10 days/9 nights Expedition
Day 1
1 night – Upon arrival at SJO Airport check in at Hotel in the Central Valley
Day 2-3
2 nights – Caribbean lowlands Sarapiqui Area. Early morning departure towards Braulio Carrillo National Park, after lunch drive to La Selva (OTS).
Afternoon to explore La Selva Biological Station in search of the regionally endemic Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Snowy Cotinga, Stripe-breasted Wren, and Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, along with other tropical denizens including various toucans, trogons, and tanagers. We will visit part of the 60 kilometres of excellent trails which provide unparalleled access to tropical rain forest habitat that is home to such species as Great Tinamou, Great Curassow, Great Potoo and Great Antshrike — what can we say, it’s “great” birding!
Day 4
1 night – Foothills Arenal Volcano
After lying dormant for centuries, Mt. Arenal erupted in 1968 and has been active ever since, making it one of the world’s most explosive volcanic cones. The surrounding national park contains a bizarre landscape of lava flows, lush tropical forest whose flora and fauna includes howler monkeys, toucans and over 350 bird species.
Day 5-6
2 nights – Monteverde Cloud Forest Area
The lush green ridges of the Tilarán Mountains, home of the world famous Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest. The reserves of this area provide habitat for some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Azure-hooded Jay, and Zeledonia, just to name a few. You will enjoy your stay all the more by spending two nights at one of the great Monteverde Area Hotel.
Day 7 -8
2 nights – Pacific lowlands Carara National Park
Descending from the cool, misty mountains, you’ll pass through dry forest life zones where we might spot White-throated Magpie-Jays, Rufous-naped Wrens, Lesser Ground-Cuckoos, or even Turquoise-browed Motmots before reaching your next destination: Carara National Park. The Park marks the northern limit of Pacific lowland wet forest in Costa Rica and is home to Scarlet Macaws, Baird’s Trogons, Fiery-billed Aracaris, Yellow-billed Cotingas, and Orange-collared Manakins — as just a sample of the hundreds of possible species.
Your lodging for the next two nights will be at a hotel, situated just minutes from the reserve.
Day 9
1 night – Overnight in the Central Valley before flying home
Day 10
Flight Home (or optional extended stay)
