Samana Tour Horseback to El-Limon Falls

[mcase131]

My husband and I just recently cruised with NCL and visited Samana. We decided to book the horseback riding tour to the El-Limon Waterfalls through the ship. The price was the same as booking a private tour so we decided it would probably be safer to do the tour with the ship.
($79.00 U.S.)
We boarded an air conditioned bus that made a short stop at a small store for shopping. There were two little boys selling coconuts near the bus, several people were giving them dollars bills and some were even purchasing small toys in the store and giving the children the toys. As everyone was boarding the bus a patrol officer called over one of the boys and the boy took something out of his pocket and gave it to the officer. Then both boys proceeded to pack their coconuts and leave. I was not impressed.

We arrived at the farm and were given instructions of our tour. We were told that we had to wear rain boots and that they would provide them. If we needed socks they would sell them to us for $5.00 U.S. We would also have to wear helmets. We left our shoes to put on the rubber boots, some people found a few suprises in their boot, I found the same surprise in my helmet.
Cockroaches, everywhere!!!!! They were in boots, helmets, climbing up people legs, etc.

Our guide also informed us that the locals volunteer to help guide our horses to the falls. We didn't think we needed any help but had no choice in the matter. Each volunteer just took control and ran along side of the horses and mules.

The first 5 minutes was a very slow and smooth ride. We then started our journey down very steep hills. It was best described as a rocking river bed. The horses and mules kept slipping and if it were not for the volunteers they kept trying to pass each other. We kept going up and down the trails constantly on a rock filled path. We had to cross through water where the current was pretty strong and the volunteer had to lead the horses and the mules. We finally arrived to a plateau, were there was a small hut selling jewelery and drinks. During the trip my volunteer was so tired, she was sweating and having a hard time running along side my horse. I gave her my water bottle because I could tell that she was thirsty. The water bottles were selling for $1.00 but I thought that I would purchase one later if I needed it.

We could see the falls from the top of the hill and now had to hike the rest of the way on foot. The volunteers once again followed us down the hill.
The hike down was very rocking and slippery. We had to walk through water again, where I slipped on the rocks and fell in. The volunteers helped us down the hill and we finally reached the falls. It was a beautiful site until you looked at the muddy murkey waters. I was planning to swim at the falls but the water was too muddy.

Now, we had to hike back up the hill. The hike up was steep, rocky, slippery and uneven. We had to actually grab onto tree trunks and pull ourselves up the hill. We had to stop at least seven times to rest. (my husband and I both work out at the gym) There was not one person that made it up the hill without help. Some people had to be picked up with a horse because they could not make it back. We finished all our water and others were complaining that they were thirsty.

We finally made it back to the hut. Not surprised the water price went up to $2.00 a bottle. After we caught our breath and rested we climbed back on our horses and proceeded to ride back to the farm. My husbands volunteer kept smacking the back end of the mule and he took off ahead of me. I lost site of him a couple of times because he was going so fast. The mule kept passing the other horses and went off the path a few times.

I was glad to be back at the farm without getting hurt. We decided that we could not have done this tour without the volunteers. We gave them $10.00 each as a tip. They were not impressed. They gave us a disapproving look and quickly turned away. Others did not bring alot of money with them because it was a tour with NCL and could not give much of a tip. This did not go over well with the volunteers.

We strongly feel that NCL did not fully describe that the tour would be a rough terrain and that you need to hike up and down steep hills.

NCL should also be paying for these volunteers. Although NCL tour guide told me that the horses and mules were trained to follow a path, they were constantly trying to take a different path and were constantly trying to pass one another. The helmets were old and damaged. Although I was greatfull for the rubber boots, the description of the tour only stated that we had to wear rubber soled shoes.

We took the tour with NCL for safety reasons, I felt that the tour was adventerous but very dangerous. If the horses slipped and fell we would have been severly injured. If someone had heart problems they could have easily had an attack on the hike up the hill. NCL did not stress any warnings other than rating the tour at a level 3.

I would not recommend anyone take this trip.

[NLFlower]

Mcase, thank you for a very thorough description. It was very helpful.

[irishfive]

NCL has cancelled this excursion from the Pearl. We booked it with Terry (toursamanawithterry@hotmail.com) because he had come so highly recommended. He was fantastic!! The ride was a little rough, but our group had a great time and our guides were terrific. Terry is an American who has moved to Samana, and is married to a Dominican girl. He arranges everything, and gave us a very personal tour of the area. We had a group of 11, and it cost $65 per person (which included a buffet lunch) plus we each gave our guides a $10 tip, which is what Terry suggested. I agree with mcase131 that they did not seem very impressed with that amount, but we asked Terry later and he said that was really appropriate.

We are so glad we went with people's suggestions about Terry--it was a very memorable trip!

[beddibi]

If you want to book with Terry do it early. I'm not going to Samana till May 2010 and I got a e-mail from him today saying hes already booked and has been since May 2009. I was really looking forward to taking his tour but now I guess I need to find something else to do while in Samana but theres not many tours out there that I can find. Does anyone have any suggestions?