Explorer Trip

Day 1 – Arrival to Punta Cana.

Arrive at airport in Punta Cana, transfer to Hotel Now Onyx in Uvero Alto and check-in. Rest of the day free.

Day 2 – Day at leisure.

Enjoy the next two days at this new and elegant hotel that leaves nothing to be desired. The modern rooms with balconies or terraces and whirlpools feature flat-screen TVs, minibars and coffee-making facilities. There are 20 restaurants and bars, as well as a casino and a nightclub. Other facilities include 5 outdoor pools, a spa and gym, and water sports..

Day 3 – Day at leisure

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Day 4 – Transfer to Santo Domingo

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At 13:00 pick up at the hotel by private driver and transfer to Santo Domingo. Check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free for walking around the city.

Day 5 – Santo Domingo and Baní

After breakfast, pick up by German-speaking tour guide, your private guide during the next days, at your hotel around 10:00 am and city tour. The city offers a fabulous mix of 16th century houses, imposing late medieval palaces and fortresses. The colonial city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sightseeing program includes various sights and tours of the old town, including the Parque Colón with the statue of Christopher Columbus and the Alcazár de Colón Palace. Around noon, transfer to the provincial capital of Baní and visit the dunes of the only desert in the Caribbean. Afterwards, there is the possibility to relax on the beach of Palmar de Ocoa before returning to Baní. Check-in at the hotel and dinner together.

Day 6 – Larimarmine and Playa San Rafael.

After breakfast, drive high into the mountains to the only Larima Mine in the world. This stone was discovered only in 1974. The stone is scratch resistant and polishes well. Necklaces, earrings and jewelry boxes are made. Once at the mine, you will have the opportunity to talk to the workers or purchase stones. Afterwards we will go to the beach of Playa San Rafael. Ample time for swimming and relaxing in the afternoon. Continue to Barahona and check-in at the hotel. Dinner together.

Day 7 – Lago Enriquillo and market in Haiti.

After breakfast, on today’s tour we will visit Lago Enriquillo, one of the country’s greatest natural sights, located almost 40 meters below sea level. The area is hot and dry, but in places extremely fertile due to springs and small rivers. In the desert-like environment around the encrusted salt lake, some former Taíno settlements have been discovered. The national park is the retreat for American sharp-mouthed crocodiles and rhinoceros iguanas. Go in search of these impressive reptiles during a tour around the lake. After this natural spectacle, we will cross the border into Haiti, where you will be able to witness the colorful hustle and bustle of the local population at the market of Jimani. Afterwards we will go to the small town of La Descubierta, where we can observe iguanas. Return to the hotel in Barahona and dinner together.

Day 8 – Bahia des las Aguilas and Laguna de Oviedo.

After breakfast, transfer to the small fishing village of La Cueva. Then travel by boat to Bahia de las Aguilas, one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Caribbean. Here you have time to laze around, swim, snorkel, or just enjoy the warm turquoise water and the seemingly endless white dream beach. After an extensive sunbathing it goes with the boat again back to La Cuava. The boat trip takes you past a multitude of small “Cayos”, as the islands are called here on land. They provide shelter and nesting sites for various migratory bird species such as frigate birds, herons, pigeons and ducks. One can also observe the rare pink flamingos here. Around noon we will drive about 1 hour to the Laguna de Oviedo, where we will have a short photo stop. Afterwards return to the hotel in Barahona and dinner together.

Day 9 – Salto de Jima waterfall

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After breakfast, transfer to Puerto Plata. Our route takes us via San José de Ocoa to a mountainous area with vegetation similar to the Swiss Alps. Agriculture is the dominant sector in this province. The main crops are coffee, beans and potatoes. Other vegetables such as cabbage and carrots are grown as well as some tropical fruits. In the interior we walk to the waterfall “Salto la Jima” and refresh ourselves under cool mountain water. We will then drive on one of the most beautiful mountain roads to the hotel in Puerto Plata. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 10 – Damajagua waterfalls and Playa Dorada.

After breakfast, transfer to the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua in Imbert with private driver. Departure from the hotel will be at 09:00. Arrival at the waterfalls around 10:00 am. The approximately 3 hour guided tour with English speaking guide starts with a moderate hike of about 40 min to the top of the falls where the real fun starts. We jump, slide and swim our way back to the starting point. Jumps up to 8 m are possible. Don’t worry, all jumps can also be bypassed. At the end of this adventure we will enjoy a delicious Dominican buffet lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to Playa Dorada beach near Puerto Plata and time to relax on the beach. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 11 – Beach Day at Playa Sosua

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After breakfast, transfer to Playa Sosua beach with private driver. Rest of the day at leisure. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 12 – Paradise Island

