The DR is IN!

Trip Highlights

• 8 Days/7 Nights in the Dominican Republic!
• Resort Accommodations in Cabarete!
• Stays in the Nation's Capital, Historic Colonial Zone and Sport Beach Town of Cabarete on North Coast!
• Welcome Dinner in the Zona Colonial
• Yasica River Exploration & Remote Beach Bonfire Dinner!
• Cascading in the Septentrional Mountain Range!
• Dance Lessons!
• Mystery Activity!
• Optional Adventure Excursions!
• Giant Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling!
• White Water Rafting in Jarabacoa!Farewell Dinner on Cabarete Beach!
• Round-trip Group Airport Transfers!
• Most meals included!

Trip Descriptive Itinerary

Day 1, Saturday, August 12, 2006

• Arrival. Airport pickup and transfer to Zona Colonial
  
• Orientation
  
• Dinner at Coco's Restaurant, Zona Colonial
  
• Accommodation at Mercure Comercial

Day 2, Sunday, August 13, 2006

• Breakfast in hotel
  
• Transport to Cabarete
  
• Lunch at Claro
  
• Afternoon free
  
• Yasica 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.

Day 3, Monday, August 14, 2006

• Breakfast on the road.
  
• Cascading in the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
  Join us on a true adventure hiking up to the top of the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua tasting tropical fruit from the trees and learning about this amazing natural phenomenon along the way. Hold your breath! After a short rest, we jump and slide the entire 27 waterfalls back down from heights of 1 to 10 meters! Includes round-trip transportation, morning snack, drinking water, professional guides, and Dominican lunch. Rating: Beginner-Advance hikers looking for an intense experience. Swimmers only.
  
• Lunch at El Punto.
  
• Late afternoon free.
  
• Dominican Dance Lessons. Get ready for the Latin Nights!
  
• Dinner at Pomodoro.

Day 4, Tuesday, August 15, 2006

• 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.
  
• Mystery Activity!
  
• Dinner at Ali's Surf Camp.

Day 5, Wednesday, August 16, 2006

• Free Day. Optional Excursions.

Day 6, Thursday, August 17, 2006

• Full Day Giant Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling
  A day of sailing along the North Coat from Puerto Plata to Sosua and back enjoying the views, Caribbean music, and friends on a giant Catamaran. Includes light morning snack, juice and national beverages, lunch, snorkeling gear for the reefs, and round-trip transportation. Rating: All levels.
  
• Lunch on the boat.
  
• Dinner at Lax on the Beach. The hottest bar on the beach!

Day 7, Friday, August 18, 2006

• Transfer to Jarabacoa, Central Mountain Range.
  
• Breakfast at the ranch.
  
• 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 Santo Domingo.
  
• Checkin to hotel.
  
• Farewell Dinner at Meson de la Cava. The only restaurant in a cave!
  
• Accommodations at Mercure Comercial.

Day 8, Saturday, August 19, 2006

• Breakfast in the hotel.
  
• Airport dropoff.
  

---

Accommodations

Mercure Comercial, Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo

Located in the heart of the historic and picturesque Colonial Zone, the Mercure Comercial is only two blocks from the famed "First Cathedral" and surrounded by cafes, shops, ancient ruins, and modern convenience. This building was completely refurbished in 2000 and is the best starting point for a visit of all historical monuments of the old town center. 30 km from the airport. Rooms are clean and comfortable with a/c, cable television, telephone, room safe, and private bathrooms. A full service bar and restaurant on located off the lobby on the Conde pedestrian walkway.

Windsurf Resort, Cabarete

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:

---

Optional Adventure Excursions

Deep Sea Fishing out of Puerto Plata
Join Captain Berry aboard his 36-foot Concord or 34-foot custom-built catamaran (motor cat) for a half or full day in search of the BIG ONE! Both have head (toilet) on board. Fishing for maximum 6 guests with minimum 6 (fishing) lines out. Up to 5 additional observers. Open bar and Snacks included. Lunch on full day trip. Half Day Trips (7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 12:00 n. to 6:00 p.m.) US$105/fishing guest. US$63/observing guest. Full Day Trip (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) US$159/fishing guest. Charters available.

Surfing at Playa Encuentro

Basic Surf Lesson includes: roundtrip beach transfer, 2 hour lesson, 2 hours of additional board rental for you to practice on your own, rash guard and drinking water. US$35/guest. Rating: All levels. Swimers only. (7:30 a.m. to 12:00 n.)

Canyoning
Rappel down a 50 meter waterfall to enjoy challenging jumps from as high as 12 meters. Includes professional guides, refreshments and fruit, equipment (wet suit, harness, belay device, and helmet), a day of guaranteed adventure, and round-trip transportation. Rating: Intermediate-Advance hikers looking for an intense experience. Swimmers only. US$89/guest Pleasure Dome Full Day(8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

Mountain Horseback Riding
Escape from the busy tourist areas to the virgin Dominican wilderness. No access by motorized vehicles. The perfect cultural, ecological, and picturesque adventure for your holiday. Ride western style though the forest, rivers, canyons, and Dominican villages. Mountain trails that originally served the native Taino Indians are used today by local farmers to move cattle. This ride includes refreshments, lunch, guides, and round-trip transportation. Rating: All riding levels. 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. US$65/guest.

Golf at Playa Grande
Golfers dream about playing the well-known Pebble Beach Course on the Pacific coast of California, but for most it stays a dream. Very few golfers know of the existence of a much better course in the Caribbean. Before loosing his sight designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. cried of joy after visiting the coastline because he knew that all the possibilities were present to create a true and unique masterpiece. After completing the course he said: "This is the most beautiful course I have designed and it is the last one!" Well he is right. Simply a dream! The location is absolutely fantastic and so is the course, no wonder it has been nicknamed "The Pebble Beach of the Caribbean"! "Comparing the two courses, Playa Grande wins with 10 of its 18 holes situated ocean side on the dramatic coast line near Playa Grande, Dominican Republic" - Jens Keeper, Golf Journalist. A world-class golf course that you must play! Golf host, air conditioned transportation, 18 hole green fee, shared golf cart and Dominican Tax included. US$149/guest.

SCUBA Diving Intro Course & Open Water Dive
P.A.D.I. Discover Scuba Diving (D.S.D) course for beginners includes a morning class in a pool and an afternoon shallow water (15 meters) dive in Sosua Bay. The D.S.D. certifies participants for shallow-water dives accompanied by a Dive Master for a period of 14 days. Two-hour instructional class generally begins at 9:00 a.m. Open water dive at 2:45 p.m. In between time is your to relax, eat lunch, and explore the town and beaches of Sosua. Includes round-trip ground transportation, boat to the reefs, Dive Master, and all equipment. 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. US$70/guest.

Two-tank Dive for Certified Divers
Join the experts at Northern Coast Aquasports P.A.D.I. Four Star Instructor Development Center. Northern Coast offers everything from open water shallow dives to wreck dives and deep water. Northern is happy to provide you with all the equipment, or bring your own.US$75+tax/person (Tank & Weights). US$85+tax/person (Tank, Weights, BCD, Regulator).

Dolphin Swim at Ocean World
The Dolphin Swim is a 30-minute interactive session with two of our playful dolphins and structured by one of our experienced trainers. The fun interactions include petting, feeding, kissing, hugs, and maybe a foot push or a dorsal fin tow. Each swim is limited to 10 guests. 3 hours. Rating: All levels. Swimmers only. US$145/person.

---

Dates

August 12 (Saturday) - August 19 (Saturday), 2006

---

CONTACT THE MTREK 2006 LEADERS FOR MORE INFORMATION