.jpg/:/rs=h:317,cg:true,m/qt=q:95)
Powered by Tourist Options since 1,992
La Moskitia Tours, La Moskitia Expeditions since 1992.
Expedición Rio Plátano
EXPEDITION RIO PLATANO BIOSPHERE (10 DAYS)
CODE: EBRP10
La moskitia expeditions since 1992 offers you a unique opportunity to participate in one of the most interesting expeditions ever performed in Central America. This is a wholesome top excitement adventure tours which will transport you to some of the most remote places within the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, a site declared World Heritage by UNESCO, where we shall be protagonists of an exotic journey across diverse tropical environments and landscapes.
In la moskitia tours Imagine our main scenario on the riverbed of the Platano, where we are going to cover a distance of 130 Km, starting at its headwaters in the southern side of the reserve to just about reaching its outlet to the Caribbean sea at the North Coast. After an interesting ground approach, walking through the last farmland territories on the buffer zone, most of our trip is performed by navigating on rafts across a natural set up where the tropical rain forest displays the lush of a exuberant pristine vegetation. The sequence of calm waters followed by the fast currents of thrilling rapids adds also excitement to the countless surprises awaiting us during this singular journey into the jungle.
The pristine environment of this ecosystem makes it home of a great diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate species which will not easily remain unnoticed to us, such as monkeys, of which we might see up to three species, iguanas, frogs, turtles, several fish species chased by the river otters, a diversity of butterflies among which the magnificent blue Morpho quickly outstands, gregarious parrots and solitary cranes, king fishers, cormorants, toucans, macaws, and other colorful bird species which will accompany us along our trip. Among the biggest mammals, deer, tapirs, and some big cats are the most outstanding, being these last ones much harder to spot due to their night lifestyle.
Although the main part of the journey is carried out across entirely human deserted territories, some big caves and other archaeological sites witness the former presence of ancient cultures of people living ashore the river centuries ago. Their present heirs are the indigenous peoples Pech, Miskito and Garifuna, with which we shall interact during the last stage of our trip, a latest ingredient whose contribution to our experience will make this voyage become into an unforgettable adventure about which many a story will be shared with our relatives and friends.
Day 1: TRUCK RIDE TO BONANZA CAMPSITE
Guides and Gear travel by 4x4 truck from La Ceibato Bonanza a village located in the buffer zone of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (8 hrs). If participants arrive at Tegucigalpa the day before we will hire a mini bus or double cab 4x4 truck to pick the group up at Hotel and bring them to Catacamas to meet guides and continue together in 4x4 trucks to Bonanza.
On this day we go through a few small towns and some typical villages as well as several settlements of farmers devoted to agriculture and cattle ranching. We are due to arrive at our final destiny late in the afternoon just in time to put up our tents on our host family´s yard. Let´s enjoy our “campesino” dinner and get some relaxing sleep to wake up early next day.
Please select tonight any extra gear that will not be brought to trip to send it to La Ceiba. BLD
Day 2: HIKE TO LANCETILLAL CAMPSITE
We break down our camp and eat breakfast quite early since the longest day of march awaits us up to the rafting “put in” point. Our mules will carry the burden for 8 hours, while riding through coffee plantations owned by mixed migrant farmers and traversing woods on hilly grounds. We always bring a mule with saddle for any tired hiker. This mule also brings extra water during the long hike. In the afternoon we will hike through old abandoned flat grasslands encounter the Rio Platano. Our campsite is near an archaeological site that is difficult to observe due to the overgrowth of the jungle. The only vestige is a petro glyph located on the river bed. Today is considered de must physical demanding day of the trip. BLD
Day 3 to 4: CASA DE PIEDRA AND CHILMECA CAMPSITES
After breakfast our guide teaches us the basic rafting commands to proceed with navigation from the head waters. We make our way through the exciting pristine tropical jungle for the next two days by paddling down the river on class III rapids with frequent stops to scout ahead. Next morning, we take a short hike to explore an archaeological site and cave to end up near the entrance of the subterraneous creek.
