hiking itinerary - 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
QUETZAL HIKE
- San Gerardo de Dota to Londres Quepos
- Difficulty: High
Important: Hike is unavailable during September and October (till mid-November) due to the rainy season. From 1 to 4, people include a bilingual guide, and more than five people consist of a bilingual guide and an assistant.
Recommend minimum age: 12 years
Los Santos Forest Reserve: Los Santos Forest Reserve comprises some 63,000 hectares of primary and secondary cloud forests, coffee plantations, and pastures. This area’s characteristic landscape shows a mosaic of natural and cultural ecosystems tinged by high biological diversity.
The visitor will be able to enjoy the different trails of the Savegre, which range from the clear and noisy waters of the mountain streams and the peaceful oak groves at high altitudes to the daily activities of the picturesque rural communities similar to the forest. This area comprises one of the most biologically diverse places in the country and is, among other functions, a critical link between the Manuel Antonio and Tapantí national parks. The trails are narrow, with slippery stretches or sections that require attention due to the abundance of obstacles, such as rocks, mud, dense vegetation, cliffs, and ravines. The terrain is broken. The guide may have to use his machete to clear some of the path. Several shallow but wet streams are crossed. Usually, this difficulty is rewarded by a nearby waterfall, as this place is an oasis of great importance for watershed conservation and biodiversity preservation. It is a habitat for the quetzal and other beautiful birds, such as the trogon. Also for hummingbirds, guans, multicolored butterflies, frogs, white-faced and red-faced monkeys, peccaries, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, pilots, mountain mice, and felines such as jaguars, Caucasians, and lions. On land, the presence of many tapirs is unquestionable; their tracks are constantly seen on the road, and they like to eat the so-called culantrillo de danta, an abundant plant in these areas. There are also snakes, such as the toboba, the lora, and the coral snake. As far as flora is concerned, this reserve contains very tall trees and many epiphytic plants (orchids, bromeliads, and ferns). You can find oak, oak, deer’s horn, myrtle, magnolia, and jail here. There are also species such as murta, tirrá, guaba, quina, horquetilla, papayillo, cucaracho, quizarrá, duraznillo, picarillo, palmitos, palo de paja, tree ferns, rabo de mico, copey, cirrí cañuela, lorito, cipresillo, sombrilla de pobre, cedrillo, arrayancillo, candelillo and nance macho. High humidity, cool temperatures, and frequent cloud cover characterize the forest.
Important notes:
- Please note that the trekker should only carry a backpack with the necessary clothes for those days (recommended 8 kg); if carrying large luggage, he should cover the cost of the 4×4 transport to carry the additional luggage.
- You’ll need to experience heavy trekking and be in good physical condition.
Due to the winter season, this trek should be done all year round except September and October. - The trek package prices include VAT.
- Private transport from London Quepos to Manuel Antonio or Quepos according to where indicated.
Itinerary:
Individual arrival to San Gerardo de Dota (optional transfer from San Jose). Between 08.00 and 08:30 am, meet the guide in the lobby of the hotel restaurant. Rest assured, our experienced guide will be there to lead you on this exciting journey to the rural community of Providencia de Dota.
You will walk approximately 12 kilometers between two communities surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes. The trail is easily passable due to its excellent condition and the presence of a suspension bridge over the Savegre River. You can observe secondary and primary forests at different elevations, making this a route with ample possibilities to see wildlife. There will be times to pause and chat with your guide. A late lunch will be ready for you at the rustic Rivera Lodge or the family home (individual preference), where you will spend the night after an included dinner.
The hike’s difficulty is moderate, from 2,200 meters above sea level to 1,700 meters, with a calm and pleasant mountain climate.
Accommodation: Homestay or Colibri Cabins
Duration of the hike today: approx 6 hours
Included meals: lunch and dinner
Breakfast is served by 5:30 a.m. in Providencia de Dota, followed by your departure around 06:30 a.m. A scheduled transport takes you up to the community Cerro Vueltas, where your today’s hike begins. The 14 km (approximately 8 miles to hike) are dominated by primary and secondary forests, mostly oak trees, allowing breathtaking views onto the close Central Pacific Coast, always accompanied by one of America’s most pristine rivers. Your lunch will be served on banana paper.
