Mountain Adventure in the Caribbean Highlands

Arrive in the heart of Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial, where your guide meets you with a full briefing before you pick up your 4x4 rental car. The rest of the day is yours to wander the colonial streets or pick up any last-minute gear for the days ahead.

You head southwest into the central mountains early in the morning, driving through remote villages and past cacao and coffee plantations with panoramic views of the south coast. In Los Cacaos, you gear up for a canyoning tour, or opt for a shorter hike into a nearby canyon instead. From there, you continue to a mountain lodge set high above San José de Ocoa, with wide views over the surrounding peaks. You spend the night in a well-equipped tent, in noticeably cooler mountain air.

Driving distance: 40 kilometers / 25 miles

Today's drive takes you over the highest paved pass road in the Caribbean, winding through mountain valleys where locals still farm much as they did 200 years ago. Along the way, you can stop at a monument sitting at about 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level, built in 1958 to mark the road's completion. You spend the night at roughly 1,900 m (6,234 ft), the highest accommodation in the Caribbean, above the town of Constanza. Temperatures here can drop below freezing after dark, so you'll want the fireplace.

Driving distance: 65 kilometers / 40 miles

You have a full day to explore the highlands surrounding Constanza at your own pace. Lace up your boots to hike nearby mountain peaks reaching up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) high, or take a walk out to the 83-meter (272-foot) Aguas Blancas waterfall. Alternatively, head into the mountain town of Constanza to browse the shops and sample local cuisine at a nearby restaurant.

Drive 65 km (40 miles) today to reach Jarabacoa, known locally as the City of Eternal Spring. Located at the foot of a stunning mountain landscape, this area is famous for its rushing rivers. Hike out to view the impressive 80-meter (262-foot) Salto Gran Jimenoa 1 waterfall. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the lush surroundings near your comfortable highland hotel.

Driving distance: 65 kilometers / 40 miles

Rise early to begin your guided ascent of Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at over 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Today's demanding trek takes you from 1,100 meters (3,608 feet) up to 2,400 meters (7,874 feet). As you hike past changing vegetation and mountain water sources, mules carry your main luggage and food. Arrive at Camp La Comparticion to settle into your tent and enjoy dinner around a campfire with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.

Camp altitude: 7,874 feet / 2,400 meters
Elevation Gain: 4,266 feet / 1,300 meters

Start your day before dawn, hiking for roughly two and a half hours in the dark to reach the summit of Pico Duarte. Arrive just in time to watch the sunrise over the roof of the Caribbean, enjoying an unobstructed view across the island. After taking in the panorama, begin the long descent back down the mountain. Following approximately seven hours of walking, you return to the valley and transfer to a comfortable hotel located next to a mountain stream in Jarabacoa.

Hiking length: 7 Hours

After a final morning in the mountains, get back into your 4x4 for the 165 km (102-mile) drive to Santo Domingo. Head to the airport where you drop off your rental vehicle before checking in for your onward flight, or continue on an individual extension of your trip.

Driving distance: 165 kilometers / 102 miles