We will start our tour at 7 am in midtown Manhattan, 8th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street on the East side of 8th Avenue, across the street of 5 Penn Plaza (Google Street address is 460 8th Ave. New York, NY10119. It is written 470 on the building) (Old Duane Reade building, we are not sure what it will be in 2024) DON'T BE LATE! Please come 15 minutes early to sign in.
You will be greeted by your tour guide for the day. You will sign our liability waiver, and after departure a light breakfast will be served on board the van.
This tour is for the real adventurous people, we will first drive to Albany County to explore a wild noncommercial cave. A cave there is only lit by the light we will be caring with us.
On the photo above you see the instructor give a briefing before our descend into the cave.
We will climb through a small opening in the ground and explore a true hidden underworld, the opening is actually larger than it appears in the photo.
The instructor gives more instructions inside the cave.
You will be challenged by some squeezes and narrow passages, but most of the cave is fairly open, and many times you will have the option of a tight squeeze or a more open and larger passageway. To ensure your safety, you will be guided by a professional spelunker/cave rescuer.
We will enjoy lunch with non-alcoholic beverages included at a restaurant/diner.
In the Afternoon we will drive to the Breakneck Ridge Mountain by the Hudson River. Here seen from a distant.
Here we will ascend a relative steep exposed rocky ridge. Rock scrambling is an activity that lies somewhere between regular hiking and rock climbing. It isn't clinging on to sheer rock faces with just your fingertips, but you will spend some of the time on all fours, relying on both legs and arms for support.
During the climb, we will take numerous breaks to truly enjoy the magnificent panoramic views up and down the Hudson River from the exposed mountain.
This tour does require a minimum an average level of physical fitness and athleticism.
For those seeking that incomparable challenge and if you haven't found that our other adventures have been challenging enough, this tour will be one matchless experience to remember.
We will drive back to NYC.
Arrival back to NYC at approximately 7:30 - 8pm.
Hines Tours reserves the right to alter the itinerary, plans and arrangements for the tour, if in the judgment of Hines Tours it becomes advisable to do so.
WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR ON THE TOUR
You will be provided with a helmet with a helmet light, a flashlight and knee pads.
TOUR CONFIRMATION: Either on your phone or printed out.
ID: Please bring a valid government issued identification. (Adults only)
CLOTHES FOR CAVING:Bring a complete head to toe change of clothes.You will be getting muddy and wet. Dress for temperatures in the low fifties. Dress in layers, please try not to wear cotton (once it's wet, it stays wet and does not keep you warm).WOOL polypro, capilene, other similar blends are good.Sneakers are acceptable, though hiking boots or calf‑high rubber boots are better.Please make sure that whatever you decide to wear does not restrict your range of motion i.e., jeans are poor; sweatpants or Lycra is good.If you have long hair, tie it up or back so that it is out of the way
GLOVES: Working gloves or similar, can be bought relative inexpensive in a Duane Reade
FOOTWEAR FOR HIKING: We will hike in a rocky mountaineer terrain which gets very slippery when wet. Hiking Boots is the ideal or if you do not own hiking boots sneakers with good traction will do as well. Do not wear sandals, dress shoes or high heels.
JEWELRY: Please leave at home
WATER: In a plastic bottle, especially on hot days. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
CAMERA/PHONE: With extra battery/memory is highly recommended. We do recommend that you only bring a disposable camera for the cave.
SMALL BACKPACK: or fanny pack for your water, extra clothes, snacks etc. You will need both hands to be free during the hike.
RAIN GEAR: Even with no rain in the forecast, we recommend you bring some rain gear.
MOSQUITO REPELLANT
EYEGLASS RETAINERS: If you wear glasses.
LARGE PLASTIC BAG: For your wet/muddy clothes after the caving
CASH: Although our tour is classified as an "all inclusive". It is advisable to bring some cash for snacks and gratuities for the guide which is left to your discretion.
INSURANCE: Even if this is just a day tour, if you are concern about losing money due to illness (including Covid-19) or other unpredictable matters, we highly recommend you buy a travel insurance. We can recommend www.insuremytrip.com or www.squaremouth.com (Hines Tours is not affiliated with either of these sites in any form). We do not give tour refunds or tour credits if you are not able to make the tour for any reasons.
