All of our tours are conducted by experienced local tour guides who are knowledgeable about the beauties and secrets of the area. For our guests comfort and convenience, we provide complimentary, top quality equipment such as boots, binoculars, first aid kit, water bottles and more.
La Zocola Tour
Tour Description
This tour is specially recommended for bird watchers. This is the reason why it takes place in the early hours of the morning or in the afternoon. This journey will allow the visitor to contemplate extraordinary sunsets and sunrises in a ¨transition forest¨ from the Tropical Rain Forest. |
La Zocola was given its name as cattle raising began to dominate the area, this hill remained as a spot of primary forest in the region.
Now a days, approximately 78 different rare bird species can be easily observed (among them the famous quetzal). The tourist will enter the forest in order to observe and study the birds in their natural habitat, only a half hour walking distance from the Lodge.
The complete tour will take approximately 3 hours, which can be easily extended (to the volcanic veins) depending on the number of different species being observed at that time.
Due to the susceptibility of some people to the severe weather conditions, we recommend to bring along protective lip palm and sunblock. Hiking shoes, warm clothing as well as gloves, coat, hat and others are also suggested. A good camera is something you must not forget in order to take along all the beautiful memories from this trip.
Option: Hiking
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El Martillo Tour (Old lava flows)
Tour Description
Traveling through the Tropical Cloud Forest, in single track path, towards
Guápiles, this path is known as LA PICADA THE GUAPILES, we will see Volcán Turrialba’s newest
fumaroles and former Lava Rivers, getting deeper into the forest, we will be able to look at
small and new water nascent today, that run down hill, where huge magma rocks are half cover
with tropical and exuberant vegetation and fauna, typical of the rain forest, cloud forest
an their transition, altitudes changes are very well define, and difference in forest and animals
as well.
Besides the natural beauty, which is the forest itself, the tourists will be able to glance at
different local crops of the region on our way to main path.
Options: Horse back riding, Mountain Bike, Hiking.
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Volcán Turrialba Tour
Tour Description |
This giant recently started fumaroles activity after almost 150 years
of a dormant period. From the summit at the view point, the activity can be easily appreciated,
it is impressive and a unique experience, steam columns go as far as 500 meters up into sky;
you can actually listen to the pressure fumaroles as they are producing steam under high pressure.
The journey takes approximately one hour each way, in a horse back, riding in to the forest
typical of the Páramo (tiny vegetation).
You will ascend to the peak of the volcano, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate
one of the best panoramic views in Costa Rica, at over 3.350 meters (over 10000 feet) above
sea level., where in a clear day you can look at both oceans, making this one of the few places
in the country where such a view can be appreciated…..
Options: Horse back riding, Mountain Bike, Hiking.
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Volcanic Veins
Tour Description
Natural formations, huge holes in the pasture, made by the underground connectivity of both Turrialba and Irazu Volcanoes the 2 highest and biggest Volcanoes in Costa Rica, This volcanoes have their individual activities but they interconnect and absorb some parts of the soil as they have their volcanic eruptions. This tour is carried out in our property, across green fields and paths in the cloudy tropical forest.
This tour is directed by a local guide from the area, who's a great expert of the beauties and secrets of the zone.
Besides the typical flora of these elevations, fauna and several bird species can be observed such as: Martillas, Squirrels, Hoggish Porcupine, Armadillos, Coyotes, Manigordos, Water's Otter, Quetzales, Hummingbirds, Toucans, Gavilánes Tijerrilla, Coliroja and Bell Bird among others.
This is a hiking tour, we suggest groups no larger than 12 persons and the time estimated for the tour is 2 to 3 hours, it is recommended for all ages.
Options: Hiking.
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Tour to "Las Pilas"
Tour Description
Is a hiking tour, for any one in good physical condition, it takes
up to 3 hours, we will take the path that will lead us towards Las Pilas (the ponds),
getting deep into the Rain Forest, where lots of different mammals and birds of these
part of the world can be observed, after about 1 hour hike, we will be at the view point
where spectacular views of BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK can be observed. We can also
observe the 4 magnificent and highest volcanoes of Costa Rica’s “Cordillera
Volcanica Central”, Turrialba, Irazu, Barva, and Poás.
At this
point, we will take another small trail, going down the canyon, until we reach LAS PILAS
at the very bottom of the rocky canyon. Las Pilas is a small canyon cover with exotic
vegetation and mountain water cascades, small ponds are made, and they form many
different shapes of the water, simply amazing……
Options: Hiking.
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“Mt. Bike to El MIRADOR “
Tour Description
We will use the Lodge’s own Mt Bikes, which we have ready to go at any moment, with
all necessary gear. After a small brief from our tour guide, we will head towards a small
country road, which connects both Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes. All types of terrain
can be found, flats, ups, and downs, riding along the magnificent RAIN FOREST. After a
ride of about 12 Km we arrive to EL MIRADOR, an impressive view point, which will allow us to
look at one of the best sceneries of this small country call Costa Rica.
In front of us: La
Cordillera de Talamanca with Costa Rica’s highest peak “Cerro Chirripó”,
very easy to identified. To the west, the city of Cartago and San José, down below, just
down of our view point , the valleys of Guarco, Orosi, and Turrialba, with the electric dams,
sugar cane and coffee plantations, and to the east :The Caribbean cost line, from the far north,
to the very far south. And to right of our backs, the two giants that serve us a view point,
Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes. This simply is a breath taking view of Costa Rica.
Down hill terrain is ahead of us in our way back to the Lodge, that’s why, must of our
guests end the tour with a big smile. This country road that we are riding is small portion of
the world famous Mt. Bike race, LA RUTA DE LOS CONQUISTADORES.
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“La Muralla”
Tour Description
This is an extension of Las Pilas tour, with the big difference that instead of looking at the park from above, we will descend all the way down to the limits with our property and the Braulio Carrillo National Park , this is only for people in very good physical condition, because we are going to descend for a single track trail , all the way down to 1500 meters above sea level , until we reach an altitude of 1300 mts. , and then at the end of the journey, we will return.
Once we are down at La Muralla, or the Big Wall, there is no one else around, so the entire forest is there for us to enjoy without any interference. The transition between the rain and cloud forest can be appreciated because of the difference in vegetation, animal life, and climate. Down at La Muralla, it is warmer and more humid that at the Lodge. We will provide you with a Lunchbox, which can be taken at the spot we have prepared for you. During lunch time, Cappuccino Monkeys might show up to the pick nick table, so you have to watch for them, please do not feed them.
Several trails can be taken with our local guide, but we highly recommend one, EL PALMITAL, this trail is named after a plant called PALMITO, or Heart of Palm. The original, mountain gray heart of palm, is a delicatessen, well known in very unique restaurants, but illegal to buy in Costa Rica, because this plant takes to recover more than 25 years. We do have some giant PALMITOS here for you to observe, and other plants, mammals and birds, we are sure you will love.
This is a one day tour, we call it our jewel, because water springs and cascades are all over the place, and we like to keep it as it is, suitable only for people who appreciate to be in close contact with Mother Nature ….. It is a heavy hike!!!!
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It is recommended to the visitor to wear comfortable and warm clothes, due to the drastic weather changes. Hiking shoes are also useful. A good camera is a must to be taken during the tours. The Lodge will provide you with binoculars
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