Costa Rica
Cloud-forests, jungles and volcanoes
Saturday 22 March - Sunday 6 April 2008 (16 days)
Costa Rica is amongst our favourite destinations anywhere in the world, containing spectacular mountains and active volcanoes, pristine beaches, lowland rainforest, high cloudforest festooned with orchids and bromeliads, and some wonderful tropical wetlands. And all this in a country less than the size of England! The amazing diversity of its birdlife and the fabulous complexity of its plantlife make it one of the most fascinating of tropical countries to visit - so why not make this the year you join us there!
© Keith Grant/Nature Portfolio
Crimson-collared Tanager
Costa Rica is a very different sort of nation. There has been no army since 1948, for example. "Teachers, not soldiers has been the watchword, and as a result the country has one of the highest rates of literacy in the world. The people are also very proud of their commitment to conservation. They have a national park system that covers around 12 percent of the land surface, in addition to numerous privately-run reserve areas, which in total protect over a quarter of the country. Costa Rica is also an intensely beautiful tropical land, with a chain of volcanic peaks rising to over 3,500m. These mountains divide the land into quite separate ecological zones, each with its characteristic fauna and flora, with the result that Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with more bird species to the square mile than any other country on earth.
It is impossible to cover even this small country in a fortnight, but we aim to visit a representative sample of Costa Rica's biologically rich areas, and to give you the best possible experience of this wonderful country. Our local agents here are amongst the best we've found anywhere in the world, and their meticulous organisation and excellent local guides ensure a really first class tour. This will be our seventeenth tour to Costa Rica.
Tour Extensions and Independent Travel
While the main escorted tours last for two weeks, clients frequently ask us to extend their tour by a few days or a week. You could, for instance, join us for the tour, and then fly down for a few days on the coast at Corcovado, staying at Marenco, or other lodges there. Please contact us for more information, and a colour brochure giving a huge range of possible tailor-made tours and extensions.
Price: £ 3,245
Single supp. £ 365 per room
Deposit: £ 400 per person
The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/San José*, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips to hotels and restaurants, and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the driver and local guide, and other personal expenses.
*For an ex-international flight cost (San José/San José) please deduct £595 from the tour cost.
Leaders:
Tim Earl and Willy Alfaro
Itinerary
Day 1
We depart from London on a scheduled flight to arrive at San José in the evening. San José‚ is situated in the central valley of Costa Rica, an area with the best climate in the world, according to the United Nations. At this time of year the days are warm, like an English summer's day, while the nights can be pleasantly cool.
Overnight San José
Days 2 - 3
We spend the day driving up via Tapanti, a jewel of a middle elevation forest reserve, to the Cerro de la Muerte highlands where we stay at a superbly situated lodge in a wonderful sheltered mountain valley. The lodge is set among huge cloud forest oaks and a mountain stream, complete with American Dippers, tumbling over rocks just below. Collared Redstart, Magnificent and Fiery-throated Hummingbirds are among the gems here.
One of the most sought-after species of any trip to Costa Rica must surely be Resplendent Quetzal, the bird considered by many the most beautiful in tropical America. We rise early to see them at their most active sometimes right by the lodge. We go on to visit an area of mature highland forest with high oak trees, and finally climb to more than 3,000m to visit one of the most distinctive ecosystems here - the strange, stunted 'paramo' vegetation.
Two nights Cerro de la Muerte
Days 4 - 5
We head west to the Pacific Coast with time to watch birds en route. We aim to visit the bridge over the Tarcoles River, before dusk, in time to see Scarlet Macaws flying to their mangrove roosts. We stay at an excellent hotel nearby with its own jungle nature trail along a stream running through the lush grounds.
Early next morning we travel to Carara National Park. This is an important Pacific Lowland Forest reserve, where South American tropical rainforest meets Central American dry lowland forest. It is an excellent place for antbirds of various species as well as trogons, woodpeckers and a bewildering array of flycatchers. Mammals include various monkeys, Two-toed Sloth, and Tamandua, a small anteater.
Near Carara is a superb small estuary, which, at this time of year, is teeming with wintering waders from North America, as well as terns and Black Skimmers, while Magnificent Frigatebirds fly overhead. We shall spend some time here, and at nearby pools.
The hotel itself has some excellent dry tropical forest both in the grounds and nearby. Birdwatching possibilities on the doorstep (Bare-necked Tiger-Heron and Ferruginous Pygmy Owl nest in a tree near the front entrance) make for a great, relaxed stay.
