May 11: Rio Seco Waterfall Adventure

???????? DESTINATION: Rio Seco Waterfall /br/br ????️ EVENT DESCRIPTION: /br/br Situated in NE Trinidad, the Matura National Park was designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area in 2004 under the EMA’s Environmentally Sensitive Area Rules. It is home to several Environmentally Sensitive Species including the Ocelot and Trinidad Piping-Guan, as well as the orchid Oncidium citrinum which is also highly vulnerable. These are all under threat from squatting, pollution, poaching, and over-hunting. A mountainous area of the Matura National Park also comprises many small streams which flow into adjoining rivers such as the Shark River and the Rio Seco River. /br/br Rio Seco waterfall, located within this national park, is everything but dry despite its name meaning “dry river” in Spanish. If one were to follow the river far and long enough upstream, there are points where the river “disappears” beneath its bed of porous limestone. Rio Seco is thought to be one of the largest natural river pools in T&T and possibly the deepest, so life jackets are provided for non-swimmers wishing to take a dip. The trail to this exquisite spectacle of nature is mapped alongside and atop the river’s bank for the most part and is nestled in a canopy of approximately 3000 hectares of mostly Montane rainforest, Evergreen Seasonal, and Lower Montane forests. /br/br ???? HIKE INFORMATION: /br/br – Location of start of hike: Salybia /br/br – Approximate start time of hike: 8:30 am /br/br – Approximate end of hike: 3:00 pm /br/br – Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 10 /br/br – Intensity: Fair to Moderate /br/br – Hike Duration: Time going: 1 hour, Time at destinations: 1 – 2 hours, Time returning: 1 hour /br/br – Terrain Description: The trek takes us along a short road walk from where we are parked then through picturesque Mora forests. The trail has a few areas that are very muddy and includes wading across two small streams. /br/br ???? ASSEMBLY INFORMATION: /br/br – Assembly area: The Food Basket Compound, Corner O’Meara Road & Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Arima /br/br – Assembly Time: 6:30 am /br/br – Departure Time from Assembly Point: 7 am /br/br ???? HOW TO BOOK: /br/br A booking is required for all Palance868 events for safety and group size control. To book, Whatsapp us at (868) 7479655. Please provide full name, contact info, emergency contact, list of any major medical issues, and medication details for each attendee. /br/br ???? PREPARATION GUIDELINES: /br/br Ensure to pack at least 2L of potable water, snacks, sun protection, comfortable footwear with good grips, insect repellent, and personal medication. Also include a towel, change of clothing and footwear, and a small garbage bag for your personal trash. /br/br ???? SAFETY CHECKLIST: /br/br Includes 2-way communication radios, life jackets, ropes, first aid kits, trained hike leaders, and more to ensure safety. /br/br ✍ DISCLAIMER: /br/br Palance868 Adventures reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event due to adverse weather or any conditions deemed unsafe. In such an event, full refunds will be issued. Each participant accepts full responsibility for their own safety and health. /br/br ❌ CANCELLATION POLICY: /br/br Cancellations made more than 5 days before the event are entitled to a full refund. Cancellations made 5-3 days before will have a 50% fee attached. There is a no refund policy for cancellations made less than 3 days before the event.