Sunset in the Dominican Republic doesn't come more atmospheric than this – sitting astride your horse, gazing out over the leafy tropical terrain from the top of a mountain. This evening ride comes with a dinner of local favourites down at the ranch and a few fun surprises thrown in, too. Juan, one of our local guides, says, ‘Everyone Dominican's grandmother has her own recipes for local specialities like sancocho, a meat-and-vegetable stew. One version for special occasions has seven different types of meat, plus herbs and spices. It's supposed to be a good hangover cure.'
A briefing and welcome drink will get you into the spirit of the evening before you saddle up and set off on a leisurely sunset tour on horseback. Enjoy the scenery as you weave through remote farmland and lush green rainforest. It's a great way to get back to nature, and you'll be rewarded with sweeping vistas of the landscape as you head up into the mountains. At the top, there's time for photos, making the most of the low evening light as the sun sinks towards the horizon.
After riding back down to the ranch for dinner, you'll try some local dishes like Juan's favourite sancocho stew, crisp plantain ‘tostones', yuca and burgers. Plus, you'll get to watch a cigar-rolling demonstration if it takes your fancy. Then, after dinner, you could chill out on one of the rocking chairs with a brandy or have more fun with a lasso-throwing lesson.
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