The south western part of the country provides ecotourism at its finest, and is the perfect fit for travellers looking to get off the beaten path. Our journey is designed for the true eco tourist, and is rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Seaside, spectacular turquoise waters meet some of the most beautiful virgin beaches on the island. As we begin to move inland, we realize that we are surrounded by vast stretches of cactus filled desert, making this by far the islands driest region. We continue inland, the altitude rises rapidly as we enter the Sierra de Bahoruco Mountains which stretch across the lower DR and Haiti. It is the proximity of these different environments which gives the area ,by far, the richest biodiversity in the Caribbean.
Package: Explore the Deep South (Southern Coast) *2 guest minimum
Duration of trip: 5 days, 4 nights or customize your itinerary
Visiting: Lake Enriquillo National Park – Bahia de Las Aguilas Beach (Jaragua National Park) – Hoyo de Pelempito (Bahoruco National Park)
Itinerary: Day 1: Travel and visiting points of interest on route to Lake Enriquillo – Day 2: Lake Enriquillo and travel to Barahona- Day 3: Bahia de Las Aguilas Beach – Day 4: Hoyo de Pelempito and Dominican/Haitian Border – Day 5: Travel to Airport
Package Includes: Fully bilingual ecological and cultural guides, All meals (Dominican style cuisine), Comfortable transportation*, Lodging, Snacks, Non-Alcoholic Beverages
*Guides are fully trained in first aid response by the Red Cross
*Package includes transportation to and from Santo Domingo (Las Americas International Airport). Transportation from other airports is available for a small fee.
Options for lodging: Comfortable small hotel accomodations (camping at Bahia de las Aguilas Beach for 1 night is optional)
Pricing: Pricing begins at USD $950 per person, for 2 person groups. Prices vary according to group size. This does not include airfare. Payment of 50% is required for reservation, at least two weeks in advance. All major credit cards accepted via Pay Pal. Reserve Now
You will be spending one full day at each of the following destinations:
Lake Enriquillo – Largest and most unique in the Caribbean
The region is rich in history, as is evident by visiting the many caves which used to serve as refuge thousands of years ago to the local Taino Indians. The story of their culture, life, and extinction can clearly be deciphred from the hundreds of drawings that surround these caves. Our journey takes us to the the largest lake in the Caribbean, Lago Enriquillo National Park. This immense body of saltwater is over a hundred feet below sea level, and is surrounded by mountains which surpass 6,000 ft, and serve as the perfect panoramic backdrop. This adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the very special island in the middle of the lake, known as Isla Cabritos Wildlife Preserve. The island is teeming with wildlife, as is obvious to those fortunate enough to visit. The American alligator, two varieties of iguana, and the pink flamingo are some of the most exotic protected species on the isle. After our visit, we partake in Dominican tradition and take a relaxing dip in one of the many natural thermal springs that surround the lake.
Bahia de Las Aguilas – A beach like few others
Further south lie some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Our journey takes us to Bahia de las Aguilas, an immense strip of over 5 miles of untouched white sand coast line. The park is filled with exotic birds, reptiles, various types of mangroves, and is home to some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs. Those being only a few of the reasons why the park has been named patrimony to all mankind, and was declared part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Preserve by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), which we will be exploring on this journey. As an added bonus we also include a visit to the border shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, a unique and interesting cultural exchange that makes for an unforgettable experience.
Hoyo de Pelempito – Geological Anomily
No visit to the region would be complete with a visit to the nearby Sierra de Bahoruco Mountain range, which stretches across Haiti and the DR, towering above the rest of the terrain, and giving the region its one of a kind biodiversity. We head towards the visitors centre at the edge of the Hoyo de Pelempito Valley, an immense geological depression, which once held a large marine channel wich separated it from the rest of the island millions of years ago. The view from up here is spectacular, as we look down on vast pine forests which mix into the dryer vegetation found at the bottom of the valley. The experience of exploring all of the regions different landscapes, wildlife, and vegetation brings us to understand why this part of the planet is so vital to protect.