Mountain & Beach Fun in the Caribbean!

Trip Highlights

• 5 Days/4 Nights Exploring the Central Mountain Range & North Coast Beach Sports Town of Cabarete!
• Jarabacoa Accommodations in Riverside Hotel Gran Jimenoa
• Cabarete Accommodations in Beachfront Hotel Villas & Condos!
• Free Access to Boogie Boards, Ocean Kayaks, and Beginner Windsurf Equipment 1 hour daily at Hotel Villa Taina!
• Live Tipico Merrenge Band and Dance Performance& Workshop with the Viejitos!
• White Water Rafting on the Yaque del Norte River!
• Yasica River Exploration & Remote Beach Bonfire Dinner!
• National Park El Choco & Caves of BUMBA Hike!
• Free time to relax on Cabarete Beach!
• Farewell Dinner on Cabarete Beach!
• Round-trip Group Airport Transfers!
• Professional Bilingual 4T Guide Trained in First Aid!

Trip Descriptive Itinerary

Day 1: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

• Arrival to Jarabacoa and Hotel Gran Jimenoa on the Yaque del Norte River !Bienvenidos!
• Learn how to dance Merrenge the "campo" way with a live Tipico Band from the one of the oldest traditional dance groups in the DR...the Viejitos!
• Hang out Riverside and Relax.
• Dinner at the Gran Jimenoa Hotel.

Day 2: Wednesday, February 16, 2005

• Early rise and transport to Rancho Baiguate for a big breakfast buffet.
• White Water Rafting with Rancho Baiguate
  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. Rating: Class III.
• Lunch back at the Ranch.
• Transport to Cabarete (about 3 hours)
• Check into the oceanfront Hotel Villa Taina.
• 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: Thursday, February 17, 2005

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• National Park El Choco Hike & The Caves of BUMBA with 4T
  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!
• Dominican Lunch at El Tigre.
• Free Time on Cabarete Beach.
• Pizza Dinner at Pomodoro on the Beach.

Day 4: Friday, February 18, 2005

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Free Day on the Beach
• Farewell Dinner on the Beach at Lax...the hottest restaurant on the beach!

Day 5: Saturday, February 19, 2005

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart for Santo Domingo Airport SDQ (about 3.5 hours).
• Hasta Pronto!

Accommodations

Hotel Gran Jimenoa, Jarabacoa
Set along the Yaque del Norte river among towering Caribbean pine trees in the mountain city of Jarabacoa, the Hotel Gran Jimenoa is the perfect place to rest in tranquillity after a day of exploring. Enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or find a comfortable spot to contemplate the natural beauty offered by the Dominican Alps. Enjoy your meals in the hotel's own restaurant with the soothing sounds of the river below. Rooms have unexpected amenities, like cable tv and telephones, as well as hot water showers and 24-hour electricity.

Hotel Villa Taina, Cabarete

Nestled in the very heart of Cabarete, an intimate tourist destination and windsurfers paradise, you find Hotel Villa Taina, an exclusive, modern hotel right on the golden beach of Cabarete Bay. Comfort rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with an aura that says "welcome home!" The unit offers two queen-size beds. From the spacious balcony, you gaze can scan a panorama of views, ranging from a marvelous ocean view or the lush tropical garden to the coconut trees whose branches wave hypnotically.

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Dates

February 15 (Tuesday) to February 19 (Saturday), 2005

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CONTACT THE SHARON ACADEMY LEADER FOR MORE INFORMATION