Undiscovered Adventure

Explore the major ecosystems and adventure activities of Costa Rica in this specially designed program that takes you off the beaten path. Visit the cloudforest, rainforest, Pacific Coast islands and beaches. Birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, sea kayaking and snorkeling are all part of this unique tour.

2006-7 Departure dates: Daily with a minimum of 2 passengers

2006-7 High Season Prices:

• $2150 per person/sharing double room
• $1775 per person/sharing triple room

(valid Dec 1, 2006- April 30, 2007)

2007 Low Season Prices:

• $1965 per person/sharing double room
• $1660 per person/sharing triple room

(valid May 1- Nov 30, 2007)

Itinerary

Day 1 - San José. On arrival you’ll be met by a representative from CANATUR, who will direct your through immigration & customs, and take you outside to meet our local representative. If by chance you miss the CANATUR representative at the plane, please check in with their booth in the baggage claim area, and they will direct you outside to our driver. Transfer to the Hotel Le Bergerac, a charming bed and breakfast inn well located in an upscale residential area of the city.

Day 2 – Cloud forests of Talamanca Mountain Range—Cerro de la Muerte.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the garden of your hotel. Morning departure with your private driver/guide for the approximately 2 hour drive into the Talamanca Mountains located to the southwest of the country. As you arrive into the mountains, you’ll take a side road that begins to follow the Savegre River. Many opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing en-route. You’ll arrive to the Savegre Hotel de Montana, run by the Chacon family. Enjoy lunch with your guide, and check in to your Jr. Suite accommodations, complete with sitting area and fireplace. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a bird watching tour of the surrounding area with one of the lodges expert birding guides. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Savegre Lodge. –Today you’ll enjoy a half day hike or horseback ride from the lodge (Please advise your preference upon booking). You may upgrade to full day hiking, longer horseback ride, fishing, or additional birdwatching options. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Transfer to Uvita. After breakfast, you’ll depart by Savegre Lodge transportation to the Pacific beach town of Uvita. Travel over the mountains, and drop down into San Isidro and on to the coast. Follow the beaches for a short time before arriving to Uvita, and the Cristal Ballena Resort. Check in for a three-night stay. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities. (B)

Day 5 -Cano Island Tour. Enjoy a full day tour by boat to nearby Cano Island, for snorkeling and exploration. Caño Island Biological Reserve is located in the Pacific Ocean 15 km. off of the Osa Peninsula. The border of the island has white sandy beaches and a well protected in-shore reef makes this island the best spot in Costa Rica for scuba diving and snorkeling. Normally there is great visibility, about 20 meters (65 ft), providing for clear sightings of the many species living in the island's waters: fish, turtles, manta rays, dolphins and whales to name a few. Travel overland to Sierpe, (stop for breakfast, not included) where you start your boat ride through the rich mangrove delta before heading out into the Pacific ocean. Look for dolphins and other marine life as you navigate to the island for some of the best snorkeling in Costa Rica. Enjoy a picnic lunch and relaxing time on the island. Late afternoon return to your hotel.

We offer an optional Dolphin & Whale watching boat tour. Northern humpback whales can generally be seen August-November, while Northern humpbacks are active December to March. Dolphins are in the area year round. They come to this rich feeding ground to breed and give birth. (B, L)

Day 6-Hatillo Mangrove Half Day Kayak tour. Depart for a short drive north of Domincal, on the Costanera Highway to the Hatillo Mangrove Swamps next to Guapil Beach. We may stop along the way to view sloths, toucans or monkeys. At the put-in spot your guide will give safety instructions and will explain to you the grand significance of this environment. We will then introduce you to an easy, 3 hour paddle through the canals discovering the beauty and the great variety of fauna that this estuary offers. The tour's departure time depends upon the tide. Return to your hotel, with the remainder of the day free to enjoy the facilities at your hotel, or arrange optional tours in the area. (B)

Day 7-Rafiki Safari Lodge. After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll depart for your transfer north to the Rafiki Safari Lodge, located in the rainforest along the Savegre River. Arrive to the lodge in time for lunch. Settle in to your “tent” which is actually a luxury safari tent set on top of a wooden platform, complete with spacious private baths with hot water, electricity and sky light. A fan is provided, and there are plenty of screens to allow for cross ventilation. A large deck area looks out over the valley, complete with rocking chairs and hammock. The lodge also has a fresh water swimming pool, hiking trails, and a small lake that attracts a variety of bird life. Truly a paradise in the jungle!

This afternoon discover the thrills of white water rafting on the Savegre River. The put-in is a short distance from your hotel. Return in the late afternoon to enjoy the stunning sunset & drinks on the veranda. (B, L, D)

Day 8-Rafiki Safari Lodge. This morning you’ll enjoy a half-day horseback riding trip into the nearby rainforest. Look for birds and mammals as you explore the area. Optional hiking or float trips can be arranged.

For the truly hardy & adventurous—you can combine the raft trip day 7 with a horseback ride to the put-in and make this tour on day 8 a full day experience. This is the “super lekker” offered by the lodge. A surcharge of $60 applies.

Return to the lodge for lunch, with free time to enjoy the peace and solitude of the area. In addition, you can hike the trails of the lodge, enjoy the pool, or arrange for more rafting, kayking, fishing, or relaxing time. (B, L, D)

Day 9-To San Jose. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. Transfer overland approximately an hour to the Quepos airport, where you board your flights to San Jose. (Please note that all flights with-in Costa Rica have a 25-pound weight limit for checked baggage. If your luggage is overweight, additional charges may apply, and your luggage may not travel on the same flight). On arrival to San Jose’s domestic airport, you are met and transferred to the Hotel Le Bergerac, where you check in for one night stay. This afternoon you may wish to explore the historic city center of San Jose, visit the Gold Museum or national theater. Your hotel boasts an excellent restaurant, or there are many other dining options in the downtown area. (B)

Day 10-You will be picked up at your hotel at the pre-arranged time, and transferred to the international airport for your international flight. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip Notes:

• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America. Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• Additional nights at Rafiki Safari Lodge can be added, as well as an extension to the Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, or any other areas of Costa Rica. Please consult our office for details.
• This itinerary involves flights with-in Costa Rica, which are operated by small (8-20 passenger) aircraft. They impose a strictly enforced 25 lb weight limit for all checked + carry-on luggage.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.