COLUMBUS ZOO and AQUARIUM WILDLIFE and CULTURAL EXPEDITION TO COSTA RICA FOR TEENS
10-DAY DISCOVERY EXPEDITION DEPARTS July 23, 2016 Escorted by Ginger Earley, Volunteer Supervisor Cost: $3350 per person, double occupancy All-inclusive from the San Jose, Costa Rica International Airport
TRIP TO BE OPERATED: July 23 - August 1, 2016 NUMBER OF DAYS: 10 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGERS: 14 DEPARTURE CITY: San Jose, Costa Rica
Cost, based on 10 or more participants, all-inclusive from Costa Rica’s San Jose International Airport: $3350 per person, double occupancy The single supplement charge is $350 if/when available
WHAT IS INCLUDED: . All activities in Tortuguero, as described, with local guide, including National Park entrance fee . Entrance fee to Paradise Hot Springs and dinner . Cultural tour at a local school and visit to a local farm, plantation and sugar cane mill . Arenal Volcano National Park Entrance fee (guided walk with your private English speaking guide) . Entrance fee to La Fortuna Waterfall (guided walk with your private English speaking guide) . Guided night walk at Ecocentro Danaus, with local English speaking guide . Entrance fee at the Bosque Eterno de los Niños in San Gerardo de La Tigra, including tree planting, and visit to the community “La Lucha” and lunch . Half day tour at Samara, with river kayaking, including transportation and local bilingual guide . Farewell dinner at the Holiday Inn San Jose Downtown on day 10 . Services of World Discovery Safaris . Transfers from and to the San Jose International Airport on days 1 and 10 . San Jose International Airport departure taxes . Tips for drivers. hotel staff and naturalist guides . 2 nights accommodations at the Villa Tournon, San Jose, Costa Rica . 2 nights accommodations at the Mwamba Lodge, Tortugero . 3 nights accommodations at the Arenal Montechiari . 2 nights accommodations at the Hotel Samara Inn . Meals as indicated by B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner, and PL = Picnic Lunch
NOT INCLUDED: International air to and from San Jose, Costa Rica, excess baggage charges, and items of a personal nature such as travel insurance, reciprocity fees, visas and / or passports, medications, souvenirs, drinks that are not included with meals, laundry, faxes, e-mails, telephone calls, excursions or other services not included in the program itinerary.
Ginger Earley, Volunteer Supervisor, looks forward to traveling to Costa Rica with you! A graduate of Otterbein College, Ginger has been at the Zoo since October 1995. This will be Ginger’s fourth trip to Costa Rica with teens and, for her, each trip has been just as exciting, educational and beautiful as the first.
10-DAY COSTA RICA WILDLIFE AND CULTURAL EXPEDITION
DAY 1 - SATURDAY, JULY 23 – ARRIVE SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Upon arrival at the San José International Airport our English-speaking naturalist guide will greet and escort us to the Villa Tournon hotel. Here we will receive some additional information regarding our program and an opportunity to get answers to any questions we may have. After checking into our rooms we assemble in the dining room for dinner. D
DAY 2 – SUNDAY, JULY 24 - SAN JOSÉ / TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK Early in the morning we travel past lush pasturelands and banana plantations through Braulio Carrillo National Park. After stopping for a typical Costa Rican breakfast we drive to the village of Caño Blanco. Here we board a boat and travel along the inner coastal waterway to our accommodations, for the next two nights at Mawamba Lodge near Tortuguero National Park. After checking into our rooms we walk, for about a 10 minutes, to the village of Tortugero and the Sea Turtle Museum. Here we meet the Sea Turtle Conservation staff, tour the station and are provided with information regarding the 50+ year history of this conservation organization’s data collection procedures and methods for tagging and monitoring these endangered animals. After dinner, we join our local, English speaking, naturalist guide on a night hike in search of the area’s nocturnal wildlife. B/L/D
DAY 3 – MONDAY, JULY 25 -TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK After breakfast we walk to a school in the village of Tortuguero, meet the students and villagers and assist them with the painting and refurbishing of a classroom. Following a Costa Rican lunch in the community we join our naturalist guide at the dock for an exploritory boat excurion on the waterways of this fascinating wildlife sanctuary. Three species of monkeys, three-toed sloths, herons, egrets, parrots, toucans and all six species of New World kingfishers may be seen here. The raphia palm, which has the largest leaves of any plant, grows at the water's edge. On our return to the lodge we walk along the beach looking for turtle tracks and nesting sites. Tortuguero is the largest nesting area in the Caribbean for the endangered green sea turtle. Although their feeding grounds may be as far away as Florida and Venezuela these turtles return, each year, to these sandy beaches to mate and deposit their eggs. After dinner we join our local guide on a night hike along the beach in search of nesting sea turtles. Our overnight accommodations are at Mawamba Lodge. B/L/D
