Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Santo Domingo
You'll meet someone at the airport who'll take you to your hotel in Santo Domingo's old town. Get settled in at Hotel Hodelpa Novus Plaza and take the rest of the evening to recover from travel.
- Day 2
Santo Domingo
After breakfast, a guide takes you through the Zona Colonial where Spanish conquistadors once launched their conquest. You'll walk the colonial streets, see the old buildings, then head to Parque los Tres Ojos to check out three stalactite caves with underground lagoons.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration tour of Santo Domingo's historic center
- Visit Zona Colonial (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Parque los Tres Ojos stalactite caves with underground lagoons
Landmarks Zona Colonial Parque los Tres Ojos - Day 3
Santo Domingo to Barahona
Starting after breakfast, you travel south along the coast toward Barahona over 185km, passing through different vegetation zones. Along the way you'll hike the Dunas de Las Calderas, the Caribbean's largest dune landscape, and see the sea salt gardens near Bani. Breakfast and lunch are covered.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike through Dunas de Las Calderas dune landscape
- Visit sea salt gardens near Bani
Landmarks Dunas de Las Calderas 
- Day 4
Larimar Mines
An off-road drive takes you 1000m up into the Bahoruco Mountains to reach the Larimar mines where Dominican turquoise is extracted. After exploring the mines, you hike through jungle with a chance to swim in a clear lagoon before heading back. Breakfast and lunch included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Off-road drive to Larimar mines at 1000m elevation
- Visit Larimar mines
- Jungle hike with swimming in crystal-clear lagoon
- Day 5
Bahoruco Mountains Hike
You spend the full day hiking through the evergreen Bahoruco Mountains with local guides. They'll show you how coffee, cocoa, and vegetables grow here while sharing their way of life. This area is remote and less developed, but the people are hospitable. Breakfast and lunch provided.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Mountain hike in Bahoruco Mountains
- Learn about local agriculture from campesinos
- Visit local farms and cultivation areas
- Day 6
Laguna Oviedo and San Rafael Cascades
The day starts with a hike along Laguna Oviedo where cactus and dry brush cover the landscape. You'll see islands with iguanas and flamingos from the shore, then take a boat through the national park. Local fishermen's wives prepare lunch. Later you'll see San Rafael Cascades that drop right onto the beach, then tour a Larimar workshop. Breakfast and lunch included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch prepared by the wives of the lake's fishermen)
Included Activities
- Hike along Laguna Oviedo
- Boat trip to national park with iguana and flamingo viewing
- Visit San Rafael Cascades
- Tour Larimar workshop
Landmarks Laguna Oviedo San Rafael Cascades - Day 7
Barahona to Jarabacoa
You travel north through mountain valleys and farmland with coconut, orange and rice plantations toward the Dominican Alps. There's a swim stop at Salto Jimenoa near Jarabacoa, known as the city of eternal spring. You end the day at La Cienega de Manabao, a mountain village at 1100m elevation where you'll stay overnight. This is the jumping-off point for tomorrow's mountain trek. Breakfast and lunch included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Swimming in Salto Jimenoa near Jarabacoa
Landmarks Salto Jimenoa - Day 8
Cordillera Central Trek Day 1
Your 3-day mountain trek begins here. With local guides and pack mules, you hike up stony mountain paths crossing clear rivers through changing vegetation. You reach Aguita Fria at 2650m, then drop down to the La Comparticion refuge at 2450m. After settling in, dinner happens around a campfire. Full meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner prepared by local companions around campfire)
Included Activities
- Guided trek in Cordillera Central National Park with local guides
- Hiking with pack animals (mules) for cargo support
- Hike to Aguita Fria at 2650m elevation
Landmarks Cordillera Central National Park - Day 9
Summit Day
After breakfast you hike to the summit of the Caribbean's highest mountain. Most of the route goes through pine forests in zigzag patterns up to the weather station at Vallecito de Lilis at 2950m. The last 20 minutes through thinning forest takes you to 3098m where views stretch across the entire Caribbean's highest peaks. You return to the refuge to rest or swim in nearby streams. Full board included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner by campfire)
Included Activities
- Guided hike to highest mountain in Caribbean at 3098m
- Summit of Cordillera Central
- Day 10
Descent to Jarabacoa
Early breakfast follows a second night at the refuge. Then you start the descent back to La Cienega de Manabao, arriving in the afternoon where your bus is waiting. From there you travel to Jarabacoa and the Gran Jimenoa Hotel right on the river. Breakfast and lunch are covered.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Descent hike from refuge to La Cienega de Manabao
- Day 11
Jarabacoa to Samana Peninsula
You leave the mountains and head to the Samana peninsula, passing through the Cibao Valley where citrus, bananas, rice, tobacco and cocoa grow. At Hacienda Esmeralda you'll learn how cocoa goes from fruit to finished praline and get to taste samples. Lunch happens at the plantation. Then it's on to your beachfront hotel on Samana where you'll stay for the final days. Breakfast and lunch included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served at Hacienda Esmeralda)
Included Activities
- Hike through Hacienda Esmeralda private cocoa plantation
- Learn cocoa production from fruit to praline
- Taste cocoa products
- Day 12
Samana Peninsula Relaxation
Relax on Samana, known as the Caribbean's pearl. The beaches here have palm trees, fishing huts, turquoise water, waterfalls and green slopes. Spend the day swimming and lying on the sand. Breakfast is covered.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Whale watching (January-March season)
- Day 13
Salto El Limon Hike
After breakfast you hike to Salto El Limon in the Samana mountains. The route takes you over mountains and through valleys, crossing rivers along the way. You'll meet locals who are known for their warmth and friendliness. Breakfast included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Salto El Limon waterfall
Landmarks Salto El Limon - Day 14
Samana Peninsula Free Day
This is your last full day on the peninsula. Spend it on the beach relaxing or do other activities depending on what you prefer. Breakfast is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike
- Boat tour
- Other optional activities
- Day 15
Samana to Santo Domingo Airport
Mid-day transport takes you from your hotel to Santo Domingo airport. Breakfast is covered before you leave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
Arrival in Germany
You arrive in Germany. The tour ends here.
