Trip Highlights

• Stay in the Mountain City of Jarabacoa and the Ocean-side Sport town of Cabarete!
• White Water Rafting on the Yaque el Norte River!
• Hike in the National Park El Choco and visit the Caves of BUMBA!
• Remote Beach Bonfire Dinner and Yásica River Trip!
• Canyoning in the Septentrional Mountains!
• Horseback Riding and Tubing in the Septentrional Mountains!
• Community Service Project!
• Full Day Giant Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling!
• Farewell Dinner!
• Round-trip Group Airport Transfers!
• Accommodations and Ground Transportation Included!
• Most meals included!
• Full time professional 4T guide included!

Trip Descriptive Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday, August 26, 2007

• Arrival to Santiago Airport (STI)
• Transfer to mountain city of Jarabacoa (1 hour)
• Late Snack/Orientation
• Accommodations: Jarabacoa

Day 2: Monday, August 27, 2007

• Breakfast in the hotel
• White Water Rafting on Yaque el Norte River
  A beautiful adventure in breathtaking surroundings. The Yaque del Norte river is the longest in the DR, and offers fantastic rapids, demanding technical stretches, a narrow canyon, and adrenalizing drops. Rapids are soft and gentle in the beginning allowing enough time to learn skills and commands. The second part offers rafting at its best with awesome drops, like Mike Tyson and the Mother-in-law. Includes round-trip transportation, boat, equipment, guides, instruction, light breakfast, and lunch. Rating: Class III. Swimmers only.
• Lunch at the Ranch
• Transfer to Cabarete (2.5 hours)
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 3: Tuesday, August 28, 2007

• National Park El Choco Hike & The Caves of BUMBA
  Join us on a true walking-adventure into the past in discovery of the real Dominican Republic. Following red-earth paths walked by the Arawak Indians winding through small Dominican communities and tropical rain forest we hike up to our own hidden spot for a fresh fruit snack and an incredible view of the 8 kilometer long Cabarete lagoon. Enjoy authentic, locally grown Dominican coffee while learning about the 36 species of birds and 862 species of plants thriving around you. Formed as long as 25 million years ago in the Miocene Period, the ancient rock formations are unique to the North Coast of the DR and hold many secrets for us to explore. Subterranean rivers and caves abound throughout the park home to plants and animals that have become completely accustomed to life in the dark. Venture with us down into the mysterious Caves of BUMBA for a cool swim in truly pristine water and glimpses into prehistory. 12 of the 18 species of bats found in the DR are living within the boundaries of the park, and, if we are lucky, we might catch a few sleeping!
• Lunch at El Tigre
• Afternoon free
• Yásica River Exploration & Remote Beach Bonfire Dinner
  A short distance from the Laguna Cabarete & Goleta park office, on the banks of the Islabon River, Wilson Zapeta has a small ranch of wildlife in temporary captivity. Here we have the opportunity to see some of the Dominican Republic's more elusive wilderness creatures, such as the Carey Turtle, Boa Serpent, Tarantula, Rhinoceros Iguana, North American Crocodile, Turkey Vulture, Sparrow Hawk, and Mongoose. From there you board a boat for a leisurely float down the Wilson River to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. Your dinner this evening is served on the beach, amongst the sand dunes and a roaring bonfire.
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 4: Wednesday, August 29, 2007

• Cascading in Ciguapa Falls
  Journey with us into the remote Río Blanco Canyon for an unforgettable day of cascading in the waterfalls believed to be home to the mythical Dominican Ciguapa.  Ciguapas are supernatural female creatures known to live high in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.  They have blue skin, knee-length hair worn about themselves and have feet turned backwards which makes them extremely difficult to follow; not that you would want to!  Ciguapas, though nocturnal and generally weary of humans, have enchanted backwoods trespassers into never leaving the canyon with their deep black eyes.  Fortunately for us jumps from 1 to 13-meters into fresh, pristine pools keep us pretty busy and the ciguapas have allowed us to share in the beauty of their jungle homes.  Includes: roundtrip transportation, snack, guides, helmet, wet suit and traditional Domincan stew lunch.
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 5: Thursday, August 30, 2007

• Horseback Riding & Tubing with Rancho Norte. Enjoy your day in the foothills of the northern most mountain range in the Dominican Republic while on horseback, along with tubing in the Yásica River. This ride starts way out in the back county, and includes refreshments, guides, and round-trip transportation.
• Lunch at the Ranch
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 6: Friday, August 31, 2007

• Community Service with DREAM Project
  Spend half a day with the Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring Project helping to foster education for children in the Cabarete area.
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 7: Saturday, September 1, 2007

• Full Day Giant Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling
  Join us for a day of smooth downwind sailing exploring the remote coastal areas between Maimon Bay and Luperon. "Peace and Tranquility Rule" aboard the luxurious and spacious 24-meter Tip Top with 180m2 of roomy deck space. Start the day off right with a refreshing welcome drink and Caribbean rhythms soaking up the sun and magnificent landscapes on our way to an amazing coral head for snorkeling. An authentic Dominican feast awaits a little farther west on Cambiaso Beach. We'll have plenty of time to explore the serene community living in isolated tropical paradise, relax and swim before boarding the Tip Top for our final downwinder to the Luperon Yacht Club nestled among the mangroves in the naturally-formed harbor.
• Lunch on the Boat
• Farewell Dinner at Charly’s...a local secret. So good the President eats here when he is in town.
• Accommodations: Cabarete

Day 8: Sunday, September 2, 2007

• 9:30 a.m. Departure for Santiago Airport (STI) (2 hours)
• 1:15 p.m. Flight Departure for Miami

 

Accommodations

Rancho Baiguate, Jarabacoa

Rancho Baiguate is located in valley of Jarabacoa, which stands at 500 meters above sea level in the Central Mountains, known as the land of eternal spring. Cool temperatures, the longest river of the Caribbean (Yaque del Norte), impressive waterfalls and the highest peak in the Antilles (Pico Duarte 3,087 meters) form a unique combination to the entire hemisphere. Baiguate's standard rooms featuring two queen-size beds will be our homes for the night. The Rancho also has a large swimming pool, gift shop, Dominican art gallery, buffet restaurant, bar and an amazing array of recreational fields, equipment and opportunities.

Windsurf Resort, Cabarete

Windsurf Resort calls the oceanside sport town of Cabarete its home. One-bedroom condo units are fully appointed and contain fold-out couch which makes them capable of holding 4 people. Plus, all units have full kitchens, one bathroom, a combined living and dining area, and an outside balcony facing the pool.

In addition to amenities the Windsurf Resort also provides: