Mountain Combo

An off-road vehicle will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00 am. You will drive along a picturesque coastal road to Bahoruco. From here it's up into the mountains to the only Larimar mine in the world. The gemstone was discovered in 1974. It is scratch-resistant, can be polished and is used for various pieces of jewelry. Your driver will drop you off a little below the mine; you will need non-slip shoes for the ascent. Once you arrive at the mine, you will be given a guided tour of the mining village. Entry to the tunnels is not recommended and the visit is at your own risk.

Back in the village of Bahoruco, you will visit a typical Larimar workshop where the locals work the stone. You are welcome to bring your own stone, which you can buy in the mines from one of the flying dealers, but please ask your guide before making such a purchase (the purchase is not obligatory, costs to be borne by the participants).

The tour then continues to La Ciénaga, from where you will take a 45-minute hike to the Cueva de la Virgen, the cave of the Virgin. The path there leads through a rainforest with an impressive biodiversity and full of beautiful native flowers, including several species of ferns and fruit trees. During the hike, you can listen to the songs of local birds, including the endemic palm babbler, hummingbirds and more than 40 other species. Completely hidden in the lush forests of the Sierra de Bahoruco, the trail along and through a river is just as exciting as the swim in the cave's emerald green pools, which are fed by a cascading waterfall. Remember to wear shoes that can get wet for the hike.

Afterwards, visit Villa Miriam The estate of a Barahona-based businessman, whose garden has been opened to the public, is located directly on the San Rafael River with natural pools and waterfalls. The refreshing watercourses invite you to swim. If you wish, you can also have something to eat here (costs to be borne by the participants).