Come visit El Yunque, trust us, you will love it
Our main purpose here at El Yunque tourism is to offer Eco-tours for high school students it the El Yunque Rain forest. These tours are what we do to give back to the forest while giving the best tour in Puerto Rico! Going on this trip is one of the best things you can do to help the forest because we are always doing something beneficial to the forest and 15% of our proceeds go to conserving the forest. If you are interested in the tour please read on...
Itinerary:
Day #1:
Today you and your group will land in San Juan. After everyone has arrived we will get in our van and drive into Rio Grande, We will spend the night exploring this city that will become the base for all of our environmental efforts and fun activities. Then we will get settled in our hotel and prepare for activities.
Day #2:
7:00am- We will wake up and have a delicious breakfast of rain forest themed pancakes!
8:00am- We will head into the forest and focus on preventing deforestation and land development. There we will spend half an hour meeting an expert who will tell us about the development problems that the forest is facing.
9:00am- We will make signs and drive to a construction site on he edge of the forest that is disrupting the natural processes of the forest. Once here we will protest the destruction of the forest and try to prevent the workers from destroying the delicate land that is the edge of this beautiful natural wonder forest.
12:00pm- We will eat our all natural, organic, and traditional Puerto Rican lunch as we enjoy some native dancing put on by people who have been living here for centuries.
2:00pm- After our outstanding lunch we will drive to our next site, an abandoned structure that as been condemned at the edge of the forest. Once at the abandoned lot we will tear down the derelict structure with help of an expert who knows all about returning land back to its natural state, after the structure has been destroyed we will plant trees ensure that the rain forest can once again occupy this space.
6:00pm- Upon returning to Rio Grande we will set up a party for our group on the beach. Where we will eat traditional foods and tell others about our accomplishments in the forest!
Day #3:
7:00am- Time to wake up, eat breakfast, and get moving!
7:30am- We will head in to the forest early to get a head start on our day. This will be our second day dealing with land development problems in and around the forest. Today though, instead of focusing on problems on the edge of the forest we will go into the the center off the rain forest and fix up areas that have been affected by natural processes. We will travel into the forest to try to restore soil and vegetation that has been swept away by all the rain that the area experiences. We will devote the next to hours to hard work removing dead trees and vegetation and replace them with heathy new ones. We will also replace soil that has been taken away by landslides.
2:00pm- Once the land has been restored we will have a relaxing lunch break and spend the afternoon swimming in streams and pools of water in the forest trying to capture the peaceful serenity of the forest.
7:00pm- Tonight we will have dinner with a local youth group and tell them about how development is impacting the forest and what they can do to help stop it.
9:00pm-Movie night! We will be watching a classic rainforest adventure... Tarzan!
10:00pm-Bed time
Itinerary:
Day #1:
Today you and your group will land in San Juan. After everyone has arrived we will get in our van and drive into Rio Grande, We will spend the night exploring this city that will become the base for all of our environmental efforts and fun activities. Then we will get settled in our hotel and prepare for activities.
Day #2:
7:00am- We will wake up and have a delicious breakfast of rain forest themed pancakes!
8:00am- We will head into the forest and focus on preventing deforestation and land development. There we will spend half an hour meeting an expert who will tell us about the development problems that the forest is facing.
9:00am- We will make signs and drive to a construction site on he edge of the forest that is disrupting the natural processes of the forest. Once here we will protest the destruction of the forest and try to prevent the workers from destroying the delicate land that is the edge of this beautiful natural wonder forest.
12:00pm- We will eat our all natural, organic, and traditional Puerto Rican lunch as we enjoy some native dancing put on by people who have been living here for centuries.
2:00pm- After our outstanding lunch we will drive to our next site, an abandoned structure that as been condemned at the edge of the forest. Once at the abandoned lot we will tear down the derelict structure with help of an expert who knows all about returning land back to its natural state, after the structure has been destroyed we will plant trees ensure that the rain forest can once again occupy this space.
