Costa Rica Challenge Adventure Tour
A week of muscle stretching, surprising adrenaline and action adventure
Only for the young of soul and fit of body. Class IV white water rafting on the Pacuare River , mountain biking, hiking, camping, canopy zip lines, canyoning, -- in cloud forest, rain forest, pristine rivers, all in an amazing seven days
Day 1-Sunday: your first Costa Rica adventure - getting to downtown alone!
Your first adventure is clearing customs and walking through the maze at the airport out to the taxi section. You'll be on your own getting to the hotel in San Jose. Once in town enjoy the sights of the city. There is good bus service; let us know your flight details and we'll get you pointed to your first Adventure — taking an inter-city bus from the airport into town. Once in town one of Serendipity's guides will be meeting with you (if you are there by dinner time) and we can go over some of the action for the days to come.
Your group will decide the intensity of your
mountain
biking to match
your level of enthusiasm.
Day 2-Monday: Costa Rica mountain biking between volcanoes - from Irazu to Turrialba
Your Challenge leader will pick everyone up at the hotel at 8:00 to start heading toward the wilder parts of Costa Rica. It's your first chance to get really sweaty, and possibly use some excess adrenaline. Mountain biking 30 KM from Irazú to Turrialba volcanoes passes through villages and streams and into cloud forest (that's VERY different from rain forest!), starting at 4500 and reaching 8,800 feet MSL. The route runs from extreme to benign, from steep to flat, from open terrain to remote isolation. We have a whole day, and can make two different forays into the hinterlands, starting with a moderate three hour run through nestled villages and large farms, and, after everyone agrees that they want more pedal pushing, hit a harder trail for the afternoon. We're sleeping up here tonight in a very rustic cabin (Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 3-Tuesday: Hiking with a purpose
Combine waterfalls, ropes, harnesses and a lot of TRUST in yourself and your Serendipity guides
Today we're hiking, ascending Turrialba volcano. You'll feel the altitude (it's 11,300 feet at the top) and get accustomed to the thin air. The rim of this perfect cone is only about 500 feet across, and the drop-off on either side reminds you very clearly how recently this volcano was VERY active — only about 120 years ago it spewed forth tons of molten lava in the valley below. If current conditions permit then you are descending into the cone (caldera) where you'll see and hear steam vents blowing yellow vapors skyward, some surprisingly close to where you'll be hiking. The volcano is very active again, and several farms in the area have been closed because of sulfur fumes. But it is still open most days for hiking.
If the volcano is too active, we have a waterfall to visit, or simpler hiking at Guayabo ruins, Costa Rica's single pre-Columbian site.
The campsite overlooks the Turrialba valley, and lights of the city 1,000 feet below. The tents are real tents, and you'll need a warm blanket in the fresh mountain air, but the shower has flowing hot water, and we even have flush toilets. (Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4-Wednesday: Costa Rica Canyoning
Canyoning requires trust, sure feet, and some basic skills that Serendipity will teach you
Canyoning in Costa Rica is unlike anywhere else you may have tried it. The jungle makes the difference. We have a series of waterfalls (one of our canyon choices features 18 separate waterfalls), so clear and sparkling that you are tempted to drink it as you descend on foot, with straps, in harnesses and on ropes and carabiners and figure eights, sometimes using your feet, sometimes using your knees, and often using your butt. With sunshine and giant trees and glorious birds and butterflies all around you, it sure beats a climbing gym.
You are sleeping in a hotel in the center of Turrialba, and are free to wander town on foot and hunt up local night life. (Includes breakfast, lunch)
Start the adrenaline pumping when you fly through the tree tops.
Day 5-Thursday: Costa Rica canopy tour - zip lines in the jungle
The canopy tour is the most famous Costa Rica adventure tour. STrap on the harness, clip on the carabiners, and hook yourself onto the cable. Then zip -- sometimes as fast as 20 miles an hour -- from one platform to the next, suspended in forest trees. This is a pure adrenaline activity, and an excuse to get outdoors in the forest. (Includes breakfast, lunch).
You are at the same hotel tonight, and it is Ladies' Night at the local bars... so always lots of dancing and people watching.
