Welcome to the International Airport Juan Santamaria of San José, Costa Rica!
After customs and baggage claim you will be awaited at the exit of the airport by our driver and staff with a sign. Short transfer to your booked city hotel and overnight stay.
Overnight: Grano de Oro Boutique Hotel****
Included Meals: none
included activities: none
After breakfast you will be picked up by our driver at your hotel. With your entire luggage ready, your exciting tropical adventure will begin. First we will explore Costa Rica’s highest Volcano, the Irazu Volcano with over 3.400 meters (10.500 ft). Should the weather be nice, you probably would not conceive a better outlook towards the Pacific and Caribbean lowlands. On our way down, try a typical coffee at a little cozy Café (Restaurant 1910 or similar) or an optional lunch according to their daily menu.
Overnight: Casa Turire****
Included Meals: breakfast
Included activities: Irazu Volcano – typical coffee break on the way.
The Turrialba area is well known for its sugar cane and coffee plantations. It is here where traditions and the Costa Rican life are well maintained. From the hotel’s property, the active Turrialba volcano can be admired while reading a book or hiking along the tranquil shores for the lake Reventazon. From the nearby cattle ranch, horseback riding tours are offered, too. For hiking lovers, do not miss on the Santa Marta private reserve which is a great spot for birdwatching. Last but not least, ancient cultures from 2000 before J.C. can be seen and studied at the Guayabo Monument, located in the hills between Turrialba and Santa Cruz.
Overnight: Casa Turire****
Included Meals: breakfast
Day 4: Turrialba – Cartago – Providencia de Dota
After breakfast, start driving through sugar cane fields and Rolling hills. Soon, the climate changes as you drive along a curvy mountainous road which large oak trees, adorned with many different species of ferns and bromeliads. After approximately 3 hours, you will arrive at the small mountain village Providencia de Dota. Welcome to the community of Providencia de Dota where you drop off your rental car! Meet your local guide at the Flor de Campo restaurant, located in the center of the community, where your guide warmly welcomes you. Then off to the family home where you will overnight. The included dinner is served at each house.
Overnight: with Costa Rican families with shared bathroom
Breakfast is served at 5:30 a.m and shared with the family in Providencia de Dota. We plan to leave by 6:30 a.m. with a local transport from the community driving towards the Cerro Vueltas which is our starting point of the trek. An approximate route of 14 kilometers between primary and secondary forests lies ahead of us with mostly oak trees and awesome views of the Central Pacific. Ahead lay one of the two cleanest river basins in Central America are part of this exciting nature scene. In addition, your guides will narrate the mysteries of the nature of the area and legends of the pioneers. This walk lasts from 7 to 8 hours approximately. Approximate altitude 1745m to 1100m. Lunch en route wrapped in banana leaf. Betannia is located at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level and the temperatures vary between 18º and 25º Celsius (mid 60s – mid 70s). It is a house of two plants in a paddock in the middle of the forest and surrounded by mountains. At dawn, the view of the forest is spectacular, together with the sounds of the birds around it!
During your stay at the rustic but charming Betannia Lodge, dinner and breakfast is included. Here, the lodging provided is tents and mattresses under a roof, on a plattform and shared bathrooms.
Altitude from 2745 to 1008 meters above sea level
Overnight: Betannia Lodge (sheltered tents with shared bathroom)
Breakfast starts early at 5:30 am with a walk after 7am to San Isidro de Dota a little village in the mountains. This crossing has a distance of 7 kilometers, with duration of approximately 4 to 5 hours.
Our arrival at San Isidro de Dota is scheduled for 11:30 am, a little shelter called Rancho Tinamú where all will share part of the day and night with the Parra family. They are very welcoming and friendly people, with luck Mr. Santiago Parra will treat us to an evening of typical shows and songs that have already have become very popular…The lodging does not provide electricity nor hot water but private or shared bathrooms, cabins and blankets. At the lodge lunch, dinner and breakfast are also included.
Altitude of 1010m to 600m and back up to 830m
Overnight: Rancho Tinamu (Cabins with shared bathroom)
Day 7: San Isidro de Dota to a Londres de Quepos
Breakfast is ready by 5:30 am. With renewed energy and enthusiasm we start hiking by 6.30am towards Londres de Quepos. Today‘s route has a distance of 18 kilometers, with a duration of 7 to 8 hours
A short stop is scheduled to enjoy lunch at the Quebrada Arroyo, in a hostel called Los Campesinos. Not to be missed is the wonderful suspension bridge which additionally contributes some extra income to
the community! Our departure to Londres is around 2pm. Expected altitude today: from 830 to 250 meters above sea level. Around 2pm, with the rest of your luggage back on track, your driver will take you to the beautiful boutique hotel on a little slope, surrounded by forest. Optionallyyou may stay a few nights at the nearby National park Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beaches.
Overnight stay: Villa Caletas
Included meals: breakfast
Waking up at the Villa Caletas is more than a dream. The Victorian style hotel offers many different places and sights to rest, admire, dream and to observe. Why not immerse yourself into one of the optional Yoga classes or experience some of the Wellness Specials in conjunction with a relaxing bath in a hot tub Jacuzzi with Ocean View! Not speaking of the infinity pool where sunsets cannot be any more special…
Overnight stay: Villa Caletas
Included meals: breakfast
Enjoy your breakfast on the terrace of the amphitheater while observing parrots, iguanas and eventually some monkeys or sloths! Your driver will be ready to pick you up around midday, taking you back to the Central Valley.
Overnight stay: Grano de Oro Hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Around 3 ½ hours before the official departure time, our driver will take you back to the international airport Juan Santamaria.
Included meals: breakfast
End of services.
Observation:
Please note that the above program is a suggestion for a unique combination between luxury relaxation, active outdoor activity with rural and authentic experiences.
Certain fiscal condition is required. Of course we may change and adapt the route and services according to your preferences. Please feel free to contact us.
Recommendations for the 4 day hike:
Bring a raincoat
Insect repellent
Flash light
Hat
Comfortable clothing (dry fit) and good hiking shoes (already worn)
Sun block
Plastic Bags
Variety:
After the hike, day 7, stay 3 nights at the Parador Resort in Manuel Antonio.