6:00pm- Upon returning to Rio Grande we will set up a party for our group on the beach. Where we will eat traditional foods and tell others about our accomplishments in the forest!
Day #3:
7:00am- Time to wake up, eat breakfast, and get moving!
7:30am- We will head in to the forest early to get a head start on our day. This will be our second day dealing with land development problems in and around the forest. Today though, instead of focusing on problems on the edge of the forest we will go into the the center off the rain forest and fix up areas that have been affected by natural processes. We will travel into the forest to try to restore soil and vegetation that has been swept away by all the rain that the area experiences. We will devote the next to hours to hard work removing dead trees and vegetation and replace them with heathy new ones. We will also replace soil that has been taken away by landslides.
2:00pm- Once the land has been restored we will have a relaxing lunch break and spend the afternoon swimming in streams and pools of water in the forest trying to capture the peaceful serenity of the forest.
7:00pm- Tonight we will have dinner with a local youth group and tell them about how development is impacting the forest and what they can do to help stop it.
9:00pm-Movie night! We will be watching a classic rainforest adventure... Tarzan!
10:00pm-Bed time
Day #4:
8:00am- Arrive in El Yunque Forest and meet some of the members of the Ecosystems Management Team that regulates the rainforest daily. They will give us a short tour of the facility and show you a 30 minute clip on how deforestation in El Yunque is polluting the forest.
9:00am- The Ecosystems Team will provide us with materials to create signs for their local foundation to help raise awareness to others around El Yunque and for other tourists. This will raise awareness for other people to remember their basic ways to stop polluting the forest like recycling and not to litter. Also it is essential because it will help raise money to stop the deforestation and to gain enough money to plant new trees and to help not destroy the ecosystems within El Yunque.
12:00pm- We will stop for lunch at El Grande Selva (The Great Forest) restaurant which got great reviews from people all around Puerto Rico!
1:30pm- After lunch we will take a bike tour around El Yunque to see its beautiful attractions such as the Yokahu Tower, Luquillo Beach and the La Mina Falls. Also we will see all of the major sections of the forest that has been destroyed by deforestation to see how devastating it looks at the effects that it has on this beautiful forest. This is essential because it shows you how much the forest is being affected and how all the people and wildlife that it has hurt throughout the destruction.
5:30pm- We will go to PR-191 the major roadway near El Yunque and pick up trash to help the issue of pollution because when you litter you can disrupt the balance of many ecosystems because it can provide a breeding ground for many insects and rodents that not only harm the environment but can also carry different diseases. Also the litter can become harmful for animals because it can be mistaken for food making it poisonous when the animals eat it.
6:30pm- You are free to do anything for supper but it I do recommend The Catch, a couple miles down from the hotel, where they have great, fresh seafood caught right out of the Atlantic.
Day #5:
8:00am- Today we will be visiting Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) facility to learn more in depth about how El Yunque is being affected by deforestation. We will participate in a simulation of an ecosystem that was in the forest at a time before it was destroyed and could no longer exist because of the deforestation. For example people will play the roles of natural resources and others will be playing roles like decomposers and producers. They will theoretically eat people and people will produce and others will die and so on. This will not only teach you about the affects of deforestation on an ecosystem but on specific species as well. This is important because it will show you how much one person like yourself can make a difference in someone else’s community.
11:00am- After you will fill out some papers and what you learned and what you are now going to do to help El Yunque Forest when you are here and when you are back in your homeland.
12:30pm- They will provide us with lunch, but they said they will have sandwiches, chips and drinks, so if you do not want any of that feel free to pack what you want.
2:00pm- We will go out onto one of the fields that was cut down called Forever Loved, and each one of us will plant a tree for one of the animals that was driven out of the forest by deforestation so when it, if ever, comes back it will have a home made by you.
4:00pm- Lastly if you would like, this is indeed optional, we are going with some of the employees of the (TCIA) to hand out flyers to help raise awareness about the destruction of El Yunque from the information we learned in the simulation activity, if not, you are free to go get some dinner or head back to the hotel, We do recommend this for Balnearios Beach, which is just beautiful, is only about 20 minutes from here is. (Hope you packed your swimsuits!)
