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Costa Rica "Pura Vida"(PV11)
Degree of Difficulty: 3 (moderate)
Physical Fitness Level: 3
Duration: 11 Days
Bungee Jumping, White-Water Rafting, Sea Kayaking,
Camping, Jungle Hikes, Hot Springs, Snorkeling, Beach, Canopy Touring
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica
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 a plantation style
retreat in Alajuela. This 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.
Adventurers arriving early in the day have their choice of an abundance
of activities ranging from adrenaline-pumping bungee jumping to the
serenity of a peaceful stroll through the beautiful gardens and jungle
surrounding the Plantation. After an exquisite dinner on the terrace
overlooking the Rio Grande Canyon, your primary guide, an expert on
Costa Rica's multitude of adventures and natural beauty, will
familiarize you with the exciting activities of the days ahead.
Days 2 and 3: Arenal Volcano Region
After a relaxing breakfast and the opportunity to enjoy the excellent
amenities of the retreat, you will travel along the Continental Divide
via motor coach to the Arenal Region, home to the Arenal volcano, one of
the 100 most active in the world.
Upon our arrival in the town of La Fortuna we will climb aboard the
sure-footed horses that will 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-fed hot springs in the shadow of
the Arenal Volcano. Costa Rica Extreme has exclusive use of a beautiful,
uncrowded hot springs. Thermal pools, steamy waterfalls and streams and
a verdant landscape will enhance your escape as you melt away your day's
aches.
The next day our activities will include a hiking tour of the Arenal
Volcano National Park where, weather permitting, you will be able to
experience the looming giant from a very intimate perspective.
Alternatively, you may wish to forego the hiking and take a leisurely
float trip done the Class I portion of the San Carlos River. Though
there are no major rapids on this portion of the San Carlos, the trip
will be exciting nonetheless given the lush tropical flora and the
abundant riverside wildlife. The float trip will also give you the
opportunity to become familiar and comfortable with our rafting
equipment and the techniques you will need the next day on the Pacuare
River.
Day 4 and 5: Pacuare River Rafting
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel your activities begin in
earnest as you embark on our signature excursion activity, white water
rafting down the mighty Pacuare River. A drive that will take you
through the cloud forest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park will end
at the Pacuare River put-in. 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, the defending Costa Rican National White
Water Champions. Once the team is ready, you will begin an exhilarating
trek down the powerful and mystical Class II, III and IV rapids. You
will stop during the journey to hike to incredible cascading waterfalls
and through dense jungle flora in the primary rain forest.
After several hours of invigorating rafting, you 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 your guides
prepare a delicious dinner. Platform tents 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.
Awaking to the sweet sounds of toucans, hummingbirds and cicadas and the
equally delightful smell of breakfast with robust Costa Rican coffee,
you will be ready to explore the varied landscape and abundant animals
of the Costa Rica Extreme private reserve before climbing back aboard
your raft to continue the challenge of the mystifying Pacuare. Several
class III and IV rapids will confront you before stopping for lunch. A
natural outcropping, 30 feet above the river, provides a perfect perch
to appreciate the
the majesty and beauty of the Pacuare as well as the tasty lunch
prepared by the guides. After lunch, you will gently float through the
Dos Montañas Canyon, teeming with an abundance of trees, plants,
waterfalls, birds and other endemic wildlife.
After conquering several vigorous rapids you will leave the river behind
you and return to San Jose for a night at a colonial style hotel built
within a former coffee plantation house situated in the middle of town.
The exquisite hotel features 36 individually decorated rooms and has
been recognized as one of the most distinctive hotels in Costa Rica.
Day 6 - Day 9: Osa Peninsula
Today your adventures necessitate an early morning departure to Pavas
airport for a 40-minute flight to Palmar Sur in the Osa Peninsula (at
the southwest corner of the country). Upon landing you will be
transferred to the Sierpe River for a two-hour riverboat trip to the
remote and enchanting Punta Marenco at the edge of the Corcovado
National Park in Drake Bay. The Punta Marenco, your home for the next
three nights, is renown throughout Costa Rica for it's extraordinary
hospitality, incredible vistas and exotic and rustic appeal.
In addition to the Punta Marenco’s relaxing atmosphere, you will enjoy
several activity-filled days ranging from a day tour of the Corcovado
National Forest, a 50,000-acre jungle sanctuary filled with the
incredible diversity of wildlife for which Costa Rica is famous to a day
on Caño Island, twelve miles off shore where you will snorkel, explore
or just lounge lazily on the beach soaking up the warm sunshine.
The Punta Marenco also features many optional activities that can be
added to your excursion (for an additional charge) including deep sea fishing
charters and scuba diving.
Day 9 - Day 10: Quepos/Manuel Antonio
Leaving the Osa Peninsula by small plane you will be rewarded with
breath-taking vistas of the magnificent Pacific Ocean as you arrive at
your next destination, the quaint seaside towns of Quepos and Manuel
Antonio. Your home for the next two days will be a private bungalow
amidst lush gardens on a 180-acre private reserve. This afternoon, you
will enjoy beach activities and rest for the next day’s early start.
The next morning, once the tides have reached a navigable level, and
after being trained in the operation of your ocean kayak, you will head
across the bay to the tranquil waters of Isla Damas. Silently gliding
along the water, the sun at your back, you will paddle 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, you will see sloths,
monkeys, crabs, egrets, iguanas and maybe even dolphins and whales. A
deserted beach provides a well-deserved opportunity to stretch and enjoy
lunch - topped off by milk from the fresh coconuts harvested by your
guide from the nearby trees.
Your kayaking excursion will end at Playa Manuel Antonio, where you 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.
Day 11: Departure
Early in the morning you will depart from Quepos and transfer to Juan
Santamaria International Airport in time for your return flight home.
Costa Rica Extreme's comprehensive Itinerary includes:
- Professional, English-speaking, world-class athletes as your primary
guides
- All meals and beverages (except for alcoholic ones)
- All tolls and taxes
- All gratuities
- All admission fees and rental charges
- All equipment for posted activities (except personal items)
- Safety training and instructions for all activities
- All in-country transfers and accommodations (11days/10 nights)
Rate:
$2400 Per Person (USD). Double occupancy. Single occupancy surcharge
$450.
Rate does not include airfare to/from Costa Rica, airport departure
taxes, personal equipment, personal expenses or optional activities.
cr.costa rica Extreme.PV11
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