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COSTA RICA
14 DAYS

Lush tropical rainforest, active volcanoes, pristine rivers and friendly people – this is Costa Rica. A diversity of exhilarating activities and sights awaits here.

We are going on a jungle hike around Poás Volcano (its colorful crater is one of the widest and deepest in the world). We can stand on the edge and look into the boiling and bubbling cauldron. We continue to Arenal Volcano, with its perfect cone, its constant activity and the exuberant vegetation in the surrounding areas. At night, if we are lucky, we will witness the drama of the hot red lava against the black sky.

We will hike through Monteverde Reserve Cloud Forest and go up on a Skywalk at the canopy level to view a vast variety of wild plants and birds. We will see numerous species of flora and fauna in the unique mix of tropical rainforest and tropical cloud forest in Carara Bio Reserve, and enjoy a jungle walk in the lush evergreen forests of Manuel Antonio National Park, trimmed by a perfect white sand beach.

Come and sense the great power of Nature!

Day 1. Arrive in San José

Upon arrival in San José, you are met at the airport and transferred to our comfortable hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Poás Volcano

After breakfast we will drive via Alajuela, the second biggest town of Costa Rica,

to the foot of Poás Volcano. The road soon starts to climb up the slopes of this impressive mountain. We will pass coffee plantations, ornamental plants and strawberry fields. Once at the volcano, we will enjoy a short walk to the main crater. With 1,3 km in diameter it is one of the largest craters in the world and although the volcano is "sleeping", we will observe gas and steam clouds coming out of a beautiful blue lake (weather permitting). We continue by foot, walking on a trail to the idyllic side crater, surrounded by the jungle. We return to the bus and drive to one of the typical restaurants of the area. After lunch, we continue to the nearby cloud forest and enjoy a hike through this natural paradise. Apart from the incredible flora, we will also observe many species of exotic birds. We return to San José, where we will enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant.

Day 3. Butterfly Garden. Arenal Volcano

Today we will cross the central volcanic mountain range and drive via Vara Blanca and San Miguel to the Caribbean lowlands. On the way to San Miguel, we will see a nice waterfall and later drive through fruit plantations to La Fortuna at the foot of the active Arenal Volcano. We will visit Ecocentro Danaus, where we will admire colorful and exotic butterflies and a collection of medicinal plants, traditionally used by the indigenous people of Costa Rica. Our hotel for tonight offer a direct view of the active Arenal Volcano and if we are lucky, we will witness one of the frequent eruptions of this impressive ‘mountain of fire’. We can enjoy the rest of the afternoon observing the volcano from the pool area, where we find a hotsprings swimming pool.

Day 4. Lava-Flow Hiking

After breakfast, we will hike over an old lava flow near the Arenal Volcano, from where we enjoy a nice view over the idyllic Arenal Lake. Later, the trail leads us through the rainforest, where we have the chance to observe mammals and birds. We return to our hotel for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. You can relax by the pool or enjoy one of the optional activities (horseback riding, mountain bike tours, other hikes or the visit to the famous Tabacón Hot Springs).

Note: Tabacón Hot Springs is a beautiful place with tropical gardens and different pools and natural hot springs rivers. However it is our duty to inform you, that Tabacón Hot Springs is located inside the red zone, declared as a spot, where pyroplastic avalanches could reach the installations. An early warning system and an evacuation plan exist and in the unlikely case of such an event, it is imperative to follow the instructions of the staff.

Tonight we will enjoy typical Costa Rican dishes at a restaurant near La Fortuna.

Day 5. Monteverde Skywalk

We will drive along the Arenal Lake and admire the beautiful landscapes. The first part of our journey leads through the exuberant rainforest. We will drive via Nuevo Arenal to Tilarán, and then about 25 km on an unpaved and bumpy road to Monteverde. Later this afternoon we will enjoy a very special soft adventure on the Skywalk. It is a system of easy accessible suspension bridges, from where we can observe the biodiversity of the canopy, gazing down through green layers of cloud forest.

Day 6. Monteverde Reserve

Monteverde got known because of the exemplary protection of the cloud forest. Today, you will enjoy an extended hike through this beautiful reserve, where trees are covered with moss and where huge plants are fighting for the precious light. It's also an excellent spot to observe birds. Over 260 species have been discovered here and with a little bit of luck, you will observe the famous Quetzal, a colorful and shy bird, that has been a holy bird for the Mayas. The afternoon is at your leisure. There are many different optional activities in this area. Horseback riding, snake museum, or an adventurous canopy tour can be booked on the spot.

Day 7. Boat Trip to Bebedero Mangroves

After breakfast our bus will take us to the Panamerican highway. We continue to the little village of Pájaros on the Nicoya Gulf. Our lodge is located right at the edge of Nicoya Gulf and is a perfect departing point to visit the mangrove area of Bebedero. We will enjoy a boat trip to this area, where we will be able to observe many species of birds and if we are lucky some crocodiles, iguanas and monkeys.

Day 8. Carara Bio Reserve

After breakfast, we drive via Puntarenas and Orotina to Carara Bio Reserve. Thanks to the transitional climate conditions, the evolution has developed an interesting jungle here. It is a mix of tropical rainforest and tropical cloud forest, something that doesn't exist in many places on earth. That's why some endemic plants and animals can be found here. We will admire rare orchids and bromelias and observe the large Scarlet Macaw. We continue via Jacó to Quepos.

Day 9. Manuel Antonio National Park

Today we will visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Although it is one of the smallest in Costa Rica, it is also the most visited one in the country. The park protects a rainforest and some beautiful beaches, where vegetation almost reaches the water. On the trails inside the park we have the chance to observe birds, sloths, coatis, armadillos and other animals. It's almost guaranteed that we will also meet the rare squirrel monkeys. After our walk in the jungle, we will have enough time at leisure to enjoy the beautiful forest-backed tropical beaches.

Day 10. Manuel Antonio - San José

In the morning, we will have some time to explore our hotel’s private natural reserve or relax beside the pool. After lunch, we drive back to San José. We go out for dinner at a nice restaurant in San José.

Day 11. Matina. Tortuguero

We leave San José early in the morning. After a scenic drive through Braulio Carillo National Park we will stop for a typical breakfast. The journey continues through wide banana plantations to Matina, where we take a boat. Cruising over rivers and canals we have the chance to observe animals. 2 1/2 hours later, we will arrive at the lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you can walk along the beach to the small village of Tortuguero and visit the Caribbean Conservation Center, dedicated to the protection of the endangered sea turtles. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. You can use these hours to relax at the pool of the hotel, or to go on a jungle hike near the lodge.

Day 12. Tortuguero National Park

After breakfast it's time to discover Tortuguero National Park. We will take a boat ride on the inland jungle-banked canals and observe crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, turtles, iguanas and numerous species of birds. We return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you can decide to hike through the jungle or, weather permitting, to the Tortuguero hill, for a superb view over the channels and the sea.

Day 13. Back to San José

After breakfast we will return to Matina by boat and continue by bus to Guápiles, where lunch will be served. Crossing Braulio Carillo National Park we will arrive to San José.

Day 14. San José and departure

We will have some time to do last minute sightseeing or shopping before transfer to the airport and our onwards flight.

SUMMARY

Inclusions: All meals, transportation, National Parks and Reserves entrance fees, escorted throughout

Start and Finish: San José

Group Size: Maximum 16 travelers

Accommodation: Comfortable accommodation with private facilities throughout

Trip Grade: Moderate

Dates:
Mar 8-21, 2008
Dec 20, 2008 - Jan 2, 2009
Mar 7-20, 2009 (price TBA)

Land Cost: US$ 3,395

Note: Please note that all itineraries and prices are subject to change.

EXTENSION

COSTA RICA
Corcovado National Park
4 DAYS

Corcovado National Park is one of the most remote and pristine areas of Costa Rica, offering incredible biodiversity.

You will stay at Corcovado Tent Camp, right on the beach and just 100 yards away from the last remaining virgin rainforest in all of Central America. You can hike through this "green hell", climb an old jungle tree and observe birds and animals from a platform overlooking the jungle. Horses are also available.

This place is neither a hotel, nor a resort, but a real tent camp. However it is a very comfortable camp. The spacious tents are built on a wooden platform and a light roof construction offers protection against the occasional heavy rainfalls. The tents have mosquito nets and can be "locked" with curtains. Each tent offers a terrace with 2 chairs and a breath-taking view of the Pacific Ocean. Inside the tent there are two wooden bed constructions with mattress. Between the beds, there is some space to store the luggage. There are 20 tents in total. The sanitary facilities can be found in the center of the Camp in 2 independent buildings, each building with 4 toilets, 4 showers and 4 wash basin fixed outside the building. The kitchen, the restaurant and a cozy bar with hammocks are located on a small hill. The restaurant offers excellent cuisine and has 4 large wooden tables, where all the guests eat together like a big family. You enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean from the restaurant.

Day 1

You will be picked up at your hotel in San José and transferred to the airport. On a 50 minutes flight along the Pacific coast, you will be able to observe untouched beaches, jungle and banana plantations. Depending on the number of participants, we fly directly to Carate, or to Puerto Jiménez. In the second case, you will enjoy an adventurous transfer over a bumpy road and crossing some rivers to Carate. From Carate, we will enjoy a hike along the beach and finally reach the Camp. The rest of the day at your leisure.

Note: The short walk from Carate to the Camp depends on the tides of the sea. We might have to wait some time until the sea permits to walk along the beach. However it's it a beautiful place to wait!

Day 2 & 3

Both days are at your leisure. We let you decide on the spot, whether you would like to relax on the beautiful beach, or you wish to be more active. You can book guided hikes through the Corcovado National Park, a horseback riding tour or tree climbing to a platform with the view over the jungle.

Day 4

We head back to Carate and depending on the number of participants we take a direct flight to San José, or drive to Puerto Jiménez and then fly back to San José. Transfer to your hotel in San José.

SUMMARY

Inclusions: 2 domestic flights, all meals and transportation

Start and Finish: San José

Accommodation: Corcovado Tent Camp

Trip Grade: Moderate

Dates: As Extension to Costa Rica OR daily all year

Cost: US$ 945