Costa Rica Traverse
An adventure high on the wish list of active naturalists as well as anyone with a sense of adventure. We cycle through the farmlands and foothills before setting out on our fully supported, week long trek. We follow remote trails across the Cordillera de Talamanca, home to the highest peak in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo (3819 metres). Following the trail we encounter indigenous settlements deep in the cloud forest, glimpse rare wildlife and a variety of warblers and birds of prey that will satisfy the most ardent bird lover. Setting our sights on the Pacuare River, one of the world's classic whitewater experiences, we undertake an exhilarating rafting trip - expect Class II - III rapids - through a series of spectacular canyons, punctuated with serene interludes in the pristine rainforest as we ease our way to the Caribbean coast and conclude our journey in vibrant San Jose.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-5024-P) |
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16 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 15 dinners |
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Experienced guides |
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porters on trekking portion |
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private transport |
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All group camping equipment |
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good quality hotel accommodation |
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rafting gear and instruction |
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kayaking gear and instruction |
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Mountain Bikes and helmets |
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support vehicle on bike section |
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Price Excludes |
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International flights and departure transfer
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc
Sleeping bag & sleep mat
Tips
Airport and departure taxes
Travel Insurance |
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Countries / Places Visited |
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Costa Rica |
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Activities Included |
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trekking, cycling, rafting, kayaking, hiking, walking, mountain biking |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Minimum Age |
18 |
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Max Group Size |
16 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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DAY 1 Arrive in San Jose
If you are travelling on the group flight you will be met on arrival at San Jose's international airport and taken to your hotel. Depending on arrival time you should have some time to explore the sights of San Jose. We will provide an information pack with full details of the trip, including maps and suggestions for cafes, bars and restaurants in the San Jose area.
DAY 2 San Jose - Domincal
We transfer from San Jose to the quiet coastal village of Domincal which will take approximately 4 hours. The drive takes us along the Pan American highway reaching heights of over 3000 meters before turning west to the Pacific coast. Upon arrival we have a chance to relax either at the pool or on the beach before your guide gives you a briefing on the trip in the evening. Dominical is a village (pueblo) of approximately 500 people and it has various tiny cozy restaurants, sodas and small souvenir shops.
DAY 3 Domincal - Tinamaste Cave
Today we head inland from the Pacific coast on our first day crossing Costa Rica. The day starts with cycling uphill on paved roads to the first ridge which will take approximately 3-4 hours. Here we leave our bikes and set off hiking to the Tinamaste Cave perched on the mountain side, overlooking the Pacific. On the mountain there are 10 spectacular waterfalls including Costa Rica's tallest at 600ft. Surrounding the cave are waterfalls with diving and swimming areas. The cave is very large and open, set behind two 90ft waterfalls with kitchen and sleeping facilities.
DAY 4 Tinamaste Cave (Casa Piedra) to Roble
Our journey commences by trekking away from the Tinamaste Cave leaving the Pacific coast behind us and making our way towards the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We meet up with our bikes again as we head uphill for an hour or so and then begin a great downhill with vistas of the San Isidro de General valley. We then head inland on dirt roads bordering a local river with a chance for a quick cool-off in one of the many natural pools along the way. Our camp for the night is by the side of the river and so dinner will be as fresh as it comes! – local Tilapia (fish).
DAY 5 Roble - Angeles
We make some headway this morning with a one hour bike ride before starting our 5 day journey trekking through the mountains of Costa Rica. It is part of the Cordillera de Talamanca range of mountains and is a protected area. Leaving our bikes behind, the terrain changes as we climb through the mountain range passing by a self-sufficient farm dedicated to re-forestation. We have a chance to see this at first hand as we rest up along the way. For our next section we need the help of Santiago, a 70 year old local man who will guide us through the intricate trails to our camp close to the village of Angeles. This is on the banks of the Rio Division and is a major coffee producing area. This first day of our trek we will be carrying daypacks as camp will be set up for us tonight and you will have access to your main luggage.
DAY 6 Angeles- Providencia
We weave our way through coffee plantations for a couple of hours and then switch to a seldom used trail as we head up to Cero Lira at 2,300 metres and one of the major peaks of our trek. From the peak there are great views of the Pacific coastline and the forest-covered mountain ranges. We head down into the valley passing by several spectacular waterfalls to the village of Providencia. Daypacks are required during the trek and you will have access to your main luggage this evening.
Day 7 Providencia – Salsipuedes
The longest and toughest day of trekking has us leaving the village early in the morning for a 10 hour day up to the high point of our traverse at 3,100 metres (Cero Las Vueltas). The trail up takes us through thick dense Cloud Forest and through constantly changing scenery, vegetation, wildlife and evergreen forests with heavy epiphytic growths in the trees and thick fern and with bamboo understoreys. These highland forests are home to such birds as the flame-throated warbler and buffy tufted-cheek to name but two. Blue and green frogs and lime-colored caterpillars thickly covered with stinging hairs make their way across the trail and Biard's tapir lurks in the thick vegetation - though you are much more likely to see squirrels than tapirs. Daypacks are required during the trek and you will have access to your main luggage this evening at our overnight cabins.