At around midday we continue down river and visit an archaeological site with plenty of small grinding stones located near the river. The rest of the evening (around 4 hrs) we paddle down to Chilmeca camp. Today is a good day to spot spider monkeys, birds and do some fishing. Paddle time depends on river level.BLD
Day 5 to 6: CAMPSITES AT EL SUBTERRANEO AND KAWAKIR
On day 5 we arrive at ‘EL SUBTERRANEO’, a narrow and impressive gorge of massive rocks which extends on for nearly one mile downstream. It will require our group’s resolution at working alongside in order to overcome this hazardous passage by means of three portages and skilled navigation of Class III and IV rapids before we reach its lower end successfully. We raise our first night campsite inside the forest near a deep river pool, making this the perfect place to find relaxation after an intense working day. Still two portages await us further ahead on day 6ththrough a beautiful environment of outmost pristine jungle where our chances to see wildlife increase too. Exciting white water rapids alternate with extensive stretches of calm waters as we head downstream to our campsite at Pomokir, first one of the last set of class II rapids left in our journey. BLD
Day 7 to 8: CAMPSITE AT CUYAMEL AND LODGING AT LAS MARIAS
Once we leave camp we paddle for around 1hr to run class II Pomokir rapid. From here our navigation progresses on calmer waters as we continue paddling downstream for 5 hours through a few small and distanced rapids till we arrive to crystal clear Cuyamel river. Next morning, we run class II Cuyamel and Kiplatara, the last two rapids in two hrs. Farther down the river bed will have broadened up progressively when we reach the old petro-glyphs, mysterious drawings carved on the rocks by unknown ancient jungle settlers at the so called Walpaulbantara and Walpaulbansirpe sites. Two hours later we arrive at Batiltuk and Las Marías de Río Plátano, the Pech and Miskito village where a local family will accommodate and feed us at their hostel tonight. Chances to see wildlife of mammals, birds and reptiles are pretty high throughout these two days too. BLD
Day 9: HOSTEL AT RAISTA
We pass through Miskito territory as we continue towards the mouth of the river in the company of our Pech and Miskito guides aboard their dug-out canoes made of a single mahogany trunk. We traverse marshes and mangroves following an old canal made by the local settlers to connect the river with the Ibans Lagoon till we arrive at RAISTA to eat our lunch and overnight. In the afternoon we will have plenty of time to visit Miskito villages and empty large beach where we can enjoy some rest. BLD
Day 10: RETURN TO LA CEIBA
On this last day we get up early (3:45) to start our trip back to La Ceiba in a water taxi (motorized canoe) for 2 hrs. to Pueblo Nuevo where we will take our 4x4 collective truck that will drive along the coast eventually crossing trucks with ferries till arrive to dirt road to continue to TOCOA (4 hrs). From Tocoa we continue to La Ceiba by Bus (public transportation) in around 1.5 hrs. BLD
Note: We purify water with microdyn (colloidal silver) , breakfast and dinners are hot. Lunch is cold while on route on the river or hiking. For latrine we use cat holes and a toilet chair that we name La Reina.
NOTE: This trip can be expanded one or two more days to experience more the remote wilderness.
Services included:
Ø Guides and gear transportation from La Ceiba to Bonanza
Ø Transportation for participants from La Ceiba to Bonanza
Ø Mules or horses to carry gear and water
Ø Transportation to Raista on the coast by motorized dugouts canoes.
Ø Transportation of team and gear from La Moskitia to La Ceiba
Ø Rafting equipment, thermarest, tents, first aid adventure kit, cooking gear, plates, silverware, water purification with microdyn (colloidal silver).
Ø Full board accommodation at village hostels,
Ø Breakfast on day 1 to Breakfast on day 10
Ø Bilingual nature guides.
Ø Taxes
Checklist:
1 Personal medicines
2 Personal items (biodegradable soap, tooth paste, etc.)
3 Light hiking boots or tennis shoes with good traction
4 River Sandals (TEVA or Chaco) or tennis shoes
5 Rubber boots (recommended for hike on muddy trail to Lancetillal)
6 Rain gear (Rain jacket is more comfortable), paddle jacket
7 Paddle gloves
8 Sun glasses (Polarized is recommended)
9 Light tropical clothing ( long pants, long sleeve shirts, shorts, and bathing suits) Sleeping sheets and inflatable pillow. Light towel, bandana.
10 Insect repellent and sun block (Permethryn is highly recommended on clothing to avoid chiggers & Mosquitos apply on clothing the day before)
11 Lamp with batteries and extra bulb
12 Cameras with extra batteries and reliable waterproof cases, power banks
13 Sombrero or Hat for sun protection
14 High absorbent small towel or bandana
15 Personal snacks (beef jerk and dry fruits)
16 Dry Bag 11” diameter and 28” high to carry personal stuff
17 Day back pack while hiking with small dry bags to protect valuables.
18 Prophylactic medicines against malaria and shots for tropical disease. Ask your physician)
19 Water bottle with wide mouth (check Nalgene)
20 Antifungal Foot Powder
21 Binoculars
22 Life, travel, evacuation and medical insurance*
GENERAL WEATHER INFORMATION:
November to February: Heavy Rains season (Cold Fronts)
March to May: Dry Season with some rains.
June to August: Intermittent Rains. Hurricane season that rarely strike Honduras
September to October: Hurricane season for Honduras
Note: Try not to bring more than 25 pounds or unnecessary equipment because sometimes you will have to carry your own back pack.
