- 7 days / 6 nights
- guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 persons(to the actual participants)
- every two weeks departures Monday
- guided throughout in English
- on seat-in basis
- IMPORTANT: Only 12 kg free luggage allowed due to the flight on the last day

Day 1, Monday:          San José - Cartago - San Gerardo de Dota
We start our journey driving to the former capital of Costa Rica, the city of Cartago, where we have a quick look to the impressive cathedral "La Basilica". Then, we catch the Panamerican Highway and soon start climbing the Talamanca mountain range. We almost reach the top of the highest pass in the country, but then turn right to San Gerardo de Dota. Check-in at Trogon Lodge**. Located at a level of around 2'000 meters, San Gerardo de Dota is surrounded by untouched cloud forest. This area is still quite unknown and is an excellent place for birdwatching. We enjoy a walk through this beautiful ecosystem observing the trees covered with moss and full of epiphytes. We also have a great chance to see a Quetzal, a shy and colorful bird that has been adored by the Mayans and other Indian populations long before our time. The best time for us to see the birds will be the late afternoon. Overnight at Trogon Lodge**. Please be aware that it can be quite cool up here.
Included meals today: dinner

Day 2, Tuesday:         San Gerardo de Dota - San Isidro - Domincial
We once again have the opportunity to walk through the cloud forest and observe birds early in the morning. We then continue our journey and reach the top of Cerro de la Muerte pass, at a level of 3'400 meters. One hour later we will arrive at San Isidro del General, the capital city of the southern pacific area of Costa Rica. Another thirty minutes later we will arrive to Dominical, located on the Pacific coast. Check-in at hotel Villas Rio Mar***.  Wild beaches with high waves attract many surfers here, but during this afternoon we will focus on the rainforest and walk along mangroves inside the Hacienda Barú. Enjoy the refreshing nature and observe birds and many other animals together with your experienced guide. Overnight at Hotel Villas Rio Mar***.
Included meals today: breakfast

Day 3, Wednesday:      Dominical - Uvita – Golfo Dulce Lodge
After breakfast you may optionally book a kayak tour through the mangroves of Hatillo for about 3 hours before we will follow the road along the coast further south.(About 50.-UsD p.P.) There can't be seen many tourists in this area and that's why you have almost all the beautiful wild beaches alone for yourself! We will visit some of these nice places this morning and depending on the schedule and weather you will also have some time to swim in the ocean. Later we will continue driving to Ciudad Cortés and Palmar Norte and reach the Golfo Dulce Lodge**(*) in the afternoon. The remaining afternoon is at your leisure. You can enjoy the small natural swimming pool, relax in a hammock or ask your guide for a first short walk into the rainforest. Nearby there is a non-public breading station for the ARA Macau parrots. You might see them in couples flying across the lodge from time to time. Another good spot is the platform up in a tree to enjoy a spectacular view. Overnight at the Golfo Dulce Lodge**(*) Deluxe Bungalows.
In the months MAY/JUNE and OCT08 the group will be accommodated at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge.
Included meals today: breakfast and dinner

