Costa Rica Eco-Adventure
June 6-13, 2009 Led by naturalist Greg Cornwell Sponsored by Furman University Lifelong Learning
Get a taste of historic San Jose before setting out to explore the lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, pristine national parks and beaches of this eco-friendly destination with naturalist guide Greg Cornwell. Our soft-adventure expedition takes us to the heart of Costa Rica…..to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, as well as to the coast for the beautiful Pacific beach. We will hike, go bird and animal watching, take a river float trip, meet the friendly Costa Rican people and explore the diversity called “Pura Vida”, or as they say in Costa Rica…”No Artificial Ingredients!” Our itinerary…. Saturday, June 6 Arrive in San Jose, the perfect starting point for your adventure. Claim your luggage and meet our guide outside the right exit from customs for transfer to our hotel. Walk through the historic area and relax this evening. Hotel Villa Tournon. Sunday, June 7 After breakfast at the hotel, travel an ascending route to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. There you will find “The Costa Rica You Dreamed About.” With its towering waterfalls, butterflies, hummingbirds and both cloud and rain forest, Waterfall Gardens offers something for everyone. The highlight of the tour is a walk along the Trail of Falls that invites you to view, photograph and experience the power of five awesome waterfalls. The trails and nine viewing platforms take you above, below and right next to the rushing water. Children and adults alike will love having the hummingbirds feed from your hands and the butterflies flutter past you in the world’s largest Butterfly Observatory. Volcano Lodge for 2 nights (B, L) Monday, June 8 The mile-high Arenal Volcano is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption, a fury of molten rocks, lava and ash. It has continued with its rumblings and fireworks display ever since. Arenal’s perfect cone shape dominates the setting of the area which is one of Costa Rica’s most popular
attractions. After breakfast you will go on a morning hike to Arenal. This moderate hike takes you around the base of the volcano, then along forested trails and over recent lava flows. Tonight you will enjoy a Costa Rican dinner and a refreshing soak in the hot springs of Ecothermales. Volcano Lodge (B, D) Tuesday, June 9 After breakfast, meet your driver who will transfer you to Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a haven for bird watchers because of the number of species, such as the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, which may be spotted. After checking into the hotel, tour the rainforest canopy via the Skywalk, a novel and spectacular way to view the forest canopy. It starts with a walk on the ground through the forest and takes you up, via a complex of platforms and suspension bridges, to explore the tops of the trees, a world which is very close but yet unknown to most, the canopy of the cloud forest. Some of the bridges hang suspended at over 130 feet making for truly spectacular views. It’s an unforgettable experience, the excitement of looking to one side and seeing the tops of the trees and at the same time feeling the sensation of walking among the clouds. You will experience what is considered the last terrestrial frontier. Cloud Forest Lodge for 2 nights (B) Wednesday, June 10 Today features an early morning (7:30 am) tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve which has earned its fame as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World tropics. Positioned atop the Continental Divide in western Costa Rica, the Reserve extends down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The resultant combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients which change dramatically over relatively short distances. Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove forests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Poorly drained areas support swamp forests, while parts of the Reserve, dissected by deep gorges, have numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient have helped produce an extremely high biodiversity, enabling the Reserve to host six different ecological zones. There are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 2,500 species of plants (among them 420 different kinds of orchids), as well as tens of thousands of insect
species. Spectacular wildlife includes the Jaguar, Ocelot, Baird’s Tapir, Three-wattled Bellbird, Barenecked Umbrellabird and Resplendent Quetzal. Cloud Forest Lodge (B) Options for your afternoon on your own: Observe dozens of vividly colored hummingbirds at the nearby Hummingbird Gallery. At the Butterfly Farm, walk through the fully screened gardens where hundreds of delicate, exotic butterflies are easy to identify. Thursday, June 11 Today travel to Guanacaste and Tamarindo Beach on the Pacific Coast. Along the way you will make a stop for a floating trip on the Palo Verde River. Palo Verde is a rich ecosystem that combines rivers, marshland, mangroves and dry forest. Continue on to our beachfront hotel and exploring and enjoying the local beach environment. Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort for 2 nights (B) Friday, June 12 Day to relax at the beach front resort or enjoy options on your own of shopping, hiking, birding, sport fishing, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, golf, and more. You may want to swim or just lie on the beach. Greg, who is a master at seizing the “teaching moment” to point out interesting items and explain about them, will lead optional beach and birding walks this day. Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort (B, D) Saturday, June 13 Morning transfer to the Liberia airport for a flight home. (B) Fee includes: land portion of the trip naturalist and escort Greg Cornwell pre-trip meeting all lodging (seven nights) all transportation in Costa Rica, including airport transfers meals as noted on the itinerary (BLD) all excursions all entrance fees all permits to national parks and reserves local guides from day one through day six all necessary touring assistance Land price per person based on two sharing a room is $2039. Single supplement is $500. Enroll promptly to guarantee the quoted price. To register, complete the registration form, with your name as it appears on your passport, and submit with the deposit of $500 per person payable by check to Furman University. Mail the form and deposit to Furman University
Lifelong Learning, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Hipp Hall 011, Greenville, SC 29613. Registration may also be handled by phone and the fee charged to your VISA or MasterCard. Final payment will be due March 20. Final payment may be made by check for the balance or may be charged to your VISA or MasterCard for an additional processing fee of $65.00. Fees are non-refundable except in the case of complete trip cancellation by Furman University Lifelong Learning. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and offered by our tour agent Joyce Moore, AAA Travel. For assistance with flights and travel insurance, contact Joyce Moore at 864-404-4220. We reserve the right to adjust dates/days of excursions and activities, as well as accommodations, depending on weather conditions and tour schedules. For questions or assistance, call 864.294.2156, 294.2153 or 294.3134. You may also contact Greg Cornwell at 213.9747.
Mail the form and deposit to Furman University Lifelong Learning, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Hipp Hall 011, Greenville, SC 29613
LIFELONG LEARNING REGISTRATION FORM
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