Adventure in Costa Rica - Serendipity Style! December 26, January 3, 2017

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1 Page 1 of 9 ITINERARY: Day 1: Mon. Dec. 26, Adventure in Costa Rica - Serendipity Style! December 26, - January 3, 2017 DATE ACTIVITY HOTEL Your Serendipity leader will meet you just outside the Peace Lodge terminal doors. Your first challenge is to find the Serendipity guide! It can get crowded and chaotic but don t worry, stay together and walk right through the crowds, declining all solicitors. Our guides use an unmistakable sign (made from a whitewater paddle) so you can find them -- just look for yellow rafting paddle. The idea is to leave the city right away and head north, in the direction of the Arenal Volcano. Not far from the airport, along the mountain pass, a rare and unique type of tropical forest found ONLY in the clouds within the mountains of Central and South America and southeast Asia. The cloud forest. The drive route through the countryside alone is remarkable and we ll have our first exposure to the proud communities of rural Costa Rica. We re taking the Vara Blanca pass which happens to cross one of the country s most spectacular set of jungle waterfalls. As we climb up the mountain range you'll notice a change in the vegetation. Trees give way to ferns, and the mosscovered branches and giant Elephant Ear plants remind you of a child's book of fairy tales. Today and tomorrow we ll have a chance to explore on foot into the gardens and learn about this fragile and endangered ecosystem. Cool weather and soft winds are typical of these bizarre forests. The type of plant life here is pre-jurassic. The cloud forest is like a peek into the brain of Dr. Seuss. The plants around you have seen many species come and go, and you get the feeling we 2-legged ones are probably amongst them. In this mountainous region is a private nature park, nestled inside one of the many deep, waterladen gorges that drain lush mountainside. The park caters to mainstream tourism given its proximity to the city Upscale eco-hotel located on the rainforest covered slopes of the active Poas Volcano. Lodging features includes luxury rooms with jacuzzis, stone fire places and natural waterfall-like showers. Guests enjoy unlimited access to trails and wildlife center of La Paz Waterfalls Gardens Nature Park. 1 standard room with 2 queen beds.

2 Page 2 of 9 ITINERARY: and excellent access. Regardless of the tourists it s still worth the visit, and we ll get to see lots of animals The park s aviary is phenomenal, with huge enclosed areas that we can walk through while toucans and macaws and hawks fly freely all about us The butterfly garden is perhaps the most spectacular in all of Costa Rica and we can observe hundreds of hummingbirds and monkeys and frogs at close range. The main attraction here is the hiking trail that leads down into a steep canyon where we can witness thundering waterfalls flanked by lush rainforest vegetation. Day 2: Tue. Dec. 27, Day 3: Wed. Dec. 28, Please note, that it might be rather cool up in the cloud forest in the evening (about 50 F and at an altitude of about 5000 feet. Dinner Included. We will leave the whole day open to explore the gardens, explore the trails that lead to the waterfalls, and see the animals that have been in rehab, some will be set free again and some won t. Butterflies and humming birds! Jaguars and sloths and toucans. There is so much to see that I believe you will be entertained here for most part of the day. Once done we will depart towards San Carlos. We ll check in this early evening and if time/day light permits have some time to explore the hotels extensive grounds which are surrounded by nature. Walk the river s banks The pool is well kept and fabulous and the hotel has extensive sporting facilities too. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included. We've developed a route to see some extraordinary nature -- using our recently invented "boat". Not quite true; the "route" is one of the most common nature boat trips in Costa Rica, and has become a haven for big tour boats. But our "boat" is quite different. Our secret is that we're using inflated Duckies instead of a metal boat, propelled by electric trolling motor that American Tilajari Wilderness Resort Countryside hotel with comfortable rooms surrounded by nature. Amenities include a wellkept semi-olympic pool, well run restaurant, gym and multiple sporting facilities (roofed tennis courts, soccer pitch, squash). Best of all is location- completely surrounded by nature, with rivers and extensive forests that attract lots of birds and curious critters. 1 Jr suite. Same as above

