Print Full Itinerary
Itinerary: Subject to change due to local conditions, unforeseen events, or more interesting as yet unplanned awesome experiences that become available
Overview:
Are you looking for that perfect escape from life’s complications and daily grind? Do you long to feel that immersive connection with nature that brings serenity making everything else float away? Then join us and lose yourself in the magical landscapes of Costa Rica! We’ll travel to two off the beaten track regions, each with its own unique treasures.
First, we immerse in the hidden gem, San Gerado de Dota, nestled high in the Talamanca Mountains. This enchanting valley surrounded by lush cloud forests and pristine rivers is a haven for biodiversity and a sanctuary for those seeking respite from the bustling world. Home to the famous Resplendent Quetzal and a dazzling array of exotic birds along with awe-inspiring panorama, San Gerado de Dota is a place where the wonders of nature are truly illuminated.
This charming hamlet is the perfect place for exploration and tranquility where the melody of birdsong and rustle of leaves underfoot are the soundtrack to your experience.
Overview:
Our second magical escape will be in one of Costa Rica’s most remote and wild regions, the Osa Peninsula. Cutting into the Pacific like a turtle fin, this last untouched corner of nature lies just north of the Panama border. If you enjoy being off the grid, completely surrounded by nature, steps away from waterfalls, rainforests and beaches, and waking up to the sounds of monkeys rustling in the treetops then this is the place for you!
It will be an adventure from the time we board our tiny plane to the four-wheel drive ride to the mile long driveway leading to a private Eden where the raw nature of the rainforest is intertwined with the tranquil beauty of lush gardens and spectacular sea views. Once here, there are no TVs, cell towers, or internet. The resort produces its own electricity so certain amenities are not available. What we will have is a beautifully crafted thatched roof bungalow, privately set among lush gardens with stunning ocean views, modern bathrooms, and porches furnished with hammocks and easy chairs perfect for taking in the warm tropical breezes that echo with the rhythms of the pounding surf below.
Explore as much of this amazing property as you desire on one of the many trails leading to spectacular places along with many colorful resident wildlife species. So why not let everything go and add some magic to your everyday life by immersing in the beauty of bewitching Costa Rica!
Day One: Cerro de la Muerte
After arriving in Juan Santamaria Airport, we make our way towards the Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge perched high in the Talamanca Mountains at an altitude of 8500 feet in the middle of the Upper Montane Cloud Forest.
Our adventure begins as we wind our way along the narrow Cerro de la Muerte or Hill of Death with stunning scenery at every turn.
Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge:
Unwind and relax in your luxurious bungalow filled with artistic flair and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and forest from the large floor to ceiling glass windows, that give the impression of being immersed in the forest.
Enjoy your terrace or garden that combines the warm sun and views of the valley, ideal for keeping an eye out for those lovely Quetzals.
Day Two: Flora & Fauna Tour
We have three adventurous days to explore the private Dantica Cloud Forest Reserve, San Gerado de Dota Valley, and Los Quetzales National Park. Each day offers an optional included activity, but you are free to choose whatever path your heart desires. Several tours are offered by the Eco-Lodge including birding, horseback riding, and a visit to a coffee farm or take to the forest trails that guide you through different types of primary forest leading to a crystal-clear mountain stream.
Our included activity today will be a one hour guided flora and fauna tour in the Dantica Forest Reserve where we’ll follow the wild avocado trail and learn all about the uniqueness of the region.
Day Three: Cerro de la Muerte Walk
Let’s get adventurous in the Los Quetzales National Park with a walk down the second highest peak in Costa Rica into the forest of the San Gerado de Dota valley. At least it’s the word “down” and not “up”!
On the Cerro de la Muerte walk we’ll ascend through two different ecosystems and four different vegetative zones offering the perfect insight into the spectacular biodiversity of the region. This will be an approximate 6-hour guided walk filled with splendid views, lovely flora, and plenty of bird sightings.
Or Paramo Tour:
Or if you aren’t up for a lengthy walk, explore the Paramo, a special ecosystem at the summit of Cerro de la Muerte with unique vegetation along with beautiful views of the Pacific Coast and distant volcanoes.
This is a 3-hour guided experience.
Day Four: Rio Savegre Waterfall
If you’re up for another hiking adventure, today we’ll follow the road from the Eco-Lodge into the San Gerado de Dota valley to join the trail leading through the lush lower montane forest to the gorgeous Rio Savegre Waterfall.
The hike may not be exactly easy, but well worth the wild adventure and we’ll have all day so can take our sweet ole time. For this hike, we’ll need at least 3 hours.
Day Five: Bosque del Cabo
We say goodbye to our mystical cloud forest beauty and make our way back to Juan Santamaria Airport to catch our tiny plane ride jetting us to our next rendezvous with nature on the remote and wild Osa Peninsula.