DAY 4 – TUESDAY, JULY 26 - TORTUGUERO /ARENAL VOLCANO Early this morning we walk the beach on a turtle track and nesting site survey, while picking up any trash and litter we find. After breakfast we return, by boat, along the inner coastal waterway to Caño Blanco. Following a stop at a typical Costa Rican restaurant for a delicious home- cooked lunch, we drive to our accommodations at Arenal Montechiari at the base of Arenal Volcano. In the evening we ride to the nearby Paradise Hot Springs. Here, at the base of Arenal Volcano, a hot to warm water mineral spring flows through exotic tropical gardens, forming cascades and pools.... the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Following dinner at the hot springs we return to our rooms at the Arenal Montechiari. B/L/D
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 - ARENAL VOLCANO AND LA FORTUNA WATERFALL After breakfast we visit a local school where we will be received by the students, beautifully dressed in traditional folkloric clothing, and directed to a classroom for an artistic performance. After seeing the rest of the school and an opportunity visit with the teachers and students we travel, in a tractor drawn wagon, to a local organic farm with its plantations of pineapple, papaya, yucca and medicinal gardens. We next visit La Casona, the renowned and elegant, turn-of-the-century country home of former Costa Rican president Rafael Iglesias. La Casona is considered to be one of the most-charming and authentic cultural sites in Costa Rica and our hosts, Elieth and Milton Molina, famous for their warm Tico hospitality, will introduce us to its interesting history. While our traditional lunch, served on a banana leaf and complete with fresh coffee, is being prepared we visit a 100 year old sugar cane mill to learn how the juice is extracted and converted into raw sugar, syrup and rum. In the afternoon we join our naturalist guide on a nature walk in Arenal National Park, part of the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area. It protects eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges. Most of Costa Rica’s 850 bird species, including the endangered resplendent quetzal, can be found within the park's borders. Other animals that occur here include white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys, jaguar, deer, coati, ruby-eyed tree frog, strawberry poison dart frog and snakes such as the fer-de-lance and parrot snake. The park’s plant life includes orchids, ferns, laurels, palms, bromeliads (including the endemic Pitcaimia funkiae) and strangler figs. Although Arenal is ranked as one of the world’s 10 most active volcanos most of its activity consists of smoldering cinder-blocks and lava flows. In the afternoon we hike through the rainforest to La Fortuna Waterfalls. Located near the town of La Fortuna, this waterfall emerges from dense jungle greenery before plunging some 200 feet into an emerald pool below. If we have brought along swim suits and a hearty sense of adventure we are welcome to swim in the chilly water below the falls. After dinner, in the town of La Fortuna, we return to our accommodations at the Arenal Montechiari. B/L/D
DAY 6 – THURSDAY, JULY 28 - JUANILAMA ECOLOICAL RESERVE AND ECOCENTRO DANAUS In the morning we join our naturalist guide for a wildlife and nature walk in the Ecological Reserve Juanilama, which consists of 25 hectares of primary rainforest and has an impressive waterfall. In addition to its wildlife about 100 people live and work here. Most are stockbreeders and dairy farmers and they also raise pineapple, bananas and different types of root crops. Our 2 hour excursion includes a walk, of about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles), to the La Leona Waterfall. Here we can enjoy the scenic beauty of this lovely environment or swim in the crystal-clear water below the falls. Following lunch in La Fortuna we join our guide and walk to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Later in the afternoon we take a hike in the Ecocentro Danaus Reserve where two and three-toed sloths, Central American agoutis, a huge variety of birds (over 150 different species have been identified), basilisks, iguanas, insects, and strawberry poison dart frogs are just a few of the wildlife species we may find. We also visit a butterfly breeding center where 30 species of Costa Rica’s day-active butterflies are raised. A natural spring on the property provides a habitat for boat-billed herons, red-eyed tree frogs and spectacled caimans and a medical plant garden provides us with an introduction to more than 60 different species of plants which have been found to contain medicinally important compounds. Following dinner we return to our overnight accommodations at the Arenal Montechiari. B/L/D