3 Page 3 of 9 ITINERARY: Day 4: Thur. Dec. 29, fishermen have used for years. We're literally sitting at water level, (and we're sitting very comfortably, using umbrellas to block the sun) (or rain, if that's the case) It looks a little like something out of Around the World in 80 Days, very... well, quaint. But it has stealth capabilities. We can silently approach everything from Jesus Christ lizards and Cayman to monkeys, and glide silently right next to giant herons and under nesting ducks. Because we're so close to the water, and so quiet, we can fit up close to the shore, and see things without binoculars. We also enter the river in a completely different direction/end of the river, so we're not crowded by the power boats. When we do encounter the big boats, you can see the green with envy look on the faces of the tourists. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included. We ll spend a good portion of the day at Serendipity s farm, just minutes from the hotel. You ll get to meet Pedro or Maicol (that s Michael spelled in Tico), our vaqueros, who in turn will introduce you to our horses and help pick out the right one for you. The majority of our horses are a special South American breed, the pasofino (meaning "fine gait", referring to their genetic "step" sequence that is like sitting on a gentle rocking chair), and they were bred for difficult mountain terrain. The horses are very well trained, and even inexperienced riders quickly gain control of their mounts, and learn to love the view from their backs. After a bit of experimentation with the "control mechanisms" on the horse (how the reins work, and the feet signals), some people go on to enjoy running and herding cattle and making the horse obey every command. There is no real defined route or time table. The horses and Pedro (who always comes along) are ours for the day. We can ride into the backcountry and meet the people that live in the more remote villages. Even more interesting to explore are more distant forests and streams up on the foothills. If you re brave try a swim on Same as above

4 Page 4 of 9 ITINERARY: horseback across the river or let loose and gallop through pineapple plantations and sugar fields!! The horse culture is very much alive in this area of Costa Rica, so we can even ride straight to a nearby locals restaurant (wild west style) and enjoy a cold drink or hot lunch. Yup, they ve got the posts to tie up your horse and everything!! The riding experience is exceptional as they love to run, and to lift feet high and arch their necks. ALTERNATIVE TO RIDING HORSES We re headed to Serendipity s horse ranch (just down the road) for some serious off-road trekking in all-terrain cycles (ATVs). Next to our horses these four wheel beasts are perhaps the most versatile mode of transport to explore the lesser developed parts of Costa Rica. There are places we can go with the ATV s that we wouldn t take the horses too steep and slippery for four hooves, or too long going uphill or downhill, or too technical for inexpert riders. But on the ATV s it s a blast. The trail is varied, from riding pass quaint villages and vast sugar fields to cutting through cow pastures and across rocky streams. Serendipity guides know of secluded swim holes that are difficult enough to get to by foot that they re almost always completely empty! Perfect to strip down and swim and have lunch too surrounded by nature, in complete privacy. Then afterwards we can ride to the top of the ridge and lookout as far as the Nicaraguan border to the north, and the Caribbean coast to the east. Later this afternoon we can make our way towards the town of Fortuna, we will do a tour of the hanging bridges, this is a very popular tour. Hanging Bridges is a trail in a primary forest of 2 miles in length, with five suspended foot bridges (from 75 to 300 feet long) spanning deep gullies.(note This is not a private departure as it is not

5 Page 5 of 9 ITINERARY: Day 5: Fri. Dec. 30, operated by Serendipity).In the evening we ll get to know the volcano more intimately. Since the early 70 s explorers discovered thermal waters that sprung from the ground all throughout the base of the volcano. Today this resource attracts people from around the world on their eternal quest for the the fountain of youth. The hot springs lack the unpleasant sulfuric odor and their unusually high concentration of minerals give them strong curative powers. Lavish mega spas have flourished since then but we ve discovered a special place that has resisted expansion and has kept the pristine environment. Unlike the larger places that cater to hundreds, here the thoughts in your mind do not have to compete with blaring techno music. Ah, the perfect way to end a fantastic day of adventure. Enjoy the therapeutic bliss Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Include Today is definitely our most challenging and full day of adventure so we must start early Today we will experience what it s like to fly across the tree tops like toucans and scarlet macaws. This activity is a bit less focused on nature observation and more on the thrill of flying across the treetops. Canopy Tours, as their popularly known (traversing across suspended cables high above ground secured by harnesses and heavy-duty pulleys), exist throughout the country. There are literally hundreds of sites but not all of them uphold Serendipity standards of safety. The course takes you high into the treetops of the rainforest and across the whitewater rapids of the Sarapiqui River. Some of the cables even cross the river, just above the fast-moving whitewater rapids! The Sarapiqui River, which drains the back slopes of yet another active volcano, is a jewel of clear water that offers fun-filled whitewater rapids as it descends pass farm lands, quaint villages and rainforest preserves. This area is near one of Costa Rica s largest national parks and it s very common to see monkeys, green macaws and diving

