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5)
TORO
NEGRO RAINFOREST ADVENTURE Experience the thrill of a visit to the rooftop of Puerto Rico, a land of lush vegetation, steep hillsides, and cascading waterfalls. Located in the mountainous center of the island, the Toro Negro Rainforest is Puerto Rico’s “other” rainforest reserve. Much less visited and about 1,000 feet higher than El Yunque, Toro Negro offers a more intimate island experience with amazing views of its mountains and landscapes. To reach Toro Negro from the Metro Area requires about 90 minutes; we drive south through the city of Caguas and up the mountains of Cayey, down to the coastal plains of the Caribbean to the town of Juana Díaz, where we then drive north and up the Central Cordillera through the town of Villalba to the Barrio Toro Negro of Ciales… our destination! The adventure begins as we enter Quebrada Rosa, a tributary of the Toro Negro River. The Quebrada Rosa is a clear, unspoiled creek that is flanked by thick vegetation. Our hike takes us upstream, through a series of waterfalls and pools where we will enjoy time to wade and relax in the cool, tropical water. Expect to get completely wet on this adventure!! The morning hike is a challenging and fun experience as we scramble over boulders, along the water’s edge, across pools, and through the current. Before lunchtime, we will don harnesses to climb up a waterfall to a pool above. Midday, we will enjoy lunch under roof cover in the middle of a local “finca,” or farm. This meal will be prepared by a local family and will consist of typical Creole dishes, which may include rice with pigeon peas, chicken, ribs, Puerto Rican sweet potatoes, or beans. Lunch is served buffet-style, so you can serve yourself as much or as little as you want. After lunch, we will hike up through the rainforest enjoying the local vegetation and views of the mountains and forests. But what better way to experience the landscape than by zip-lining through it! We will make our way back to camp by a combination of short hikes and a series of zip-lines which cross the creek’s small canyon. The zip lines average about 200 ft. each and you will have a chance to do at least five rides. The zip lines are over 60 ft. above the creek, so the rides are both thrilling and stunning, offering a good burst of adrenaline and amazing views.
Discover the wonders of the Caribbean National Forest with our experienced guides. Locally known as El Yunque, this tropical rain forest was first set aside for protection by the Kingdom of Spain in 1876, making it one of the first natural reserves in the Western Hemisphere. Currently managed by the United States Forest Service, the Forest counts with over 28,000 contiguous acres within the Sierra de Luquillo. With peaks, escarpments, myriad streams and waterfalls, and a lush green vegetation representing various forest types, the National Forest is truly a scenic paradise. It is also a naturalist’s delight, with a diverse native flora and fauna which includes many species found nowhere else on the planet. It is home to over 1,000 species of plants, over 30 species of amphibians and reptiles, 11 species of bats, and 68 species of birds, including rare endemics such as the endangered Puerto Rican parrot. Other less conspicuous yet ecologically invaluable inhabitants are fungi and invertebrates, of which there are also many endemics. Due to the region’s topography and varying rainfall patterns, the forest boasts four distinct vegetation zones: Tabonuco forest, Palo Colorado forest, Sierra Palm forest, and Cloud or Dwarf forest. To enjoy this reserve the Forest Service maintains 13 marked trails representing various levels of difficulty, ranging from easy strolls and leisure hikes to demanding treks up to the mountain peaks. Our visits to the forest concentrate on hiking and natural history education, with the option of a refreshing soak in one of the many natural pools and waterfalls. We offer either half day or full day excursions customized to your physical condition and interests. On a half day excursion you could choose from a moderate walk to a challenging trek to different waterfalls. On a full day excursion you could have the chance to experience the forest within the reserve and the nearby Blue Flag awarded beaches (Luquillo or Seven Seas beach). Whether on a half day or a full day visit we are sure you will appreciate why El Yunque is one of our great national treasures.
All
of the adventures include hotel pick up in the Isla Verde area. ADVENTURES 1-4 ADVENTURES 5-7
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