It will be an adventurous ride in a 4×4 to our home in a dreamy rainforest paradise at the Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge, so hang on tight! Instant serenity will be felt as soon as we step foot upon our 750-acre forest reserve and get comfy in our new home in a private bungalow with amazing ocean views, tropical breezes, and the rainforest at your doorstep. Relax and take it all in.
All meals are included here, so have enjoy each meal at your leisure.
Day Six: Pacific Trail
There are many fun, exciting, and unique adventures to be found here, so feel free to do whatever speaks to you. Our schedule is flexible as everyone’s interests are unique to them. Some activities are free while others have a fee and include hiking, dolphin watching, snorkeling, boat tours, kayaking, tree climbing, horseback riding, zip lining to 110-foot-tall tree platform, and massage and spa treatments. There will be an optional included activity each day as in the cloud forest.
Let’s get down to that Pacific Coast! We’ll follow the Pacific Trail that descends through virgin rainforest with stunning views of the ocean peeking through all the way down and arriving at the beach during low tide. There is so much to explore here from waterfalls to tidepools and an arch rock with a private beach to natural jacuzzis!
We’ll spend most of the day here wandering through the magnificent treasures of the coast (plan on at least 4 hours).
Day Seven: Corcovado National Park
If you’re up for an incredible and unforgettable adventure, join us as we immerse ourselves in the wildest part of Costa Rica at the Corcovado National Park where we’ll step into all the pure magic of the Osa Peninsula.
This isn’t just any ole national park, Corcovado is one of the last places that encompasses the raw, unbridled beauty of nature. It’s an immersion into the heart of a living, breathing world of biodiversity not experienced elsewhere. This pristine wilderness is a sanctuary for endangered and captivating creatures from elusive jaguars to playful monkeys and slumbering sloths to vibrant poison dart frogs.
Dense primary rainforests are home to enormous trees that rise like living cathedrals and where vibrant melodies of tropical birds fill the air. It’s a place where Pacific beaches meet emerald forests and where crystal-clear rivers carve their paths through the heart of untouched landscapes.
Start Hiking!
This will be an all-day guided experience that starts with an early morning 4×4 drive to Playa Carate. From here, we walk along the secluded beach to the La Leona Ranger Station marking the entrance to the Corcovado Park.
This is where our extraordinary journey begins as we step inside the heart of one of the world’s most biologically diverse areas and follow the coastline trails leading to the park’s hidden treasures and true magic.
Day Eight: Zapatero Trail
Enjoy the morning solitude and have a tasty lunch, then there are more amazing trails here to tackle so let’s get wandering! Rainforest exploration is our agenda today as we follow the undulating Zapatero Trail as it winds its way under the canopy of the forest crossing a happy little creek at several points along the way.
We’ll pass by many amazing and interesting types of trees including the mighty Zapatero. Meaning Shoemaker in Spanish, Zapatero trees were given this name due to the huge structural “shoe” roots that wildly run over the surface of the ground.
This walk is only about 2 miles but will take about 1.5 hours to explore. Let’s see what magic and wildlife we can find!
Day Nine: Sadly Say Goodbye
We must leave our rainforest paradise behind but hopefully all the solitude and peacefulness we found in the magic of Costa Rica will find its way home within us.
Pricing & Departures:
This will be a Special, Intimate Small Group tour with a max of 7.
*This tour involves the ability to walk approx. 2000-2500 steps (1.5 miles) during the course of a day, including all historic sites and gardens. All other walking is optional but recommended to immerse in Ireland. Please call to discuss if you are concerned about the amount of activity.
Air transportation is provided by United Airlines. A surcharge will apply if United Airlines increases the price of its airfare. One piece of luggage per person (baggage fee by United is not included) and one small carry-on are permitted. A valid, government-issued picture ID is required to board the plane.
*Due to the changes in airline booking policies, airfare will need to be booked before the cancellation date, Once flights are booked, we cannot refund that portion of the tour unless you’d like to pay an additional cost for refundable tickets.
Upon submitting final payment you are agreeing to our new policy.
Wet Blanket Policy:
Wet blanket
– a person who makes it difficult for other people to enjoy themselves by complaining, acting negatively, creating drama, etc.
– one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm or pleasure
- Our philosophy of travel involves getting out of the ordinary to experience other cultures and places with an open minded attitude and flexibility. Since as in daily life, anything can and will happen, let’s embrace these situations with acceptance and understanding because they will either lead to an unexpected, amazing experience or positive learning experience.
- If anyone brings along excess baggage such as incessant complaining, under the breath rude comments, outward negativity or other such behaviors that infect the entire group or individuals, we have the exclusive right to remove them from the tour at their own cost with no refunds. (yes, this means you)
- If any major concerns arise during a tour, please just come talk to us and we’ll work it out!
The Educated Wanderer
Group Tours & Travel
PO Box 632 Berwyn, PA 19312
973-513-9001
