Coffee and Birds Day Trip
Join us for a one-day field trip to Spirit Mountain Coffee, where you'll explore a 350-acre organic coffee plantation nestled in the mountains of Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Learn about sustainable farming practices, see how coffee is harvested and processed, and discover the unique agroforestry project focused on education and community support. Experience firsthand the journey from coffee cherry to cup and enjoy the vibrant, eco-friendly environment that makes Spirit Mountain Coffee truly special. Trails make for a great birdwatching experience while you learn about sustainability practices.
Join us for a one-day field trip to Spirit Mountain Coffee, where you'll explore a 350-acre organic coffee plantation nestled in the mountains of Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. Learn about sustainable farming practices, see how coffee is harvested and processed, and discover the unique agroforestry project focused on education and community support. Experience firsthand the journey from coffee cherry to cup and enjoy the vibrant, eco-friendly environment that makes Spirit Mountain Coffee truly special. Trails make for a great birdwatching experience while you learn about sustainability practices.
Endemic Birds you may find:
Endemic Birds you may find:
Narrow-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo, Hispaniolan Mango, Vervain Hummingbird, Hispaniolan Emerald, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Hispaniolan Parrot, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Hispaniolan Euphonia, Hispaniolan Pewee, Antillean Piculet, Black-Crowned Palm-Tanager, Green-tailed Ground Tanager, Hispaniolan Trogon (rare), Greater Antillean Elaenia, Antillean Siskin, Hispaniolan Spindalis, Golden Swallow, Hispaniolan Loggerhead Kingbird.
Dates: July 20th
Dates: July 20th
Maximum Group size: 14 people
Maximum Group size: 14 people
Cost: US$105
Cost: US$105
Location: Jarabacoa
Location: Jarabacoa
Difficulty Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Medium
Images from Spirit Mountain!
Images from Spirit Mountain!
Thanks to Spirit Mountain for all the beautiful pictures on this page.
Itinerary
Itinerary
5:30 a.m. Departure from the Dominican Fiesta
5:30 a.m. Departure from the Dominican Fiesta
8:30 a.m. Load onto Safari Truck - Ride up to Camp Discovery. Approximately 20 minutes to Camp. It's a bumpy ride! :)
8:30 a.m. Load onto Safari Truck - Ride up to Camp Discovery. Approximately 20 minutes to Camp. It's a bumpy ride! :)
9:00 a.m. Coffee and a mid-morning snack at Camp.
9:00 a.m. Coffee and a mid-morning snack at Camp.
Basic run down of the farm, so people know where to go to look for certain types of birds. Birdwatching will be opportunistic during interpretative walks.
Basic run down of the farm, so people know where to go to look for certain types of birds. Birdwatching will be opportunistic during interpretative walks.
12:00 p.m. Meet back at camp for lunch.
12:00 p.m. Meet back at camp for lunch.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Coffee tasting
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Coffee tasting
Coffee and birding tour through the coffee. Group will have about an hour or so to slowly walk from Camp Spirit Discovery down to the coffee processing area for an explanation of the wet mill and drying beds. Great time to watch for birds within the tree canopy over the coffee.
Coffee and birding tour through the coffee. Group will have about an hour or so to slowly walk from Camp Spirit Discovery down to the coffee processing area for an explanation of the wet mill and drying beds. Great time to watch for birds within the tree canopy over the coffee.
3:00 p.m. Ride back down to Manabao.
3:00 p.m. Ride back down to Manabao.
3:30 p.m. Drive back to Santo Domingo.
3:30 p.m. Drive back to Santo Domingo.
What to bring:
What to bring:
-good walking / hiking shoes
-good walking / hiking shoes
-long sleeve shirts and long pants if possible.
-long sleeve shirts and long pants if possible.
-mosquito repellent.
-mosquito repellent.
-water bottle
-water bottle
-binoculars
-binoculars
-birding book
-birding book
-hat
-hat
-sunscreen
-sunscreen
-jacket or umbrella for possible afternoon rain.
-jacket or umbrella for possible afternoon rain.
Safety Considerations:
Safety Considerations:
Slips on muddy or uneven terrain, uneven road drive in safari truck, mosquito bites, dehydration.
Slips on muddy or uneven terrain, uneven road drive in safari truck, mosquito bites, dehydration.