Today’s hike will take around 7 – 8 hours approximately. Altitude around 1745m – 900m above sea level.
Betania lies at an altitude of 900m above sea level and the temperatures vary between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. It is a two-story house in a pasture in the middle of the forest, surrounded by mountains. At dawn, the view of the local flora is spectacular, and the symphony of birds adds a serene touch to the surroundings!
Today, you can accommodate yourself at Betania Lodge, a comfortable retreat where the staff will serve dinner and breakfast during your stay. Lodging tonight means resting on indoor mattresses, a platform, and shared bathrooms.
Accomodation: Betania Lodge.
Altitude: 1745 – 1100m above sea level. Duration of today’s hike: 7-8hours
Included meals: breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast starts at 05:30. Then at 07:00, you will start with the walk to San Isidro de Dota. This route has a distance of 7 kilometers, an approximate duration of 4 to 5 hours and with altitudes between 1010m and 600m above sea level. The arrival in San Isidro de Dota is scheduled at 11:30. Lodging, lunch, and dinner at Rancho Tinamú, where you will share with Parra´s family, lovely local people. If you are lucky Mr Santiago Parra will even enchant you with some Costa-Rican songs on his guitar!
Lodging is offered with NO electric light; nevertheless, there are private bathrooms with a cold water shower available. Extra blankets and towels are provided on the spot. Here, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Altitud 1008 – 600 and up to 830 m above sea level Duration of today’s hike: 4-5 hours
Included meals: full board
Accomodation: Rancho Tinamú
Breakfast is ready at 05:30. With renewed energy and enthusiasm, start walking at 06:30 towards Londres de Quepos. Today’s route has a distance of 18 kilometers, with a duration of 7 to 8 hours and altitude between 830m to 250m above sea level. Arrival at Quebrada Arroyo where you enjoy your lunch and relax by a large suspension bridge and a beautiful cascade! From there it is not far anymore to reach the final point of this amazing hike. At around 3pm an included transfer takes you further to Quepos/Manuel Antonio where all services end.
Duration of hike: 7-8 hours 830 – 250m above sea level
Accommodation today: optional – based on your preference and request
Meals: breakfast & lunch
More information:
- Bilingual guide with experience in mountain hikes
- Luggage porter
- Rural Accommodations
- Full board, based on prior description
- Included transportation till Quepos/Manuel Antonio.
- voluntary tipping
- alcoholic beverages
Please note that each hiker should carry its own backpack with all necessary belongings throughout the complete hike. Recommended weight 8kg. In case there is rest-luggage to transport, please consider the extra cost mentioned above.
You should bring in your backpack:
- rain coat
- Insect repellent
- flash-light
- hat
- comfortable clothing (dry fit) and already worn hiking shoes
- Sun Block
- Water bottle & filter
Map & Location:
Tariff period: 01st December 2024 to 30th November 2025
Net Rates per person – included 13 % IVA.
- Room category:
Standard (rural lodge)
- Occupancy:
- 1 pax
- 2 - 4 pax
- 5 - 6 pax
- 7 - 8 pax
- 9 - 11 pax
- 12 - 14 pax
- 15 - 16 pax
- Rates:
- $1,112.00
- $715.00
- $516.00
- $460.00
- $433.00
- $405.00
- $384.00
- Cancellation policy:
Until 15 days prior: no charge
After: 50% of total costs
Cancellations made in less than seven days have a penalty of 100%.
No-Show: 100%
Extra services:
- Transportation P.N. Los Quetzales (entrance) – Providencia de Dota – suitcases: $ 22.00
- Transportation San Gerardo de Dota – Providencia de Dota – suitcases: $ 56.00
- Transportation Copey de Dota – Manuel Antonio Hotel X – suitcases: $ 182.00
- Luggage transportation from San Gerardo de Dota-Providencia de Dota-Rancho Tinamú- Manuel Antonio or Quepos (Betania excluded! not accessible): $438.00 US$ divided through participants.
Those who prefer to carry their complete luggage should not exceed 8-10kg p.p. (our recommendation)
Additional information: Check in at 14.00h / Check out at 12.00 hours
Information
- Curridabat, Costa Rica
- heymaro@maroexperiences.com
- +506 8838 3522
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