Jarabacoa / Pico Duarte

[Madiran745]

I'll be visiting Sosua April 7 to 17 and I'm planning on doing a side trip to Jarabacoa to climb Pico Duarte April 10 to 12. I'm considering booking the climb with Rancho Baiguate. Does anyone have any advice on transportation from Sosua to Jarabacoa and Pico Duarte in general?

[WickedWillie]

I'm told that it's a tough hike up Pico Duarte.

You sure you want to do it after 3 nights in Sosua?

Do a search on DR1.com for reports from guys that have done it.

[eldorob]

Caribe Tours will get you there very easy. You have to do one layover south of Santiago. It's some little bus station in the middle of nowhere. I may remember the town name later. Very small station and nothing around you, just some guy selling food out of a cart. I sat there for about two hours but there might have been bus mechanical trouble that day.

You do have to pay attention to make sure you get off at your layover bus stop, otherwise you'll end up in Santo Domingo. And they don't announce the stops.

[eldorob]

Salto de Jimenoa One (or Two?)

[joeysterr]

[snoozer]

Caribe Tours will get you there very easy. You have to do one layover south of Santiago. It's some little bus station in the middle of nowhere. I may remember the town name later. Very small station and nothing around you, just some guy selling food out of a cart. I sat there for about two hours but there might have been bus mechanical trouble that day.

You do have to pay attention to make sure you get off at your layover bus stop, otherwise you'll end up in Santo Domingo. And they don't announce the stops.

That would be La Vega, it is about half an hour south of Santiago.

[drdreamer]

I'm told that it's a tough hike up Pico Duarte.

You sure you want to do it after 3 nights in Sosua?

Do a search on DR1.com for reports from guys that have done it.

Fortunately for him, the "Canadian crew" will not be in town. He did attempt to keep up on Apr 2010....
He did keep the chicas busy thou. He was nailing 2 or 3 a day...

[uncle ruckus]

There's not much in terms of nightlife in Jarabacoa, but if your spanish is decent enough, check out a locals bar and you'll probably find some of the most beautiful women you've ever seen.

IME, there are very few ugly women in Jarabacoa!

[Madiran745]

Thank you all for the info. Will practice my spanish and will do my best to maintain the "Canadian crew" rep

[Madiran745]

I first met DrDreamer when we shared a cab from the airport to NG and the very first thing he asked me is "are you a drinker?" lmao.

[ErikS]

I'll be back in the DR 5-20 April. Planning a trip up Pico Duarte with a group (including JD_Mine & Tony Toca) sometime during this visit.
PM me if you want to join us.

[jose1234]

I did it with a bunch of other Dominicans and I don't know the company that did the trip. I can tell you that the length of the trip depends upon where you begin the hike. The trip I took lasted seven days on donkey... two days up to base camp... a day of rest. a day up to the top of both peaks and back. another day of rest and then two days back. I fell off the donkey three times....LOL

It was freaking cold up on top of the mountain...negative six Centigrade...the day in the sun is ok and not too cold, but come night the temperature drops and it gets freaking cold... I mean warm sleeping bag, winter coat, gloves and hat are essential... I slept in a tent, but there are some very rustic/dilapidated cabins... The mountain is beautiful and you will love the trip, but if you hike...you had better be in some sort of shape. Also, realize that there is no safety and you can get hurt... Two out of the twenty people I went with were injured during the trip. Also, bring lots of Brugal...

[Madiran745]

I'll be back in the DR 5-20 April. Planning a trip up Pico Duarte with a group (including JD_Mine & Tony Toca) sometime during this visit.
PM me if you want to join us.

Check your PM

[Sidney]

I'll be visiting Sosua April 7 to 17 and I'm planning on doing a side trip to Jarabacoa to climb Pico Duarte April 10 to 12. I'm considering booking the climb with Rancho Baiguate. Does anyone have any advice on transportation from Sosua to Jarabacoa and Pico Duarte in general?

My brother made the climb. He hired a guide, stayed overnight and ate with the family, half-way up.

[Madiran745]

UPDATE: I did do the Pico Duarte climb. I used Caribe Tour from Sosua to La Vega to Jarabacoa. It was easy enough and only 290 each way. I did the climb in 2 days (48 kms) and it was a very demanding hike up as I didn't ride the mule. I did ride the mule for part of the way down due to a minor injury I didn't want to aggrevate. I don't recommend doing it over 2 days and if I was to redo it I'd do it over 3 days. Even my guides said it was nuts to do it in 2 days. Thankfully I had 3 days to "rest" in Sosua after the climb. Overall it was a great experience.

[eldorob]

UPDATE: I did do the Pico Duarte climb. I used Caribe Tour from Sosua to La Vega to Jarabacoa. It was easy enough and only 290 each way..

290 what?

How'd you like the la Vega bus station? I'll bet you got some awesome pics...(hint)

[weyland]

Three of our senior members did this hike a week ago. Wait for their report (hopefully with pics). They should have lots of useful info for you. Do not underestimate the difficulty and possible problems. Not to be undertaken on a wing and a prayer.

[Hunter]

Three of our senior members did this hike a week ago. Wait for their report (hopefully with pics). They should have lots of useful info for you. Do not underestimate the difficulty and possible problems. Not to be undertaken on a wing and a prayer.

I know Tony was on a mule on the way up AND down

[weyland]

I know Tony was on a mule on the way up AND down

Yes, but not because he wasn't fit. He was trying to hump it.

[Sidney]

UPDATE: I did do the Pico Duarte climb. I used Caribe Tour from Sosua to La Vega to Jarabacoa. It was easy enough and only 290 each way. I did the climb in 2 days (48 kms) and it was a very demanding hike up as I didn't ride the mule. I did ride the mule for part of the way down due to a minor injury I didn't want to aggrevate. I don't recommend doing it over 2 days and if I was to redo it I'd do it over 3 days. Even my guides said it was nuts to do it in 2 days. Thankfully I had 3 days to "rest" in Sosua after the climb. Overall it was a great experience.

My brother, a 60 year old very experienced hiker, walked it in 2 days and enjoyed it.