Climb Mt.Chirripo, the nation's highest mountain; Hike Corcovado National Park
13 days / 12 nights
From $3,530 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Day 1: US - San Jose
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Don Carlos(or similar), breakfast included.

Day 2: San Jose - Cerro de la Muerte
Drive on the Pan-American Highway (2½ hrs) heading south to the Chirripó Highlands and Cerro de la Muerte (Peak of Death, 11,000’). Stay as guests of the Chacon family in their quaint cabins with private bath. The Chacon family farm is surrounded by one of the most rich cloud forest habitats in the Americas. In the afternoon, depart on a half day guided hike with the resident naturalist to the spectacular Savegre Waterfall. Overnight: Savegre Mountain Lodge (BLD)

Day 3: San Gerardo de Rivas
After breakfast, challenge yourself with the expertise of your resident naturalist guide to find cloud forest wildlife. Depart Savegre Mountain Lodge after lunch to overnight at the Hotel Talari, your staging area for the trek. Comfortable rooms with private bath offer river views. Equipment check and dinner. Overnight at Hotel Talari. (BLD)

Day 4: Trek to Chirripo Base Camp
Depart in the morning to begin trekking into Chirripó National Park. Today you hike in three stages as you ascend the mountain, eating snacks and lunch before arrival to camp by midday. Overnight Shelter in National Park (BLD)

Day 5: Summit of the Mount Chirripo
Arise early to begin trekking to the summit of Mt. Chirripó before the fog rolls in. If clear, the view to the Pacific and Atlantic is stunning. It’s about a 1 ½ to 2 hour ascent before descending to Valle de Los Conejos (Rabbit Valley). Hike to Cerro Terbi and Los Crestones reaching camp around early afternoon.. Overnight shelter in National Park (BLD)

Day 6: Back to Basecamp
Continue descending to Refuge Llano Bonito. Hike out and have lunch in San Gerardo de Rivas. Check in hotel. Overnight: Hotel Talari (BLD)

Day 7: San Gerardo de Rivas - Osa Peninsula
Depart on the scenic drive through the Valle de General where the air sweetens with the scent of pineapple, the main crop of this region. Arrival in La Palma in the afternoon. Your guide will share his knowledge of traditional medicinal uses of the rain forest on a guided hike in the surrounding area of the lodge. Overnight: Los Patos Tent Camp. (BLD)

Day 8: Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. It is a wild region, with an abundance of rare wildlife, and the last area of primary forest on a Pacific coastline in Central America. Overnight in a Shelter or Campsite at the Sirena Ranger Station. (BLD)

Day 9: Sirena Ranger Station
Your base camp overlooks a spectacular, wild tropical beach surrounded by a vast rain forest wilderness. Today you hike and explore the surrounding environment including a night walk with flashlights in search of nocturnal wildlife. Overnight Shelter or Campsite at the Ranger Station. (BLD)

Day 10: Drake Bay
After lunch departure by boat to Drake Bay. Arrival at Poor Man’s Paradise Lodge in the afternoon located in the untouched beaches in the southwest of the peninsula. Catch the sunset from the front porch of your beach front tent and listen for the howler monkeys calling in the distance. Overnight at Poor Man’s Paradise Lodge. (BLD)

Day 11: Caño Island
Caño Island is an ancient mountain between 40 and 50 million years old. Once there you will be guided to the cemetery site and a waterfall. Upon returning to the coral sand beach, a picnic will be served and you are free to explore the aquatic and terrestrial treasures on and around Caño Island. Overnight at Poor Man’s Paradise Lodge. (BLD)

Day 12: Osa Peninsula - San Jose
Boat cruise on the Sierpe River through a reserve representing 90% of the country’s mangrove swamps. Upon arrival in Sierpe you will be transferred to the Palmar Sur airstrip for your flight to San Jose. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Don Carlos (or similar), breakfast included. (B)

Day 13: San Jose - US
Hotel pickup and transfer to the International Airport. (B)