Trekabout Photography Workshops - Creating Adventure Through Photography
Workshops, Tours, Adventures with Accredited Professional Photographer Mark Rayner and the Dream Team
Day 0
SANTO DOMINGO DE HEREDIA
Today you'll arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica. After clearing immigration, collecting your luggage and proceeding through customs you'll be warmly greeted by your guide/driver and transferred to your hotel in the Santo Domingo, Heredia province. You'll be arriving late to the beautiful Bougainvillea Hotelbut you'll have time to explore the magnificent gardens in the morning.
Day 1
SANTO DOMINGO DE HEREDIA - SARAPIQUI
Today we are off to Sarapiqui with some amazing treats along the way. We'll stop for lunch in Cinchona where, with an awesome waterfall as a backdrop, you'll photograph many hummingbirds, toucanets, oriels and tanagers (amongst others). What a way to start our Costa Rica adventure.
Next we continue to Tirimbina Biological Reserve, another bird haven or heaven as you will see.
We complete our day at Ara Ambigua Lodge.
Day 2
SARAPIQUI
Today you will visit La Selva Research Station to explore the trails at the reserve and discover the rainforest at your own pace, enjoying the abundant flora and fauna of this region.
We will also pay a visit to an amazing reptile rescue and breeding centre. You'll have a unique behind the scenes opportunity to get up close and personal to a variety of exotic snakes, iguanas and frogs. Reptile and frog heaven!!
Overnight Ara Ambigua Lodge
Today we head towards Turrialba which is known for its active volcano, along the way you will visit Hacienda Tayutic, which boasts stunning views over the escarpment. Birdlife abounds and we'll take advantage of opportunities along the way.
Our accomodation for the next two nights is the beautiful Rancho Naturalista. 'Rancho Naturalista' is spanish for 'Bird Heaven'. Well, not really but you'd be forgiven for thinking it. Make sure you bring your camera to breakfast. You'll have hummingbirds everywhere.
Day 3
TURRIALBA
Today we explore the amazing trails of this property. You can explore it on your own, join our bird expert guide or take a break and relax enjoying the beautiful landscapes that surround the lodge.
Day 4
TURRIALBA
Today we continue exploring the amazing trails of this property. You can explore it on your own, join our bird expert guide or take a break and relax enjoying the beautiful landscapes that surround the lodge.
Day 5
TURRIALBA - TORTUGUERO
The journey will continue today, as you will head eastern to the Tortuguero’s embarking point deeper into our Caribbean side, where the boats are waiting to transfer you to the lodge. A two-hour boat ride, will take you through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rain forest. From the boat, you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. On the way to the lodge, you will have the chance to see different birds, reptiles and primates.
As you wander around Evergreen Lodge make sure you have your camera handy. Birds, frogs and monkeys abound.
Day 6
TORTUGUERO
Tortuguero is a great place for ecotourism lovers. Today we can explore the secondary canals of this paradisiacal place, where you can see different species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Tortuguero offers a full contact with Mother Nature. Much of the National Park extends along its unspoiled beaches that serve as refuge for spawning of the sea turtles, this event occurs between the months of July to September. After this tour, you will return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast.
In the afternoon you will visit the village of Tortuguero where you will learn the lifestyle of local residents and the significant conservation efforts that some NGOs have developed to protect the sea turtles that come to spawn each year along the 22 miles of the protected coastline. With luck we'll view the tiny turtles as they make their desperate dash for the relative safety of the ocean.
Day 7
TORTUGUERO – SARAPIQUI
At mid-morning the journey continues with a boat transfer back to the disembarking point in Caño Blanco or Pavona. Upon arrival, you will travel to the area of Guapiles, where lunch will be served.
After lunch, we continue the drive to the region of Sarapiqui, one of the densest rainforest of the country and recognized for being one of the most biologically active forests per square meter in the world. Your first stop here will be at La Selva Biological Station, the wildlife that inhabits this forest can be from the thousands of species of arthropods and the more than 400 species of birds that have been identified in the reserve, to large mammal predators such as the jaguar and puma. Our guide will lead us in here as we explore part of the reserve looking to find some of these species.
