This special adventure will take you to two of the premier botanical gardens in Costa Rica - Lankester and Arenal Botanical Gardens. In addition, you'll visit Bosque da Paz, a beautiful private biological reserve straddling the continental divide at 5000 feet above sea level. Other highlights include a tour of scenic Orosi Valley and nightime obesrvation from your hotel terrace of the active Arenal Volcano. You will have at your disposal a four wheel drive car (4WD) for days 3-7 (5 days) of this botanical adventure.
Itinerary
Day #1:
Upon arrival at the international airport in San Jose, you will be met by your tour rep. from Horizontes Tours and transferred to the hotel. Participants will receive a Welcome Kit including information on Costa Rica, a map, brochures of properties and attractions, and recommendations on what to bring and wear during the excursions.
Overnight : Hotel Bougainvillea Meal : (-)
Day #2:
After an early morning breakfast, your Horizontes tour guide will pick you up for an all day botanical adventure. First stop will be at the private gardens of Ileana Tehran, noted horticulturalist and environmentalist and founder of SACRO (Save Costa Rica’s Orchids), an organization dedicated to maintaining natural habitats where orchids grow wild. From there, you'll proceed to Lankester Botanical Gardens. About a 90 minute hour drive east of San Jose, Lankester is located in the Central Plateau near the historic colonial city of Cartago. Situated at about 3000 feet above sea level, these gardens are renowned for its extensive orchid collection featuring the most important collection in the world of miniature Pleurothallid Orchids as well as Oncidium, Phragmipedium, Stanhopea and the beautiful Cattleya skinneri and Cattleya dowina, both in danger of extinction. Overall there are over 800 species of native and imported orchids as well as bromeliads, palms, bamboos, heliconias, bromeliads, palms and conifers. Leaving the garden towards the gift shop, there is an excellent specimen of an African tulip tree, Spathodea campanulata . Peak flowering month for the orchids are February through April.
Before we head back to San Jose, we'll visit nearby Orosi Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Costa Rica. Descending into the valley from the mountains, you’ll pass by coffee farms and many panoramic vistas. The Reventezon River snakes its way from the mountains and empties into Lake Cachi. There are scenic vantage points near the town of Orosi, which lies at the head of the valley, and in Ujarrás, which is situated on the banks of the lake. Near Ujarrás are the ruins of Costa Rica's oldest church. Built in 1693, the church’s lovely walled gardens are a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight : Hotel Bougainvillea Meal : (B , L)
Day #3:
In the morning, a representative of the car rental company will deliver a 4WD car to you. Driving through scenic mountain roads, you'll journey to the Arenal region Passing thru the small mountain resort of Fortuna, you’ll encounter Arenal Volcano, which looms over the small town and Arenal Lake. You’ll proceed to check into your hotel, which affords panoramic views of the majestic Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Approximate driving time is 3 hours.
Overnight : Arenal Observatory Lodge Meal : (B)
Day #4:
Day at Leisure. A highly recommended excursion is to Arenal Botanical Gardens, located along the shores of Arenal Lake, Costa Rica's largest lake. Situated on a forested hillside with dramatic views of the lake, these gardens are primarily a native species preservation project and features over 2,200 species of plants, both wild and cultivated. Particularly impressive are the collection of Cycads. There is admission fee of about $10USD
Overnight : Arenal Observatory Lodge Meal : (B)
Day #5:
Today you will drive to the Bosque de Paz hotel. Driving time is approximately 3 hours.
Overnight : Bosque de Paz Meal : (B, L, D)
Day #6:
Day at leisure at Bosque de Paz. A privately owned Biological Preserve that, as a natural biological corridor, connects the Poás Volcano National Park with the Juan Castro Blanco National Park. Bosque de Paz is a spectacularly rich ecosystem because of its privileged location. Located on the Continental Divide with altitudes ranging from 1400 to 2450 meters above sea level., habitats range from monotone rainforests to misty cloud forests .Some of the activities this area has to offer include outstanding bird watching, general nature observation, guided nature walks, fabulous guided night tours and facilities include a fantastic reference library, a hummingbird gallery and a small outdoor orchid nursery. One of the nature hikes will take you to some spectacular waterfalls located deep in the rainforest as well as natural mineral hot springs. Get a certificate for planting a tree!
Overnight : Bosque de Paz Meal : (B, L, D)
Day #7:
Today you will drive back to San José from Bosque de Paz, about 1 ½ hour journey. Upon arrival, a representative of the car rental company will pick up the car at your hotel in San Jose.
Overnight : Bougainvillea Meal : (B)
Day #8:
Today you will be transferred to the International Airport (or you may want to extend your adventure)
Overnight : - Meal : (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusion:
Rates per person and include accommodations at specified hotels, hotel taxes and service charges, meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner), all excursions and sightseeing as detailed, admission fees, VIP airport transfers and services of a private tour guide with transfers on Days 2 and 5 days of car rental, Daihatsu Terios, full cover insurance included The Tour operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of comparable quality as necessary. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Exclusion;
Rates do not include International airfare, beverages, tips, personal expenses and airport departure tax. Inquire about special, low reduced airfares!
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Garden Tours
Ecotourism
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