Discover Costa Rica With Hawk Mountain Enjoy New Birds and Spring Raptor Flights!

Transcription

1 Discover Costa Rica With Hawk Mountain Enjoy New Birds and Spring Raptor Flights! Hawk Mountain Excursion Guiding by Costa Rica Expeditions March 17 to 25, days / 8 nights Price: $2650 per person for double occupancy, $450 single supplement 1

2 Discover Costa Rica With Hawk Mountain March 17 to 25, days / 8 nights -Price: $2650 per person (Letter Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner;TG = Transfer Guide, NG = Naturalist Guide). 17 Mar 14: Arrival San José, Costa Rica (no meals) TG Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by a Costa Rica Expeditions representative who will give you a sticker to facilitate clearing customs. When you are exiting the building, look for a Costa Rica Expeditions Guide in a bright orange or yellow shirt holding a sign with your name on it. He or she will take you to your hotel. Overnight at: Hotel Bougainvillea. Standard Room Number of Nights: 1 18 Mar 14: San Jose / Puerto Viejo (B,L,D) NG Early birding at the Bougainvillea gardens, this hotel has some exceptional birding in their courtyard Ferruginous Pygmy-owls, Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufous-capped Warblers, and Grayish Saltator, The grounds is a great place to see the elusive Whiteeared Ground-sparrow. Your Private Bilingual Naturalist Guide and Spanish speaking driver will join you for breakfast and a briefing on the itinerary for the next 7 days. After breakfast depart for the south Caribbean driving by the Braulio Carrillo National Park. The park contains landscapes representing the Talamancan montane forests ecoregion at high elevations and the Isthmian-Atlantic moist forests ecoregion at low elevations. En route stop at El Tapir private reserve where we will look in the Verbains for several species of hummingbirds as Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Black-crested Coquette and Snowcap, and hopefully a mix flock will go by which may yield some great Tanagers as Silver-throated Emerald Tanager. Mid to late afternoon arrive in Puerto Viejo 2

3 Overnight at: Hotel Villas Del Caribe. Superior Room Number of Nights: 2 19 Mar 14: Puerto Viejo (B,L,D) NG Full day to explore Kekoldi Reserve with special guide Pablo Porras, former Hawk Mountain intern and organizer of Kekoldi raptor watch. Kekoldi hosts one of the largest raptor migrations in the Central American region as well as many local birds including possible chance to see King Vulture, White Hawk and other tropical raptors. Lunch at the reserve hosted by native tribe. 20 Mar 14: Puerto Viejo / Sarapiqui (B,L,D) NG This morning go back to Kekoldi Reserve for a half day hawk watch or birding with Pablo and others. After lunch in the area depart for Sarapiqui, this region is one of the most diverse in Costa Rica, offering a mosaic of mountains, plains, rivers, forests, fruit farms and cattle ranches. Marked by a quaint tropical flavor, the region is lush and enjoys a balmy temperature year round. Overnight at: La Quinta Sarapiquí. Superior Room Number of Nights: 2 21 Mar 14: Sarapiqui (B,L,D) NG Full day to explore La Selva Biological Station, located in the lowlands of Sarapiqui, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. This station is owned and administered by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) a consortium of U.S. and Costa Rican institutes of higher learning. Discover the biodiversity of lowland tropical rainforest at this internationally renowned research station. With its laboratories, online geographic information system, extensive trails, and large forest reserve bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva is one of the world s most important sites for tropical ecosystem research. Each year more than 250 scientists from some 25 countries and thousands of international students come to La Selva to study tropical ecology. La Selva comprises 1,513 hectares (3,739 acres) of old growth and disturbed tropical wet forests. There are more than 1,900 species of plants, 330 species of trees, 436 species of birds, and 450 species of ants. Showy birds, such as toucans, parrots, trogons and hummingbirds are seen frequently. So are mammals such as monkeys, peccaries, agoutis and coatis. 3

4 22 Mar 14: Sarapiqui / Copey de Dota (B,L,D) NG This morning keep bird watching in Sarapiqui. After lunch depart for the montane forests in the Talamanca Mountains near Copey, birding en route. This destination will provide wonderful opportunities to see birds of the highlands, including the Resplendent Quetzal. This is a small rustic lodge which has recorded over 200 species of birds in its vicinity. Overnight at: El Toucanet Lodge. Standard room Number of Nights: 2 23 Mar 14: Copye de Dota (B,L,D) NG Full day of birding in the vicinity of Toucanet Lodge. There will be great opportunities to look for including Green Violetears, Scintillant Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, White-throated Mountaingem, and Magnificent Hummingbird. Other specialties include Large-footed Finches, Black Guan, Collared Redstart, Collared Trogon, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Yellow-thighed Finche, Sooty Thrushes, Mountain Thrushes, Emerald Toucanet, and Spangle-cheeked Tanager. 24 Mar 14: Copey de Dota San Jose (B,L,D) NG Today with your Naturalist Guide drive around the highlands at Cerro de la Muerte for more birding, afternoon return to San Jose Tonight farewell dinner in the hotel. Overnight at: Hotel Bougainvillea. Standard Room Number of Nights: 1 25 Mar 14: Departure (B) TG Transfer to the International Airport at least three hours prior to the departure time for your flight out of the country. HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS 4

