Costa Rica remote: Cabecar Trail Expedition
Costa Rica extreme adventure: an eco challenge for those who love pushing hard, discovering themselves
Cabecar lands are remote and pristine.
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: Arrive and get acclimatized
Biking first through the town of Turrialba, you gradually leave civilization.
The Cabecar Trail starts at about 4,500 feet of altitude. It takes a little time to acclimatize. So your first day, when you arrive, we'll pick you up and take you to Serendipity's lovely (and slightly luxurious) shelter on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, about 2 hours from the San José airport.
Day 2: Pedal power to the Costa Rica frontier
Eat well and enjoy the view before we set off on two pedals. We're in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, and heading east and south on gravel roads and some single track for about five hours. Finally 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 Carlos and his family and camp next to the stream.
As we prepare camp you can explore the surrounding area, or swim in the clear river next to us. We'll sleep under the stars and have a magnificent view of the jungle up above. No artificial lights here.
Day 3: Hiking in indigenous lands
Cabecars are reclusive, and rarely make contact with outsiders.
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.
Cabecars are reclusive, and rarely make contact with outsiders.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).
Tonight we will make a grand dinner and invite the farm workers to join us.
Day 4: Pack horses carry all our gear to the (Top) Pacuare River
We walk downstream of the horses. A better arrangement if something falls off.
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 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 to enjoy the surrounding creeks and pools. We'll set up camp before dark and have a wonderful dinner. Sleep tight, for tomorrow is your biggest challenge yet.
Day 5: White water rafting or inflated kayaks down the (Top) Pacuare
Rafting the Top Pacuare in a 3 person raft - total adrenaline in Class IV rapids - technical, fast, non-stop
Your final challenge: 18 kilometers 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.
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 Indigenous 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 -- a very technical river, with lots of maneuvering. Descending will take about 5 hours in normal water - longer if low water, and longer still if it is high water (we need to stop and scout each rapids).
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".
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 sleep for tonight, back on the slopes of Turrialba volcano, with a welcome hot shower. At dinner we'll 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.
Day 6: Leaving for the civilized world
You are leaving today. It's hard to think it is over. You came for adventure, but you leave with much more. What you take is more than bruises and sore muscles and the warmth of new friends. You also saw a bit of the history of the Conquest of America, the vast difference between where you were born and where the New World Indigenous were born.
We hope this will become a compass for your progress through the rest of your life.
Prices
You choose the dates. You decide who goes with you. This is your private adventure.
This itinerary is ideal for active mountain biking clubs and families. It is hard biking. For information on how much this trip would cost, see our The Cabecar Trail: Costa Rica access to the extreme wilderness pricing.
Detailed TERMS, DIRE WARNING! - please READ this before making a reservation.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