DAY 7 – FRIDAY, JULY 29 -ARENAL VOLCANO / PLAYA SAMARA With an area of 20.000 hectares of protected rain forest the Bosque Eterno de los Niños (The Children's Eternal Rainforest) is the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. In the morning we visit the reserve, plant a native tree and receive an introduction to some of the complex symbiotic relationships of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. After lunch we ride around Arenal Lake and take the Pan American Highway across the country and down the Peninsula of Nicoya to Playa Samara, one of Costa Rica’s nicest beaches. Snorkeling, windsurfing and diving are a few of the popular water sports available. Our accommodations for the next two nights are at the Hotel Samara Inn. B/L/D
DAY 8 - SATURDAY, JULY 30 - NOSARA / OSTIONAL BEACH & WILDLIFE RESERVE Following breakfast we join members of the Nosara community and walk along the beach picking up bottles, cans, paper and other trash. It is especially important to collect any plastics as these are sometimes eaten by turtles which mistake them for jellyfish or aquatic plants. These plastic products, when eaten by turtles, can kill them by blocking or puncturing their digestive tracts. Ostional Beach is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the olive ridley sea turtle. During the months of July to November, thousands of turtles come to this 1 km (0.6 miles) long beach to deposit their eggs. Turtle “arribadas”, take place several times during this time period but October and November is the peak season when as many as 200 turtles per hour may clamber up the beach to lay their eggs. These nests are often plundered by raccoons, coatis and capuchin monkeys and the “hatchlings” are prey for frigate birds, seagulls and predatory fish. Local people have the traditional right to collect and eat or sell the turtle eggs laid during the first 24 hours, as these nests are usually dug up and destroyed by the turtles that follow. This is the only place in Costa Rica where sea turtles come ashore to nest during the entire year, even on nights when there is no "arribada". Later in the day we visit the Ostional Wildlife Refuge for a lecture/discussion regarding Costa Rica’s sea turtle conservation programs and, if we are lucky enough to be here during an arribada, we’ll spend part of the day on the beach working with the wildlife officials to count, measure and tag some of the turtles. Our dinner and overnight accommodations are at Hotel Samara Inn. B/L/D
DAY 9 - SUNDAY, JULY 31 - PLAYA SAMARA / SARCHI / SAN JOSÉ Our morning kayaking adventure on the Ora River takes us through dense tropical forest and thick mangroves while quietly observing cormorants, roseate spoonbills, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, iguanas and other wildlife. In the afternoon we drive back towards the capital with a stop, en-route, at the small country pueblo of Sarchi, the country’s most famous arts and crafts town. Here we’ll have an opportunity to shop for some of the beautiful leather and wooden items produced by local artists before driving on to San Jose and checking into our rooms at the Hotel Villa Tournon. In the evening we join our Costa Rican guide for dinner at the Restaurant El Mirador, from which there is a panoramic overview of the city. B/L/D
DAY 10 - MONDAY, AUGUST 1 - SAN JOSÉ / COLUMBUS, OHIO In the morning we must be at the International Airport 3 hours before time to board our flight back to the U.S. While waiting we might visit the duty free area and the airport souvenir shops for some last minute shopping. Later in the day we arrive home with many wonderful memories of our wildlife and educational experience in Costa Rica. B
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; PL = Picnic Lunch; D = Dinner © World Discovery Safaris
COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM DISCLAIMER Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (hereafter “Zoo”) is not the tour operator. Zoo is not responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or car-rental reservations, delays, losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour operator bankruptcies, acts of God, or any other event beyond Zoo’s control. Zoo acts only as agent for participants with respect to travel services, and it shall not be responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or other reservations, injury, damage, loss of baggage, accidents or for the acts or defaults of any person or entity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrangements of the tour. Further, Zoo shall not be responsible for losses or additional expenses of any participants due to sickness, weather, strike, civil unrest, and acts of terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond its control. Zoo shall not be responsible for alteration of the itinerary as deemed necessary for carrying out the tour and the right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar quality. The right is further reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure; in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on Zoo’s part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour should such person’s health, actions or general deportment, in the opinion of the Zoo, impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare of the other participants. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour. Applicants for participation in this tour accept in full all the conditions set forth above.