6 Page 6 of 9 ITINERARY: osprey while we paddle down the river. Serendipity raft trips are privately operated so it will be just our private group. Our river staff will bring both rafts (more stable and comfortable) and inflatable kayaks (this is for the thrill seekers who enjoy individual paddling). This type of multiple option boats is exclusive to Serendipity operated rafting trips. We have river boards (like boogie boards for river running) and fishing gear too! Day 6: Sat. Dec. 31, After a tackling the Sarapiqui rapids it will be pretty late so we will make our way back to our hotel, have some dinner.. And call it a day. You will be ready for a good night sleep. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included. We depart the northern plains today as we continue west, around Lake Arenal and out towards Playa Tamarindo. We ll want to leave early to have time to enjoy what many consider to be the golden coast of Costa Rica. But first: In 1992 the volcano ejected large volumes of lava that blazed through virgin rainforest on its western flank. Since then a National Park has been established and trails where made that lead up to the very point where these lava trail blazes occurred. The hike itself is relatively easy and flat but it s common to see coatis, anteaters and toucans along the way. The real reward however is to climb on the lava rocks to the highest lookout point. Afterwards, we will continue towards Guanacaste, the drive over the continental divide is roughly 3 hours. Tamarindo Beach is considered one of the country s finest coastal destinations for active beach goers. Tamarindo was originally discovered in the 70 s by adventurous surfers that venturing south from the USA in search of the endless summer. Today property here is Tamarindo Diria Unbeatable oceanfront location, which is actually quite rare in Costa Rica. Practical family-friendly hotel with modern airconditioned rooms that offer comfortable queen size beds, cable tv and most importantly, a lovely balcony or terrace facing the Pacific Ocean, steps from the sand. Reservations done by guests.

7 Page 7 of 9 ITINERARY: Day 7: Sun. Jan. 1, 2017 Day 8: Mon. Jan. 2, 2017 Day 9: Mon. Jan. 3, 2017 prime real estate sought after by the rich and famous of the world. With better road conditions and a domestic airport it has turned into a more mainstream tourist destination, with better lodging options and an everexpanding gamma of services. But at its core Tamarindo continues to be a destination for those who appreciate the mystique of the oceans, and that quiver to dance to its rhythm. Today, upon arrival and checking in at your hotel, your serendipity leader will depart and leave you on your own for the last few days of vacation. Breakfast and Lunch Included Free day to explore your hotel, the town and the beach. Breakfast Included. Free day to explore your hotel, the town and the beach. Breakfast Included DEPARTURE. Transfer not included. Same as above Same as above Hotels available on date itinerary proposed, but cannot be confirmed until deposit received by Serendipity. Itinerary design and cost is valid for 10 days The customized itinerary above for a private group including 4 guests costs: U.S. $11, total (USD 2, per person) Optional tips and airfare are not included in the above price (see TIPPING below for suggested ranges) PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS: The above price quote is based on a $600 per person deposit, which you can pay with any major credit card to our corporate account with PayPal. Balance payment is required by sending us a personal check or a bank to bank wire to our account in Michigan. If you wish to pay balance with credit card, please add 3,5% surcharge to balance amount. Included: all hotels, activities and meals as described above. DAY 1 thru DAY 6 includes your personal 4x4 full TOYOTA LAND CRUISER or NISSAN PATROL (including fuel) and the services of a private full time Serendipity adventure leader (see details below).

8 Page 8 of 9 ITINERARY: Your Serendipity leader: Your private guide is your personal driver, but also your travel concierge, logistical manager, cultural facilitator, first-aid responder and general source of information about Costa Rica's nature, social structure, economy, democracy, geology, etc.. With Serendipity's guides you ll try some things which you never thought even in your wildest dreams you would ever attempt, and you ll appreciate the one-on-one relationship with a knowledgeable guide/leader who takes you through the steps. Private Serendipity Activities: A unique aspect of Serendipity vacations is that all main activities are exclusively operated for each private group these are NOT daily departure tours sold to the general public. This guarantees maximum flexibility when it comes to start times, intensity level, individual challenge (difficulty) and duration. If adjustments or changes are necessary rest assured Serendipity ACTS IMMEDIATELY as we understand your vacation time is precious. Serendipity implements the highest standards when it comes to operational safety. We invest in ONLY the very best quality equipment available and the preparation and training of our guides and support staff is at the top of the industry standard. Great Food: Breakfasts are usually provided by hotels or prepared by guides at Serendipityoutfitted camps and river expeditions. Lunches are often personalized picnics or trail lunches to enjoy in the wild or, if appropriate, we ll eat at local family restaurants! Dinners are flexible and guests make daily decisions to dine at the hotel or at local restaurant with their guide. Some dinners are more restricted due to location but guides will give you advance warming to insure the options are acceptable. Serendipity prices also include bottled water and travel snacks when needed or appropriate. Dietary preferences: Our company is well versed in managing food restrictions, alergies and personal preferences. We re also very proud to be one of the few companies in Costa Rica that caters to special preferences including high protein, low sugar, kosher, gluten-free and vegan. To our company it s a priority that our guests have a wonderful culinary experience. Also included are government taxes (about 17% on everything). Not Included: any service not mentioned above or labeled by asterisks (**) as well as personal expenditures including laundry, alcoholic beverages, exit visa for Costa Rica ($29 per person), tips for your principal Serendipity guide (who share it with all the other guides and drivers along the way). Serendipity Adventures, Inc. and Serendipity Costa Rica, S.A. have advised me that there are risks and dangers involved in participating in their adventure expedition. NOTICE OF RISK The dangers include possible injury or death caused by any of the activities provided, including but not limited to: hiking, biking and driving on and off roads, ascending on ropes and

