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Holiday: Wildlife Costa Rica + Galapagos Islands Cruise + Quito Vacation

Costa Rica Highlights + Galapagos Cruise
Holiday Wildlife Costa Rica Galapagos Islands Cruise Quito Vacation
18 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,775
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRL18S
• Costa Rica & Galapagos Islands
• San Jose
• Tortuguero Wetlands
• Arenal Volcano
• Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs
• Sloths, Turtles & Tropical Birds
• Manuel Antonio
• Quito Vacation
• Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Holiday, Wildlife of Costa Rica

This wonderful holiday combines the turtles, sloths, tropical birds & rainforest wildlife of Costa Rica, with a Galapagos islands cruise & the colonial city of Quito. Visit the Tortuguero wetlands; impressive Arenal Volcano & the rainforests of Manuel Antonio. Then fly to Ecuador & complete your vacation with a once-in-a-lifetime cruise in the Galapagos Islands. All transfers, park fees & sightseeing included.

Day 1
You will be met at San Jose Airport and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax in the beautiful Central Valley, surrounded by the Talamanca Mountains to the south and the volcanoes of Poas, Irazu and Turrialba.
 
Check in to your hotel conveniently situated near the airport.
Day 2
Today transfer 4-hours by shared shuttle from San Jose, travelling through beautiful Costa Rican mountain scenery towards the Arenal Volcano - one of the most active in Central America, with a perfect cone that on a clear day is visible from almost anywhere in the area.
 
After driving through the mountains on narrow roads, your route crosses a large cattle and agricultural area, where chocolate is grown. Cacao was very important in the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations and today it is enjoyed throughout the world. Continue to La Fortuna, where you can relax surrounded by rainforests, waterfalls and thermal hot springs.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish. When travelling by shuttle, your luggage is restricted to one suitcase and one item of hand luggage.
Day 3
This morning enjoy a shared visit to the Mistico Hanging Bridges - a series of ten fixed and six suspension bridges, located in a natural corridor followed by migratory birds travelling between North and South America and offering wonderful views of the lake and volcano.
 
This 2-mile (3-km) trail will allow you to enjoy the great diversity of flora and fauna found inside this mountainous zone, as well as outstanding bird watching. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, coati, racoons and other rainforest wildlife. Birds you can hope to see include the Yellow-throated toucan, Crested guan, Grey-headed chachalaca, Baltimore oriole, Clay-coloured thrush and Red-throated ant tanager, amongst others.
 
Later in the day you will be transferred to Ecotermales Hot Springs, where you can relax surrounded by rainforest and enjoy an included dinner.
 
Note: Group size 2 to 12 per guide. The Hanging Bridges trail is not suitable if you have a fear of heights. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars & rain gear. Also sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear and water shoes for the hot springs.
Day 4
At leisure to explore more of the magnificent surroundings of La Fortuna (pay any entrance fees locally).
 
In 1968, the Arenal Volcano erupted after centuries of lying dormant, converting this quiet agricultural town into a hot spot for adventure travel. Many optional activities are available - including the Sky Tram & ziplines, the Hanging Bridges in the treetop canopy where you can search for rainforest wildlife such as sloths and monkeys, the La Fortuna waterfall and many walking trails around Arenal Volcano.
 
You can enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding on Lake Arenal, horse riding, mountain biking, ATV tours or a gentle cruise down the Penas Blanca River. If you are adventurous you can also try river tubing and waterfall canyoning, or venture into a world of stalactites, stalagmites and subterranean species on a visit to the Venado Caves. Alternatively you can simply relax at one of the many Hot Springs.
 
Day tours are also available to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, the rainforests of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, the turquoise waters of the Rio Celeste, or across the border into Nicaragua to view the Penas Blancas Massif.
 
In the evening you can enjoy an optional guided night trail in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Day 5
This morning transfer by shared shuttle from La Fortuna to the lake for a 1-hour boat crossing to the small settlement of Monteverde, situated high in the mountains on the continental divide.
 
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was gifted to the nation by a small community of conservation-minded Quakers, who moved here from the United States in the 1950s to avoid being drafted to fight in the Korean War. Shrouded in mist for most of the year, this pristine primary rainforest comprises six different ecological zones spread over 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) at different elevations - 90% of which is virgin cloud forest. As a result, it has an exceptionally large plant biodiversity.
 
On arrival you will be collected from the boat and transferred to your hotel in the mountains. Check into your lodge and on a clear day enjoy distant views over the Gulf of Nicoya.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish. When travelling by shuttle, your luggage is restricted to one suitcase and one item of hand luggage.
Day 6
This morning enjoy a shared tour exploring Monteverde Cloud Forest with a naturalist guide.
 
