9 Day Tour in the Dominican Republic Southwest guided by a NatGeo Explorer

1). After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonial City of Santo Domingo, the oldest permanent European settlement in the Americas:

• Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón)

• Catedral Primada de América

• Calle Las Damas

• Museo de las Casas Reales

• Alcázar de Colón

2). Cacao Farm Tour: Indulge in a guided chocolate tasting and learn about:

• Sustainable cacao cultivation

• Agroforestry systems

• Chocolate production from bean to bar

3). After the cacao tour in Santo Domingo, head to Baní. Enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch at a restaurant en-route.

4). Sunset at the Baní Dunes: Late-afternoon walk through the dunes and surrounding dry coastal landscape. Activities include:

• Observation of salt ponds, mangroves and coastal habitats

• Optional shorebird and flamingo observation

5). Overnight at Baní:

• Hotel check-in

• Dinner

• Optional: Evening stargazing session

Depart in the late morning and continue into the southwest, passing through agricultural valleys, dry forests and mountain landscapes before arriving in La Descubierta. Quick stop for lunch along the way and overnight stay in La Descubierta.

1). Boat expedition to Lake Enriquillo: After breakfast, head to the ferry to explore one of the Dominican Republic's most unique protected areas and learn about the conservation efforts protecting its vulnerable species.

Activities include:

• Boat ride across Lake Enriquillo

• Visit to Isla Cabritos

• Las Caritas Archaeological Site

• Crocodile watching

• Rhinoceros Iguana viewing

• Ricord's Iguana viewing

• Birdwatching

Lake Enriquillo supports flamingos, ibises, spoonbills, herons, shorebirds and several threatened or endemic Hispaniolan species.

2). Medicinal Garden Tour & Memory Walk:

Lake Enriquillo's ecosystem is part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve and recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance - home to communities that have relied on its medicinal plants and resources for generations. In one of the country’s poorest regions, families face the challenge of balancing agriculture with the protection of natural resources that sustain their future. Today, Lake Enriquillo and its biodiversity are threatened by climate change, farming practices, and pollution.

Join us for:

• A guided memory walk through key cultural sites

• A medicinal garden tour and traditional wellness workshop

• A community-prepared lunch

• A relaxing wind-down at the sulfur ponds in La Azufrada

Overnight at La Descubierta

• Hotel check-in

• Dinner

• Optional: Evening stargazing session

1). Depart La Descubierta and travel towards Vengan a Ver for a locally prepared lunch.

2). Birdwatching in Rabo de Gato trail - Continue toward a protected field site near Puerto Escondido and the northern slope of Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. A guided birding walk may include:

• Broad-billed and narrow-billed todies

• Hispaniolan lizard-cuckoo

• Antillean piculet

• Hispaniolan trogon

• White-necked crow

• Hispaniolan oriole

• Migratory forest birds

3) Optional Conservation workshop with Rainforest Connection: Working alongside Rainforest Connection staff and local conservation partners, guests will help prepare a Guardian acoustic monitoring system for installation.

4) Head to Barahona

1). Optional visit to the Larimar Mine in Barahona - On the way, explore the world's only known Larimar mine where the rare, volcanic blue gemstone Larimar is extracted. Learn about:

• Geological formation

• Traditional mining methods

• Community livelihoods

• Sustainable mining initiatives

2). Arrive in Pedernales: Hotel check-in and dinner.

1). Boat excursion to Bahía de las Águilas, widely regarded as one of the Caribbean's most pristine beaches. Activities include:

• Swimming

• Snorkeling

• Marine Wildlife Observation

• Coastal Photography
  

2). Optional activities include:

• Paddleboarding

• Kayaking

• Beach relaxation

• Birdwatching

• Mangrove exploration

• Guided coral exploration

1). Optional stop at Ocoa Bay in Azua for a guided wine tasting, agricultural and culinary experience overlooking the Bay of Ocoa. The visit may include:

• Guided vineyard and cellar tour Introduction to tropical grape cultivation

• Sustainable agriculture and water management

• Organic garden visit

• Wine and local-product tasting

• Farm-to-table lunch

2). Stops

• Los Patos River - Enjoy a short stop at one of the Caribbean's shortest rivers, known for its crystal-clear waters flowing directly into the sea.

• Barahona Coastal Highway - Photo opportunities along one of the country's most scenic drives.

• Local fruit market - On the way to Santo Domingo, stop by a local fruit market to pick out an assortment of tropical fruits native to the Dominican Republic.

3). Arrive in Santo Domingo - Check-in to the hotel and overnight stay.

• Breakfast

• Airport Transfers

• Departure