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COSTA RICA CHALLENGE (CRC9)
Degree of Difficulty: 4 (difficult)
Physical Fitness Level: 3
Duration: 9 Days
Activities:
Mountain Biking, Sea Kayaking, Canopy Tour, White-Water Rafting,
Horseback Riding, Camping, Hot Springs, Swimming, Jungle Hikes
Day 1:
Upon your arrival in Costa Rica you will be greeted by your Costa Rica
Extreme primary guide, a resident expert on all the flora and fauna of
Costa Rica as well as the many activities that await you. Your guide
will accompany you throughout your excursion, serving as Trip Leader,
companion and facilitator.
Your first night in our magical country will be at one of our favorite
colonial style hotels. (B,L,D)
Day 2:
Your day begins early with a private motor coach journey high above the
Central Valley, where the clouds are so close that you will swear that
you could reach out and kiss them with little effort. Now we truly begin
your adventure. Saddling up on fine horses, we will ride along the
Continental Divide down the same historical paths traveled by the
soldiers of the Liberacion Nacional during the 1948 Civil War. Galloping
through the fields, farms and primary forest, you will appreciate the
feel of the wind blowing past you as you experience the most beautiful
vistas in the Central Valley. After our exhilarating ride, we will enjoy
a delectable lunch with a panoramic view of San Jose and its surrounding
communities.
Your afternoon is free to spend as you wish at the resort hotel that is
your home for the night: hiking, swimming in the indoor pool, playing
tennis or basketball - it is all here for you to enjoy.
In the early evening we will select and prepare your mountain biking and
safety equipment and enjoy a brief sunset ride. A sumptuous dinner, a
relaxing evening and a comfortable villa will prepare you for the
demanding ride tomorrow. (B,L,D)
Day 3:
Today we face our most extreme challenge yet. After a hearty Costa Rican
style breakfast, we mount our bicycles and begin the vigorous ride from
Aserri to Quepos (approximately 70 Km.). During our journey you will
encounter diverse communities and wildlife as we traverse the intimate
back roads of rural Costa Rica. While the majority of our ride will be a
brisk descent on gravel roads, there will be significant uphill climbs
and single-track paths. We stop for lunch in a picturesque village along
the way to rest our weary muscles and gather our strength for the miles
ahead. Luckily, our support vehicle will provide much needed
refreshments, spare parts and an occasional respite. Our reward after so
many kilometers will be an incredible panorama of the magnificent
Pacific Ocean as we arrive at our destination, the quaint seaside towns
of Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Our home for the next two days will be a
180 acre private rancho with personal bungalows and lush gardens. (B,L,D)
Day 4:
We will gather early in the morning for a filling breakfast at a local
café along the shore as we await the rising tides. After being fully
trained in the operation of our ocean kayaks, we will head across the
bay to the tranquil waters of Isla Damas. Silently gliding along the
water, the sun at our backs, we will paddle our way through the mangrove
canals. The Manuel Antonio area is home to 184 species of birds, 78
types of fish, and over 100 mammals. Without much effort, we will see
sloths, monkeys, crabs, egrets, iguanas and maybe even dolphins and
whales. A deserted beach provides a well-deserved opportunity to stretch
our legs and enjoy lunch - topped off by milk from the fresh coconuts
harvested by our guide from the nearby trees.
Our kayaking excursion will end at Playa Manuel Antonio, where we will
spend the rest of the day hiking in nearby Manuel Antonio National Park,
bodysurfing, swimming, joining in on a spirited beach soccer game or
just relaxing on the warm, white sand. (B,L,D)
Day 5:
Early in the morning we depart from Quepos, sinking happily into our
comfortable seats on our air-conditioned motor coach for the scenic
drive to the Arenal region. We will stop along the way to enjoy the many
views of the Central Mountain Range and a delectable Costa Rican lunch.
Once at the resort, a working horse ranch, your afternoon is free to
enjoy the abundant and luxurious amenities. Alternatively, grab your
guide and head to the Peñas Blancas River for a picturesque and
peaceful, 2 1/2-hour float trip (be sure to avoid the crocodiles along
the banks). (B,L,D)
Day 6:
Arise at sunrise to take pleasure in seeing and hearing nature come to
life all around you. A delicious all-you-can-eat, scrumptious buffet
will provide us with the energy for yet another ambitious day. The
Arenal Volcano, looming majestically a stones throw away, will serve as
a backdrop for an early morning hike through the Arenal National Park.