After breakfast, transfer to Punta Rucia with your private driver. Departure from the hotel will be at 9:00 am. On this excursion, a local English-speaking tour guide will be available in Punta Rucia to take you by speedboat to the gorgeous coral reef of Isla Paraíso, one of the best snorkeling opportunities in the Caribbean. Approximately 3-hour stay on the island, where fruits and various drinks will be served for refreshment. Snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge. At noon, speedboat ride through the mangrove forests back to Punta Rucia, where a buffet lunch awaits the hungry guests. In the afternoon, time to swim and relax at the beach on Punta Rucia. The return to the hotel will be around 17:00. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 13 – Off-road jeep safari into the hinterland

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After breakfast, full day off-road jeep safari with your private German speaking guide. Departure from the hotel will be at 08:00. On today’s excursion, we will drive in an open jeep through the hinterland, which has not been developed for tourism. We will make short stops to taste different fruits of the season and to enjoy the wonderful view of the untouched nature. Afterwards we continue to a waterfall in the middle of the jungle, which is still considered an insider tip among the locals. There we can swim in the lagoon and let the waterfall splash on our heads. A traditional lunch with a local family will round off this excursion. During the lunch we will learn a lot of interesting facts about the country and its people at first hand. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 14 – Laguna Gri Gri, Playa Caleton, Playa Entrada and Playa Cozon

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After breakfast, pick up at the hotel at 08:00 by your private German-speaking guide and transfer to the Gri Gri lagoon, known for its rich bird diversity and for its crystal clear waters. Finally, by boat you will travel through the mangrove forests to the secluded beach of Playa Caleton. Around noon, transfer to the secluded beach of Playa Entrada, where a traditional lunch will be served. In the afternoon, a short stop at Playa Cozon is on the agenda before finally transferring to the hotel in Las Terrenas. Check-in. Rest of the day free.

Day 15 – El Limón waterfall

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After breakfast, pick up by your private German-speaking guide at the hotel reception at 09:00. Transfer to the starting point and about 40 min ascent with horses to the waterfalls of El Limón (depending on weather conditions, rubber boots can be rented on site). Time to swim in the lagoon. Ride back and lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel and say goodbye to your guide.

Day 16 – Day at leisure

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Enjoy your free day at this charming all-inclusive resort, located right on the beach near Las Terrenas. The cozy rooms offer a balcony or terrace, a flat-screen TV, a minifridge and a coffeemaker. Suites also feature a whirlpool bathtub and a living room with a pull-out sofa. Meals and drinks are offered complimentary at 8 bars and 6 restaurants. Amenities include 2 pools, a fitness room, a spa, beach access, a kids club and a water park..

Day 17 – Los Haitises National Park and Bacardi Island.

After breakfast, pick up by German-speaking guide at the hotel reception at 08:00 (day trip will be in a German-speaking small group). Transfer to the boat dock. Then boat ride through Los Haitises National Park with visit to 2 caves. Continue to the famous Bacardi Island “Cayo Levantado” where lunch will be served. Ample time for swimming and snorkeling on this beautiful island. Return to the hotel.

Day 18 – Transfer to Bayahibe

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At 10:00 pick up at hotel by private driver and transfer to Bayahibe and check in at Hotel Catalonia Gran Dominicus. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 19 – Day at leisure

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Enjoy the last few days of your trip at this tropical all-inclusive resort, on the palm-fringed, white-sand beach of Bayahibe. The spacious rooms with dark-wood furnishings and a furnished balcony or terrace feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Rooms with upscale amenities also offer a coffee maker.

There are 7 restaurants, 4 bars and a juice bar serving complimentary meals and drinks. Other complimentary amenities include water sports, movie screenings and dance classes. The resort also offers outdoor pools, a spa and a gym, as well as tennis, a kids’ club and a dive center.

Day 20 – Saona Island

After breakfast, full day excursion to Saona Island. This excursion is popular with those who love secluded beaches and want to get to know the island in an authentic way. Pick up at the hotel by German speaking tour guide at about 09:00 (excursion will be in German speaking small group). After a short ride by speedboat, the first stop is for snorkeling at the so-called house reef of Bayahibe. The next stop is at the largest natural bathtub the “Piscina Natural”. Enjoy the warm water with a Cuba Libre in your hand or go in search of the big red starfish that are found here. From here on we will head towards the island of Saona. We will pass by the tourist beaches to the fishing village of Mano Juan, where we will take a small tour of the village. Afterwards we drive to a beautiful natural dream beach. We will stay there for about one and a half hours. Afterwards we will go to the main beach of the island for lunch. Here a Dominican buffet and music that invites you to dance awaits you. You will enjoy the return trip to Bayahibe on a catamaran. Return to the hotel.

Day 21 – Day at leisure

Day 22 – Transfer to the airport

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Depending on flight time, transfer with private driver to Punta Cana airport and end of the trip. Extension possible.

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