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| 10-DAY TROPICAL BIRDING From $2800/person, double occupancy With more than 850 species of birds, all found within a tight geographic area, Costa Rica offers birders of all levels of expertise and unrivaled birdwatching experience during their stay in the country. From the lowland rainforest at La Selva and Braulio Carrillo National Park, to the oak forest of the Talamanca Mountains and Cerro de la Muerte, Central America's highest mountain range, to the tropical and transition rainforest along the Pacific Coast, birders will discover a rich variety of habitats filled with wonderfully diverse groups of birds. Thanks to the excellent diversity of birds living in a variety of habitats that are easily accessible, to the availability of knowledgeable, local guides, and to safe, convenient trails, Costa Rica has become one of the worlds' most popular birdwatching destinations. Few, if any, birdwatchers leave the country without having exceeded their highest expectations in a tropical country! La Selva is the international biological research station owned by the Organization for Tropical Studies, a consortium of approximately 50 universities in the United States and Costa Rica. La Selva works closely with the surrounding community by involving them directly in the research being carried out by using their farms as study sites while at the same time educating them in new conservation techniques, new viable native species for reforestation, etc. La Selva also offers a course to train locals as naturalist guides. In the 1980s, the Braulio Carrillo National Park was created in the mountains to the south of La Selva. The Park was subsequently extended 20 kilometers northward to connect with the research station. Located approximately 85 Km. southeast of San Jose at 7,000 ft. elevation, Cerro de la Muerte offers an unforgettable "out of the way" experience for those looking to get off the beaten path, but a closer drive from San Jose than the 4 hour trip to Monteverde Cloud Forest. There are lodges nestled in a beautiful river valley and Montane Oak forest typically found at higher elevations. You will find the elusive Quetzal that lives here year round along with other bird species and an abundance of flora and fauna unique to this area. Carara National Park is nearly at the geographical mid-point of the Pacific Coast. The Park has a transitional climate between the tropical dry northwest and the rainy region of southwest Costa Rica and so contains flora and fauna from both regions. It has year-round wet habitats, and is criss-crossed by several streams and rivers making the reserve a green oasis with its epiphytes, ferns and palms. Carara's habitat includes marshes, primary and secondary forests, and a lake covered with water hyacinth and other floating plants. It is home to parrots, parakeets, toucan, trogons, three species of monkeys, and one of only three viable populations of Scarlet Macaws in Central America. Day 1: Arrival in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Day 2: Travel to the majestic Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens for some early morning birding then depart for the lowland rainforest area of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in the north-central part of Costa Rica. Day 3: Birding at La Selva research station and biological reserve. Owned by the Foundation for Tropical Studies, La Selva is one of the country's best birding destinations. Day 4: Depart for Cerro de la Muerte via Braulio Carrillo National Park. Days 5: Full day of birding, seek out birds such as the Timberline Wren, Volcano Junco, Wren thrush, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, and Flame Throated Warbler endemic to these high elevations at Savegre's mountain oak forests. This area of tropical alpine vegetation is home to the Resplendent Quetzal and Emerald Tucanet. Day 6: Depart heading south towards Dominical and the Central Pacific Coast. Day 7: Full day of birding at Carara National Park, home to parrots, parakeets, toucan, trogons, three species of monkeys, and Scarlet Macaws. Carara contains flora and fauna from both the hot dry northwest, and the rainy region of the southwest. Day 8: Morning at the Villa Lapas Sky Way - a combination of natural trails and hanging bridges. In the afternoon enjoy an exciting boat ride along the Tarcoles River and Guacalillo Estuary where you will have the opportunity to see crocodiles and a variety of birds. Day 9: Morning birding at La Ensenada - a dry tropical forest and wetlands area at the edge of the Golfo de Nicoya. Late afternoon return to your hotel near San José. Day 10: Departure transfer for your International flight home. |
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