Experience Nature In Barahona

• Pick-up from your chosen hotel at 8:00am
• Leave the paved roads at La Cienega and travel up the mountain on gravel tracks
• Arrive at the mountain village of Cachote
• Lunch with a local
• Return via the Rio Nizaito riverbed if the waters are at a safe level
• Overnight: El Quemaito OR Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Your first full adventure in Barahona will take you to the stunning cloud forest in the rural mountain village of Cachote. You will be picked up by an all-wheel drive, off-road vehicle where you can either sit in one of the seats or the open-air area at the back for spectacular views as you drive further into the mountains. You leave the comfortable paved roads at La Cienega and travel on rougher dirt and gravel tracks as you head further into the mountains.

Around the halfway point in your drive you will visit an authentic, family run agricultural property that focus on growing coffee, cocoa, limes and bananas amongst other things. Sample some of their home grown delights as you learn about the cultivation process used on this rural farm.

Continue your journey through the mountains as the air becomes foggy and cold with the increase in altitude. Arrive in and explore Cachote before enjoying lunch with a local. Your return journey will take you one of two ways, either back along the route you took up the mountain or, of the weather is good, along the Rio Nizaito riverbed.

• Pick-up from your chosen hotel at 8:00am
• Two-hour drive travelling northwest to Lake Enriquillo
• Visit to cave Las Caritas
• Boat trip down the lake
• On the journey back, either cross into Haiti to visit the village of Jimani, or visit the village Villa Jaragua on the Dominican side of the boarder
• Drive back to your hotel
• Overnight: El Quemaito OR Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Your tour of Barahona today takes you north-west to Lago Enriquillo, a salt-lake named after the famous Taíno chief who rebelled against the Spanish invaders during the 16th century. Along the way you will pass rural Dominican villages before arriving at the charming lake. The area’s climate is dry and warm with some areas of fertile beauty and the remains of Taíno settlements encrusted in salt.

During your time by the glistening waters you will have the opportunity to explore the Las Caritas cave, covered in stone carvings of the Taíno people before boarding a boat that will take you down the lake. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and rhinoceros iguanas as you traverse this beautiful landscape, paying an optional visit to the island Isla Cabritos in the centre of the lake (at additional charge) if the water is favourable before heading back for dry land and your return journey.

As you head away from lake Enriquillo you can make a detour across the border into Haiti to visit the exotic, chaotic market of the border village Jimani or stay within the Dominican boarders and visit the quaint Villa Jaragua. After your final excursion you will be driven back to your hotel of choice.

• Pick-up from your chosen hotel at 8:00am
• Drive to Bahoruco where you will head into the mountains to the only Larimar mine in the world
• Tour of the mine (non-slip, sensible shoes essential)
• Visit a Larimar studio where you will be able to work with the stone
• Lunch at Villa Miriam
• Return to your hotel
• Overnight: El Quemaito OR Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Today’s adventure begins with an off-road drive and into the mountains towards the only Larimar mine in the world. Larimar stone officially began to be mined in 1974 and is a highly rare ocean-blue mineral found only in the Dominican Republic. Its primary use is in the jewellery made and sold locally. You will be dropped off at mine entrance where you ascend and tour several tunnels, gaining an appreciation for the difficult and muddy conditions Larimar miners faced.

After your mine experience visit the Larimar studio and experience what processes are used when working with this rare stone. During your visit to the studio have a go grinding and polishing a piece of Larimar for yourself.

You will enjoy lunch at the Villa Miriam, a private estate that has been opened for the publics enjoyment it features soothing waterfall features and natural pools formed from the San Rafael River. You will spend your afternoon taking a mixture of scenic inland and coastal routes as you journey back to your hotel.

• Pick-up from your chosen hotel at 8:00am
• Take the coastal road to Oviedo passing through the fishing village of Enriquillo
• Spend the rest of your morning at Laguna de Oviedo
• Boat trip after lunch
• After your boat trip, visit Arroyo Salado
• Return via Los Patos
• Overnight: El Quemaito OR Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Nearing the end of your Dominican nature adventure you will experience a relaxed feel to today as you set off once more down the coast to Oviedo. Along the coastal road you will pass through the dreamy Enriquillo fishing village where time appears to have stood still and the entire village moves with a tranquil pace.

Upon arrival in Oviedo discover the sweet-salty waters of the Laguna de Oviedo. Feel as if you have travelled to a desert landscape with the dry land and unusual vegetation that spread across 22 little coastal islands. Delight in the wildlife that can be spotted within the Laguna de Oviedo, including iguanas, herons, spoonbills and ducks. Amongst the beautiful natural surroundings enjoy a picnic-style lunch before continuing on to the next stage of your journey.

Set out on a spectacular boat trip across the water to visit the largest colony of flamingos in the Dominican Republic and be enchanted as they swarm across the water. Once you have experienced the beauty of the flamingo colony you will head ashore and travel to Arroyo Salado, a natural pool near the Laguna de Oviedo, for a relaxing dip before journeying back to your hotel via the pebbled beaches of Los Patos.

• Pick-up from your chosen hotel at 8:00am
• Journey to Las Cuevas
• Boat ride out to Bahía de las Aguilas beach
• Spend lunch and early afternoon swimming, snorkelling or exploring
• Return to your hotel
• Overnight: El Quemaito OR Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

The final full day of your Dominican adventure takes you out to the most exquisite natural beach on the island. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven through small ports and fishing villages before arriving at the southwest edge of the island. You will take a short 15-minute boat trip along the coast where you will have your first glimpse of the Bahía de las Aguilas beach (Eagle Bay).

The white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue waters of Bahía de las Aguilas are untouched by human infrastructure, protected as a place for nature and beauty to flourish as part of the Jaragua National Park. Spend your day swimming, snorkelling, relaxing and exploring this island paradise, the perfect finale to your nature adventure across Barahona.

• Depart to your onwards travel arrangements

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you take in your surroundings for the final time before departing your hotel and transfer to Santo Domingo Airport, (your departure arrangements will be dependent on your choice of hotel’s departure policies).