After lunch you will have a short drive to Sarapiguis Rainforest Lodge, our home for the next two nights.
DAY 8
SARAPIQUI
Today you will visit La Tirimbina Biological Reserve to explore the trails at the reserve (total of 9km), cross the suspension bridges and discover the rainforest at your own pace, enjoying of the abundant flora and fauna of this region.
We will also pay a visit to an amazing reptile rescue and breeding centre. You'll have a unique behind the scenes opportunity to get up close and personal to a variety of exotic snakes, iguanas and frogs.
DAY 9
TURRIALBA - SAVEGRE
Today we travel to the Savegre Valley. Here we will explore nature in an altitude of 4000 to 7000ft (1212m to 2121m). We will enjoy a delicious lunch at Paraíso de Quetzal Lodge, where you can have the opportunity to observe the resplendent Quetzal and some other beautiful birds like, the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Ochraceous Pewee, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black Guan, White-bellied Mountain-gem, Collared Trogon, Prong-billed and Red-headed Barbets, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Torrent Tyrannulet, and Spangle-cheeked.
Continuing to San Gerardo de Dota area, we'll check in to Savegre Lodge.
Day 10
SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Located in the cool highlands of the Talamanca Mountains, the emerald valley of San Gerardo de Dota is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets. Day time temperatures hover around 70°F and anglers can cast a line for plump rainbow trout in the frothy waters along the high-elevation Savegre River. Magnificent landscapes, the quiet town is also a birdwatching paradise, boasting over 200 avian species, including the elusive Resplendent Quetzal and a dazzling array of hummingbirds.
Today a private guide will take us to a hidden location in search of the Respendant Quetzal.
Los Quetzales National Park has three types of rainforest, and fourteen different ecosystems. Set at a high altitude (between 2,000-3,000 meters) along the Talamancan mountain range, much of the park is covered in cloud forest and protects a crucial habitat for many plant and animal species.
Today we also visit a purpose built bird photography facility. You'll sit in comfort on the side of a mountain nestled amongst flowering plants shooting numerous bird species. Bird paradise.
Day 11
SAN GERARDO DE DOTA - TARCOLES
Today you will head to the surroundings of the Tarcoles River in the Central Pacific region, in this four-hour drive. Along the way you will experience the city life of Costa Rica as you cross the Central Valley.
After a delicious lunch we'll go on board a river cruise on the Tarcoles River, where the main attraction is the largest crocodile population in the country. You'll also have to opportunity to photograph the Mangrove Hummingbird and Green Kingfisher. This region is also renowned for its migratory birds.
Finally we'll make our way to Trapp Family Villa where later in the evening we will share our farewell dinner.
Day 12
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport
Please get in quick and book your spot today.
Cost: AUD $9,850.00 Based on Double Occupancy (per person)
Single supplement AUD $1690.00
The workshop commences on Friday 22 November 2024 with your collection from Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José and concludes on Wednesday 4 December 2024 with your transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José
• Walk in La Selva Biological Station
• Walk in La Tirimbina Biological Reserve
• Guided visit to the Tortuguero Village.
• Boat tour at the Tortuguero National park canals.
• Kayak on own at the Evergreen canals in Tortuguero.
• Entrance fee and guided tour at Hacienda Tayutic.
• Morning Quetzal tour in San Gerardo de Dota
• Photo Session at Batsú Photography Garden
• All accomodation
• All ground and boat transport
• All meals
Transportation
• Private transfer in with assistance at the airport
• Private transportation and bilingual driver (English/Spanish) during the whole itinerary as specified for excursions, transfers and meals.
Exclusions :
• Gratuities for maids and bellboys
• Tips for the driver and guide
• Optional excursions not included on the itinerary.
• Other meals and beverages not included in the itinerary
• Alcoholic beverages
• Departure tax (US$31)
