- 7 days/6nights
- guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons (to the actual participants)
- guided in English and German
- on seat-in basis

Day 1, Monday:                   San José – Zarcero – hike Zapote – La Vieja – La Fortuna/Arenal volcano
Reception by the tour guide and chauffeur in the City Hotel. After breakfast, we head towards the coffee plantations on the fertile slopes of the Poás volcano, making a short stop in Zarcero to visit the artistically designed gardens of the town church. Zarcero is located on the highest point of the mountain pass, between the central valley and the northern plains. Only a few kilometers north of Zarcero, we start today’s hike at 1’520m altitude. A country lane takes us through meadows and pastures and then 16km downhill through the jungle to the northern plains. The hike ends in the town of La Vieja at an altitude of 300m. On our way, we discover numerous look-out points over the volcanic Cordillera Central and the plains. Not surprisingly, the only town we encounter on our journey is named Buenavista (beautiful view). During the hike, we gain insight into the rural life of the Ticos and have time to get used to the tropical climate. Near La Vieja, we board our bus and drive back to La Fortuna at the foot of the active volcano Arenal. Settling into rooms. Visit to a thermal spring and dinner in the evening.
Included meals today: lunch and dinner, local hot springs
Overnight: Hotel Arenal Paraíso***(*) (standard room)

Day 2, Tuesday:                  Hike Venado – lake Arenal – Los Heroes – La Fortuna
Breakfast and bus drive via Venado to Tigra, where today’s hike begins at an altitude of 475m. The curvy country lane takes us slowly uphill through grasslands (with a few more challenging inclines on the ridge of a mountain range), up to an altitude of 865m. Here, we are treated with a fantastic view over the lake Arenal, the Cordillera de Tilarán and its giant wind generators, and the active volcano Arenal. From the mountain range, we hike downhill until we reach the banks of the lake Arenal at 560m. The hike can be extended by up to 20 km, depending on the weather and how we feel. Many a European will be reminded of the foothills of the Alps when looking over the lake Arenal and the surrounding hilly landscape – however, the tropical vegetation, lava spewing volcano and exotic animals are quick to remind us of where we really are! In the afternoon, you may be surprised to discover that several Europeans have actually settled in this area.
After lunch, we head back to our hotel in La Fortuna. In the evening, you are free to do as you please
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Hotel Arenal Paraíso***(*) (standard room)

 

Day 3, Wednesday: Hike Tierras Morenas – Bijagua
Along the banks of the lake Arenal and via Nuevo Arenal and Guadalajara, we travel up the mountain range of the Cordillera de Tilarán. Here we encounter the giant wind generators that supply the area with electricity. A strong wind blows almost all year round. We start today’s hike at the foot of the volcano Tenorio and head via Tierras Morenas towards Bijagua. The country lane begins at an altitude of 790m and carries us downhill past simple houses, villages and fincas. The view on the way is simply spectacular. You will see the Pacific ocean on the wide horizon, Costa Ricas sunniest province Guanacaste, and the backside of the volcano range Tenorio, Miravalles, Rincón de la Vieja and Orosi, whose foothills we will be hiking across the next several days. At your wish, today’s hike can also be extended. Our target is the hotel by Bijagua, where you are free to enjoy the facilities after moving into your room.
Included meals today: breakfast, snak/lunch, dinner
Overnight: Tenorio Lodge*** Standard Room

Day 4, Thursday: Hike Tenorio national park – Rio Celeste
Today’s agenda features a very special highlight. Even though there are no changing rooms on location, uncomplicated guests should be sure to take bathing suits and towels along. We will hike through the Tenorio national park, in the midst of the Costa Rican jungle, along the banks of the extraordinary river Rio Celeste, which is fed by the streams ‘Roble’ and ‘Buena Vista’. We will hike at a slower pace today because our travel guide will give us a lot of interesting information about the jungle vegetation and point out some animals. We will encounter many types of birds and maybe even monkeys, sloths, coati-mundis and anteaters. Other jungle residents such as reptiles will be harder to come by, as they usually hide from hikers. You don’t need to be afraid of the animals, but a certain level of respect is appropriate. The Rio Celeste is also quite spectacular. The meeting of two rivers colors the water a beautiful sky blue. The color contrast of the water and the rich green of the jungle is a popular motif for photos. Further down the river, natural thermal springs invite guests who don’t have a problem with changing in the outdoors to experience a one of a kind bathing experience. The hike continues to an idyllic waterfall with further bathing opportunities. At the park’s exit, the bus waits to take us back to Bijagua for the night.
Included meals today: breakfast, snack/lunch, dinner
Overnight: Tenorio Lodge***

Day 5, Friday:              Geothermal power plant – Aguas Claras – hike Colonia Blanca - Hacienda Guachipelin
After breakfast, we take the bus via Bagaces to La Fortuna on the foot of the volcano Miravalles, where we will visit one of the most promising power plants of Central America.
The geothermal plant Miravalles uses the subterranean volcanic heat to generate steam which then powers turbines. During the tour (in case we get the permission to enter that specific day), you will learn a lot about this form of energy production. We continue to Aguas Claras, where we head down an unsecured road to the village Colonia Blanca. Today’s hike begins here at an altitude of 560m. A country lane takes us past several houses to the edge of the forest of the giant Rincón de la Vieja national park, which surrounds a volcano of the same name. After lunch, we hike slowly uphill through the forest to the Hacienda Santa María at 1’000m. This is the highest point of our journey. On our way, we have to cross several streams. Our alert guide will be on the lookout for animals. The hike can be extended by up to 23km upon request. From the Hacienda Santa María, we travel downhill to the lodge where we will spend the night
Included meals today: breakfast, snack/lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hacienda Lodge Guachipelín**(*) (Superior room)

 

Day 6, Saturday:         Hike Hacienda – Aguas Termales
Today, we hike directly from the lodge through the Hacienda Guachipelín. This giant Hacienda is almost completely surrounded by untouched jungle, and our hike takes us through this natural paradise, uphill and downhill, without great effort. We will encounter monkeys, toucans and possibly even tapirs. Today, we also recommend you take your bathing suit along so that you can experience a much deserved refreshment at the end of our hike. Return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Lodge Guachipelín**(*) Superior room
Included meals: breakfast, lunchtime picnic, dinner

Day 7, Sunday:         Transfer out
We end this roundtrip with the transfer back to San José. We will drop you off at the hotel of your choice or at the airport, where you reach international flights with a scheduled departure up from 17h00. You can also connect other programs as follows:
a) Beach holidays in Tamarindo
We drop you off at Liberia, where you can connect to the collective bus to Tamarindo, Papagayo, Jacó or Quepos/Manuel Antonio (at extra charge).
b) Programs in the area of Arenal Volcano
We drop you off at Cañas, where you can connect to the collective bus to La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano (extra charge).
Included meals today: breakfast

 

This itinerary is valid until November 2012

 

 Included Services Roundtrip Walking Tour

Not included

 

Departure dates:

Date
Participants
Date
Participants
Date
Participants
13.02.12
4
        
12.03.12          
16.04.12          
07.05.12          
18.06.12          
16.07.12
2
        
13.08.12          
19.11.12          
           
           
           
           
           

Information:

This is a seat-in tour. Please inform your clients, that there might travel other clients from all over the world with them during the whole roundtrip

 

 

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