2019 / 2020 Ontario Council of Camera Clubs - Photo Tours

Costa Rica Photo Tour - "Nature Up Close"

Costa Rica Photo Tour - Costa Rica occupies a privileged spot in the heart of Central America, spanning 19,652 square miles it touches both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The country stands out for its variety of ecosystems, black volcanic beaches, and hosts some of the most beautiful rain forests waiting for the creative eye of the photographer.

We would like to invite you to join us as we photograph and explore the nature and culture Costa Rica has to offer. We will be spending three nights at Cano Negro Nature Lodge during our trek. Talk about nature in your own back yard ... This location will offer our photographers access to trails & nature during our schedule of photo shoots and chance to return during free time.

During our journey, we will experience the rainforests and volcanic regions from high and low offering up a variety of birds and other wildlife.

James Cowie

Costa Rica Photo Tour Itinerary - February 6th to 15th, 2020

Day One: Thursday February 6th, 2020 Mid day coach departure offered from London to Toronto. Toronto and area guests will meet at Pearson International. We are flying from Terminal 1 via Air Canada to San Jose International Airport. Our flight arrives at 9:05 p.m., after clearing customs and immigration, we will be met by local tour representative who will assist with luggage claims and transfer to our hotel in the central valley. Two nights Aurola Inn Hotel.

Day Two: Friday February 7th, 2020 After breakfast at our hotel we will have the opportunity to visit and photograph at Poas Volcano National Park. The forest that surrounds the two craters measures 5,600 hectares. In the bottom of the crater a steaming lake. We will explore and photograph along the trails within the rainforest. Later in the afternoon we will visit La Paz Waterfall, which is located approximately one hour from San Jose to the north of the volcano. The vegetation and wildlife is a photographers paradise and we will have plenty of time this afternoon to photograph and explore. Within the reserve is a butterfly garden, an aviary, a hummingbird garden, serpentarium exhibit and an orchid garden. Over night Aurola Inn Hotel (B), (L), (D).

Day Three: Saturday, February 8th, 2020 After breakfast at our hotel we will check-out and take our motor coach to the Arenal, en route we will visit Sarchi. A very interesting and colourful village, one of the most popular items in the market are Ox Carts. There are many colourful market stalls to explore. Later this morning and into the afternoon we will photograph and explore Arenal Volcano National Park. Before the active period of 1968, the volcano was covered with a canopy of vegetation. People used to climb the volcano and sleep in the warm treed forest inside prior to the eruption. We will hike part of the trail to view and photograph the regrowth of vegetation and explore the base of the volcano. Tonight we start a three-night stay at the Cano Negro Natural Lodge. (B)

Day Four: Sunday, February 9th, 2020 Breakfast then depart for Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has an abundance of flora and fauna and is considered one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica. A great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, also iguanas, sloths, turtles, and caimans. We will also sail down the river starting from Los Chiles sailing through tropical rainforests and marshlands. Overnight Cano Negro Natural Lodge. (B)

Day Five: Monday February 10th, 2020 Today we will make use of the Cano reserve spending time exploring and photographing the different regions the reserve has to offer. The refuge is home to more than 350 species of birds, 310 plants and 160 species of mammals such as the howler monkey, the white-faced monkey, and spider monkey. The variety of flora and fauna top off our lodge experience.Overnight Cano Negro Natural Lodge. (B)

Day Six: Tuesday February 11th, 2020 Breakfast, check-out and motor coach to Selvatura Hanging Bridges. Salvatura’s Treetop Walkways is a 3 km trail that crosses through the cloud forest, in which the visitors will walk through eight different bridges varying in lengths from 150 ft to 510 feet and heights from 36 feet to 180 feet about the rain forest. The treetop bridges are suitable for all ages and a difficulty of a 5. Within the reserve we will have plenty of opportunities to photograph various species of hummingbirds including several that can only be found in this region and over 20 species of butterflies. For the next two nights we will be staying at the Montana Monteverde Hotel (B) (L)

Day Seven: Wednesday February 12th, 2020 Breakfast then out to photograph and explore at the Monteverda Cloud Forest Reserve. This rainforest is located at 4,600 feet above sea level and thus called the Cloud Forest. The rainforest offers up lush green colours due to the nearly 12 feet of rain annually. It is home to rare and unusual wildlife, such as jaguars, pumas and over 450 species of birds including the largest population of quetzal birds. Overnight Montana Monteverde Hotel. (B) (L)

Day Eight: Thursday February 13th, 2020 Breakfast, check out and and continue to explore and photograph the Monteverda region. We will have some free time this morning to photograph areas of personal interest.Today we will visit another hummingbird garden.We will have an opportunity to zip line this afternoon for those interested. Montana Monteverde Hotel. (B) (L)

Day Nine: Friday February 14th, 2020 Breakfast, check out of our hotel, travel back to San Jose for our final night in Costa Rica. We will make several photo stops enroute. Overnight at Aurola Holiday Inn. (B) (D)

Day Ten: Saturday February 15th, 2020 Breakfast, check-out and board our coach and transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport to board our flight back home retuning mid afternoon.

Costa Rica has an annual temperature range of 21C (70F) to 27C (81F), the coolest months of the year are November, December, January and February. Thus making February a great time to visit this part of Central America as this is considered the dry season. Please keep in mind that rain forests are humid and sometimes misty, making it important to bring the proper foot ware and covers for your photo equipment.

The cost of our Costa Rica Photo Tour Departing from Toronto is $3989.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $320.50 CAD plus HST $15.21. Single supplement available for an additional $695.00 CAD.

Includes:

- Round trip coach for departures from London and points along the 401 corridor to Pearson Airport,

- Round Trip Airfare via Air Canada, either departing from Toronto

- 8 nights accommodations, Aurola Inn Hotel, Cano Negro Lodge, Monteverde Lodge,

- All airport and hotel transfers,

- Breakfast included each day,

- Lunch included 2 days,

- Dinner included day 2 and day 8,

- Bottled water each day of the tour

- Admissions, Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Waterfalls, Arenal Volcano National Park,

- Admissions, Cafio Negro Wildlife Refuge, Selvatura Hanging Bridge,

- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Butterfly, and Humming Bird Forest,

- English speaking guides,

- Private Services

- Photo Workshops,

- Tour hosted and escorted by photographer Dave Chidley,

Excludes:

- Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.

- Local guide tips and gratuities,

- Alcoholic beverages,

** Schedule may vary according to weather or traffic

A non-refundable deposit of $550.00 is due at the time of booking the balance is due 60 days prior to our departure.

Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of February 15th, 2019.

Please click on link below to be linked to our secured tour registration.

Click here to Register for our Costa Rica Photo Tour

If you have any other questions or require booking assistance please contact:

James Cowie at Photo Tour Trekkers / Tourcan Vacations

1-800-263-2995 ext 2688 or 416-391-0334 ext 2688

or by email james@tourcanvacations.com

Tourcan Vacations / Photo Tour Trekkers

245 Fairview Mall Drive, Suite 203

Toronto, Ont. M2J 4T1

www.Tourcanvacations.com

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