5 Hotel Bougainvillea Located outside San Jose, in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Hotel Bougainvillea offers far more than just accommodations. All 82 rooms have unique furniture made of Costa Rican hardwoods and balconies with views of gardens, the city of San Jose and the Central Valley. There is a swimming pool, conference room, sauna, and tennis courts, as well as a restaurant. Guests find the gardens an inspirational paradise where they can relax and discover the beauty of many Costa Rican plants and birds. With its 10 acres of carefully tended tropical grounds, the Hotel Bougainvillea features over 50 species of bromeliads, Costa Rican native trees, and numerous species of orchids, ferns, herb and cacti gardens; and humming birds typical of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Temperate climate Hotel telephone: 011 (506) Standard Room City View The Standard Room includes 2 double beds, with a desk, flat screen cable TV, direct dialing telephone, Wi-Fi, safety deposit box, ceiling fans coffee maker, room service and glass doors leading into a balcony with a city view. There is a private bathroom or bath tub with hot water and a hair dryer. This is a non-smoking room. Hotel Villas Del Caribe Located near Cocles Beach, south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Villas del Caribe offers 26 units that are bright, fresh and clean and have been designed in modern Caribbean style. You may have a drink in the lobby terrace or at the TV Bar with free Wi-Fi. You may also enjoy the swimming pool and en the elevated thatched Jacuzzi. The Caribbean and international Sea Side restaurant, an authentic and traditional Caribbean style beach house, offers fresh made meals to guests. Located a few meters away from the beach allowing guests to enjoy the ocean view as well as the sounds of the surf. Hot climate. Hotel telephone: 011 (506)

6 Superior Rooms With a king size bed or two twin beds as needed, and a single sofa/bed, A/C, Cable TV, Mini-bar, private bathroom, large balcony with hammocks and ocean view La Quinta Sarapiquí This family owned country inn is a birdwatcher s paradise. Located 15 minutes from La Selva Biological Station, and 5 km north of La Virgen on the Sardinal River, 34 rooms are arranged in bungalows with private baths, surrounded by gardens each is provided with a binder containing general information on the area, flora and fauna, a self-guided walking tour description, conservation policies and general policies. There is a pool, butterfly garden, frog garden, a tilapia fishing pond and a small shop. Costa Rican-style meals are served, and there are a variety of activities and services available. Hot Climate. Hotel telephone: 011 (506) Superior Room Features private bathroom, hot water, air conditioning, ceiling fan, closet, hairdryer, safety box, and thatched roof porch facing to the gardens with hammocks and rocking chairs. 6

7 El Toucanet Lodge El Toucanet Lodge offers you spectacular views and personalized service, in a comfortable rustic atmosphere, only one and a half hours from San José on good roads. The valley, the cloud forest and over 200 bird species make this area similar to Monteverde, and is an excellent place to stop and relax to break up the long drive to the southern beaches and National Parks of Costa Rica. Cool weather. Breakfast included. Hotel telephone 011 (506) Standard room The rooms of El Toucanet Lodge are modern rustic made of wood and very cozy. Private bath, hot water, desk, reading lamps, closet and big windows to enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains and cloud forest and sometimes to admire the beauty of a rainbow. Private terraces in each room. The Lodge has comfortable rooms from one double bed for couples to six beds for families with fireplace, jacuzzi bath, coffee maker and a small refrigerator. All the rooms have plenty of extra blankets to keep you warm during those chilly nights. typical breakfast included 7

8 GUIDES: Hawk Mountain staff Laurie Goodrich, Senior Biologist, and Jerry Regan, President, will lead the Hawk Mountain Excursion to Costa Rica, assisted by expert birders from Costa Rica from Costa Rican Expeditions bird tours and former intern and Costa Rican raptor researcher Pablo Porras while visiting the Kekoldi Reserve and hawkwatch. Jerry Regan, HMS President, and Laurie Goodrich, Ph.D., join former trainee Kashmir in Veracruz, MX. AIRFARE: Airfare is will be purchased by participants on their own. Tour participants are encouraged to contact Laurie Goodrich, x 106 prior to making air reservations. We will wait until we know we have a full tour before finalizing arrangements and hope to coordinate travel through the Hawk Mountain travel agent, Berkshire Travel of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Transport from Hawk Mountain to airport is possible. Contact Laurie after you reserve your spot to discuss possible plans to coordinate arrivals. All tours originate from San Jose, Costa Rica Airport. TOUR PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodations: As featured in the itinerary. Meals: As indicated in the itinerary. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Naturalist Guide services as indicated. Driver and Guide expenses Transfers: Arrival and departure transfers. Other transportation within the country is done by A/C van with driver and guide. Porterage: The handling of two bags per person. Baggage and personal effects are at the owner's risk throughout the tour. Taxes & Entrance Fees: Hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking are included unless otherwise specified. Tax increases or new taxes charged for services that were not taxed in the past will be charged to the client. 8

9 NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICES: Costs of obtaining passports, visas or tourist cards; excess baggage fees; personal expenses such as room service, beverages and laundry; gratuities to tour escort, guides or driver; personal communications charges; international airfare and airport departure taxes; tax increases or new taxes charged for services that were not taxed at the time the booking was made; excess mileage carried out at the request of the passenger; sightseeing or meals not specified in the itinerary; personal insurance coverage (strongly recommended). International departure tax (currently $29 per person) TERMS & CONDITIONS Payment to Hawk Mountain $ 500 deposit required by December 15, 2014, 50% payment, less deposit, is required 60 days prior to the scheduled trip January 17th, with the balance due 30 days prior to the trip, February 17th. Cancellation Policy If cancellation is made 60 days or more prior to the scheduled trip, a full refund (less deposit guarantees at hotels, and guide deposit, less a U.S. $ handling fee) is made. The entire 50% deposit is forfeited if cancellation is received in our offices days prior to the trip. If cancellation is received 29 days or less prior to the trip, the full value is forfeited. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance be obtained at time of first deposit to insure you can retrieve your trip costs if you have to cancel. Costa Rica Hawk Mountain Trip Responsibility: For and in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the tour, each tour participant agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions, its agents, trip leaders, employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and contractors as more fully set forth in the Release Agreement attached. Costa Rica Expeditions., Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association acts only as an agent for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, airplane, or other means, and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by defect in such vehicles, or for any reasons whatsoever, including the acts, defaults, or bankruptcies of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions, accept no responsibility for losses, or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, war, quarantine, or other causes. The Tour participants shall bear all such losses and expenses. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions,., reserve the right to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions 9

10 reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour. Baggage is at the owner s risk entirely. Participants should be in good health and should consult a physician before undertaking the tour. If you have questions regarding the physical requirements, contact the Laurie Goodrich at Hawk Mountain. Weather will be hot and muggy. Each participant is responsible for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as recommended in post-reservation materials. The receipt of your tour deposit shall be deemed to be your consent to the above conditions. Each tour participant also shall sign and deliver the release and indemnity agreement at the time of registration. See below. 10

11 2014 Hawk Mountain Costa Rica Excursion Reservation Form Yes! Sign me up for a place on the 2014 excursion to Costa Rica. Enclosed is my $500 deposit for trip due by December 15, I have signed and attached the participant release form and I enclose it herein. Name (write full name found on passport, and nickname if you use one.) Address/zip Phone Number Deposits can be made with check (to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary) or credit card: Visa or Master Card number: Exp. Date Signature Send Reservation Form and payment to: L. Goodrich Costa Rica Excursion Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association 410 Summer Valley Road Orwigsburg, PA Questions may be directed to Laurie Goodrich at: x 106, or at goodrich@hawkmtn.org. 11

12 Hawk Mountain 2014 Costa Rica Excursion Participant Release and Indemnity Agreement I am willingly participating in a birding tour in the Costa Rica between March 15 and 30, 2014 and I acknowledge that there are inherent dangers and risks that may occur with this expedition, known or unknown, relating but not limited to: travel in remote areas by means of aircraft, boat, automobile and other conveyances, without the means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities; nature walks or hikes, swimming, use of camera and birding equipment, accidents and/or illness, and acts of nature, man, or God. I recognize and agree that I am taking part in this trip at my own risk. I acknowledge that Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions make no warranty or representation, express or implied, regarding the conditions that may be encountered during the trip, and/or the safety of any means of transportation during the trip, and that Hawk Mountain and Costa Rica Expeditions will have no liability for any defect in or dangerous conditions pertaining thereto. I further certify that I am in good health and able to and have taken any precautions recommended by my physician or trip leaders. In consideration of the right to participate in this expedition, I hereby release Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Costa Rica Expeditions and their agents, their trip leaders, associates, related parties, directors, and staff, from all responsibilities for damages, injuries, losses, or delays due to any reason whatsoever and hereby assume all risks and dangers in connection with this trip. I have read the itinerary and related information pertaining to this trip and I am aware of the terms and conditions of the trip involving refunds and cancellations, responsibility and liability. Signature Date Printed Name in Full: Signature Date Printed Name in Full: (If a couple is registering, please have both sign the document) 12