus to Santo Domingo. Your trip ends in the capital. If you need an overnight stay in Santo Domingo or another transfer, we are always at your disposal for advice.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included services: Transfer from your hotel in Barahona to the bus stop in Barahona and bus ticket.