Day 8-9 Salsipuedes – Rio Humo - Taus
By now you will have established your trekking legs and so today we begin the more intrepid part of our 5 day journey as we will need to backpack all the gear for the next two days. Luckily some local porters will be joining us to help with the group equipment but you will be required to carry your own personal gear and so the lighter the better! We are passing through the protected area of The Tapanti National Park. The park is traversed by the Rio Grande de Orosi, with many other rivers and creeks joining the main river. The entire two days will see us in the heart of the rainforest with a number of river crossings, steep descents made more interesting by the muddy trails of the forest bed. We will set up camp beside the Rio Humo so there is an opportunity to have a clean up in the river before dinner with the background music of the living jungle. The following day we continue through the park to the Rio Grande where we will meet up with our bikes for the last section to Taus, giving our legs a chance to loosen up. Taus is a small hamlet but as with all small communities in Costa Rica, it has its own school. The school also doubles as a community centre and the local people will welcome our stay here tonight.
Day 10-11 Taus – Bajo Pacuare – San Joaquin
Variety being the spice of life, we have a rest from trekking for a couple of days as we cross to the eastern side of the country. A full day of biking through sugar-cane plantations and small river crossings is followed by a day of rafting on the seldom run upper section of the Pacuare River (Class III-IV). The Pacuare is the most scenic rafting river in Costa Rica and one the world's classic whitewater experiences. The last 300 metres before the take out are very technical rapids filled with boulders.
Day 12-13 San Joaquin – Valle Escondido – El Nido del Tigre
With our hiking boots back firmly on our feet we head up into the remote area of Valle Escondido (The Hidden Valley) and home to the Cebecar Indians. The area is a mixture of forest and open spaces but likely to be muddy and heavy underfoot. We will be backpacking all the camping and overnight gear as we head into the mountains and camp near an indigenous settlement. The end of our two day trek leads us back to the Pacuare River and we finish up the day with a 2 hour stretch of rafting to our camp, El Nido del Tigre which borders the river but is set in the midst of the forest. Your overnight bags will accompany you on the river in an Oar Boat which is transporting all the food for the coming days on the river. The Pacuare River plunges down the Caribbean slope through a series of spectacular canyons clothed in virgin rainforest. The savage beauty of the surroundings is humbling as we negotiate Class III and IV rapids, meandering through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. Overnight is at our camp on the banks of the river. Spacious tents on fixed platforms board the edge of the river and nestle in the surrounding forest. The camp is fully functional with its own supply of pure spring water, shower and sanitary facilities. The name of the camp, El Nido del Tigre, comes from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the main floor of the main area of the camp. When the ginger reaches a certain height it falls over creating flattened areas in the shape of a tiger's paw - hence its name, which translates to "the nest of the tiger". From the center of the nest, trails radiate throughout the forest and along the river. There is an open area for those who like the odd game of ball or Frisbee. If this is too much after a day on the river, seek out one of our quiet reading areas, set yourself down with a refreshing drink and just 'be' for a while.
DAY 14 Pacuare River
This is a well earned rest for a day although you can make it as active as you like. Your guides will be with you and so make the most of this free day at the camp by spending it enjoying El Nido del Tigre and the surrounding area. Hiking through the rainforest to a waterfall, floating down a rapid with just a life jacket, or relaxing in a hammock around the camp, are all possible activities.
DAY 15 Pacuare River
Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating Class III and IV rapids and point out the intricacies of the rainforest at the river’s edge. The Class IV rapids are exciting and separated by calm stretches which enable you to stare at the near vertical green walls towering hundreds of metres above the river, which make this a magnificent and unique river trip. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Tonight’s camp marks the end of the rapids and the beginning of the banana lined slow moving waters of the Pacuare River.
DAY 16 Pacuare River
The sweet taste of success... For the final leg of the crossing we swap to kayaks and head down the Pacuare and ease into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we kayak last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have passed. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea. After some time to celebrate our accomplishment we are transferred by motor boat and van to a comfortable hotel for a well deserved hot shower and some time to relax around the pool.
DAY 17 Pacuare River - San Jose
A relaxing morning around the hotel is followed by an afternoon transfer back to San Jose.
DAY 18 Trip Concludes
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flight.
Note: this itinerary is a guide and may be influenced by weather conditions, group fitness and other factors outside our control. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Accommodation is lodges, camping and hotels |
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Holidays
Extras |
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