Pico Duarte, Mountain summit in San Juan Province and Santiago Province, Dominican Republic
Pico Duarte stands at 3101 meters (10,174 feet) in elevation, making it the highest summit in the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean. The mountain is composed of tonalite, a granite-like rock, and rises within San Juan and Santiago provinces in the central highlands.
Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk made the first recorded ascent in 1851 and documented its elevation, which Swedish botanist Erik Leonard Ekman later confirmed. The mountain received its current name after the country's independence to honor one of the founders.
Hikers reach a bronze bust beside a national flag and a cross on the summit, honoring one of the country's founding fathers. This small memorial site is often used for brief ceremonies or photographs before the descent begins.
The climb typically takes two to three days, with most hikers starting from La Ciénaga and camping at intermediate stations along the route. Visitors should bring warm clothing, as temperatures at the summit can be cool even during the day.
The summit lies just 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Lake Enriquillo, which rests 46 meters (151 feet) below sea level. This elevation difference of over 3100 meters (10,300 feet) within such a short distance is rare in the Caribbean.
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