Photography Expedition


	Photography Expedition

Discount
Airfares

Costa Rica: Clouds to Coast
Photography Expedition
with
Adrian Hepworth

March 24th – 31st, 2012
August 4th – 11th, 2012

If you would like to take a tour on dates not listed below or have any other queries
you can contact Adrian directly at AdrianHepworth@CentralAmerica.Com

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival at Costa Rica’s international Juan Santamaría Airport you will receive a private, one-hour land transfer that heads north through picturesque green pastures and coffee plantations to a valley of highland rainforest between the Poás and Barva volcanoes. Here we settle in to the luxurious Peace Lodge, situated in Waterfall Gardens. The grounds offer an exciting and varied start to our trip: numerous hummingbird species visit hanging feeders surrounded by a wealth of tropical flowering plants; a gigantic aviary contains free-flying local birds that have been rescued from private collectors; a series of rainforest waterfalls flow through the grounds and indoor frog and butterfly gardens contain a colorful array of native species. Each hotel room has its own Jacuzzi tub to help you relax before dinner.

Night 1 at Peace Lodge.

Note: Peace Lodge offers an excellent menu in the $25-$30 range. We do not include the cost of breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 1, 2 or 3 in our rates to allow expedition participants to order as they wish.

Day 2

After an early breakfast we will take a 30-minute road trip up to Poás Volcano, which has one of the widest active craters in the world (1.3km). A paved road leads from the parking lot and visitors center to a nearby observation area above the crater, where there is plenty of space for tripods. Usually by mid-morning mist from the surrounding cloudforest will begin to drift across this breathtaking view, at which time we shall begin our return journey to Peace Lodge. We will spend the afternoon in Waterfall Gardens photographing more of the numerous subjects that these grounds offer.

Night 2 at Peace Lodge.

Day 3

We have all of Day 3 to photograph at our leisure in the grounds of Peace Lodge.

Night 3 at Peace Lodge.

Day 4

This morning we check out of Peace Lodge and travel east to a new area of Costa Rica: the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiquí. Our hotel for the next two nights will be Selva Verde Lodge, which sits in an area of protected rainforest close to the town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. Just meters from your room we will find both the green and black and the ‘blue jeans’ species of poison arrow frogs in their natural habitats on the forest floor. A host of birds such as trogons, hummingbirds and toucans can also be spotted from the trails around the hotel and a complimentary night tour is available with a local guide for those who wish to photograph a Caribbean jungle at night.

Night 4 at Selva Verde Lodge.

Day 5

We shall spend most of this day at the world-famous La Selva Biological Station, a mere 25 minute drive from Selva Verde Lodge. Leaf-cutter ants, collared peccaries, huge golden orb spiders, ‘blue jeans’ poison arrow frogs, toucans, crested guans, tanagers, oropendulas and hummingbirds are extremely common around the well-maintained gardens and trails of this rainforest reserve. Other animals that can often be spotted include iguanas, sloths, trogons, motmots, the great curassow, snakes, monkeys, coati mundis and tayras.

A specialist guide from the reserve accompanies us during both our morning and afternoon strolls to give us an up-to-date account of where certain animals have been sighted. Lunch is on-site. We return to Selva Verde Lodge to in the mid to late afternoon to continue photographing or simply relax in the swimming pool or a comfy hammock.

Night 5 at Selva Verde Lodge.

Day 6

Our destination this morning is the third distinct ecosystem of our trip: the freshwater canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. A 3-hour drive followed by a 1-hour boat trip will deliver us to the boardwalk of the Tortuga Lodge hotel in Tortuguero. On the canal we typically see a crocodile or two, herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, iguanas and basilisks.

The evening offers us two exciting options to choose from: we can join a guided tour to see a green turtle laying eggs on Tortuguero beach (non-photographic and July to October only) or search the hotel gardens for insects and snakes.

Night 6 at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 7

In our own private boat, we have 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon to explore the canals that meander through the dense, primary rainforest of Tortuguero National Park. Caimans, monkeys, toucans, kingfishers, tiger herons, basilisks, otters and river turtles are usually encountered and can be photographed if approached slowly. Many other animals such as sloths, bats, snakes and hawks can also sometimes be found in the vegetation overhanging the water and green macaws, ospreys and manatees are occasionally glimpsed. Lunch will be taken in Tortuga Lodge between boat outings.

With a little luck, a stroll along the beach in the late afternoon will provide the opportunity to photograph green turtle hatchlings scurrying down to the surf (July to October only).

After dinner, either of the previous night’s optional activities can be selected.

Night 7 at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 8

This morning, after an early breakfast, we will take a 30-minute flight from Tortuguero back to San José with superb views of the Caribbean coastline, Braulio Carrillo National Park and Turrialba and Irazú Volcanoes. Once we land at San José’s domestic airport you will then be transferred to the Juan Santamaría International Airport for your homeward journey.

Complete list of recommended equipment for this expedition.

Price: $2,818*

*All rates are per person based on double occupancy for a group of 6 people.
For a group of less than 6 people please contact us to adjust this quote.

Price Includes: Individual and group photography instruction by Adrian Hepworth, all land, water and air transportation within Costa Rica, services of local, bilingual nature guides, all park entrance fees and three meals per day except breakfasts, lunches and dinners at Peace Lodge on Days 1,2 and 3.

Price does NOT Include: Snacks, alcoholic beverages, turtle-watching tour fee and optional tips.

Custom Expeditions: With advanced notice, Adrian can conduct this tour on dates other than those advertised.

Contact CentralAmerica.Com For Information & Reservations

E-mail PhotoTour@CentralAmerica.Com

Call toll free from United States or Canada at 1-800-948-3770