Costa Rica Intrepid Adventure
Costa Rica adventures in the rain forest climbing inside a 900 year old tree!
What could be better than horseback and hiking and climbing trees and wild rafting (the magnificent Pacuare), great food and nature and, of course, rain forests and hiking and rappelling into a jungle canyon and a lava-belching volcano with hot springs and a zip across the canopy tour on ropes and cables and a close-up look at crocodiles and monkeys and exotic birds from a silly little boat.
And don't think this is strictly a kid action trip — we'll guarantee you can do it all whatever your age or prior experience, if you have an open mind and good sense of humor. The INTREPID EXPLORER is a high-adventure quick-paced physically challenging exploration of three areas of Costa Rica — the cloud forest, the white water center near Turrialba, and the truly active volcano, Arenal.
Day 1: Costa Rica tree climbing
Eat a hearty breakfast, then we're off across the mountains. The destination is a primary forest (primary forest? Forest so ancient that it contains trees in excess of 600 years.) There are very few primary forests left in Costa Rica, because they have to withstand not just man's destruction but also nature's own forces of flood, lightning, and wind.
Within the forest is the awesome strangler fig. We'll explain what this is when you see it. And climb it (for those who have no fear of heights, or bats). Inside it. Wow!
Paddling down a river with nature all around us — you can even hop in for a swim
Day 2: Costa Rica Nature-filled exploration
There are a few gentle rivers near Arenal Volcano, full of glorious birds and wildlife — sloth, monkeys, toucans, and caimans (a dead-ringer for a crocodile). We'll explore one of these rivers in our inflatable one and two man kayaks (but remember it is not a crocodile... it just looks like one). These silent boats literally creep up on nature, and, if you are silent, you can often see animals that shy away from humans and noisy powerboats.
Day 3: Horseback through country villages and open high pastures
Country villages, farm lanes, pastures,
and the right horse for every person.
What a beautiful way to start the morning - climbing onto the back of a well-trained horse, then traversing fields and through small villages.
From the saddle you are in a much better position to observe everything around you — and our horses are very good at watching where they are stepping.
After the horses the hot springs beckon — a private place, with no sign out front. And after dark, if the fireworks are exploding atop the volcano, we can sneak over to the base of the volcano, ascend on a private farm, and watch, with no artificial light or sign of another human being, as Arenal rumbles and glows and spits in front of us. Even if cloudy and you can't see it, the sound of the volcano is earth-shuddering, and you feel a bit like David listening for Goliath to appear.
Serendipity has checked many canopy tours. Only a few have the integrity our clients demand. This includes double cables and two attachment systems.
Day 4: One of those famous Costa Rican canopy tours!
In the morning we start our move to the white water area. As we climb over a mountain range and view the diverse changes in climate.
We're stopping en route to take on this popular Costa Rican "sport" — an ascent into the higher branches of the forest with harnesses and zip lines. The cables connect massive trees, and you dangle from the cables, one after another, and zip across from platform to platform.
Day 5: Costa Rica white water rafting on the Pacuare River
The Intrepid Costa Rica adventure means you get to experience Serendipity's style of white water rafting on the Pacuare river.
It's time for a real teamwork expedition - the Pacuare River.
On the way to the river we'll stop to visit our friend who knows about the natural inhabitants of this area (especially those you need to look out for).
Today you will learn the essential skills of great rafting, then venture down into the canyons, with 8 Class IV rapids and almost nonstop action.
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. (NOTE: In high water conditions, Serendipity will change the rafting to a smaller river, either the Pejebeye or the Sarapiquí. In extremely high water conditions we would need to cancel all white water, but this is extremely rare).
Serendipity is very proud of our guide training, emergency procedures and equipment backup system. We have extensive — AND CONSTANTLY REPLENISHED — first aid kits, first aid trained guides, always a bilingual guide with clients, a safety kayaker, an oar boat which also serves as a safety backup boat, ability to communicate with the outside world, and we have a wealth of experience, and respect, for the river. Our guide-to-paddler ratio is unprecedented in Costa Rica, and most other places of the world. These security measures may appear excessive, but we prefer not to test this...
You're sure to get wet as you slide down ropes in our tropical canyons.
Day 6: Canyoning! Ropes, Harnesses, Waterfalls, WOW!
Canyoning is all the stuff from the movies — going down waterfalls attached to ropes, trusting your Serendipity guides, your traveling companions, your harness, and your own adventurous spirit. We'll move from small to bigger to the biggest. And you'll appreciate the hot chocolate to rejuvenate your shaking hands — is it the cold water or the adrenaline?
We'll stay on the west side of San José tonight, with a lovely view of the lights of the Central Valley, or your last view of the lush nature around you.
Day 7: In San José in preparation for your return to civilization
Today, sadly, you have to depart, but you will definitely take with you some great memories and new experiences as well, and probably a few Serendipity bumps and bruises.
Fixed Departure Dates (all start Sunday, end Saturday)
May 16 - 23, 2009
September 27 - October 3, 2009
October 25 - 31, 2009
November 29 - December 5, 2009
January 10 - January 16, 2010
February 7 - February 13, 2010
March 28 - April 3, 2010
April 25 - May 1, 2010
May 16-22, 2010
June 20-26, 2010
July 25-31, 2010
August 22-28, 2010
September 19-25, 2010
October 17-23, 2010
November 21-27, 2010
December 5-11, 2010
Detailed TERMS, DIRE WARNING! and information on making reservations - please READ this before making a reservation
ANY TIME YOU WANT -- if you have a group of 4 or more, we'll operate this trip anytime you decide to come (except Christmas or Easter Week).
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).
Prices
$2790 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy: add $390.
The price includes all hotels (generally 3 star or better), breakfast and lunch each day, all adventures as listed (and some others you'll just happen upon as you move along from place to place), transportation in air conditioned vehicles. NOT INCLUDED are your airline tickets, alcoholic beverages, your exit visa for Costa Rica ($26 per person), and the (optional) tips for your guides.
Evening meals: We do not include evening meals. Why? There is a wide varety of choices, from simple local restaurants to the (pretty repetitive) meals available at hotels. Our guides will decide WITH YOU what restaurant or meal selection you'd like, and we will go there together. By pricing evening meals independently, we are offering you a much larger choice: local restaurants or Americanized hotel food, or perhhaps a very elegant Italian dinner in one of Costa Rica's best restaurants at the beach, or fresh seafood at a place all the locals enjoy.
By the way, a lot of people decide to add a few days at the beach to recover. We can arrange this for you as well.
The first step to enjoying the Intrepid Adventure Tour is to contact us.
