QUETZAL HIKE
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.
Los Santos Forest Reserve: It comprises some 63,000 hectares of primary, secondary, coffee and pasture cloud forests. The characteristic landscape of this space shows us a mosaic where natural and cultural ecosystems coexist, nuanced by a high biological diversity, which encompasses a natural flavor along its many routes.
All visitors will be able to explore the different paths of the Savegre, a set of attractions, ranging from the clear and sonorous waters of the mountain torrents, the peaceful and majestic woods. There are also daily activities in the picturesque rural communities’ married to the forest. This area includes one of the most biologically diverse places in the country, and constitutes, among other functions, a key link between Manuel Antonio and Tapantí national park. The trails are narrow, with slippery stretches or those that require attention for the abundance of obstacles such as rocks, mud, dense vegetation, as well as precipices or ravines.
The land is scarred. It is likely that the guide will wield his machete to clear the path a bit. Several shallow but flowing streams cross our paths; generally, this difficulty is chore rewarded by the abundance of multiple waterfalls. This area is literally an oasis of great importance for the conservation of hydrographic basins and preservation of biodiversity. It is a habitat for the quetzal and other beautiful birds like the trogon. Also for hummingbirds, turkeys, multicolored butterflies, frogs, white and red monkeys, peccaries, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, coatis, mountain mice and felines such as jaguars, cauceles and breeding lions also abound. Tapirs whose footprints attest for their search for the so-called tapir culantrillo, an omnipresent plant in this area. There are also snakes such as the Toboba, the Kera and the coral.
As to flora, the reserve contains very tall trees and many epiphytic plants (orchids, bromeliads and ferns).
Here you will find deer and trees such as oak, myrtle, magnolia and jaul. There are also species such as murta, tirrá, guaba, quina, bacillus, papayillo, cucaracho, quizarrá, duraznillo, picarillo, palm hearts, straw stick, arborescent ferns, taco de mico, copey, cirrí cañuela, parrot, cypress, poor parasol, cedrillo, arrayancillo, candelillo and male nance. The forest is characterized by high humidity and cool temperatures, and by being frequently covered with clouds.
Additional information: Check in at 14.00h / Check out at 12.00 hours
- Please note that the hiker must carry only a backpack with the necessary gear for those days (recommended 8 kg), if it is the case of carrying large luggage he must cover the cost of 4×4 transport to carry the additional luggage.
- It is requested to have experience in heavy trekking and good physical condition. It is recommended to do this hike throughout the year with the exception of the months of September and October for the winter season.
- The prices of the package of the hike already have the VAT included.
- Private transportation from London Quepos to Manuel Antonio or Quepos according to where you choose.
- San Gerardo Dota
- Category: Hiking tour
Itinerary
Individual arrival to San Gerardo de Dota (optional transfer from San Jose). Between at 08.00 and 08:30 am, meet the guide in the lobby of the hotel restaurant where the excitement begins towards the rural community of Providencia de Dota.
You will be walking 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 will be able to observe secondary and primary forest 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 at the family home (individual preference), where you spend the night after an included dinner.
Difficulty of hike: it is considered as moderate from 2,200 meters above sea level down to 1,700 meters with a cool and pleasant mountain climate.
Accommodation: Homestay or Cabins
Duration of the hike today: approx 6 hours
Included meals: lunch and dinner
Breakfast is served by 5:30am in Providencia de Dota, followed by your departure around 06:30 am. 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 in 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, along the noise of the birds around!
Today, accommodate yourself at Betania Lodge, where the staff will serve dinner and breakfast during your stay. Lodging tonight means, resting on indoor mattresses, on a platform and shared bathrooms.
Accomodation: Betania Lodge.
Altitude: 1745 – 1100m above sea level Duration of today’s hike: 7-8hours
Included meals: full board
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
- 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
