An excursion for hard core individualists – in a small group of 2 up to a maximum of 4 people, Andreas, the tour guide of EXTRA-TOURS, carries you off into the jungle of the north of the Dominican Republic. With sensible shoes and a good condition you hike through streams and thick subtropical vegetation to gorgeous waterfalls.

At 9.00 a.m. sharp Andreas came to get us in Maimon with his American jeep. In order to avoid unnecessary discussions with the native taxi drivers, we had agreed to meet in front of the Hotel. It was a sunny day in June and with temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius and humidity of 80%, the air that comes through the fully opened windows of the Off-Roaders is extremely pleasant. All of a sudden, we were in the middle of the turbulent life of this wonderful country. We drove through Puerto Plata, felt the temperament of the people who were so close to us, heard the Merengue blaring from huge boom boxes of Cafes, Bars and other cars and breathed the hot air that is slightly salty because of the proximity of the ocean and also smells of exhaust fumes from all the motorbike taxis. Shortly after Puerto Plata we left the coastal highway and drove towards the interior of the country, just a short time, then we drove on a dusty and bumpy road to an almost dry riverbed. Here we left our vehicle and walked along the river into more and more dense jungle.

In the beginning we saw luxuriant and fertile vegetation, it seemed that there was an abundance of fruit, easily accessible for everybody. We passed banana and mango trees and somewhat hidden we saw an enormous breadfruit tree and the dried fruit of a cacao tree. Our way led through the river time and again and we felt the pleasant, clear, cool water of the Camu river on our feet. Our way became more and more narrow and rough and after having hiked for about an hour, we reached the first of the 4 waterfalls.

The water at his feet was turquoise and crystal clear in the sunlight and invited us for a swim. After a refreshing stop, we went a little back on our way but then climbed a steep path that could no longer be called a trail to the second stage. Time and again Andreas, our guide, had to cut branches with a sharp knife in order for us to go on. Somewhere up there we reached a small Dominican hut and a wild plantation with bananas and potatoes.

At the second stage a new challenge awaited us, no lagoon to swim in. In order to continue our climb, we had to hike through the middle of the waterfall. We already heard the roar of the third stage when Andreas all of a sudden moved to the side and picked up a little emerald green snake that looked poisonous and had hidden in the jungle. Its skin felt dry and smooth and left a disagreeable smell on our hands, a natural defense mechanism. A few meters above we reached the third stage and took another refreshing bath.

While steadily approaching the highlight of the tour, the last and largest stage, we had to surmount a number of obstacles. We supported and helped each other and made it and then were rewarded with the breathtaking view of the fourth and largest stage.

Unfortunately, we could not stay at this secluded and paradisiacal place and had to make our way back to the car. We had an unforgettable day, far off the beaten track of the large Hotel projects, just the sun, the air, cooled by the shadow of the trees, the plants, the animals and us.