Includes:
2 Nights in Rancho Naturalista
2 Nights in Savegre Mountain Hotel
Meals as indicated in itinerary (B,L,D)
Birding guided walks with bilingual guides at locations (could also include full trip
private guide)
Rented Car (or Land Transfers)
Day 1: Rancho Naturalista - Caribbean Foothills
You'll leave from San José area hotel and
drive into the lush green valleys of the Orosi area until reaching the
famous Rancho Naturalista on the edges of a lush pre-mountain rain forest
in the Caribbean zone at 3000 feet. Over 400 species of birds have
been recorded by guests locally. Rancho Naturalista is nowdays the
best spot to see the Snowcap (Microchera alborocoronata).
This afternoon enjoy the numerous species that come near the balcony of the main lodge: Snowcap,
White-necked Jacobin, Green Thorntail, Garden Emerald, White-lined Tanager, Brown Jay, White-throated Crake,
just to mention a few.
You will for sure enjoy your two nights in Rancho Naturalista, Birding is just great here!. (L,D)
Day 2: Rancho Naturalista - Caribbean Foothills
Early in the morning your guide will be waiting for you in the main lodge's balcony,
a good fresh cup of coffee will be ready for you. At around 7 a.m. you will enjoy breakfast
and then begin your hike
through the different trails in the property. Lunch back in the lodge. More birding in the afternoon
in some of the sorrounding areas of the lodge. Night in Rancho Naturalista. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Savegre Mountain Hotel- Savegre Cloudforest
Birding and early coffee, great combination!. Breakfast and depart towards San Gerardo de Dota,
a small community in the Talamanca Mountains in the midst of a precious ecosystem,
the Tropical Cloudforest, filled with massive oaks and other native species.
The woods serve as a sanctuary for a large number of mammals and innumerable
species of insects, amphibians, amazing plants and of course, the abundant beautiful birds.
The Savegre Cloudforest is defenitely a paradise for birdwatchers, where the Resplendent Quetzal
can be seen all year around and hummingbirds fly all over the place, just to mention a few:
White-throated Mountain-gem, Volcano Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird,
Green-crowned Brilliant, among many others. Collared Trogon, Acorn Woodpecker, Yellow-tighed Finch,
Dark Pewee, and Emerald Toucanet, and occasionally, but seen lately, an Ornate Hawk-Eagle, can also
be in your list at the end of the day. You will be arriving to this destination before noon, lunch and afternoon birding walk.
Night in Savegre Mountain Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Savegre Mountain Hotel- Savegre Cloudforest
You will have the entire day to bird with your guide this excellent location.
Right after breakfast you will
concentrate on finding the Resplendent Quetzal,
and then continue to explore the different areas in Savegre.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike,
Yellow-bellied Siskin, Yellowish Flycatcher, Flame-throated Warbler, Barred Becard,
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Zeledonia, Torrent Tyrannulet, are other condidates to be found.
Night in Savegre Mountain Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Savegre - Return to San José
You will have plenty more time to explore this bird hot spot of the country
before having to return to San José, which is just 2 hours away. (B)