Trapp Family Lodge (3 Nights) : Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike : Suspension Bridges Canopy Tour : Hotel Arenal Springs Resort (3 Nights) : Arenal Volcano Hike : Zip-Line Arenal : Adiós ¡Hasta Luego! Start your explorations in one of the most unique ecological zones in the world - Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The resplendent Quetzal, other Trogons and dozens of unique hummingbirds call the epiphyte laden canopy home and you'll visit these heights on a suspended bridges tour. Then it's down to the lowlands around Arenal volcano where a speedy zip-line introduces you to the tropical rain forest treetops.Lava & Cloud Forest AdventureDay 1 — Trapp Family Lodge (3 Nights)more photos >>  When your flight touches down at the international airport a representative will be waiting to help with your luggage and speed you on your way to the remarkable Costa Rican highlands and the Trapp Family Lodge set in the cloud forest bordering the Monteverde Reserve. Relax quietly on your private balcony and the birds and butterflies or maybe even a sloth or monkey will come to the forests edge to give you a preview of the natural adventures to come.     Day 2 — Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike We can barely begin to guess which of the literally thousands of species of birds, insects and mammals you'll see on this easy hike, but we can guarantee you'll learn about the cloud forest from the low lying ferns and herbs under the bromeliad laden giants near the entrance to the elfin forest on the ridge lines where the canopy is almost eye level. Day 3 — Suspension Bridges Canopy Tour The continuous stream of clouds that bathe the mountains in mist and give the forests their names provide moisture for a larger variety of treetop dwelling epiphytes, orchids and unique birds and wildlife here than anywhere else in the world. You'll explore this amazing ecosystem from a network of trails and canopy level hanging bridges with a pair of trained eyes belonging to a guide who will reveal the invisible. Day 4 — Land-Boat-Land Transfer to Arenal The four plus hour drive around the lake is beautiful and interesting, but it's also bumpy, dusty and a little long which is why we recommend an equally scenic but less taxing alternative. Down the mountainside to the southern shore of lake Arenal for a short cut by boat that takes less than an hour and will seem like no time at all because you'll be mesmerized by the view of the volcano looming ever larger as you approach your destination. Hotel Arenal Springs Resort (3 Nights)  Ideally situated for the best views directly across from Arenal volcano, the 4 star Arenal Springs Ecoresort is set in isolated tropical gardens. Take advantage of the pool or head to your private terrace and enjoy a cool drink and a traditional Sarchí rocker while the sun sets beside the perfect cone of the volcano.            Day 5 — Arenal Volcano Hike Arenal Volcano dominates every view from anywhere in the region, but to really see the eruptive action and lava flows you need to be in the right place at the right time. The right place is the observation clearing at the end of a short walk through the rain forest and the right time is late afternoon and early evening when your guide will accompany you on the volcano viewing hike. Optional - This evening is the perfect opportunity if you'd like to visit Tabacón or other hotsprings for a relaxing dinner and soak. Day 6 — Zip-Line Arenal Seem like you're spending all of your time in the canopy? Well it should because that's where the action is; over 80% of tropical species are in the treetops and the lowland rain forests around the volcano is a whole other world. Take time on the platforms between the 15 high speed zip cables to look where one of the team of guides is pointing out a pizote (coatimundi), sloth, mono congo (howler monkey), mot-mot, or keel billed toucan. You won't have time to look around when you're finishing off the course on the (optional) high flying Tarzan swing! Day 7 — Adiós ¡Hasta Luego!  If you have a late flight there's time in the morning to explore the little town of La Fortuna. The open gardens of the parque central are the prettiest in the region and off the south west corner you'll find Don Rufino's restaurant where you'll delight in a filet mignon "snack" on the appetizer menu that puts the best Texas steakhouse to shame at a tenth the price. Eat up, we'll make sure you're at the international airport in time for your flight home. Thank you for traveling with us and of course ¡Pura Vida! This vacation can easily be reversed to visit the volcano area first. Included in your Costa Rica Vacation
$899 - $953 per person double occupancy including everything described above and your choice of transportation by chauffeured transfers or drive yourself in a compact 4x4 SUV (if you choose a rental SUV you will drive around the lake between Monteverde and Areanal instead of the boat transfer). |