Bike Quest: Costa Rica Mountain biking, Bushwhacking, Rafting, Canyoning in one Action-Packed Week
Biking between two volcanoes includes some rain forest and cloud forest terrain
DAY 1: Volcano to Volcano on two pedals
Your Serendipity guide will pick you up in San José at 8:00, and you are off to the first mountain bike challenge -- starting on the towering Irazú Volcano (3400+ meters MSL.). This volcano is the largest and highest in the country. Sometimes on a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific ocean from the Park (cross your fingers). The air is thin but it’s worth a short hike to see the main crater and some extinct ones on the way.
Helmets, gloves, water bottles, and a small crash course on Costa Rican road signs and you are ready for your two-pedal adventure to the Turrialba Valley, about 42 miles by pedal power, and some pretty wild descents. Some of the most incredible scenery is up ahead as you travel through farms, plantations, and hillside towns on the way down. Your Serendipity leader will let you know when it’s time to hop into the four wheel drive and head for a bite to eat. The campsite is magnificent, with, perched on a rock outcropping overlooking the Turrialba valley -- yet so comfortable -- with hot showers, real toilets, and the only light comes from the bonfire and candles (and the city below).
DAY 2: Biking with rainforest, waterfalls, and wilderness
We've found some interesting places to ride - stop for a swim at the waterfall
Biking from one campsite to another, we’re crossing the Turrialba valley and ascending to the edge of the Indigenous reserve. We'll be biking from 4000 feet down to 2400 feet over 8 KM followed by 5 KM of pretty flat. Up again, (8 KM, from 2000 to 2660 feet), then descending to the Reventazón River (7 KM dropping to 2000 feet). After crossing the lake (Lake? What Lake? On bikes? -- oh, that’s what those paddles and funny boats are for!) we start the serious climb - 22 kilometers, going from 1960 feet to over 4100 feet. The payoff is a beautiful campsite, and the only artificial light is the distance city below you.
DAY 3: Hiking -- or more accurately known as "Bushwhacking"
Hiking in the rain forest means whacking a trail with machetes
The bikes stay below as we head off on foot up into the mountains to explore the tropical humid rainforest. This is a REAL (no manicured trails) hike that involves slippery and wet terrain, muddy jungle trails, machetes, and humidity. At the same time, this trek offers a true insight into the fascinating world of the tropical rainforest and how people survive and enjoy themselves in these areas. We will hike through virgin rainforest as well as ranches and native American territory.
This is real camping, in real isolation.
The hike last about 5 to 6 hours depending on the pace and is an estimated 8 kilometers in rugged mountain environment (note: please do not compare this type foot travel with hiking distances on improved trails or roads. A proper description would be "trailblazing" or “bushwhacking”. You WILL be using your machete). As we approach another stream, we'll stop at our friend's farm and set up camp.
DAY 4: Bike to the river, then intense white water rafting on the spectacular pacuare river
Onto bikes again we’re descending about 13 KM to Bajo Pacuare, a tiny village where our rafts are waiting for us. We will put in for rafting (Class IV) at Bajo Pacuare and take out at Bajo Pacuare. That’s a neat trick (if they were the same place). The are two towns stubbornly holding to their names even though they are separated by 10 KM of outstanding white water.
DAY 5: Canyoning -- ropes, harnesses, waterfalls, WHEEE!
Canyoning means having a lot of faith in your guides and fellow bikers
It is officially a day of canyoning, but getting there by bike is part of the fun. The first canyon is about 7 KM uphill from the campsite.
Canyoning is a new sport in the USA, but in Europe it is well loved for the pure adrenaline it produces. Harnesses and ropes and rock climbing all in waterfalls and deep crevasses, soaking wet and steaming jungle bodies -- enough to convince you Romancing the Stone was someone else’s bridge party. This real adventure trip makes the ‘canopy tour’ over rated.
The choice of canyons will be made almost at the last minute, depending on rains and what bridges are out on the way up to the start. Regardless of which canyon, we'll be hiking through the jungle, machete in hand, until we reach the falls. At this point, your Serendipity Adventure guides will teach you all you need to know (in case you don’t already) about descending down waterfalls using your harness and climbing rope. The adrenaline rush is high and the natural jungle setting is breathtaking.
The second canyon is the payoff -- hop on your bikes and descend -- first for lunch, then to the Jesus Maria waterfall. The descent is fast -- the first 5 KM you'll be passing every vehicle. The next 7 KM are less easy, climbing from 2800 to 3400 feet. But the payoff -- rappelling a 60 foot waterfall
The final leg of the day is after the waterfalls you'll ride to victory, and a good dinner, into Turrialba, almost 7 KM and almost all downhill.
DAY 6 and 7: The magnificent pacuare river - Class IV Big white water
We've found some interesting places to ride - stop for a swim at the waterfall
This is the last adventure - an expeditionary journey on the spectacular Pacuare River (Class III and IV). Our small group (only your raft, with paddles, with two support boats) allows you to make some exploratory hikes and play in the river hydraulics.
This technical river is challenging as we maneuver through awesome rapids, broken by short calm stretches which offer views of the pristine rainforest and cascade after cascade of crystalline waterfalls. The first day you will start by developing skills necessary for late today and all day tomorrow. Remember that we have two rafts with us: the paddling raft, if you want to use your muscles and balance and are quick to respond, and then we also have the oar boat, which carries your gear and food. At any time you can switch between boats -- sort of like going from a Hobie Cat to the Queen Mary. (There is also a safety kayaker, whose only responsibility is to be sure that, if you go out of the boat -- and that is pretty common, and a lot of fun--- you will have a convenient “rescuer” right beside you, immediately). This is the promise of the Pacuare: the powerful water will thrill you, the savage beauty of the surroundings will humble you.
The Pacuare is threatened by plans for a massive hydroelectric project, so we'll enjoy it while we can even as we at Serendipity continue to work to prevent the river’s destruction.
Returning to San José after the river, for a taste of the city. Your Serendipity leader will spend this last evening with you, and you'll get a taste of the Latin night life with a "native". However Serendipity guides are really overage Boy Scouts, so “night life” may be something very different from what you are expecting.
TRIP DATES
All trips start on Sunday, end on Saturday. Meeting place is Hotel Jade y Oro, east side of San José.
2010
January 17 - 23
February 7 - 13
February 28 - March 6
March 14-20
April 11-17
May 9-15
June 20-26
August 1-7
August 29-September 4
September 26-October 2
October 31-November 6
November 28-December 4
ANY TIME YOU WANT -- if you have a group of 6 or more, we'll ride this trip anytime you decide to come (except Christmas or Easter Week). The best riding in this zone of Costa Rica is January through August.
ANY TIME YOU WANT -- SECOND OPTION -- we can accept a booking of minimum 2 persons for any date starting on a Sunday, as long as you book at least 4 months in advance (so we can publish that date on our website and have a chance to get others to sign up for same dates).
Price
$2585 per person; single supplement $290.
BRING YOUR OWN BIKE and SAVE $100: We'll store the bike crate. Most airlines allow a bike instead of a suitcase for a nominal additional fee. Serendipity uses Specialized Rockhopper bikes. Serendipity bikes use clipless pedals.
WHAT ELSE TO BRING? Your favorite camping pillow and pillowcase, headlamp for camping, marshmallows.
The price includes all hotels (3 star or better) and camping, all meals, all adventures as listed (and some others you'll just happen upon as you move along from place to place), transportation. NOT INCLUDED are your airline tickets, alcoholic beverages, your exit visa for Costa Rica ($26 per person), and the (optional) tips for your guides.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