Day #6:
8:00- Wake up. Breakfast of fruits that are native to Puerto Rico. This will include a hearty combination of bananas, mangos and papayas.
9:00-Visit the Mayaguez Zoo. This Zoo contains many endangered and non endangered species. This Zoo contains the Puerto Rican Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican Parrot. This species is one of the key species that is endangered in El Yunque Rainforest.
1:00: We will venture to the Aviary to see the Puerto Rican Parrot. This is the most endangered species in all of the El Yunque Rainforest. In the Aviary house we will see one of the few living Puerto Rican Parrots left.
2:00-We will go to our final stop at the Zoo. The Amphibian & Reptile Center. This is a small building with close to ten cages. These cages consist of local endangered species such as the Puerto Rico Anole and the Puerto Rican Boa Constrictor
3:00. Leave the Zoo. Travel to the Cueva Ventana park
4:00: Settle in the Cueva Ventana. We will remain here into sunset to watch the beautiful view of the sun setting in Puerto Rico. During this time we will go over what we saw in the Zoo, talk about the plan for going into the rainforest tomorrow, and enjoy a picnic of lovely sandwiches and juices.
Day #7:
7:00-Early wake up today. It’s a long drive to the El Yunque Rainforest.
9:00-Today we will actually venture inside the Rainforest. The first thing we do is take a hike on the Trail #191. This is around a three hour hike so bring good shoes and good clothing. Be prepared for rain. Along this hike we will see wonderful views of some of the highest peaks in Puerto Rico, such as the Los Picachos Peaks. If we are lucky, we may see some of the very few Puerto Rican Parrots.
12:00- We will settle in the El Toro wilderness area for a picnic. This is a national forest be sure to not leave any trash. You know what they say, take only photographs, leave only footprints.
1:00- This hike will have tired us out so we will spend the next hour or so relaxing by the magnificent river we will have arrived at.
2:00- Help pick up trash around the park to make a better breeding environment for the Puerto Rican Parrot.
3:00- After this tiresome day we will head back to the hotel. We need to get you back for your flight.
Day #8:
Today we will pack up and head to San Juan where we will spend the morning exploring this vibrant city. Finally we will go to the airport and say goodbye to all of our great friends and all of the fun we had together in the El Yunque!
Trip facts:
Length- 8 days
Ages- 9th-12th grade
Price- $2000 (Airfare not included, Accommodation is included)
Group Size- 10 students plus 2 guardians
8:00am- Arrive in El Yunque Forest and meet some of the members of the Ecosystems Management Team that regulates the rainforest daily. They will give us a short tour of the facility and show you a 30 minute clip on how deforestation in El Yunque is polluting the forest.
9:00am- The Ecosystems Team will provide us with materials to create signs for their local foundation to help raise awareness to others around El Yunque and for other tourists. This will raise awareness for other people to remember their basic ways to stop polluting the forest like recycling and not to litter. Also it is essential because it will help raise money to stop the deforestation and to gain enough money to plant new trees and to help not destroy the ecosystems within El Yunque.
12:00pm- We will stop for lunch at El Grande Selva (The Great Forest) restaurant which got great reviews from people all around Puerto Rico!
1:30pm- After lunch we will take a bike tour around El Yunque to see its beautiful attractions such as the Yokahu Tower, Luquillo Beach and the La Mina Falls. Also we will see all of the major sections of the forest that has been destroyed by deforestation to see how devastating it looks at the effects that it has on this beautiful forest. This is essential because it shows you how much the forest is being affected and how all the people and wildlife that it has hurt throughout the destruction.
5:30pm- We will go to PR-191 the major roadway near El Yunque and pick up trash to help the issue of pollution because when you litter you can disrupt the balance of many ecosystems because it can provide a breeding ground for many insects and rodents that not only harm the environment but can also carry different diseases. Also the litter can become harmful for animals because it can be mistaken for food making it poisonous when the animals eat it.