Set on Costa Rica's continental divide, this high elevation cloud forest offers miles of walking trails and is a magnet for certain flora and fauna thanks to its high rainfall and constant veil of mist. Woodlands give way to rainforests and tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, strangler figs, epiphytes and mosses rise high into the sky. In other parts you will find swamp forests and deep gorges with numerous streams creating waterfalls, rapids and pools.
 
Monteverde Cloud Forest sustains over 2,500 different plant species including the highest number of orchids in the world, over 90 different avocado species, 120 reptiles and amphibians and thousands of butterflies and other insects. Although not often seen, more than 100 small mammals are present (including sloths, white-faced and spider monkeys). However be aware that spotting birds and wildlife in this cool high altitude region is much more difficult than elsewhere in the country.
 
Over 400 bird species can also be found here including two toucan species, the Three-wattled bellbird, Bare-necked umbrella bird, Golden-browed chlorophonia, Black-breasted wood quail, Bananaquit and the magnificent resplendent quetzal, which is most often seen during the breeding season from February to May. Up to 14 different hummingbird species can also be seen at the Humming Bird Gallery outside the gate, including the Magenta-throated woodstar, Coppery-headed emerald, Lesser violetear, Violet sabrewing, Purple-throated mountain-gem and Green-crowned brilliant.
 
Afterwards various optional activities are available, such as a visit to Selvatura Nature Park or a thrilling Ziplining Canopy Tour, travelling at speed along lengthy ziplines through the cloud forest canopy.
 
In the evening we suggest an optional visit to the Monteverde Frog Pond (pay locally).
 
Note: Group size 2 to 9 per guide. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars, camera, jacket & rain gear. Also sun hat, sunscreen & insect repellent.
Day 7
At leisure to independently explore some of the hiking trails surrounding the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
 
A wide variety of optional activities are available including the spectacular hanging bridges, thrilling ziplining through the cloud forest, hiking to El Tigre Waterfalls, horse riding, visiting the Monteverde frog pond, or an agricultiral tour to see coffee and sugar production (pay locally, if not booked in advance).
Day 8
Today enjoy your 4.5-hour shared shuttle transfer to Manuel Antonio, a busy tourist town known for its sandy Pacific beaches surrounded by lush coastal rainforest.
 
Along the way the shuttle will stop at the bridge over the Tarcoles River, one of four rivers flowing out into the Nicoya Peninsula and home to one of the world’s largest populations of American crocodiles, with some up to fifteen feet long. There are also over 50 different bird species here, including the rare scarlet macaw and a great variety of resident and migrant waterfowl, iguana and Jesus Christ lizards.
 
On arrival in Manuel Antonio, check into your hotel and relax in your verdant surroundings.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish. When travelling by shuttle, your luggage is restricted to one suitcase and one item of hand luggage.
Day 9
Rise early this morning to avoid the heat of the day for a 2-hour privately guided hike with a naturalist, through the tropical humid rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park - the oldest and most visited national park in the country.
 
Situated on the Pacific Coast, this wildlife sanctuary consists of four protected white sandy beaches bordered by verdant tropical jungle. A series of boardwalks offer two main routes - either a direct 2-mile (3.2 km) hike to the main beach, or a longer 3.5-mile (5.6 km) circular hike that includes a second spectacular beach.
 
Over 100 mammals can be found here, as well as over 350 different bird species. You can hope to spot an adorable sloth - a tree-dwelling animal that sleeps for over 15 hours a day, whilst hanging from the branches of trees. The two-fingered sloth is largely nocturnal, so you are more likely to see the three-fingered sloth, although both species have excellent camouflage so can be hard to spot. These cute creatures move so slowly that algae grows on their fur. Look out for white-faced capuchins and cute squirrel monkeys and listen out for howler monkeys calling across the trees. You should see hermit crabs scurrying across the sands, halloween crabs (with their bright orange & black colouring) and may even see a bullfrog, Jesus Christ lizard (the brown basilisk that 'walks on water'), helmet basilisk, black spiny-tailed iguana, green anole lizard, caiman, American crocodile, fish moth, wax-tail hopper, rainbow grasshopper or spectacular blue morpho butterfly.
 
Birds you can hope to see include the Brown pelican flying in formation over the sea, Yellow-throated toucan, Tendin fruit bat, Long nosed bat, Mangrove hummingbird, Yellow-crowned night heron, Crowned woodnymph and Bananaquit amongst many others.
 
