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cascading????
Falls of Damajagua
Can -
I have just scheduled a 'cascading' trip with Iguana Mama out of Cabarete in May. I have been 'cascading' in Arizona and can only imagine it to be more fun back home. When do you plan to do your excursion?
http://www.drpure.com/drpure/index.php?topic=Cascade&page=46
Can -
I have just scheduled a 'cascading' trip with Iguana Mama out of Cabarete in May. I have been 'cascading' in Arizona and can only imagine it to be more fun back home. When do you plan to do your excursion?
http://www.drpure.com/drpure/index.php?topic=Cascade&page=46
Cascading
There are a few companies that do this excursion, all good. Iguana Mama, Dominicana Jones and, of course, us: Caribbean Bike Tours. This is a really fun trip but you must be a swimmer and not be afraid of heights.
There are a few companies that do this excursion, all good. Iguana Mama, Dominicana Jones and, of course, us: Caribbean Bike Tours. This is a really fun trip but you must be a swimmer and not be afraid of heights.
Most of the tour/excursion companies that run this type of tour, run out of Jarabacoa. Franz's Adventure tours is another company you could look up. I used to sell tours several years ago & had a few people who did cascading - all came back with rave reports.
Don't mix this tour with the Jeep Safari tour that goes to the waterfalls at Imbert, the cascading trips are far more exhilerating in that they concentrate JUST on treking & cascading through the hilly areas of Jarabacoa. The jeep tour (although great fun) only has a small waterfall area in which "sliding down watershoots" is experienced. The rest of the day is a jeep trip around the back of the Mountain Isabel de Tores. - Grahame.
Don't mix this tour with the Jeep Safari tour that goes to the waterfalls at Imbert, the cascading trips are far more exhilerating in that they concentrate JUST on treking & cascading through the hilly areas of Jarabacoa. The jeep tour (although great fun) only has a small waterfall area in which "sliding down watershoots" is experienced. The rest of the day is a jeep trip around the back of the Mountain Isabel de Tores. - Grahame.
Damajagua is tops in eco tourism travel in the DR. Did it with a group of 50 people of all ages and abilities last August. It is best to go in winter when the level of the waters are higher. When we went there was one stretch we had to rapel down. Our guide had this equipment, so it was just part of the excitement.
Keep in mind this is a series of jumps (some 3-5 meters high), natural toboggan's and some swimming between canyons. Several in our group did not know how to swim, but they were aided by those who did. Do not bring anything that can't get wet because this is about getting wet. Light clothes and sturdy shoes that can get wet and dry are also recommended. The best way is to go up the hill to the top of the 21st fall, and then make your way down cascading. We started at 9 am and finished at 4 pm, but again we were a big bunch. Also best to avoid going on a Sunday or a holiday, when a crowd of rum-drinking locals take over the ground level cascades.
I do not know what the Iguana Mama excursion includes, but they are one of the best eco tourism operations in the country, so for sure you will have a memorable time.
This is the kind of excursion that when you finish you feel you have triumphed! Actually what you have accomplished is the conquering your own fears. Great feeling.
Regarding making a comparison to this type of adventure in Arizona... well, I would think you are right. But there might be something special about cascading in the Caribbean that makes it different and noteworthy. The people in Arizona must have it all down pat. Here you are going in the real wild and rough. Why don't you write and tell us about your impressions when you get back. To post with this message (it will zoom back up to the top so we can all read your impressions), just check the archives typng in Damajagua and you should be able to find this same thread.
Keep in mind this is a series of jumps (some 3-5 meters high), natural toboggan's and some swimming between canyons. Several in our group did not know how to swim, but they were aided by those who did. Do not bring anything that can't get wet because this is about getting wet. Light clothes and sturdy shoes that can get wet and dry are also recommended. The best way is to go up the hill to the top of the 21st fall, and then make your way down cascading. We started at 9 am and finished at 4 pm, but again we were a big bunch. Also best to avoid going on a Sunday or a holiday, when a crowd of rum-drinking locals take over the ground level cascades.
I do not know what the Iguana Mama excursion includes, but they are one of the best eco tourism operations in the country, so for sure you will have a memorable time.
This is the kind of excursion that when you finish you feel you have triumphed! Actually what you have accomplished is the conquering your own fears. Great feeling.
Regarding making a comparison to this type of adventure in Arizona... well, I would think you are right. But there might be something special about cascading in the Caribbean that makes it different and noteworthy. The people in Arizona must have it all down pat. Here you are going in the real wild and rough. Why don't you write and tell us about your impressions when you get back. To post with this message (it will zoom back up to the top so we can all read your impressions), just check the archives typng in Damajagua and you should be able to find this same thread.
cascading or canyoning?
Do you mean canyoning - i.e. jump off cliffs, rappel through waterfalls etc. ? If so, contact Rancho Baiguette in Jarabacoa. Their trip includes jumping off cliffs up to 40 feet high, using a natural slide to move through a river section and of course, the necessary rappelling through a waterfall. Great test of your faith in yourself and the great guides they provide. This is a great outfit (equivalent to any outfit that I have used in the US in terms of safety etc.) They also offer rafting trips, horseback riding, and other more tame options for exploring the mountains around Jarabacoa.