Day 4, Thursday:      Golfo Dulce Lodge
After breakfast you will start a hike with your guide through a primary rain forest in the back of the lodge. On this tour you can experience some of the secrets of the jungle like the ‘walking palm tree’, the ‘milk-tree’ as well as lianas filled with water etc. We observe plants, birds and further local animals and enjoy the sounds of the jungle. On the quiet Golfo Dulce you also may use one of the kayaks, available for guests to explore the gulf shores.
Overnight at Golfo Dulce Lodge**(*) Deluxe Bungalows.
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Friday:                       Golfo Dulce Lodge  - Golfo Dulce - Puerto Jiménez – La Leona Tent Camp
The lodge organizes our transportation to Puerto Jiménez.. located on the Osa Peninsula. It's a nice experience to observe the colorful life on board of this ferry and we also have a great chance to observe dolphins in the gulf, sometimes accompanying the boat. Once arrived at Puerto Jiménez, we will load our luggage on a sheltered 4-wheel-drive car and have a seat at the back of the vehicle. Our journey continues on a bumpy road, crossing several rivers, to Carate, a small village located directly on the beach. Here we will walk along the beach until we arrive at La Leona Tent Camp. Our luggage and guests who do not want to walk along the beach, will be transported by horse (EXTRA CHARGE). The walk on the beach depends on the tides of the sea. We might need to wait some time until the sea permits walking on the beach, but Carate is such a nice place that this won't worry you.
This place is neither a hotel nor a resort, but a real tent camp. However it is a very comfortable camp. The spacious tents are built on wooden platforms and a light roof construction offers protection against the heavy rainfalls that might occur sometimes. The tents are offering mosquito nets and can be completely closed by curtains. Each tent offers a terrace with 2 chairs and a breathtaking view to the Pacific Ocean. Inside the tent there are two wooden bed constructions with mattresses build about 70 cm from the ground. Between the beds, there is some space to store the luggage. There are 20 tents in total, well distributed in the large terrain and about 20 meters from the ocean. The sanitary facilities can be found in the center of the Camp in independent buildings, each building with 4 toilets, 4 showers and 4 washbasins fixed outside the building. The kitchen, the restaurant and a cozy bar with hammocks are located on a small hill. The restaurant offers excellent cuisine with 4 large wooden tables, where all guests eat together like a big family. You enjoy a beautiful view from the restaurant to the Pacific Ocean.
We enjoy the remaining afternoon inside the camp.
Included meals today: breakfast, dinner

Day 6, Saturday:                  Corcovado National Park
Today it's time to walk through the Corvocado National Park, recognized as the rainforest with the richest biodiversity in whole Central America. Your guide will give you allot of interesting information about this ecosystem. We return to the camp, where the afternoon is at your leisure. You can book an optional tour at extra charge, such as a horseback ride to gold diggers or an adventurous tree climbing to a platform in the canopy of the jungle. Overnight at La Leona Tent Camp.
Included meals today: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Sunday:                     La Leona Tent Camp - San José
Today we unfortunately have to return to San José. Depending on the amount of participants, we either fly back from Carate by charter plane or we drive to Puerto Jiménez to catch a Nature Air flight from here. Please note, that baggage allowance on all flights inside the country is 12 kg. You can store your main luggage at the hotel in San José or in the office of ARA Tours at no extra charge. Our services end at Tobias Bolaños Airport in Pavas, where you will arrive around noon. You can reach your international flight if the scheduled departure is 17h00 or later. You also have the opportunity to book an onward flight with Nature Air or SANSA to Tamarindo or Quepos, to add beach holidays. Please note, if you book a connecting flight with SANSA, a transfer from Pavas Airport to SANSA Airport is necessary (approx. 20 minutes), which will be charged separately like an airport transfer.
Included meals today: breakfast

 

This itinerary is valid until November 2010

 

Included Services Roundtrip "The Wild South"

• Transportation by private bus during the first three days. The journey then continues by public ferry, taxis and plane.
• 12 kg free baggage on the flight back to San José.
• Overnights at the above mentioned hotels or similar.
• Meals as per description.
• 1 non-alcoholic beverage during the included meals.
• English speaking tour guide for the whole roundtrip.
• Entrance fees and taxes (excluding departure tax, currently US$ 26.— per person)
• Documentation with information about the country in English language (the actual travel program has to be provided by the travel agency).

Not Included

• Tips.
• other beverages during the meals.
• Excess luggage for the flight back to San José. However, excess luggage will not be transported in case that the plane is too heavy. We do not recommend to take excess luggage.
• Departure tax, currently US$ 26— per person

Departure dates
Every two weeks on Monday. If you have 4 persons traveling together, we also operate the tour any day of the week.

Date	Participants	Date	Participants	Date	Participants
07.06.10
21.06.10
05.07.10
19.07.10
02.08.10
16.08.10
30.08.10
13.09.10
27.09.10
11.10.10
25.10.10
08.11.10
22.11.10

Information
This is a seat-in tour for the English speaking market. Please inform your clients that there might participate other clients from all over the world on this roundtrip, too