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Home > Destinations > Central
America > Costa
Rica > Lapa Rios Tropical Adventure
Lapa Rios Tropical Adventure
Explore the remote rain forests of the Osa Peninsula from the exquisite Lapa Rios Lodge and hike through the botanical wonders of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve from the charming Monteverde Lodge. Hike and explore a variety of forest trails, by day and at night, with private naturalist guides skilled in locating wildlife and bringing alive the amazing and complex interactions between plants and animals of the tropical rain forest. Our premier Wildland Adventure in Costa Rica utilizes the finest nature lodges and boutique hotels, matching the quality of the hotels to the the quality of the Wildland experience. Guaranteed for as few as two persons, this is an ideal active honeymoon and a perfect adventure for families with teenagers and can be modified to suit the needs of younger children as well.
DAY 1 : ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Arrive San Jose's Juan Santamaria Airport and pass through customs. You will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel. Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro, Hotel El Rodeo or similar [Meals on own].
DAY 2 : DELUXE PACUARE RAFTING TRIP OR LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS
Our adrenaline will race today as we tackle the exhilarating Class III and IV Pacuare River white water. Not only are we in for a wild ride but the beautiful gorges, serene pools, rushing waterfalls and variety of wildlife in this primary rainforest are truly spectacular. The Pacuare River is often rated as a top five rafting river for its combination of exuberant scenery and exciting rapids. Our expert guides give thorough safety talks and paddling instruction before any boats are launched. This is a safe and fun trip for all: just bring a spirit of adventure and don't mind getting wet! Water level permitting, a guide leads a hike up one of the many creeks that spill into the Pacuare. Upon our return, a gourmet lunch is prepared by our guides, who turn into white-gloved waiters just for the occasion. Float and paddle downriver to our take-out location in the Caribbean town of Siquirres, where towels and a victory cocktail await. Drive back to San Jose where we'll receive a complimentary photo CD of our trip. Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro, Hotel El Rodeo or similar. [BL]
DAY 3 : OSA PENINSULA
Morning departure for a one hour flight to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula in the Golfo Dulce. We drive past small farms and rural homes for about 40-minutes in 4-wheel drive vehicles (padded bench seats in the back of an open truck) over sometimes rough roads. On arrive at our delightful hotel, the Lapa Rios Lodge, we check into our ocean-view bungalows. Orientation to the lodge and rain forest reserve. Overnight at Lapa Rios Lodge. [BLD]
DAYS 4-5 : LAPA RIOS RAIN FOREST RESERVE
Miles of private, uncrowded trails lead us through the rain forest wilderness. There are abundant rivers, waterfalls and pools for swimming. We experience this magnificent ecosystem with the help of the resident naturalist guide who leads an introductory hike and describes the ways that animals and plants co-exist in the rain forest. The inter-dependency and symbiotic relationships are truly fascinating. Listen and watch for birds, rustling on the forest floor, or falling fruit as monkeys and parrots feed in the canopy above. Enjoy the beach and explore tide pools. Join an optional rain forest night walk (not included), or simply relax and bird-watch from your verandah. The variety of trails allows us to hike as much or as little as we choose. One guided hike is included. Overnight at Lapa Rios Lodge. [BLD]
DAY 6 : TILARAN MOUNTAINS AND FROG POND
Drive to Puerto Jimenez for our flight to San Jose where we meet our naturalist guide and driver and depart in a private vehicle north on the Pan-American Highway. Beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean are part of our four hour drive. Upon reaching the turnoff to Monteverde, we begin to climb up into the Tilaran Mountains. A bumpy, winding, gravel road takes us to Monteverde. In the afternoon we explore the local Frog Pond where we learn about species unique to the tropics of Costa Rica. Each species is placed in a terrarium, where their natural habitat is accurately simulated. Species include the large Marine toad, the colorful Poison Arrow frog and the Red Eyed tree frog, among others. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge or similar [BD]
DAY 7 : ZIP-LINE CANOPY TOUR AND HANGING BRIDGES
