"Karen
is multi-lingual and has beautiful horses that can be hired for
one of the best and most magical horse excursions I have ever been
on. If going through the mango trees and coffee fields and deserted
beaches is your dream, Karin can provide it. She also is an encyclopedia
of knowledge on all of the wonderful treasures that are hidden throughout
Las Galeras."
A horse
trip with Karin is one of the best ways to experience Las Galeras.
Many say it is the highlight of their visit to the Dominican Republic.
Safety
for both you and the horses is foremost in Karin's mind, making
most trips suitable for beginners or experienced riders. Karin has
horses suitable for all levels and employs local boys who stay next
to children and anyone needing extra care.
Learn
about Las Galeras and the Dominican Republic and the people, plants
and animals who inhabit the countryside.
Karin
specializes in personalized horse trips that she has designed and
no one else does. She will go with one person and there are rarely
more than six people on a trip.
Read on - the trips can be as gentle or as hard core as you like. (Hint - Hard core can skip to the bottom of the page.)
Half
Day Trips
Playa
Madama
Cost USD 55.00
9 am to 1 pm
Playa
Madama is a small, almost private, beach. You can have a swim, snorkel
and beach comb. You will visit a big cave and see beautiful stalactites
and stalagmites and discover Taino ceramics. The Taino are the original
people of the Dominican Republic. You will walk to a viewpoint over
the beach and get to taste coconut, picked from the wild, at its
various stages of maturity.
Punto
Cost USD 45.00
9 am to 12
From
Punto there are 360° views over the countryside and the bays
of Las Galeras and Samana. It is a perfect place to get your bearings
and a taste for all the great hikes that are possible in the area.
You often see whales from the purpose built whale watch tower during January to March.
On the way to Punto you will pass by small productive farm lands where
you will see planting methods of the Taino, now being advocated by organic/permaculture farmers. (for example - the three sisters - corns, beans and squash.)
Karin will point out to you all the interesting fruit trees, plants and flowers along the way.
Mountain
Village Cost USD 55.00 9 am to 1 pm
This
trip takes you to an authentic village where you get to see how
the people of Las Galeras really live. You will visit a family and
tour the house and gardens and enjoy a fresh fruit drink. You will
see what they plant in their kitchen gardens for cooking, teas,
and medicinal purposes.
This
village, away from the "tourist trail", did not have electricity
until recently. You will see the traditional Dominican stoves proudly
displayed and perhaps keeping the water hot for a spot of tea.
Keep
an eye out for the typical rain water collection systems, and use
the seeds of a plant to become a Red Indian. If you express an interest,
you may find out how to make coconut oil and milk.
Full
Day Trips
Playa
Rincon
Cost USD 75.00
9.30 am - 4 pm
This trip starts along typical country roads to reach the beautiful beaches of Playa Colorado, Playa Breman and finally the famous beach of Playa Rincon. It is an advantage to have some riding experience, although people with no experience regularly take part in this excursion. Picnic lunch included.
Playa
Madama& Farm
Cost USD 70.00
9.30 am - 4 pm
A full
day trip includes all the activities of the half day trip to Playa
Madama plus a picnic lunch and a visit to a typical farm. At the
farm you will have afternoon tea or coffee produced at
the farm, and a tour of the farm to see the crops and animals.
Punto& Mountain Village
Cost USD 70.00
9 am to 4.30 pm
A full
day trip includes all the activities of a half day trip to the mountain
village plus a trip to Punto and a picnic lunch.
Playa
Fronton
Cost USD 90.00
9 am to 5 pm
This
trip includes a horseback ride to the cliff above the beach and
a hike to a beautiful viewpoint through a diverse eco system where
you could see an iguana or the whales in season. Here you can see
the vanilla orchid and learn how its secret caused the death of
many Taino's. On the steep climb down to the beach you
will visit a cave. Playa
Fronton is a good beach for snorkeling.
Overnight
Trips- (not for the faint hearted)
Playa Madama
In addition to the half day trip, after the horse ride, you will spend time on the beach and will try to catch your own meal for the evening. You will learn fishing dominican style and make a big camp fire for the night. (don't worry if you can't catch a fish, food and drinks will be available). The next day you will hike to a farm and have your coffee and breakfast after visiting the place. All meals, drinks and tents are provided. Price of this "all inclusive" excursion: USD 170.
For
hard core adventure seekers Karin offers an overnight trip
to Playa Fronton. In addition to the day trip activities, you will
sleep on a deserted beach in a tent. The next day you will
hike, for about an hour, from the beach to Boca Del Diablo (the mouth
of the devil). All meals and tents are
provided. This "all inclusive" trip costs USD 200
and approximates what it would cost to do all these activities on
your own (if you could arrange it).
This is a Wild adventure and unique life experience not for the faint hearted - you have been warned!
Experienced riders may be able to arrange
to hire a horse for the duration of their stay. Please enquire in
advance.
"Their
respect for, knowledge, and care of their animals and the neighborhood
have impressed me deeply."
Trips
can be given in English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch
Phone
1.829 9398285, Email: info@lahaciendahostel.com
