Costa Rica eco challenge: The Cabecar Trail
(also known as Bushwhacking to the River)
Costa Rica extreme adventure: an eco challenge for those who love pushing hard, discovering themselves
Some of the bridges have ropes to hold on to, some have only your sense of balance to trust. None have stoplights, or lane markers...
The Cabecar Indians are among the most private, and remote, indigenous people left in Central America. Their mountainous land is isolated, and the Cabecars live within their own communities, wishing to stay away from the buzzing civilization outside their mountains.
We at Serendipity are privileged to be permitted to enter their land. We have agreed that we will not alter the land in any way. We have agreed, also, to make no effort to contact Cabecars while using their land. If, during our expedition, they wish to contact us, they will do so.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: mountain biking
We'll drive about an hour from the white water capital of Turrialba towards the south where we'll climb on our bikes. We're in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, and heading east and north on gravel roads and some single track for about five hours. Finally a sign of civilization: an isolated village, where everyone is busily working as they have for several generations, where finally now there is electricity but still no telephones. We'll continue on a bit to find the ideal place for the night.
As we prepare camp you can explore the surrounding area, or swim or simply sip piña coladas while floating supine in the clear river next to us. We'll sleep under the stars and have a magnificent view of the jungle up above and the village below.
Day 2: hiking in indigenous lands
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 belonging to these native Americans.
The hike last about 5 to 6 hours depending on the pace and is an estimated 12 kilometers in rugged mountain environment (note: please do not compare this type foot travel with hiking distances on trails or roads. A proper description would be "bushwhacking" rather than simply hiking.).
As we approach another river, we'll stop at our friend's private vegetable and fruit farm and set up camp. Nearby is a great swimming hole and an intriguing hanging bridge made of all natural materials. Tonight we will make a grand dinner and invite the farm workers to join us.
The guides get to walk behind the horses. A better arrangement if something goes off a horse.
Day 3: horseback and pack horses to the (Top) Pacuare River
We will make our final descent into the canyon where we'll start our paddle adventure. The trek is long, steep and very hard, and we'll be eternally grateful to our sure-footed horses — carrying us, all our gear, water, and food necessary for today and tomorrow. That includes rafts, kayaks, paddles, life jackets, etc., on horseback.
The horses descend about 1200 feet of altitude for 18 kilometers into a lush green tropical paradise where the last of the Cabecar Native American race remain. The Cabecars speak their own language, and prefer living in isolation from the turmoil of the white races. There's no electricity, no phones, no radios or television here — it is much as it was a hundred years ago, or a thousand. We'll get a small glimpse of a style of life the extreme opposite of what we endure in our "civilized" world... a place where your only source of fun, laughter, help, comfort and assistance is a friendly neighbor.
We'll reach the campsite with some time for exploration of the nearby forest or simply enjoy the surrounding creeks and pools. We'll set up camp before dark and have a wonderful dinner. Sleep tight, for tomorrow is our biggest challenge yet!
Day 4: White water rafting or duckies down the (Top) Pacuare
Your final challenge: a 22 kilometer stretch of technical class III and IV white water. This is a stretch of river that very few visitors to Costa Rica ever get to see because it is accessible only by foot or horses. The rewards are, however, worth the work of getting here — technical, pristine, unspoiled river, all ours, all very real.
This, friends, is a Duckie. First, figure out which end is front. Second, figure out which boat has the guy who is going to rescue you when you go out. When the water level permits it, or when your experience level requests it, we descend in Duckies — a.k.a. "forgiving" kayaks. Even novices quickly get the hang of it, and the adrenaline is intense.
We'll start by outfitting everyone properly and teaching you the essentials of white water survival and the teamwork that makes white water such a thrilling sport. This includes some pretty specific instructions on how to find an eddy, what you do with an eddy, and what you do when you can't find an eddy. There is a "real" kayaker with us, too, someone who knows how to show you an eddy, pull you to an eddy, or get you back into your boat without an eddy. You've probably figured out by now that an eddy is definitely your friend.
Descending the river we'll probably see Natives Americans working nearby fields with their mules or oxen, or fishing or washing clothes and definitely enjoying the bounty of nature, the jungle, and the river. All of this in addition to the glorious white water: While it is a very technical river, with lots of maneuvering, it is also not a seriously risky river. Descending will take us about 5 hours.
The first sign of "our style" of civilization is a bridge, and our driver will be waiting for us, with something to eat and drink on our way to our hotel, a hot shower, and dinner. We'll take time tonight to reminisce and celebrate the jungle, its awesome splendor, its terrifying hugeness, and to feel, for the last time together, the bond that jungle explorers build between them.
Kim White, after she and Damien and Ben White survived the Cabecar Trail, wrote: "..not just fun; I was challenged and survived. The country, the activities, the fun, the pain, the people and the crew, I loved every minute of it. My bruises are badges of honor I wear proudly. All of Costa Rica has entered my heart. I aspire to join the Serendipity team in Costa Rica (no joke!). When I am ready, I hope you will have room for one more just like me"
Prices
Price includes transfer from San José on Day 1 and transfer back to San José at the end of Day 4, all meals, camping equipment, horses, bikes, guides, porters, rafting equipment, safety equipment, and principal guide.
Prices per GROUP for 2009 |
Number of participants |
Price |
| Four day adventure for 1 or 2 persons |
US $4,940 |
| Four day adventure for 3 or 4 persons |
$5,970 |
| Four day adventure for 5 or 6 persons |
$6,970 |
NOTE: The Cabecar Trail can be broken into three sections. This means we can start without the mountain biking or end without the white water or eliminate the hiking. We can incorporate any of these three sections into a longer itinerary, as you prefer.
We invite you to compare our trips and prices with other companies so you can see that traveling with Serendipity will is uncomparable.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