The Volcano last erupted in 1998; however its continuous lava flows,
deep rumbling and falling boulders are a constant reminder of the power
and presence of this sleeping giant. Hiking through the Park we will
encounter many local species, including: white-faced monkeys, howler
monkeys, vipers, tropical birds and occasionally ocelots and coatis, to
name a few.
After lunch, a short drive past the town of La Fortuna will bring us to
the sure-footed horses to carry us to the base platform for our canopy
tour.
Riding through coffee fields and papaya farms, we climb up into the
primary rainforest, to the first of twelve platforms. Strapped into your
rappelling harness, helmet on, clipped via pulley to a braided steel
cable, 100 feet above the ground without a safety net, you lunge into
the air. Sailing gracefully, you enjoy an exhilarating, birds-eye view
of the forest below. Tree to tree, you fly effortlessly, slowing down
only to appreciate the variety of animals that live high above the
ground in the canopies of the rainforest.
Exhausted after our thrilling zip-line adventure we will soak our weary
bodies relaxing in the warmth of lava heated hot springs in the shadow
of the Arenal Volcano. Costa Rica Extreme has exclusive use of a
beautiful facility far from the tourist crowd. Thermal pools, steamy
waterfalls and streams and a verdant landscape will enhance your escape
as you melt away your day's aches. (B,L,D)
Day 7:
After an early breakfast at the resort, we will set off for the Pacuare
River. Long regarded as the most scenic and best white-water rafting
river in Costa Rica, the Pacuare is also considered one of the top five
rafting rivers in the world.
After being properly outfitted with your safety equipment and paddle,
you will be provided with comprehensive rafting and safety instruction
by our world-class guides. Once our team is ready, we will begin our
exhilarating trek down the powerful and mystical Class II, III and IV
rapids. We will stop during our journey to hike to incredible cascading
waterfalls and through dense jungle flora in the primary rain forest.
After several hours of invigorating rafting, we will arrive at the Costa
Rica Extreme Tent Camp (our private 85 acre reserve). Relax during happy
hour with hors d'oeuvres and guaro punch (native Costa Rican sugarcane
rum blended with fresh tropical fruits) while we prepare your delicious
dinner. Costa Rica Extreme guides are great at cooking delicious food in
the jungle. Your personal platform tent will serve as your home for the
night as you fall asleep listening to the roar of the river and the
endless songs of the jungle's countless inhabitants. (B,L,D)
Day 8:
Awake to sweet sounds of toucans, hummingbirds and cicadas and the
equally delightful smell of breakfast with robust Costa Rican coffee. We
will explore the varied landscape and abundant animals of the Costa Rica
Extreme private reserve before we climb back aboard our rafts to
continue our challenge of the mighty Pacuare. Several class III and IV
rapids will confront us before we stop for lunch. A natural outcropping,
30 feet above the river, provides us with a perfect perch to appreciate
the majesty and beauty of the Pacuare as well as the tasty lunch
prepared by the guides. After lunch, the daring amongst us may leap into
the river and gently float on our backs through the Dos Montañas Canyon,
teaming with an abundance of trees, plants, waterfalls, birds and other
endemic wildlife. Once back aboard our raft we will tackle some of the
more technical and challenging stretches of the river with several Class
IV rapids to invigorate us.
Sadly, our journey must end and we leave the river for our return to the
San Jose area. Your last night will be spent at an intimate plantation
inn in Alajuela. The plantation is surrounded on three sides by coffee
and orange farms and the remaining side is bordered by a 3,000 acre
nature preserve encompassing a canyon with hiking trails, a waterfall
and dense tropical flora. It features a main house detailed with
tropical hardwoods, glass and stone, and exquisite cottages inspired by
the Japanese design traditions of openness and harmony. We will relax on
our last evening together as you unfortunately prepare for your
unavoidable departure the next day. (B,L,D)
Day 9:
We will escort you to Juan Santamaria International Airport in time for
your return flight home. (B)
What's Included:
- World-class athletes serving as your Primary Guides
- All meals and beverages (except for alcoholic ones)
- All tolls, taxes and gratuities
- All admission fees and rental charges
- All equipment for posted activities (except personal items)
- All in-country transfers and accommodations (9 days/8 nights)
- Safety training and instructions for all activities
Rate:
$2700.00 USD per person/double occupancy excluding International airfare
to/from San Jose, Costa Rica. Single supplement $450.00 p/p
Note: Itinerary, locations and venues are subject to change without
notice.
cr.extreme.crc9
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