Do you mean canyoning - i.e. jump off cliffs, rappel through waterfalls etc. ? If so, contact Rancho Baiguette in Jarabacoa. Their trip includes jumping off cliffs up to 40 feet high, using a natural slide to move through a river section and of course, the necessary rappelling through a waterfall. Great test of your faith in yourself and the great guides they provide. This is a great outfit (equivalent to any outfit that I have used in the US in terms of safety etc.) They also offer rafting trips, horseback riding, and other more tame options for exploring the mountains around Jarabacoa.
Falls from heaven - a report
WOOOOOO!!!
I just got back from DR and completing the Falls of Rio Damajagua, as promised, here is my report:
Woke up early on Saturday since the excursion started at 8a.m We had a driver take us to Iguana Mama in Cabarete although they offered to pick us up. At the Iguana office we were treated to croissants, O.J. and Coffee. To say it was a pleasant welcome would be fitting.
My party was of 3 (my hubby, best friend, and myself) as well as two older people who were going simply to take photographs. Uh...ok. To each their own. Adolfo was our tour guide and Jose was the driver. In Imbert we picked up Jorge and Negro to help us tour the falls and help us be lifted or whatever assistance was necessary to get through them.
The water was chilly but not disturbing. Nothing like the FREEZING water in Arizona. The reflecting pools were clear and beautiful. At times it was a bit rough to get to the falls (of which Iguana Mama takes you to 12) but nothing dangerous - let me take that back...there was one climb that my husband and I both grew concerned with. You had to scale the side of a rock while holding on to a rope. Perhaps this needs to be better planned and indeed, you have to have upper body strength. However, it was amazing.
The jumps were not scary but a bit intimidating when you first step up to the ledge. For some you have a choice to slide. We mixed and matched and enjoyed all. The sliding portion ACTUALLY slid on the smooth rock - not the kind where you kinda get stuck after you put your butt down. It was perfectly smooth.
We were thankful that the excursion started early since by the time we got back to the first fall the crowd was tremendous and we had to wait for it to clear a little in order to jump. Our guide and assistants were awesome and joked along the way. Being Dominican it was great to hear their take on a lot of things and not just "put your foot here" or "here, let me help you". At times people forget that these people are not just tour guides but individuals.
Iguana Mama then takes you to a wonderful restaurant in Imbert to have a buffet style lunch. The food and company is delicious.
At the end of the trip I was sure to take phone numbers for both the driver (who does private taxi service), and for the guide who will take private parties to the falls. Both were great humble folks who I got to know in our 4 hour excursion. In my opinion, the best way to get to things is with a native - in my next trip, Iguana Mama served a great purpose but I'll be calling Jose and Jorge to schedule my outings and be sure that they get more money for their families. I guess that's just an ex-pat for ya.
Hope this helps!!!
Suz
WOOOOOO!!!
I just got back from DR and completing the Falls of Rio Damajagua, as promised, here is my report:
Woke up early on Saturday since the excursion started at 8a.m We had a driver take us to Iguana Mama in Cabarete although they offered to pick us up. At the Iguana office we were treated to croissants, O.J. and Coffee. To say it was a pleasant welcome would be fitting.
My party was of 3 (my hubby, best friend, and myself) as well as two older people who were going simply to take photographs. Uh...ok. To each their own. Adolfo was our tour guide and Jose was the driver. In Imbert we picked up Jorge and Negro to help us tour the falls and help us be lifted or whatever assistance was necessary to get through them.
The water was chilly but not disturbing. Nothing like the FREEZING water in Arizona. The reflecting pools were clear and beautiful. At times it was a bit rough to get to the falls (of which Iguana Mama takes you to 12) but nothing dangerous - let me take that back...there was one climb that my husband and I both grew concerned with. You had to scale the side of a rock while holding on to a rope. Perhaps this needs to be better planned and indeed, you have to have upper body strength. However, it was amazing.
The jumps were not scary but a bit intimidating when you first step up to the ledge. For some you have a choice to slide. We mixed and matched and enjoyed all. The sliding portion ACTUALLY slid on the smooth rock - not the kind where you kinda get stuck after you put your butt down. It was perfectly smooth.
We were thankful that the excursion started early since by the time we got back to the first fall the crowd was tremendous and we had to wait for it to clear a little in order to jump. Our guide and assistants were awesome and joked along the way. Being Dominican it was great to hear their take on a lot of things and not just "put your foot here" or "here, let me help you". At times people forget that these people are not just tour guides but individuals.
Iguana Mama then takes you to a wonderful restaurant in Imbert to have a buffet style lunch. The food and company is delicious.
At the end of the trip I was sure to take phone numbers for both the driver (who does private taxi service), and for the guide who will take private parties to the falls. Both were great humble folks who I got to know in our 4 hour excursion. In my opinion, the best way to get to things is with a native - in my next trip, Iguana Mama served a great purpose but I'll be calling Jose and Jorge to schedule my outings and be sure that they get more money for their families. I guess that's just an ex-pat for ya.
Hope this helps!!!
Suz