The Wildlife Lover's Costa Rica
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The Wildlife Lover’s Costa Rica November 7-19, 2010 $2,950 per person, double occupancy $795 single supplement WHY THIS TRIP? Awaken your senses, do immeasurable good, and protect our planet. It is all part of this Expedition, which puts you in Costa Rica’s premier lodges that are on the cutting edge of responsible tourism and management. Wildlife is literally at your doorstep. And our itinerary includes a service project that enables us to give back to the local community. CLASSIC ESCAPES Classic Escapes’ mission is to provide exciting, educational and fun-filled travel experiences that nurture and directly support the diverse wildlife and cultures we visit around the world. We believe that travel is the best tool for building the mutual respect, awareness, and understanding that are vital to preserving this planet for future generations. THE NWF CONNECTION Recent reports provide the most compelling evidence yet that frogs and other amphibians are in serious trouble worldwide. Costa Rica’s famous rainforest frogs—colorful, exotic, and a treat to behold—are also at tremendous risk. Learn how global warming is affecting even pristine areas like the Costa Rican rainforest. Please see the reverse side for a complete day-by-day itinerary. To ask questions or to reserve your place on this tour, please call 800-606-9563 or e-mail [email protected]. November 7— Arrive independently, bridge to the middle of the Sarapiqui November 16 & 17—One of Costa or on an optional group flight, and River arriving at the Tirimbina Rica’s treasures is Manuel Antonio transfer to our hotel where the rest of Biological Reserve - a living island National Park – where dazzling white the day is at leisure. Overnight: San laboratory that leaves even scientists sandy beaches are perfect for Gildar Hotel. awestruck. Hike along the many trails swimming, snorkeling and dolphin keeping our eyes pealed for opossum, sightings. We probe the numerous November 8— Tour the innovative anteater, and three and two toed sloth. short trails that meander through the community of Escazu that combines If lucky, we may spot the inverted ‘V’ park in hopes of seeing the highly environmental conservation and foliage nest of the endangered white- endangered endemic monkey, the education with economic initiatives. tent bat. Birds are prolific – commonly mono titi, with a population of only We are involved in a variety of seen are great tinamou, Neotropical 1,500 in the wild. Mixed bird flocks intriguing activities and visits: sugar cormorant, fascinated tiger-heron, and jabber noisily taking flight in mad mill, mask workshop and Marimba superb varieties of parakeet, parrot, packs of brilliant colors. Two-toed lesson. Become familiar with the cuckoo, swift and raptors. Optional sloth, raccoon, white-nosed coati, exceptional biodiversity of Costa Rica activities (at additional cost): white water howler monkey and white-faced while visiting INBio – a combination rafting, horseback riding, mountain capuchin hide within the dense foliage. museum, educational center and biking and boating. Overnights: La Overnight: Hotel Casitas Eclipse. B Daily nature park. Overnights: San Gildar Quinta de Sarapiqui. B, L, D Daily Hotel. B, L November 18 & 19 –- We return to a November 13 & 14—Twisting roads day of leisure in San Jose. On the 19th November 9 & 10—A drive through lead us to Arenal Volcano, one of the we transfer to the airport after the countryside and a two hour cruise 10 most active in the world – breakfast for flights home. Overnight: brings us to one of the wettest regions majestically towering 5,300 feet. We San Gildar Hotel. B, B in the country – Tortuguero National hike along its base getting as close as Park. We search 11 distinct habitats 1,600 feet from slow-moving rivers of for howler, white-faced and spider gold-colored lava. Perhaps we will see Questions and Reservations monkey, tapir, collared and white- a firework-like display of brilliant blue lipped peccary, three-toed sloth and morpho butterflies, and hear the sweet Call: 800-606-9563 the Neotropical river otter. Green chatter of wrens as we float down the E-mail: [email protected] macaw move around the upper Penas Blancas River. Slide into rainforest canopy, the vibrant-colored soothing volcanically heated waters to Online: www.nwf.org/ poison dart frog finds camouflage in soak our way into complete relaxation expeditions the undergrowth and the extremely at a private spa. Afterwards, the owner large bulldog bat prowls the swamp. will treat us to a traditional Costa Cancellation Policy One of the most endangered Rican dinner prepared by his family. Caribbean species found here is the Overnights: Arenal Paraiso Hotel. B; B, D $500 deposit per person West Indian manatee. This is also the most important nesting site for green November 15—We walk amidst a turtles in the entire world, and we remarkably rare combination of learn about the work of naturalist tropical vegetation and unique Full refund minus $250 per Archie Carr – an avid researcher, and mammals at one of the country’s person prior to August 25, 2010 integral in establishing the Caribbean greatest areas of biodiversity, Carara Conservation Corporation. Overnights: Biological Reserve. Special bird Mawamba Lodge. B, L, D Daily sightings may include the iridescent Full refund minus $500 per fiery-billed aracaria and the spectacular person from August 25- November 11 & 12—We drive to the scarlet macaw whose numbers in the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning wild are on the decline. Overnight: Hotel September 8, 2010 Center to work on projects in support Casitas Eclipse. B of the advancement of Sarapiqui 50% of the entire tour cost from County, one of the poorest in the country. Walk across a suspension September 9 –23, 2010 No refunds after September 23, TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: All accommodations, all transportation, all meals as listed in the itinerary (b=breakfast, l=lunch, d=dinner), a carbon-neutral offset, all sites and 2010 excursions as specified, entrance fees to all sites, professional tour management throughout the entire program, gratuities for staff at hotels and restaurants included in the itinerary, taxes and service charges throughout, complete pre-departure materials to help you prepare for your tour. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to and from San Jose, EXPEDITIONS airline taxes and departure taxes, optional guide and tour manager gratuities, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and film. Wildlife Ahead .