Two nights Carara
Days 6 - 7
We drive north along the Pacific coast, to the much drier and more open Guanacaste lowland, before reaching the Tempisque River. En route we visit the eleven thousand ha. Solimar estate, a farm dedicated to cattle rearing and wildlife conservation. Here we hope to see a wide variety of wetland birds including the mighty Jabiru.
We stay at the beautifully-situated lodge of La Ensenada, with open lawns and extensive views out over the Gulf of Nicoya towards the hills of the Nicoya Peninsula beyond. Expect some spectacular sunsets! Accommodation here is simple but delightful - wood cabins complete with a hammock on the porch - and the owners hospitality is warm and friendly. Howler Monkeys have serenaded previous tours in the early mornings. From here we will take a boat trip amongst the mangroves adjacent to Palo Verde National Park, as well as making visits to some excellent pools and dry forest on the estate.
Two nights La Ensenada
Day 8
We drive across the continental divide, and continue to the Caribbean-slope forests around Lake Arenal. Towering above the lake is Volcan Arenal, the most consistently active volcano in the world. Previous groups have seen red-hot lava boulders rolling down the distant black slopes at night, but even if it is covered in cloud you can hear odd explosions and rumbles coming from the mist.
We stay overnight at Volcano Lodge, affording views of the green lower slopes and the rocky, barren cone of the volcano in clear weather.
Overnight La Fortuna
Days 9 - 11
We drive east, along the lower slopes of the volcanic range, stopping at Virgen del Socorro, one of the best middle-elevation forests in the country. This is a reliable area for migrant Swallow-tailed Kites while dashing White-collared Swifts nest behind a waterfall here. We have seen Brown-billed Scythebill and Lanceolated Monklet in the past. We will also stop to visit a set of hummingbird feeders which attract a remarkable range of species including the stunning Violet Sabrewing.
We continue on to Sarapiqui for a three-night stay. The lowland rainforest at nearby La Selva Biological Station is one of the best birdwatching habitats in Central America. Even the road up to the lodge is superb and we will aim to arrive early on both mornings. We have sometimes seen more than a hundred species a day on our visits here. The superb network of trails allows access to every habitat, and the local guides really know their area well. The birds here seem used to visitors and species like Great Curassow, normally secretive, may be seen wandering about only a few feet away.
We stay a little further upstream along the Sarapiqui River, in an excellent wildlife area. We have seen Sunbittern, Fasciated Tiger-Heron and Two-toed Sloth in the area.
Three nights Sarapiqui
Days 12 - 13
We depart early to Caño Blanco dock, where we board our boat that is waiting to take us into the maze of channels that lead to Tortuguero National Park. The narrow rivers and canals here are the haunt of Sungrebes, while sloths may watch from the branches overhead as we glide through the floating gardens of water hyacinths. Herons, kingfishers, parrots and oropendolas with their huge suspended woven nests can be found here in abundance.
We stay at a fine lodge on the banks of the Tortuguero River.
Two nights Tortuguero
Day 14
We return to Caño Blanco and travel through the rich Caribbean slope farmland and over the north volcanic range back to San José and end the day with a farewell dinner.
Overnight San José
Day 15
We catch a morning return flight to London to arrive on Day 16.
Accommodation will be in hotels or lodges with all rooms en suite. Some of the lodges are remote, and have simpler-style rooms, often in cabins.
Transport is by small coach or minibus.
Walking: Some forest trails can be steep in parts, but we shall take these slowly. We travel up to over 3,000m., but will not be walking much at this altitude.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Day 1
We depart from London on a scheduled flight to arrive at San José in the evening. San José‚ is situated in the central valley of Costa Rica, an area with the best climate in the world, according to the United Nations. At this time of year the days are warm, like an English summer's day, while the nights can be pleasantly cool.
Overnight San José
Days 2 - 3
We spend the day driving up via Tapanti, a jewel of a middle elevation forest reserve, to the Cerro de la Muerte highlands where we stay at a superbly situated lodge in a wonderful sheltered mountain valley. The lodge is set among huge cloud forest oaks and a mountain stream, complete with American Dippers, tumbling over rocks just below. Collared Redstart, Magnificent and Fiery-throated Hummingbirds are among the gems here.
One of the most sought-after species of any trip to Costa Rica must surely be Resplendent Quetzal, the bird considered by many the most beautiful in tropical America. We rise early to see them at their most active sometimes right by the lodge. We go on to visit an area of mature highland forest with high oak trees, and finally climb to more than 3,000m to visit one of the most distinctive ecosystems here - the strange, stunted 'paramo' vegetation.
