Costa Rica is a small (only about the size of West Virginia), democratic and peaceful country with a level of social development that surprises first-time visitors. The country is known as the “Switzerland of Central America” due to its high living standard and temperate climate.
Costa Rica is a naturalist’s dream with a wide variety of ecosystems only short distances apart. An astonishing twenty-seven percent of Costa Rica is protected and has been designated as national park, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and private reserves. With more than 850 species of birds, 250 mammals and about five percent of the world’s total biodiversity, Costa Rica is a paradise for walkers who enjoy the unspoiled natural world.
One of the features of this walk is a canoe trip with views of a wide variety of animals, birds and vegetation along the way.
You will walk on well-established paths with a professional English-speaking guide. This is an easy to moderate hike, over terrain which is sometimes mountainous but otherwise undulating. Walking is mainly on tracks and footpaths in national parks and beaches.
You will stay in lovely, comfortable hotels with air conditioning, scenic views and private baths.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive San José. Transfer from the International Airport to San Gildar Hotel. You will be met at the International Airport, before the Customs Check Point. Clients will ID their bags and will locate them at designated area for the Red Caps to take them. Your driver will transfer you to the hotel on board Deluxe A/C Coaches or minivans. Evening at your leisure. Overnight at San Gildar Hotel.
Day 2: Volcano and Waterfalls Discovery Day. Guests will start the day right after a wonderful early breakfast served at the hotel, then your guide will brief you on the walks. You will be transferred along the prosperous volcanic-soil farms along the central “backbone” of Costa Rica, where you will reach the summit of a full of life volcano! Poas Volcano is worldwide known as one of the largest existing active craters, showing geyser-like activity, and a true pioneer for the national parks establishment in Costa Rica. Your introductory walk will start in the main entrance of this national park 2 miles of continuous up hill will end at the crater border. A second walk, through premontane forest, you will walk up to an old crater that actually is a lagoon named Botos. Next you will descend the Escalonia trail. The walk will continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is a nature park with an altitude ranging from 4,300 feet to 5,000 feet. You will walk a trail of 2 miles of serpentine paved trails that allows you to experience the awesome power of four majestic waterfalls. A butterfly farm and a hummingbird gallery visit are included in this walk.
Day 3: Lava Flow walk to the foot of the Arenal Volcano. A unique experience awaits you today: a lava flow walk. This is a difficult hiking route due to the slope and texture of the terrain. Duration is approximately 4 hours round trip. Arenal Volcano is an active volcano where occasionally you can see and hear explosions. This walk takes you to a lava field that stopped flowing in September 1992 but continues to emit steam at some points. In the afternoon, guests will share a fascinating experience from this perpetual green forest to the northwest drier regions of Guanacaste, until you reach the “Emerald Mountains” of Monteverde. “Land of Quetzals and Quakers”, Monteverde shall be a very appealing stage of the exploration voyage. Recaps will enhance a great activities day.
Day 4: Hanging bridges and cloud and rainforest walk. Breakfast will be followed by a “get acquainted” walk along the rural road to discover the wonders of Santa Elena Reserve and tree tops (hanging bridges). You will walk 4 miles from your hotel along Monteverde town and Santa Elena town where the 765-acre Santa Elena Forest Reserve is located. It is at a slightly higher elevation than the Monteverde Reserve and tends to be cloudier and wetter, but is also less visited than its better known neighbor. You will walk two of the four trails that this reserve has: (walk 2-3 hours).
Youth Challenge Trail – Less than 1 mile in length. This trail runs along the Continental Divide, and both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes can be seen on clear days. There are beautiful views of the Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, Miravalles Volcanoes.
Caño Negro Trail – 2.7 miles in length, round - trip. After lunch you will walk at the level of the tree tops. The treetop walkway is a 1.9 mile trail that crosses through the cloud forest, in which you will walk on eight different bridges from various lengths ranging between 150 feet to 510 feet and altitudes ranging between 36 feet and 180 feet. Each of the bridges feature a five foot width, the widest ones in the country, and also a capacity of up to 80 people per bridge making them both the longest and strongest bridge system in Costa Rica. The duration of this walk is usually 2 hours.
Day 5: “Crocodile” National Park walk. Carara National Park is to the left, directly beyond the bridge over the Rio Tarcoles. Carara means "crocodile" in the language of the Huetar Indians who originally lived in the area. With a bit of luck and patience you may be able to spot a crocodile from the bridge as it suns itself on the muddy riverbank.Spend the day walking in the five vegetation zones that contains this area of 4,700 hectares.
Many exotic animal species live in this protected environment: giant anteaters, ocelots, red-faced spider monkeys and poison arrow frogs. Birds also find this an ideal nesting area: spoonbills, storks, darters, trogons, motmots, toucans, and many pairs of bright red macaws search the mangrove swamps and rain forest for food. All these animals will be your hosts for this three hour walk through a transitional forest.
Day 6: Beach walk. Guests will have breakfast at the hotel, followed by a very scenic walk along the coastline. A magnificent walk along the cliffs offers coastal views of the Pacific Ocean, where you will arrive at Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park. Punta Catedral is the highest point of this park; it is located in the tombolo. A tombolo is an island joined to the mainland by a natural bridge formed by tides and sand. Guests may also feel tempted to take a dip into the warm waters of the golden sand beaches at the park. Walk: 4 hours.
Day 7: Day of Leisure. Enjoy a day of leisure at the hotel or return to Manuel Antonio National Park to relax at the beach. Transfer to San Jose overnight at San Gildar Hotel.
Day 8: Depart Costa Rica. Transfer from San Gildar Hotel to International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be assisted in debarking for an individual check in.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change.
2008 Dates: March 8-15, April 19-26, November 8-15, December 6-13.
Meeting Point: San Jose Airport. Transfers are not included.
Difficulty of Walk: Open land, forests and beaches, some hills. Canopy tour. Leisurely pace.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$1,985 per person, shared.
$400 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 5 guided walking tours
- Most meals
- Entrance fees
- English speaking guide
- Ground transfers
- Taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Walking Tours
Ecotourism
|