Please contact Patti Cattey (phone: 614-724-3558, e-mail: [email protected] ) or Richard Mills (phone: 205-972-8733, e- mail: [email protected]) with any questions regarding this travel program.
REGISTRATION & EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION
Safari name: __ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Expedition to Costa Rica______Departure Date__July 23, 2016______
Enclosed is my check for $______as ( ) deposit ( ) full payment ( ) final payment for a total of ______persons on the travel program indicated above. Your registration form and a $500.00 per person deposit are required to reserve space on this safari. Deposits may be charged to Master Card, Visa or American Express (see attached CC authorization form) but subsequent payments for this travel program must be made by check or money order. The cost for this 10-day expedition, exclusive of international air, is $3350 per person based on double occupancy. Please call World Discovery Safaris (205-972-8733) if you would like our help as you shop for international air. Please note: The cost of this travel program is based on 10 full fare participants and may be increased for a smaller group. Although we make every effort to find suitable roommates for each participant, the single supplement will be charged for any single for which no suitable roommate is available.
Accommodations Requested: ( ) Double - based on two persons sharing a room Name of roommate, if known: ______( ) Single - based on one person occupying a room (adds $350 to the program cost)
NAMES: (Please Print)-NAME AS ON YOUR PASSPORT (Provide a photocopy of the picture page from your passport.) 1. ______Age______Nickname______Sex______
2. ______Age______Nickname______Sex ______
Address: ______City: ______State: ______.Zip: ______
Phones: (Home) ______(Office) ______E-mail ______
Signature: ______Today's Date: ______
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Services of World Discovery Safaris, all accommodations and meals, as per this itinerary, top-quality, English speaking, naturalist/guide services, all land and boat transportation, airport departure and hotel taxes as imposed by government agencies, tips for boat and bus drivers, lodge staff and naturalist guides, entrance fees to parks and sites visited while in Costa Rica.
NOT INCLUDED: International air to and San Jose, Costa Rica, the costs of obtaining passports and visas (visas for U.S. passport holders to enter Costa Rica are not currently required), excess baggage charges, traveler’s insurance and items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs, excursions and services not included in the itinerary, drinks not included with meals, laundry, faxes, e-mails, and telephone calls.
CANCELLATION: Regardless of the reason, a cancellation fee of $500 per person will apply once the deposit has been made. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to World Discovery Safaris and are effective only upon their receipt in our office. Cancellations received ninety (90) days or less prior to the departure date are subject to additional cancellation fees based on penalties passed on to us by the motor coach company, airline, rail company, hotel and/or other vendors. No refunds will be given for unused services, including, but not limited to scheduled activities, meals, accommodations and airport transfer.
Make check payable to World Discovery Safaris and mail to: 2830 Acton Place Birmingham, AL 35243 Please Read and Complete Other Side 205-972-8733
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AIRLINES SCHEDULES AND LAND ARRANGEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS: To enjoy your travels to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical or mental condition requiring special attention or treatment must be reported in writing to World Discovery Safaris and the Columbus Zoo when the reservation is made. World Discovery Safaris and/or the Columbus Zoo reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who, in their sole judgment, is in such physical or mental condition as to be incapable of group travel or who may require care and attention beyond that which we can provide.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION Passenger Name: ______
Person to contact in case of emergency: ______
Relationship (please identify as parent, neighbor, etc.): ______Address: Street______City______State/Zip______
Their Phone #: Home ______Office: ______E-Mail ______
List any disability or special health care needs that may affect your ability to fully participate in this travel program: ______
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List any allergies, including food allergies: ______
List the names of any medications you are currently taking: ______
List any dietary requirements: ______
Health Insurance Company: ______Policy #______
Travel Insurance Company: ______Policy #______By my signature below I certify that I have read, understand and accept the terms of the "Cancellations" and "Terms; and Conditions" paragraphs included in this document. I also certify that I have been offered travel insurance.
I. I hereby release World Discovery Safaris, the Columbus Zoo and their staff and tour escorts from liability in case of accident or illness while I am participating in this travel program and do further agree to absolve from all responsibility World Discovery Safaris, the Columbus Zoo and their staff from all loss, damage or expense which I may incur by reason of any such accident or illness. II. I shall be responsible for all uninsured medical expenses. III. I hereby authorize necessary hospitalization and/or treatment while I am participating in this trip. (Please note: many health insurance plans do not provide coverage outside of the U.S.) IV. I will will not (circle one) cover myself for this travel program against unforeseen circumstances with the purchase of traveler’s insurance. V. I understand that weather and other unforeseen conditions may necessitate changes in the activities and scheduled activities of this program.
Date: ______Your Signature: ______
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE The Columbus Zoo will mail information regarding travel insurance coverage upon the receipt of your registration
Credit Card Authorization
Credit Card Type ______Number ______Expiration Date______Issuing Bank ______CC Holder Name: ______Credit Card Security #______Address ______Phone Number (home) ______(office) ______
Passport Name of Passenger(s) ______
Authorized charge amount in USD $ ______
I authorize World Discovery Safaris and ______to charge the above amount to my credit card as a deposit to confirm my/our space on the Columbus Zoo’s July 23 – August 1, 2016 10-Day Wildlife & Cultural Expedition in Costa Rica. I am aware that some restrictions may apply to any air tickets purchased by this transaction and am satisfied these restrictions have been explained to me.
Confirmation Signature ______Date ______
Please attach legible photo copies of your credit card, driver’s license and of the photo page from your passport.
Fax or mail this filled out form and copies of the other documents to 205-972-8733 or mail to: World Discovery Safaris 2830 Acton Place Birmingham. AL 35243
WAIVER OF LIABILITY / PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET PROGRAM: 2016 Teen trip to Costa Rica This information must be filled out completely with current information and turned in before the participant will be allowed to travel with this program. This form is used for all programs and is for the health and safety of the participant. If some questions do not apply, please indicate with “N/A.”
PERSONAL INFORMATION Participant ______Phone:______Address:______Date of birth: ______Age: ______Gender: male female Limitations or restrictions of activity or diet:
This individual is free of infection disease, is up to date on all immunizations, and is able to participate in recreation activities (with the limitations / restrictions listed). Yes No
MEDICATION Is the participant taking medication? Yes No If yes, name of medication(s):
Will medications be taken while traveling? Yes No If yes, name of medications(s):
Additional medical conditions we should be aware of (allergies, asthma, seizures, etc.):
Any other information that would be helpful to staff:
PARENT / GUARDIAN INFORMATION Parent / Guardian name: ______Relationship to participant:______Home: ______Work: ______Cell phone:______
EMERGENCY INFORMATION Person to notify in case of emergency: ______Phone:______
Physician’s name: ______Phone:______
Have you purchased a medical insurance policy which will provide coverage for any emergency accident, sickness or dental expenses should it be required while on this program? YES NO
If you have your own insurance policy, please provide contact information in case of emergency: Medical insurance provider: ______Phone:______
Policy holder name: ______Policy Number:______Additional emergency contacts: (optional) Name: Relationship: Phone: ______
EMERGENCY CLAUSE: In the event I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give my permission to the employees of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to secure proper medical attention for my child as deemed necessary. This permission extends from minor first aid treatment to (under doctor’s orders) hospitalization, injections, anesthesia, surgery and other medical procedures deemed necessary. Circle one: I DO I DO NOT
MEDIA RELEASE: I hereby grant the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium permission to record the participant’s likeness and/or voice for use in television, films, radio, or printed materials to further the aims of the Zoo in related campaigns and magazine articles, booklets, posters and in other ways they may see fit. Circle one: I DO I DO NOT
RELEASE CLAUSE: The undersigned releases and holds harmless the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and any employees or agents thereof, from any and all claims, liabilities, or demands whatsoever arising out of the enrollment or participation in any program by the participant herein.
Signature of Responsible Party:
Relationship: Date: