DESTINATIONS - Costa Rica

Costa Rica, the gem of Central America, is blessed with an abundant share of the world’s biodiversity. With 25% of the country’s land area devoted to national parks and similar areas, Costa Rica can boast one of the world’s largest percentages of protected land mass. Inasmuch as tourism plays a significant role in the nation’s GNP, Costa Rica has developed an infrastructure devoted to meeting a broad range of tourist needs. There is no dearth of opportunities and resources that appeal to senior adventure travelers. Elder Expeditions is pleased to offer this ‘fun in the sun’ and the ‘off the beaten track’ location.

Highlights include:

• Raft the whitewater of the Pacuare River
• Jungle hikes
• Fly through the treetops and over gorges on ziplines
• Relax in hot springs in active Volcan Arenal's shadow
• Swim in the mists below the thundering falls of Rio Celeste
• Swim in the mists below the thundering falls of Rio Celeste
• Get a close-up lesson in rainforest ecology on hikes around Volcan Tenorio
• Exploration by horseback

Minimum participants: 2 | Maximum participants: 9

Languages: Spanish, English

ITINERARY:
This day to day itinerary is subject to change based on variables, such as weather and safety issues. Although the local hosts will have the final authority to select alternative activities, they will make every reasonable effort to take the wishes of the group into consideration.

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
We meet at the international airport in San Jose, Costa Rica's bustling capital, and transfer to a deluxe hotel for our first night in Costa Rica.
Evening: We will be on our own for dinner, i.e. the cost of tonight’s dinner will be outside of the tour cost.

Day 2: (Transfer to the Pacuare River and Whitewater Rafting)
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel we will be transferred to the Pacuare River for a 3 day 2 night sojourn. Upon arriving at the river, we will have some safety instruction then we’ll set out to begin our orientation of the Pacuare River with some mild “practice” rapids.
Noon: We’ll have lunch at a lodge overlooking the river.
Afternoon: After lunch we will hike to a small waterfall for a swim.
After reaching our takeout point, we will trade our river raft for a four legged mount and head out to explore the surrounding area by horseback.
Evening: Our clean and comfortable lodge on the Pacuare was carved out of the jungle by a long-time Costa Rican river guide and his staff. The food is excellent-salads, pasta, fish, steaks, traditional fare like gallo pinto and fresh fruit, home-baked breads and desserts

Day 3: (Hiking the Jungle)
Morning: After a delicious breakfast at our lodge on the river, we'll depart for a full-day, uphill climb through lush rainforest, crystal clear streams and stunning wildlife. The Talamanca Mountains are host to the Cabecar Indians, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica, and one that retains many of its traditional customs and beliefs.
Noon: Picnic lunch on the hiking trail.
Afternoon: Continuing our walk we will slowly make our way up steep inclines and through verdant flora, where our steps will be accompanied by strange piercing calls punctuating the stillness and followed by the flutter of wings and a burst of color.
Evening: Dinner at our Lodge on the Pacuare.

Day 4: (Rafting the Pacuare)
Morning. We will start our day with a birding walk for those who may be interested and then a leisurely breakfast before heading out to the river. With our Day 2 warm up paddling experience we are now ready to brave the larger (class III and IV) rapids on a longer (about 14 miles) river run.
Noon: Around noon we'll stop for a short walk up to another waterfall with a delightful swimming hole. Then it’s back to the river for more fun rapids before stopping for a picnic lunch.
Afternoon: After lunch we'll have about an hour and half left on the river, including one the most narrow and beautiful stretches of the river where we will let our raft drift under cascading waterfalls or jump in and let the river carry us gently along for a time.
Evening: Dinner on the way to Volcan Arenal. Overnight at a comfortable lodge.

Day 5: (Zip Lining)
Morning: Our day will begin with a complete breakfast at the lodge and then a leisurely morning swimming, taking a dip in the hot tub, hiking in the Arenal National Park where we can enjoy the astounding views of the volcanos and the nearby Lake Arenal.
Noon: Following lunch at the lodge, we embark on our zip lining adventure.
Afternoon. The zip lining experience will be quite varied in terms of speeds, lengths, and heights. Some of the lines are as long as 2400 feet and, at least one is over 600 feet above ground. The tram to the start of the first line takes us through the canopy slowly, where, on a clear day, we will have some spectacular views of the tree tops, the wild orchids, and the volcano. From our vantage point in the trees, the cacophony of jungle sounds can make for an awesome audio experience as well, as rocks tumble down the face of the volcano.
Evening: A welcome hot springs treat awaits us this evening with an opportunity to soak and relax before returning to our lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: (Transfer to the Volcan Tenorio Region and Horseback Riding)
Morning: After breakfast at the lodge, we will take an early morning walk or enjoy a final soak in the lodge’s hot tub before our transfer to our next lodge in the Volcan Tenoria region. At our new lodge, we will be blessed with a true Costa Rican authentic friendly and rustic ranch experience.
Noon: Lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon. Our afternoon will be spent on horseback, roaming about the ranch and into the nearby jungle.
Evening: After an authentic Tipo meal, at the lodge, we will have a relaxing evening beside a hearth side fire, or in the hot tub or taking a dip in the stone pool (heated by an innovative wood stove) along the river.

Day 7: (Hike in Tenorio National Park Cloud Forest Along Rio Celeste)
Morning: After breakfast we start out on a fairly challenging four hour hike through the lush cloud forest where numerous interesting stops and sights dot the way.
Noon. Picnic lunch on the trail.
Afternoon. We'll have time in the afternoon to swim in the river, or enjoy the hot tub or hammocks.
Evening. Another authentic Tico meal at the lodge.

Day 8: (Departure Day)
Morning. Breakfast at the lodge and then it’s off to the international airport at San Jose for our homeward bound journey.
Noon. Lunch not included as part of the trip, but food is available at the airport.
Anyone wishing to extend his or Costa Rican experience with a visit to the Pacific coast should contact Elder Expeditions for assistance.

2012 DATES
March 23 - March 30, 2012
July 14 - July 21, 2012

Trips with 2 to 5 participants: $2035 per person.

Trips with 6 to 9 participants: $1850 per person

A single supplement of $350 applies unless solo travelers are willing to share a room and Elder Expeditions is able to match the solo traveler with another solo traveler of the same sex.

• Meet & Greet at the airport
• Luggage handling fee at the airport
• All ground transfers on a deluxe A/C motorcoach
• Lodging from the first through the seventh night
• All tours and activities described above
• All activity and related safety equipment
• All meals from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 8
• All taxes and service charges.

The stated price does not include gratuities, alcoholic beverages, airport departure tax and items of a purely personal nature.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable forty days prior to Day 1 of this expedition.

A single supplement of $300 will apply for solo participants not wishing to share lodging. The single supplement will not be charged if a solo participant agrees to share lodging and Elder Expeditions is able to arrange same sex shared lodging.

LODGING

All lodging is clean and comfortable, with rooms of either deluxe or superior quality. Elder Expeditions lodging facilities are carefully chosen for their proximity to activities, the quality of the rooms and food service.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. As our hosts can accommodate different physical activity abilities, a regularly active person as well as a beginner will be wholly at ease.

Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 6 steady uphill miles through humid cloud forest, ascending medium-sized waterfall (9.6 kilometers).

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than Costa Rica are advised to check with the Costa Rican embassy (or a Costa Rican consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements. As of January, 2012, the following rules were in effect:

• Your passport must be in good condition and, depending on your country of origin, it must be valid for three to six months beyond the date of your anticipated departure from Costa Rica.
• You must have a valid return or onward travel ticket or other proof that you will be exiting Costa Rica at the end of your authorized stay,
• Most travelers are automatically issued a visa (stamped on their passport) when they enter Costa Rica and not before. Visitors from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Those from other countries should check with their nearest consulate.

No inoculations /vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. We recommend that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.