Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

Xtreme Adventure

Trip Code: CD.DIVE 001
Price per person in US$2,260.00
*Peak High Season US$2,400 p/p
Number of days: 15 days

Description
We are pleased to introduce the first trip designed to travel from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean, without the aid of a motorized vehicle. Your luggage will be transported by support truck but you will cross Costa Rica by mountain bike, on foot – trekking, and by raft on whitewater. The journey is truly spectacular encompassing rainforest, cloud forest, rivers and jungle. The only requirement is a good spirit on adventure, but you may want to put in some time getting a little fitter before the trip to make the crossing more enjoyable. From the towns of Quepos and Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast, crossing the Continental Divide through coffee plantations and small pueblos, to the exhilarating world class Pacuare River with its Class III and IV rapids to the famous home of the turtles in Tortuguero on the Caribbean Sea. Our groups are small and friendly. Combining US, Canadian and European, you will surely find like-minded travelers to share your experience and make some new friends for life! Accommodation is a mixture of hotels, cabins and camping and the cuisine is of a very high standard for trips of this nature. Come and join us, if you are just one person who wants to join a group or if you have a group of friends, you are all welcome!

Itinerary

DAY ONE
SAN JOSE (Arrival)
Costa Rica Dive representative will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

DAY TWO
MANUEL ANTONIO (Quepos)

The day starts with a 40-minute flight to Quepos, a fishing village on the Pacific coast. The day is free to enjoy the beach or visit Manuel Antonio National Park. (B, D)

DAY THREE
PACIFIC SIDE (Biking and Hiking)

Mountain bikes are our first mode of transport as we leave Manuel Antonio and climb into the steep mountains and beautiful valleys of the sparsely populated Pacific Coast. Trading our wheels for hiking boots, we continue on foot into the cool mountains of Central Costa Rica. We camp overnight in the midst of endless mountain ranges. (B, L, D)

DAY FOUR
LOS SANTOS (Hiking)

On this day we continue our trek towards the Continental Divide by challenging the infamous “Cemetery Hill” - a strenuous 3-kilometer climb up a steep, winding pass. We camp next to a trapiche (traditional sugar cane processing house). (B, L, D)

DAY FIVE
5 LOS SANTOS (Hiking and Biking)

The small pueblo of San Lorenzo is our morning destination where, after a few hours of hiking, we switch back to pedal power. We finish the day in the quaint village of Santa Maria. (B, L, D)

DAY SIX
6 CONTINENTAL DIVIDE (Biking)

The first challenge today is a 14-kilometer up-hill stretch to the Continental Divide, bringing us to an altitude of 2330 meters - the highest peak in our journey. The remainder of the day is a mountain biker’s wildest dream - mostly downhill on dirt roads and single-track trails. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land. (B, L, D)

DAY SEVEN
Orosi Valley (Free Day)
Spent in the beautiful valley of Orosi, the day is free to relax and explore the area (B).
DAY EIGHT
TAPANTI (Biking and Hiking)

Back on mountain bikes we journey along a river to the Tapanti National Wildlife Refuge. This is an area of vast rugged terrain covered with dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes, we take to the mountains and hike amongst thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytes. We camp near the small town of Taus. (B, L, D)

DAY NINE
PEJIBAYE RIVER (Biking & Rafting)

Today is a mixture of biking and whitewater rafting…we begin by biking to our river rafting put-in. Our first experience with rafting is on the Pejibaye River, which eventually joins up with the mighty Reventazon River - one of the most popular whitewater rivers in all of Central America. Once downstream, we hop back on the bikes for a climb up a steep mountain road to our night retreat nestled high above the river valley. (B, L, D)

DAY TEN
PACUARE RIVER (Biking and Rafting)

After breakfast we bike the ridge to Tres Equis, the gateway to the raging Pacuare River. Here we embark on our rafting journey through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. The rapids over the next two days vary from Class II – IV. Tonight we stay at El Nido del Tigre, our camp on the banks of the Pacuare. (B, L, D)

DAY ELEVEN / TWELVE
PACUARE RIVER (Rafting)

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS... For the final leg of the crossing we continue down the Pacuare and encounter some of the more spectacular rapids before easing into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we take in the last mile of the river to the mouth of the Pacuare. Having completed our challenge of crossing Costa Rica without the aid of a motorized vehicle, we are met by a motor boat that will take us up the canals to Tortuguero and our hotel for the night. (B, L, D)

DAY THIRTEEN
CARIBBEAN (R & R in Tortuguero)

The day is free to relax and enjoy the area. If you have some energy to leave poolside a walk into town or on the beach is a nice way to loosen up. A visit to the community museum in town is a worthwhile stop. Optional activities include a nature trip that involves a boat trip through the canals and a hike to Cerro Tortuguero or explore the intricate canals in a “panga”. The gentle pace allows sufficient time to enjoy the surroundings while learning about the flora and fauna and animal life found in the area. The couple of days in the area are a great way to unwind and relax after a tough trip. (B, L, D)

DAY FOURTEEN
CARIBBEAN (RETURN TO SAN JOSE)
After breakfast a Motor Launch winds through the tortuguero canals to our waiting bus. From here we bus back to San Jose (B).

DAY FIFTEEN
SAN JOSE (Departure)
Costa Rica Dive representative will drive you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

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