Two nights Cerro de la Muerte
Days 4 - 5
We head west to the Pacific Coast with time to watch birds en route. We aim to visit the bridge over the Tarcoles River, before dusk, in time to see Scarlet Macaws flying to their mangrove roosts. We stay at an excellent hotel nearby with its own jungle nature trail along a stream running through the lush grounds.
Early next morning we travel to Carara National Park. This is an important Pacific Lowland Forest reserve, where South American tropical rainforest meets Central American dry lowland forest. It is an excellent place for antbirds of various species as well as trogons, woodpeckers and a bewildering array of flycatchers. Mammals include various monkeys, Two-toed Sloth, and Tamandua, a small anteater.
Near Carara is a superb small estuary, which, at this time of year, is teeming with wintering waders from North America, as well as terns and Black Skimmers, while Magnificent Frigatebirds fly overhead. We shall spend some time here, and at nearby pools.
The hotel itself has some excellent dry tropical forest both in the grounds and nearby. Birdwatching possibilities on the doorstep (Bare-necked Tiger-Heron and Ferruginous Pygmy Owl nest in a tree near the front entrance) make for a great, relaxed stay.
Two nights Carara
Days 6 - 7
We drive north along the Pacific coast, to the much drier and more open Guanacaste lowland, before reaching the Tempisque River. En route we visit the eleven thousand ha. Solimar estate, a farm dedicated to cattle rearing and wildlife conservation. Here we hope to see a wide variety of wetland birds including the mighty Jabiru.
We stay at the beautifully-situated lodge of La Ensenada, with open lawns and extensive views out over the Gulf of Nicoya towards the hills of the Nicoya Peninsula beyond. Expect some spectacular sunsets! Accommodation here is simple but delightful - wood cabins complete with a hammock on the porch - and the owners hospitality is warm and friendly. Howler Monkeys have serenaded previous tours in the early mornings. From here we will take a boat trip amongst the mangroves adjacent to Palo Verde National Park, as well as making visits to some excellent pools and dry forest on the estate.
Two nights La Ensenada
Day 8
We drive across the continental divide, and continue to the Caribbean-slope forests around Lake Arenal. Towering above the lake is Volcan Arenal, the most consistently active volcano in the world. Previous groups have seen red-hot lava boulders rolling down the distant black slopes at night, but even if it is covered in cloud you can hear odd explosions and rumbles coming from the mist.
We stay overnight at Volcano Lodge, affording views of the green lower slopes and the rocky, barren cone of the volcano in clear weather.
Overnight La Fortuna
Days 9 - 11
We drive east, along the lower slopes of the volcanic range, stopping at Virgen del Socorro, one of the best middle-elevation forests in the country. This is a reliable area for migrant Swallow-tailed Kites while dashing White-collared Swifts nest behind a waterfall here. We have seen Brown-billed Scythebill and Lanceolated Monklet in the past. We will also stop to visit a set of hummingbird feeders which attract a remarkable range of species including the stunning Violet Sabrewing.
We continue on to Sarapiqui for a three-night stay. The lowland rainforest at nearby La Selva Biological Station is one of the best birdwatching habitats in Central America. Even the road up to the lodge is superb and we will aim to arrive early on both mornings. We have sometimes seen more than a hundred species a day on our visits here. The superb network of trails allows access to every habitat, and the local guides really know their area well. The birds here seem used to visitors and species like Great Curassow, normally secretive, may be seen wandering about only a few feet away.
We stay a little further upstream along the Sarapiqui River, in an excellent wildlife area. We have seen Sunbittern, Fasciated Tiger-Heron and Two-toed Sloth in the area.
Three nights Sarapiqui
Days 12 - 13
We depart early to Caño Blanco dock, where we board our boat that is waiting to take us into the maze of channels that lead to Tortuguero National Park. The narrow rivers and canals here are the haunt of Sungrebes, while sloths may watch from the branches overhead as we glide through the floating gardens of water hyacinths. Herons, kingfishers, parrots and oropendolas with their huge suspended woven nests can be found here in abundance.
We stay at a fine lodge on the banks of the Tortuguero River.
Two nights Tortuguero
Day 14
We return to Caño Blanco and travel through the rich Caribbean slope farmland and over the north volcanic range back to San José and end the day with a farewell dinner.
Overnight San José
Day 15
We catch a morning return flight to London to arrive on Day 16.
Accommodation will be in hotels or lodges with all rooms en suite. Some of the lodges are remote, and have simpler-style rooms, often in cabins.
Transport is by small coach or minibus.
Walking: Some forest trails can be steep in parts, but we shall take these slowly. We travel up to over 3,000m., but will not be walking much at this altitude.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients