Horseback
Riding
"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."
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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 Dominician 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 Dominician Republic and the people, plants
and animals who inhabit the countryside.
Karin
specialises in personalised 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. |
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Half
Day Trips |
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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 orginial
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.
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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.
Along the way you will pass by small productive farm lands where
you will see planting techniques used by the Taino and now being
advocated by organic growers worldwide.
You often see whales from Punto during January to March.
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Mountain
Village
Cost USD 60.00
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. |
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Full
Day Trips
Playa
Rincon
Cost USD 75.00
9.30 am - 4 pm
This trip starts along typical country roads through Playa Colorada, Playa Breman till the long white sandy beach of Playa Rincon. It is an advantage to have some riding experience, although people with no experience regularly take part at this excursion. (Picnic lunch included)
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Playa
Madama& Farm
Cost USD 75.00
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 mountain farm. At the
mountain farm you will have afternoon tea or coffee produced at
the farm, and a tour of the farm to see the crops and animals.
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Punto
& Mountain Village
Cost USD 75.00
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.
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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 Tanio's. On the steep climb down to the beach you
will visit a cave. You will enjoy a hot lunch on the beach. Playa
Fronton is a good beach for snorkelling.
View of Playa Fronton from El Faro.
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Overnight
Trips |
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For
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 or hammock. 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 but takes away all the hassle. |
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
