Costa Rica Ecotour · 2019-10-03 · Costa Rica Ecotour with The Wilderness Center January 10-19, 2014 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica Transfer to Cartago on the oriental

9877 Alabama Avenue SW • Wilmot, OH 44689-0202Ph 330.359.5235 • Toll Free 877.359.5235 • Fax 330.359.7898

A Non-profit Nature Preserve dedicated to connecting our community with nature, educating people of all ages, conserving

natural resources, and practicing environmental stewarship.

Costa Rica Ecotour

January 10-19, 2014

www.wildernesscenter.org1-877-359-5235

For more information, please contactVicki Shoenfelt at 877-359-5235 or

[email protected]

Costa Rica Ecotour with The Wilderness CenterJanuary 10-19, 2014

Itinerary:Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica Transfer to Cartago on the oriental side of the Central Valley and check in at Sanchirí Lodge. Meals: DDay 2: Visit Tapantí Rainforest and travel to Savegre Lodge. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Tapanti Rain Forest National Park. This morning you will visit a National Park that represents an unique ecosystem in Costa Rica. Influenced by the Caribbean climate, Tapantí is a pre-montane rainforest located at the edge of the magnificent Orosi Valley. Walk the trails and look for species of birds such as Black-banded Wood creeper, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Streaked Xenops, Immaculate Ant bird, Rufous-rumped Ant wren, Lesser Elaenia, White-fronted Tyrannulet, Dark Pewee, Sharp bill, and White-winged Tanager are some of the species reported for this National park. After our visit, travel up the Talamanca Mountain range and check in at Savegre Lodge. Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at Savegre Lodge. Day 3: Hike the trails at Savegre Lodge property and Talamanca Mountain range. Today we will explore the trails of Savegre Lodge. We will walk by patches of Cloud Forest in search of highland birds like the Long-tailed Silky Fly Catcher, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Common Bush Tanager and the Resplendent Quetzal, considered one of the most beautiful birds in the Americas and a Sacred bird to the Mayan culture. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon to explore the beauty of the Cloud Forest and discover waterfalls immersed in the Talamanca Mountain range, mountains formed by the uplifting of Costa Rica´s territory, giving place to a natural obstacle that provides diversity to the country due to the variety of topography. The Savegre Lodge gardens offer a good area to continue discovering and enjoying the colorful birds of the region. Meals: B,L,D, Overnight at Savegre Lodge. Day 4: Transfer from Savegre to Manuel Antonio National Park and Cerro Lodge. After breakfast we will check out and make our way down to the Central Pacific region. This will take us from the top of the Continental Divide at one of the highest elevations of the country

to the sea level. You will have the opportunity to visit a lowland rainforest at Manuel Antonio, a site chosen by Forbes magazine as one of the ten most beautiful National Parks in the World. Here you will search species of birds completely different than the ones found in the highlands. Manuel Antonio is home to species such as the Fiery-billed Aracari, Barred Ant Shrike, Three and Two Toed Sloths, primates like the Capuchin, Howler and the Endemic Squirrel Monkeys, Coatis and other forms of life present in a protected area that gives high opportunity to see wildlife. Travel to the beach to explore for a few hours. Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at Cerro LodgeDay 5: After breakfast you will be heading to Carara National Park, another site of importance for being a transition from the tropical rain forest to tropical dry forest, which makes it a special site of convergence of species from both environments. Enjoy the chances to find the always spectacular Scarlet Macaw as well as birds like trogons (related to quetzals), manakins, and some water birds and who knows, perhaps an encounter with other species such as iguanas, basilisk lizards, and other forms of reptiles. Lunch at a local restaurant and return to the hotel. Afternoon to explore the surroundings of Cerro Lodge. Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at Cerro Lodge.Day 6: Travel to La Ensenada and dry forest. Check out and drive farther north western. Check in at La Ensenada Lodge, a site that will give you the opportunity to find and explore a completely new environment, the tropical dry forest. La Ensenada is located in the tropical dry forest, by the Gulf of Nicoya which makes a perfect chance to see dry forest birds and shore birds. Some of the inhabitants of this area are the White-throated Magpie Jay, Rufous-napped Wren, Turquoise-browed Motmot and more. Meals: B, L,D. Overnight at La Ensenada. Day 7: Visit to Solimar to explore the tropical dry forest environment and its unique species near the Gulf of Nicoya. Birds such as the Turquoise-browed Motmot, Crested Caracara and others will show you the life in this dry environment. Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at La Ensenada.Day 8: We will pick you up at 7 AM and visit Las Heliconias Lodge and travel to La Quinta in Sarapiquí lowlands. Today is a full day that offers magnificent views and places to discover. Breakfast en route. On the way you will cross the Continental Divide to reach the

Caribbean slope of the mountains. Of course this means the presence of some species of birds characteristic of a part of the country that you will get to discover. You will visit Las Heliconias, an eco lodge and property run by local families, which has represented a change of mentality and a positive change in the economy of these families. Besides supporting a local economy that has become environmental responsible, you will be able to see a new part of Costa Rica unexplored by visitors before 1995. Heliconias Lodge and surroundings are habitat to over 300 species of birds, making this location a paradise for birders. Five species of toucans and eighteen species of hummingbirds as well as the Ornate Hawk Eagle, Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo and Toddy Motmot can be found in the area. Lunch at Heliconias and then continue your transit to La Quinta Hotel in Sarapiquí.Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at La Quinta Hotel. Day 9: Visit La Selva Biological Station. After breakfast we will depart for our day visit to La Selva Biological Station, a site that has become a mecca in research of ecology of the tropical forests. We will explore the various trails of the station and discover more birds as well as learn about different projects of research at the Organization for Tropical Studies. Between Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station there is a biological corridor running from almost 9,000 feet down to 105 feet above sea level including four tropical life zones with over 5,000 species of vascular plants and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds as well as an equally diverse fauna. Then return to La Quinta and explore the surroundings of the property enjoying its butterfly farm, poisonous dart frogs and great birding. Meals: B,L,D. Overnight at La Quinta Hotel.Day 10: Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your flight back home.Cost for trip: Double Occupancy: 8 people: $2,700 each. 10 people: $2,500.00; 12: people: $2,400..00. Single suppliment $500. Does not include flight , Alcoholic beverages, laundry or phone service, gratuities nor other expenses in Costa Rica. Does not include travel insurance. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation with final payment due 45 days prior to trip departure. Contact Vicki at [email protected] or at 1-877-359-5235.