Costa Rica Traverse

Winner of Outside Magazine's trip of the year 2006

A crossing of Costa Rica from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean Sea

AUD $3,690.00

Call 1300 728 296

An adventure high on the wish list of active naturalists as well as seasoned hikers keen to take on the challenge of crossing Costa Rica under their own steam.

We cycle through the farmlands and foothills before setting out on our fully supported, week long trek. We follow remote trails across the Cordillera de Talamanca, home to the highest peak in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo (3819 metres). The trails are not always easy - with several river crossing - as we encounter indigenous settlements deep in the cloud forest, glimpse rare wildlife and a variety of warblers and birds of prey that will satisfy the most ardent birder.

Setting our sights on the Pacuare River, one of the world's classic whitewater experiences, we undertake an exhilarating rafting trip - expect Class II - III rapids - through a series of spectacular canyons, punctuated with serene interludes in the pristine rainforest as we ease our way to the Caribbean coast and conclude our journey in vibrant San Jose.

ITINERARY

DAY 1
Arrive in San Jose
If you are travelling on the group flight you will be me on arrival at San Jose's international airport and taken to your hotel. Depending on arrival time you should have some time to explore the sights of San Jose. We will provide an information pack with full details of the trip, including maps and suggestions for cafes, bars and restaurants in the San Jose area.

DAY 2
San Jose - Domincal
We transfer from San Jose to the quiet coastal village of Domincal which will take approximately 4 hours. The drive takes us along the Pam American highway reaching heights of over 3000 meters before turning west to the Pacific coast. Upon arrival we have a chance to relax either at the pool or on the beach before your guide gives you a briefing on the trip in the evening. Dominical is a village (pueblo) of approximately 500 people and it has various tiny cozy restaurants, sodas and small souvenir shops.

DAY 3
Domincal - Tinamaste Cave
Today we head inland from the Pacific coast on our first day crossing Costa Rica. The day starts with cycling uphill on paved roads to the first ridge which will take approximately 3-4 hours. Here we leave our bikes and set off hiking to the Tinamaste Cave perched on the mountain side, overlooking the Pacific. On the mountain there are 10 spectacular waterfalls including Costa Rica's tallest at 600ft. Surrounding the cave are waterfalls with diving and swimming areas. The cave is very large and open set behind two 90ft waterfalls with kitchen and sleeping facilities.

DAY 4
Tinamaste Cave (Casa Piedra) to Cannan
A mixture of walking and biking today as we leave the cave trekking up and over the ridge leaving the Pacific coast behind and heading to the Caribbean side of the country. We meet up with our bikes again and continue east. Lunch is at a local restaurant in the town Rivas. The last section is a short bike ride to our hotel. We will be staying in a tranquil 12-acre oasis located on the Chirripo River, between the villages of San Gerardo and Canaan. It is situated in a natural setting surrounded by green hills and a small farm which is the perfect ending to what will be a tough day, but good training for the days to come.

DAY 5
Canaan - Rio Blanco Cabin
The morning can be spent preparing for the trek. Porters join us for the next 7 days and will carry the bulk of the food and camping gear. You will be carrying a small pack with sleeping bag and pad and your personal gear. The hike to the top of Chirripo is a commercial hike on marked trails and so we have chosen a much less used route which will prove much more challenging. The highest crossing is 3,400 metres. After a relaxing morning and lunch we begin the trek. The afternoon's trek to the town of Herradura is short and serves as a great way to warm up for the trek ahead. Tonight's accommodations are in a cabin beside a local family who will prepare our evening and mornings meals.

DAY 6-11
Rio Blanco - Pacuare Ariba
Leaving the town of Herradura we begin our week long trek up and over the Continental Divide. Throughout the coming days, we are trekking in Costa Rica's main mountain park at 50,150 hectares. The mountains are part of the Cordillera de Talamanca and most are protected. There are three peaks of over 3,800 metres including Cero Chirripo itself which, at 3,819 metres is the highest mountain in the country, and in most of Central America. We will pass through several Indian reservations whose people use the route to cross the Continental Divide to pick coffee on the Pacific side (complete with their families and dogs), risking their lives negotiating major river crossings along the way, which they do without the use of ropes (our crossings will be rope assisted). From Herradura at 1,350 metres the elevation gain is about 2km to the highest point of our trek. The climb goes through constantly changing scenery, vegetation, wildlife and evergreen forests with heavy epiphytic growths in the trees and thick fern and with bamboo understoreys. These highland forests are home to such birds as the flame-throated warbler and buffy tufted-cheek to name but two. Blue and green frogs and lime-colored caterpillars thickly covered with stinging hairs make their way across the trail and Biard's tapir lurks in the thick vegetation - though you are much more likely to see squirrels than tapirs.