6:30pm- You are free to do anything for supper but it I do recommend The Catch, a couple miles down from the hotel, where they have great, fresh seafood caught right out of the Atlantic.
Day #5:
8:00am- Today we will be visiting Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) facility to learn more in depth about how El Yunque is being affected by deforestation. We will participate in a simulation of an ecosystem that was in the forest at a time before it was destroyed and could no longer exist because of the deforestation. For example people will play the roles of natural resources and others will be playing roles like decomposers and producers. They will theoretically eat people and people will produce and others will die and so on. This will not only teach you about the affects of deforestation on an ecosystem but on specific species as well. This is important because it will show you how much one person like yourself can make a difference in someone else’s community.
11:00am- After you will fill out some papers and what you learned and what you are now going to do to help El Yunque Forest when you are here and when you are back in your homeland.
12:30pm- They will provide us with lunch, but they said they will have sandwiches, chips and drinks, so if you do not want any of that feel free to pack what you want.
2:00pm- We will go out onto one of the fields that was cut down called Forever Loved, and each one of us will plant a tree for one of the animals that was driven out of the forest by deforestation so when it, if ever, comes back it will have a home made by you.
4:00pm- Lastly if you would like, this is indeed optional, we are going with some of the employees of the (TCIA) to hand out flyers to help raise awareness about the destruction of El Yunque from the information we learned in the simulation activity, if not, you are free to go get some dinner or head back to the hotel, We do recommend this for Balnearios Beach, which is just beautiful, is only about 20 minutes from here is. (Hope you packed your swimsuits!)
Day #6:
8:00- Wake up. Breakfast of fruits that are native to Puerto Rico. This will include a hearty combination of bananas, mangos and papayas.
9:00-Visit the Mayaguez Zoo. This Zoo contains many endangered and non endangered species. This Zoo contains the Puerto Rican Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican Parrot. This species is one of the key species that is endangered in El Yunque Rainforest.
1:00: We will venture to the Aviary to see the Puerto Rican Parrot. This is the most endangered species in all of the El Yunque Rainforest. In the Aviary house we will see one of the few living Puerto Rican Parrots left.
2:00-We will go to our final stop at the Zoo. The Amphibian & Reptile Center. This is a small building with close to ten cages. These cages consist of local endangered species such as the Puerto Rico Anole and the Puerto Rican Boa Constrictor
3:00. Leave the Zoo. Travel to the Cueva Ventana park
4:00: Settle in the Cueva Ventana. We will remain here into sunset to watch the beautiful view of the sun setting in Puerto Rico. During this time we will go over what we saw in the Zoo, talk about the plan for going into the rainforest tomorrow, and enjoy a picnic of lovely sandwiches and juices.
Day #7:
7:00-Early wake up today. It’s a long drive to the El Yunque Rainforest.
9:00-Today we will actually venture inside the Rainforest. The first thing we do is take a hike on the Trail #191. This is around a three hour hike so bring good shoes and good clothing. Be prepared for rain. Along this hike we will see wonderful views of some of the highest peaks in Puerto Rico, such as the Los Picachos Peaks. If we are lucky, we may see some of the very few Puerto Rican Parrots.
12:00- We will settle in the El Toro wilderness area for a picnic. This is a national forest be sure to not leave any trash. You know what they say, take only photographs, leave only footprints.
1:00- This hike will have tired us out so we will spend the next hour or so relaxing by the magnificent river we will have arrived at.
2:00- Help pick up trash around the park to make a better breeding environment for the Puerto Rican Parrot.
3:00- After this tiresome day we will head back to the hotel. We need to get you back for your flight.
Day #8:
Today we will pack up and head to San Juan where we will spend the morning exploring this vibrant city. Finally we will go to the airport and say goodbye to all of our great friends and all of the fun we had together in the El Yunque!
Trip facts:
Length- 8 days
Ages- 9th-12th grade
Price- $2000 (Airfare not included, Accommodation is included)
Group Size- 10 students plus 2 guardians