Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHAT TO BRING
Cold- and wet-weather clothing are musts for anyone intending to spend a night in either park. While
the average temperature ranges between 12°C and 20°C most of the year, lows of -5°C are not uncom-
mon, especially in December and January. Rainstorms can happen at any time during the year. While
the soil is sandy and drains well, you'll still want sturdy boots and a raincoat. It's best to also pack
your gear (including flashlight, sun screen and bug repellent) in dry bags and carry an extra one for
the sleeping bag and mattress you're provided on Pico Duarte trips. If on an organized tour, ask in ad-
vance if these are supplied. A good stock of energy bars are also recommended so you can refuel on
the go.
Self-Organized Tours
Your other option - assuming you speak good Spanish and you're not in a hurry - is to go
to La Cienaga in person and organize mules, food and a guide on your own. Keep in mind
however that no matter what time of day you show up you won't be ready to leave until
the following morning. Travelers with their own camping gear can spend the night in a
tent at the park entrance. Mules and muleteers go for around RD$700 per day each, and
the lead guide around RD$1000 per day (minimum one guide for every five hikers). Be
aware also that if you walk out a different entrance to where you came in, you'll have to
pay several days' extra wages for your guides to get back to the starting point (where they
live). Guides can organize basic provisions for you. There is a small spring of drinking
water halfway up the trail from La Ciénega, but you're well advised to pack your own wa-
ter (water-cooler-sized bottles, which the mules carry).
Attempting to climb Pico Duarte without mules is neither possible nor desirable - you
can't enter the park without a guide, and a guide won't go without mules. And walking
with a full pack in the heat would likely drain whatever enjoyment you might get from the
walk. Mules are also essential in case someone gets injured.
Routes to the Top
There are two popular routes up Pico Duarte. The shortest and easiest (and by far the most
used) is from
La Ciénaga
via Jarabacoa. It is 23km in each direction and involves approx-
imately 2275m of vertical ascent en route to the peak. It's strongly recommended to do
this route in three days - one long, slog of a day to arrive at the La Compartición camp-
ground (2450m), one easy day to hike up and enjoy the views (if you're an early riser, the
sunrise) and one long day back out again. The trip can be done in two days by getting up
at 4am for a dawn summit, but afterward it's a grueling, hot slog down the mountain. Con-