PRICE PER PERSON US$: 1480 Minimum 4 pax
Galería fotográfica
La Moskitia Tours
Rafting Rio Sico
RAFTING EXPEDITION RIO SICO (6 DAYS)
CODE: RRS4
The adventure tours in Rio Sico offers you an excellent opportunity to enjoy a great wilderness rafting expedition through a beautiful landscape set up and the challenging class III and IV rapids that we will ride along for nearly four days. This river is the river with more names in Honduras: Rio Sico, Tinto, Negro, and Rio Grande. All along our ground journey we will ride through several “campesino” settlements up to our put in point near San Esteban, a remote cattle rancher style town in Olancho, while getting a good picture of the very Honduran country people life style . Besides dealing with the very thrill of rafting our daily routine will include looking for a nice campsite every afternoon to put our tents up and cook our hot dinner by using firewood and our camping skills. While navigating downstream there will be good chances to watch different species of fauna such as crocodiles and iguanas on the river shores and many a bird like toucans, mot-mots, flycatchers, falcons, hawks, and many others.
Day 1: RIVER BEACH CAMPING
Departure Starts in La Ceiba Hotel where our guides will be waiting for the group to start the trip to Put in on a 4 hrs drive. We will drive 4x4 pick up truck or mini bus to Put in, in San Esteban, a cowboy town located in the vast territory of Olancho. Here we will prepare our equipment, load the raft and get ready to paddle our rafts with a brief security speech. We shall raft downstream for around 4 hours on easy class I and II rapids, and camping near river on sandbar and forested spot. Let´s enjoy our first home made dinner in the bush prepared by your guides. Before sunset do not forget to gather fire wood to make a fire near the river. Note: We recommend tourist to overnight in La Ceiba at Hostel 1877 the day before departure. Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 2: LA JAGUA CAMP
Breakfast at 6:30, undue camp and load rafts to continue a full day rafting (7 hrs.) with a lunch rest. We shall ride on plenty of class III and IV rapids, going in for some scouting at different points. We also have a one hr. break to eat our cold lunch. In the afternoon we raft on for two or three hours until we spot a new campsite to put up our tents. No doubt we shall enjoy our dinner as much as cooking it with our guide.
Today we will have a short hike following the course of a small creek. Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3: TAKE OUT LA PEDRERA We paddle around 5 more hrs. through class III rapids till we get to community La Pedrera our take out where we deflate raft and pack our gear. After loading our truck we will drive to La Ceiba (around 3 hrs)
NOTES: Breakfast and Dinner will be prepare by guides with fire wood. We will have cold beverages for around 3 days while ice lasts.
At 8:00 am we START paddling every day and stop at around 4:00 pm.
We resupply water from crystal clear creeks and treat it with colloidal silver. Filter is also available on trip.
Latrine available in every camp prepared by guides.
The camp site may be different according the river level.
River is safe for swimming or bathing.
Our services include:
Ø Transportation La Ceiba – San Esteban – La Ceiba
Ø Gear (Boats and rafting accessories, tents, sleeping pads), first aid kit, Cell phone.
Ø breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks
Ø Cooler with ice for cold beverages
Ø bilingual rafting guide
Ø Dry bags to keep participants back packs dry.
GENERAL CLIMATIC INFORMATION:
November to January: Heavy rainy season, (only with cold fronts)
February to May: Dry season, sparse showers only
June to October: Regular rain, hurricane season in the Caribbean Sea which seldom strike Honduran coasts.
CHEKLIST:
1 Personal medicines
2 Personal items (biodegradable soap, tooth paste, etc.)
3 Water bottle
4 River Sandals or amphibian shoes (TEVA or Chaco) Highly recommended
5 Rubber boots(Optional)
6 Rain gear
7 Sun glasses
8 Light tropical clothing (long pants, long sleeve shirts, shorts, and bathing suits), sleeping sheets, small pillow.
9 Insect repellent and sun block
10 Lantern with batteries and extra bulb
11 Cameras and films in Pelican or water proof case highly recommended
12 Sombrero or Hat for sun, bandana
13 Personal snacks
14 Dry Bag 11” diameter and 28” high to carry personal stuff
15 Day pack while hiking?????
16 Prophylactic medicines against malaria and shots for tropical disease. Ask your physician )
17 Life, travel, evacuation and medical insurance*
18 Binoculars
19 Antifungal Foot Powder
Note: Try not to bring more than 25 pounds as personal luggage or unnecessary equipment because sometimes you will have to carry your own back pack. Contact us for advice.
PRICE PER PERSON US$: 405.00 Min. 2 pax
Galería fotográfica