Day 6-Friday: White water rafting the Pacuare River
The final Challenge — the magnificent Pacuare, 19 miles of Class IV adrenaline white water rafting. You'll be pleased with all the earlier teamwork you've developed over the past week, because now you can take on some of the big challenges in this river, knowing exactly how each person will react, how to look out for your team members, how they will look out for you.
And of course you will swim here, too, and of course there will be a rescue kayaker right next to you when you fall in (we sort of know the tough spots, and your safety kayaker is standing by with the right equipment to be sure you exit the water, laughing at yourself). Pure adrenaline, and you'll be amazed at what you have experienced. This one day, if none other, you'll tell your grandchildren. (Includes breakfast, lunch)
The Pacuare river is well known for its beautiful scenery, pristine wilderness, and continuous class III and IV rapids.
After the river we're going directly back to San José, and your last evening in the capital city will be a great time to carouse and share stories, exchange addresses and photos and promises to return next year for another week of adrenaline and sore muscles.
Day 7-Saturday: Return to civilization. Goodbye, Costa Rica adventures!
(OPTION: Your official CHALLENGE itinerary returns to San José. But you can take advantage of the fact that you are half way to the Caribbean beaches at the end of the river, and opt to head EAST 3 hours via car to Puerto Viejo or Cahjuita, for $230 for one to six people. And Serendipity can make your hotel reservations and arrange your return to San José from the beach... just ask us!)
Your departure is today, alas! Depending on your departure flight you might want to grab a taxi (about $22) from the hotel, or once again, the city bus. But this time the city bus adventure will seem pretty tame, and your confidence in your ability to survive will be significantly enhanced. Yes, you'll have bruises and probably road rash and lumps to prove you were here, and really alive for a whole week. We hope to see you next year, again!
Departure Dates (A great Costa Rica group adventure!)
Upcoming departure dates (each trip starts Sunday, ends Saturday):
2009
September 6–12, 13–19, 20–26, 27–October 3
October 4–10, 11–17, 18–24, 25–31
November 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, 29–December 5
December 6–12, 13–19
2010
January 10–16, 17–23, 24–30, 31–February 6
February 14–20, 21–27, 28–March 6
March 7–13, 14–20, 21–27
April 4–10, 11–17, 18–24, 25–May 1
May 2–8, 9–15, 16–22, 23–29, 30–June 5
June 6–12, 13–19, 20–26, 27–July 3
July 4–10, 11–17, 18–24, 25–31
August 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, 29–September 4
September 5–11, 12–18, 19–25, 26–October 2
October 3–9, 10–16, 17–23, 24–30, 31–November 6
November 7–13, 14–20, 21–27, 28–December 4
December 5–11, 12–18
If you have a self-formed group of 6 or more, we will operate this itinerary at any time you choose for the group departure price except December 18-January 2 or March 28-April 4 (because of holiday costs).
Detailed TERMS, DIRE WARNING! and information on making reservations - please READ this before making a reservation
Do you have your own group of four or more? This itinerary is available for private, self-formed groups of 4+ persons at the same price.
Date not right for you? We can accept a booking for a minimum of two people for any date starting on a Sunday if you book at least 4 months in advance (so we can add others to your dates).
Prices
U.S. $1799 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy add $295. Reservation confirmed upon deposit of $450, paid with personal check or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or American Express). Balance due 30 days before trip starts. Balance by personal check, wire transfer or company check; other payment methods require a processing fee of 4%.
Price includes transportation within Costa Rica, all the adventures listed, all hotels (good, safe, basic accommodations: clean, private bathroom, hot water shower, center of town) and most breakfasts and lunches (as indicated). Does not include airfare to and from Costa Rica.
HOTEL UPGRADE:
In San José upgrade to Radisson Europa, add $300
In Turrialba upgrade to Casa Turire (4-star boutique hotel with fine dining) add $600
All departures begin on Saturday and the Challenge itinerary is complete on Sunday. Serendipity will be happy to arrange additional days elsewhere in the country (beach, volcano area, cloud forest or city).
The first step to enjoying this Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