DAY 12
Pacuare River
After a morning of trekking we continue our journey across Costa Rica by water. The start of our rafting days sees us on an upper section of the Pacuare River. The Pacuare is the most scenic rafting river in Costa Rica and one the world's classic whitewater experiences. This upper section of the Pacuare River is not often commercially run. Some of the rapids may need to be portaged where there are big rocks that block all views of the rapid. The last 300 metres before the take out are very technical rapids filled with boulders. Tomorrow morning your main luggage will be stored until you take out in Siquirres so you need to pack a small overnight bag with essentials for the next two nights (3 days).

DAY 13
Hike, Bike & Raft. Pacuare River
Your luggage will be transported on the support vehicle to the put in, from where the main luggage will be taken to storage until the take out at Siquirres. Your overnight bags will accompany you on the river in an Oar Boat which is transporting all the food for the coming days on the river. From the Los Cristianos camp we will be hiking on back roads and through farms to the put-in. We will hike for three hours before switching to bikes for a further two hours, followed by two hours of rafting. The Pacuare River plunges down the Caribbean slope through a series of spectacular canyons clothed in virgin rainforest. The savage beauty of the surroundings is humbling as we negotiate Class III and IV rapids, meandering through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. Overnight is at our camp on the banks of the river. Spacious tents on fixed platforms board the edge of the river and nestle in the surrounding forest. The camp is fully functional with its own supply of pure spring water, shower and sanitary facilities. The name of the camp, El Nido del Tigre, comes from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the main floor of the main area of the camp. When the ginger reaches a certain height it falls over creating flattened areas in the shape of a tiger's paw - hence its name, which translates to "the nest of the tiger". From the center of the nest, trails radiate throughout the forest and along the river. There is an open area for those who like the odd game of ball or Frisbee. If this is too much after a day on the river, seek out one of our quiet reading areas, set yourself down with a refreshing drink and just 'be' for a while.

DAY 14
Pacuare River
This a well earned rest for a day although you can make it as active as you like. Your guides will be with you and so make the most of this free day at the camp by spending it enjoying El Nido del Tigre and the surrounding area. Hiking through the rainforest to a waterfall, floating down a rapid with just a life jacket, or relaxing in a hammock around the camp, are all possible activities.

DAY 15
Pacuare River
Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating Class III and IV rapids and point out the intricacies of the rainforest at the river's edge. The Class IV rapids are exciting and separated by calm stretches which enable you to stare at the near vertical green walls towering hundreds of metres above the river, which make this a magnificent and unique river trip. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Tonight's camp marks the end of the rapids and the beginning of the banana lined slow moving waters of the Pacuare River.

DAY 16
Pacuare River
THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS... For the final leg of the crossing we swap to kayaks and head down the Pacuare and ease into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we kayak last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have passed. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea. After some time to celebrate our accomplishment we are transferred by motor boat and van to a comfortable hotel for a well deserved hot shower and some time to relax around the pool.

DAY 17
Pacuare River - San Jose
A relaxing morning around the hotel is followed by an afternoon transfer back to San Jose.

DAY 18
Trip Concludes San Jose
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flight. Note: this itinerary is a guide and may be influenced by weather conditions, group fitness and other factors outside our control.

INCLUSIONS

• 16 Breakfasts, 16 lunches and 15 dinners
• Experienced guides
• porters on trekking portion
• private transport
• good quality hotel accommodation
• all group camping equipment
• rafting gear and instruction
• kayaking gear and instruction
• Mountain Bikes and helmets
• support vehicle on bike section

TRIP DATES

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