At the end of your hike you will be given the opportunity to relax on the beach for about an hour, before returning to your hotel. Your afternoon is at leisure.
 
Note: Manuel Antonio Park is closed on a Tuesday. Wear swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, shorts & T-shirt, as it will be very hot & humid. Bring water, binoculars, rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen, towel & insect repellent and expect this park to be very busy.
Day 10
Today is free to relax in Manuel Antonio.
 
Many activities are available in this bustling town - from returning to Manuel Antonio National Park for a second visit (pay locally) to relaxing on the beach. Optional activities include catamaran trips with snorkelling, boat rides to search for dolphins, boat rides or kayaking through the mangroves, deep sea fishing and surfing. You can also transfer to nearby Biesanz Beach, where you can snorkel (pay locally).
 
If you are adventurous you can participate in exciting zip-lining, or enjoy white river rafting down the Rio Naranjo (grade 3 & 4 rapids) or Rio Savegre (grade 2 & 3 rapids).
Day 11
Transfer 4.5-hours by shared shuttle from Manuel Antonio to San Jose.
 
Check into your hotel in a location convenient for the airport.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish. When travelling by shuttle, your luggage is restricted to one suitcase and one item of hand luggage.
Day 12
Transfer to San Jose Airport for your onward flight.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish.

You will be met at Quito Airport and transferred to your hotel in this historic Spanish colonial city that straddles the equator and is today a World Heritage Site.
 
Check in and relax in this capital city in the Andean Highlands, with its many museums, monasteries and churches with golden altars. The prosperous centre of the Kingdom of Quitu during the 13th century, and later the northern capital of the Inca Empire, it has a setting that few cities in the world can match.
Day 13
Today enjoy a full day private tour of Quito, starting with a visit to the equatorial monument that marks the Centre of the World at latitude 0º - about 16 miles (25 km) north of Quito.
 
Here you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere and visit the Intiñan folk museum that showcases the different Native American groups living in Ecuador, their culture and traditions. There is also a colonial-style tourist village complete with main square, church, post office, bullring and gift shops.
 
Afterwards enjoy a Quito City Tour, walking through the cobbled streets and main square of the historic Colonial Quarter - the largest and best preserved in South America. Take in its magnificent colonial architecture as you stroll along Independence Plaza - including the Cathedral, President's Palace, Archbishop's Palace and the Municipal Building.
 
You will see many mansions, monasteries and churches including the spectacular Church of the Society of Jesus ('La Compañía de Jesús) with its awesome gilded interior and the Monastery of San Francisco. This is one the of greatest religious buildings of the New World, with its impressive façade and atrium leading to a Moorish-influenced baroque interior and winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. This lovely city also has many cosmopolitan galleries and boutiques filled with contemporary paintings, sculptures and exquisite traditional crafts.
 
Your day ends with a ride on the TelefériQo (cable car) from where you can view at least four snow-capped volcanoes.
 
Note: Quito is situated at high altitude (9,350 ft / 2,850 m), so walk slowly. As you will be visiting churches (except on Sundays, when this is not permitted), do not wear shorts or mini-skirts as these are not allowed.
Day 14
Transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to the spectacular Galapagos Islands, with a touch down in Guayaquil.
 
You will be met at Baltra Airport and transferred by bus to the boarding jetty. Here you will embark on your Expedition Cruise through this magnificent archipelago, situated on the equator in the Pacific Ocean some 560 miles (900 km) west of the Ecuador mainland.
  
These volcanic islands are famous for their vast number of endemic species, studied by Charles Darwin during his historic voyage on the Beagle, which contributed to his Theory of Evolution by natural selection. Check in and relax in this astonishing marine reserve, where the unique wildlife does not seem perturbed by human visitors - allowing for extremely close-up encounters.
 
Note: You need to be relatively mobile to enjoy an expedition cruise in the Galapagos, as you will be embarking and disembarking by panga boat (zodiac). All sightseeing with a naturalist guide, marine fees, snorkelling and medical care aboard the boat are included, but not the cost of medicines. Wetsuits are available for hire. Children < 6 years are not allowed on an expedition cruise.
Days 15 To 17
Enjoy cruising through the marine-rich waters of the world-famous Galapagos Islands, with shore excursions each day with a naturalist.
 
Your exact routing will depend on your departure date and the vessel you have selected. This will be confirmed before you book.
Day 18
Disembark from your expedition cruise today and transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil.
 
You will be met at Guayaquil Airport and transferred to your hotel in this important port, that is the largest city in Ecuador. Here the vibe is Caribbean, in marked contrast to the Andean region.
Day 19
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport for your flight home.