WILDLIFE ADVENTURE FAMILY HOLIDAY

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

Depart London Heathrow on the scheduled service of Iberia Airlines via Madrid. Arrive San Jose where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Those on land only arrangements will meet us at the joining hotel from midday onwards. The hotel has a swimming pool and is set in lush gardens.

Day 2

Inbio Park Today we visit the Inbio Park, a great introduction to Costa Rica's natural diversity, as well as to its world-renowned tradition of conservation. It is both a science centre, museum and botanical garden. Later there is a chance of a city tour, visiting The Children's Museum and the Central Market. Or we can return to the hotel to relax by the swimming pool.

Day 3

Poas Volcano Heading north from the capital we soon leave the city behind us as the road climbs through verdant forest. We visit the Poas Volcano National Park. Most famous for its vast 1320m wide crater that descends 300m down to a turquoise lake, the Park is also home to 79 bird species that dwell in the dwarf cloud forest. Later we continue to La Paz Waterfalls and wander through the beautiful trails there as well as spend time in the Butterfly Observatory, the serpentarium and The Hummingbird Gardens with its incredible birdlife.

Day 4

Tortuguero N. P. Today we leave the Central Valley and explore the wild Caribbean Coast and its lush vegetation and wildlife. This trip will take in the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park and head to the Caribbean lowlands, featuring extensive banana plantations, rainforest and picturesque villages. Breakfast will take place en route at a nice local restaurant. On reaching the small village of Freeman, the tour continues by boat first on the river and then through the canals that run parallel to the coast. Tortuguero National Park provides an excellent chance to take a close look at the wildlife. After lunch we visit the Tortuguero village. A short walk through this interesting village will show us the local populations' way of life and their Afro-Caribbean roots. Once in Tortuguero, we visit the Turtle Museum. We have dinner and spend the night at a lodge. Important: maximum luggage allowed in this tour is 25 pounds p/person (1 piece). Participants can take a travel bag with the items they need for the trip and leave the rest of it in the luggage room of the San Jose hotel

Day 5

Tortuguero N.P. Today we continue to explore the area of Tortuguero by small boats that traverse inland waterways, providing excellent possibilities to spot the abundant local wildlife. Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites in the western half of the Caribbean for the green turtles from June to September each year. The park has a navigable network of lakes and canals, home to a large variety of wildlife, including monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, turtles and more than 300 species of birds. From July to September there is the chance to walk on the beach and admire the green turtles nesting (optional tour).

Day 6

Sarapiqui. Today we continue by boat and bus to the Sarapiquí area, our base for the next two nights. The hotel in Sarapiquí is owned by a local family, making it ideal for families with children. After checking in, we will visit the Insect Museum, one of the country's largest insect collections featuring bugs from Costa Rica as well as from other latitudes of the world. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure to rest by the pool or just explore the area on your own.

Day 7

Zip lines, hacienda and school visit Today is adrenaline day! In the morning we visit a modern and unique dairy where everything is recycled and nothing goes to waste. Guests are of course invited to tour their other ecological facilities. However the real highlight is the optional canopy tour. This consists of Zip lines through the tree canopy: You will fly through the tree canopy of our forest reserve with a 15-platform, 11-cable system. Innovative safety features include our double cable in all zip lines (one cable holding your life-line) separate from the main support cable and steel platforms, with a protective railing for added confidence at high altitudes. Catch your breath while viewing the forest from the treetops, and be thrilled by the sensation of flying over the beautiful Sarapiquí River. Alternatively, why not try the optional horse ride? Your expert guide will lead you across the farmlands and through lush forest, looking out for some of Costa Rica's bird and animal life on the way. This afternoon we will stop at a typical rural school and meet the children (a gift of educational items for the school is included in the tour price). There are certain local holidays when the school may be closed. Please Note: The canopy tour is not suitable for children under 6 years old.

Day 8

Chocolate plantation and Arenal Today we start with a treat for the sweet-toothed! A gentle 40-minute walk across a suspension bridge and through a former cacao plantation will give you plenty of background information about the beans and their history before you enter a community-run organic chocolate factory. You will have to chance to get involved in parts of the chocolate making process, and of course to try the delicious end product. We then head to the Arenal Volcano area and our hotel which is located about 15 minutes from the lively village of La Fortuna. The hotel enjoys great views of the active volcano. In the afternoon we are transferred to a family-owned spa built in the middle of a lush rainforest, offering different pools with hot springs. The afternoon is free to relax here.

Day 9

Walking on Arenal Volcano Today we have the opportunity to walk up the flanks of the infamous Arenal Volcano, which is still active. The tour begins with a walk and depending upon which side of the volcano the lava is flowing, we will use either Los Tucanes, Los Laguitos, El Mirador or El Silencio trail. The plant and wildlife spotting here is great. The afternoon is spent in the area at leisure. This evening a local family will prepare a traditional meal, giving us the chance to try some of Costa Rica's delicious foods while finding out more about the local way of life.

Day 10

School visit and into the cloud forest On to Monteverde, one of the most beautiful mountain places in our country. Monteverde, which means Green Mountain, is nestled high in the Tilarán mountain range and the roads can be a bit bumpy. The land is fertile but there are also large patches of forest untouched. We will arrive at Monteverde around noon. In the afternoon we visit the Frog Pond and take a tour led by specialists who will teach us about the 26 varieties of toads and frogs we can see. The funds raised by this frog museum goes towards research and the recovery of amphibians.

Day 11

Walk in the cloudforest canopy Today we will go for the walk of a lifetime, a Sky Walk. Built within the Monteverde area, the Sky Walk is a complex system of suspended bridges, platforms and paths, which allow for the observation of flora and fauna from ground level all the way to the top of the trees. 1km of paths have been designed and built with five suspension bridges, up to heights of over 40m, giving us an excellent opportunity to learn about the complexity and beauty of tropical cloud forests and their canopies in a safe and comfortable manner.

Day 12

To the beach! Early departure to the Central Pacific Coast. This region offers swimming and surfing, beaches, small coastal villages, sport fishing, wildlife, outdoor activities, and a national park. Climatically the area marks the boundary between the tropical dry zone further north and the tropical wet area to the south. It has distinct wet and dry seasons. The afternoon is free to relax on the area's pristine beaches.

Day 13

Beach time A free day to make the most of the beautiful Pacific beaches and parks of the area. An excellent chance for some much needed winding down!

Day 14

Back to San José Around midday we depart for San José. The rest of the day is free to relax by the swimming pool or get on with some last minute shopping.

Day 15

End San José. Those on the group flights transfer back to San Jose Airport for our overnight flight back to London. Those not flying back with the group leave us after breakfast in San José.

Day 16

Arrive London.