This morning, experience one of the most challenging zip-line canopy tours where you have the opportunity to see the marvels of the primary cloud forest from a bird's eye view. It is also possible to observe some of the cloud forest's most amazing flora and fauna including a wide variety of epiphytes, monkeys and exotic birds. The tour consists of 14 platforms connected by stainless steel cables on which our visitors cruise through primary cloud forest while being attached by a top class security harness. The total length of the tour is 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) cruising through altitudes of up to 300 feet (100 meters). This tour also features the longest single cable, 700 meters, and the best tarzan swing which is optional and for the most adventuresome participants. The Sky Walk is a spectacular combination of suspension bridges with easy and well maintained walking trails built in the Monteverde cloud forest and above the tropical forest canopy. The tour includes 1.5 mile of trails and six suspension bridges across deep canyons at the level of the tree tops. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the community, including the Quaker cheese factory, Casem Artists' Co-op, etc with your private guide. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge or similar. [BLD]
DAY 8 : MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
Walking quietly into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with our private naturalist guide, today we learn about cloud forest ecology and observe the Resplendent quetzal (from January to July), the Three-wattled bellbird, the Emerald toucanet, and White Faced and Howler monkeys. The Reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains (2,300 to 5,600 feet elevation), encompassing eight different ecological life zones and protecting over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 species of plants. Return drive to San Jose after lunch at the hotel. It is possible to extend the trip. For those who choose to extend, a driver/guide will pick you up in Monteverde after lunch, and you'll continue on to your destination from here. For those of us returning home tomorrow. Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro, Hotel El Rodeo or similar [BL]
DAY 9 : DEPARTURE
Depart for the airport approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight. [B]
| - Route Map, Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
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Days: 9 | Grade: I-II, Easy Hiking (click for grades definition) | 2008 Price: From $2695 per person. Land cost based on Group Size & Season | Adults in group | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6+ | Peak Season | $3890 | $3325 | $3120 | High Season | $3460 | $3120 | $2930 | Low Season | $3240 | $2895 | $2695 |
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| Child Price: From $1840, For ages 10 and under | Single Supplement: $790 (click for info) | *Peak Season: Dec 15, 2008 - Jan 5, 2000, High Season: Jan 6 - May 15, 2008, Low Season: May 16-October 31, 2008. Children's rate: $1840 | | | | | 2008 Departure Dates | 2009 Departure Dates | | | May 17 - May 25, 2008
Jun 7 - Jun 15, 2008 (F)
Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2008 (F)
Jun 21 - Jun 29, 2008 (F)
Jun 28 - Jul 6, 2008 (F)
Jul 12 - Jul 20, 2008 (F)
Aug 2 - Aug 10, 2008 (F)
Aug 16 - Aug 24, 2008 (F)
Nov 22 - Nov 30, 2008 (F)
Dec 13 - Dec 21, 2008
Dec 20 - Dec 28, 2008 (F)
Dec 27 - Jan 4, 2009 (F)
(and on request) | Jan 3 - Jan 11, 2009 (F)
Feb 14 - Feb 22, 2009 (F)
Mar 14 - Mar 22, 2009 (F)
Apr 4 - Apr 12, 2009 (F)
May 9 - May 17, 2009 (F)
Jun 27 - Jul 5, 2009 (F)
Jul 18 - Jul 26, 2009 (F)
Aug 8 - Aug 16, 2009 (F)
Aug 15 - Aug 23, 2009 (F)
Nov 21 - Nov 29, 2009 (F)
Dec 19 - Dec 27, 2009 (F)
Dec 28 - Jan 5, 2009 (F)
(and on request) |
(F) = Family departure |
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| | | Included: Services as specified in the itinerary above include lodging, tours and accommodations; Professional English-speaking naturalist guides for the Monteverde portion; airport-hotel transfers and land transportation; local air transportation; meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; services of in-bound land operator offices for tour operations and Wildland Adventures' travel consultation and pre-departure services. | | | Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as international air; airport taxes; tips and gratuities; optional or suggested services that are on your own; insurance of any kind; personal expenses; extra beverages and alcoholic drinks; medical costs; and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in our itinerary for reasons beyond control. Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the above itinerary are also not included. Always carry enough cash for the international ($26) airport departure taxes. | | | Trip Notes: Minimum age to run the Pacuare river is 12. For children 8-11 an optional activity can be arranged on Day 2.
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