Step off the map as you travel through the mountains, and along the coastlines of the Dominican Republic. Experience the vast treasures this Caribbean paradise has to offer during this two-week service adventure. Camp, hike, raft, swim, horseback ride, and enjoy the sights. Come with an open mind, lots of energy, and prepared for an adventure. Be ready to push yourself toward an experience that takes you from being a tourist to becoming a traveler.
First head North into the Cordillera Central, and experience the mountains of the Dominican Republic. Visit the town of Jarabacoa the adventure capital of the country, and the jumping off spot for excursions into the Cordillera. Stay on an organic farm, and learn about the local agriculture and ecology. Raft down the whitewater’s of the Rio Yaque del Norte and then climb up the Pico Duarte; the highest peak in the Caribbean. Conquer this mountain during a two-day camping trip, and bond with your new friends.
Get off the highways and go down dirt roads rarely ventured through by tourist. Explore the southern ends of the Dominican Republic, an area home to Flamingos, Crocodiles, and hidden treasures. Visit Jaragua National Park and camp in the Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of the Eagles), which contains 8km of undeveloped beach. This will be our playground, as we enjoy a beach free of resorts, hotels, or civilization of any kind. Sleep under the stars, with the ocean as your lullaby. Explore Barahona, and all the treasures of this unseen corner of the Dominican Republic. Visit Lago Enriquillo, which, at 40 ft. below sea level, is the lowest point in the Caribbean, and home to a unique eco system. Explore the banks of this massive lake as you hike along its shores and take boat excursions through its waters.
Join locals on projects that will help maintain protected territories, and develop the community. Learn about the needs of these communities, that are often neglected due to their off the beaten path location. Listen to local’s stories of the recent floods that have caused the lost of much farmland. Lago Enriquillo is a salten sea, that has almost doubled in area in the past ten years, and is threatening to engulf even more homes and farmlands. Learn how the locals are coping, and lend a hand in relieving their hardships.
Students depart JFK international airport in New York City for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic late Tuesday evening arriving at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo just after midnight on Wednesday morning. Students will be met at the airport by Dominican Republic Country Director and escorted to hotel, which is located about 5 minutes from the airport about 20 minutes outside of Santo Domingo.
After a late arrival student will be given the chance to sleep in a bit late, and then head into the mountains of the Dominican Republic to the town of Jarabacoa. Settle into our hotel, have lunch, and then pick up your paddle; it’s time for rafting. Take an exhilarating ride down the Rio Yaque del Norte, and take in the fresh mountain air. Then return to the hotel for dinner, and an early night in preparation for our camping excursion.
Students will have an early wake up and then head for a two night camping trip that will take them to the highest peak in the Caribbean. Pico Duarte is nestled in the mountains of the Cordillera Central, and surrounded by three peaks over 3000 meters. Climb to the top of this peak, as you check out the beautiful canyons, swimming holes, and waterfalls on the way up. Watch the sunrise from the top of the peak, and take in the sights of the Caribbean around you.
After conquering the mountains head toward the beach. The Dominican Republic has 800 miles of coastline! Take a ride to Bani where you will spend one night in transition further into the south. We will visit Las Dunas de Calderas, which are the largest sand dunes in the Caribbean. Check out this sight, hang out on the beach, and take your first dip in the Caribbean.
Head back inland and further into the southern tip of the Dominican Republic to Lago Enriquillo. Once you arrive there you will have successfully traveled from the highest peak in the Caribbean to the lowest! Lago Enriquillo is 129 ft below sea level, and is home to crocodiles, iguanas, and Flamingos. Spend three days exploring the lake and partaking in community service projects in local communities.
After your time in the Lake head back toward the coast, and further south into the Jaragua National Park. We will stay in a tree house hotel, and live within nature for our time here. We will visit Jaragua National Park to work with park rangers and local ecological foundations on service projects that will help maintain these protected territories.
Wake up early for a ride deeper into the national park to the Bahia de las Aguilas, a beach that spans 8km. Bahia de las Aguilas is a protect territory free of hotels, resorts, and any type of development. Spend the day enjoying the warm turquoise waters, and sleep under the stars. Camp out one last time with your group, and enjoy your last few days in Paradise.
Enjoy one more morning at the beach before heading back to our tree house hotel. Spend one last night relaxing under the stars before we head back to the bustling city.
After breakfast pack your bags, and head back to the city for the last day in the Dominican Republic. On Tuesday afternoon students will head back to Santo Domingo for a special last dinner, before heading to the airport to catch a late night flight back home.
If you are heading home, you must say your last goodbyes to your new friends and head off to the airport. Students headed off to another Rustic Pathways program in the Dominican Republic will stay at base hotel Tuesday night and join their new group on Wednesday morning. Students connecting to elsewhere in Latin America will catch a flight either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.
Please Do Not Overpack!
-A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.
-Please pack all items that could leak in a plastic or Ziploc bag!
(our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a small personal kit is always helpful)
Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.
Contact Us: For more information about Coast to Coast: Dominican Adventure you can email dominican@rusticpathways.com.
Coast to Coast: Dominican Adventure combines well with the following programs.
Ages: 15 to 18 years old
Length: 16 days from the USA
Hours: Up to 24 hours awarded
Cost: $3,295
International airfare is not included in the above cost. Please check our Travel Desk for airfare pricing and specifics.
| Departs Tue | Returns Wed | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun | 10 Jul | Available |
Dates shown are inclusive of travel time from the United States. Most Rustic Pathways trips interconnect, allowing you to design your own perfect summer program.
Apply NowOur College Session of Coast to Coast: Dominican Adventure has been delayed until 2014.
| Starts | Ends | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May | 1 Jun | Delayed |