9 Page 9 of 9 ITINERARY: harnesses into trees, structures, natural formations or anchor points, rappelling, balloon inflation, flight and landing, white water rafting, rubber Duckies, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, scuba, climbing, insect and snake bites, power boating, animal bites, sailing, hiking on or near volcanoes, food poisoning, fishing, surfing, and windsurfing. I participate in these THIS IS A PRIVATE TRIP - only members of your own group will participate, except during adventures which require minimum participants for safety (balloon flight and rafting are examples). Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of $600 deposit per person. CANCELLATION: PEAK SEASON (Dec. 15-January 15 and March 1 April 15)): full refund, less prepaid hotel amounts and additional Serendipity cost of $190 per person, if requested in writing at least 90 days before trip start date. No refund if cancellation received less than 90 days before start date. Final payment at least 90 days before start date. Full payment should accompany reservations made less than 900 days before departure. Credit cards may be used for the deposit only. OTHER SEASONS - full refund, less prepaid hotel amounts and additional Serendipity cost of $190 per person, if requested in writing at least 60 days before start date. No refund if cancellation received less than 60 days before start date. Final payment at least 60 days before start date. Full payment should accompany reservations made less than 60 days before departure. PAYMENTS: Credit cards (AMEX, VISA and Mastercard) may be used for the deposit. The above price assumes final balance paid by cash, personal or corporate check on USA bank, wire transfer or money order. Any other final balance payment will result in a 3.5% additional processing fee or bank service fees. ITINERARY CHANGES AFTER TRIP CONFIRMED: while Serendipity always strives to be accommodating, changes in hotel arrangements and activities are usually impossible to make once a trip has been confirmed. Upgrades and changes are sometimes available at extra cost. Before placing your deposit for the proposed itinerary, please speak with your Serendipity itinerary designer if you have concerns about any hotel, bed arrangements, activities, transfers or food. WEATHER RISKS: As with all outdoor sports, scheduled balloon flights, rafting, climbing, air and ground activities of my own free will, recognize that the element of risk is a necessary part of the enjoyment of this trip, and I hold Serendipity Adventures, Inc. and Serendipity Costa Rica, S.A. harmless for my safety beyond normal due care. By joining this trip I acknowledge that I have been informed of these risks. transportation and other activities are weather dependent. Activities may be rearranged to accommodate weather conditions, or canceled in the interests of safety. CANCELED ACTIVITIES: Guides and pilots may decline to take guests who present a risk to themselves or others, who are inebriated or incapacitated in a way that creates a hazard for conducting the operation arranged. Serendipity will not refund for cancelled activities if participants have medical conditions or incapacitation not revealed prior to purchasing their Serendipity travels. INSURANCE: Car theft is EXTREMELY COMMON all over Costa Rica. Please avoid carrying extra "things" and then leaving them in the car when away from your hotel. Serendipity is not able to buy insurance in Costa Rica on vehicle contents or mysterious disappearance from vehicles, hotels, etc. Serendipity must therefore limit its liability to no more than $100 per person for loss of personal possessions. We STRONGLY recommend travel insurance for lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellation and medical emergency available thru your travel agent or RELEASE FORM: All participants will be required to sign and return a release form prior to departure. See Serendipity website: for current RELEASE form. TIPPING: We are constantly asked what is appropriate. Our answer is that any tip is optional. Like fishing charters or naturalist specialists in Costa Rica, guides usually receive about 7-12% of the total trip cost, depending on the quality of the service provided and on your preference. The tip you give to your principal guide is shared according to your instructions among all the people helping your trip run smoothly -- river guides, horseback guides, climbing guides, naturalist guides, drivers, etc. who will be with you at different times during the adventures. This policy eliminates a need to constantly be concerned about tipping etiquette in Costa Rica. AIR FARE to Costa Rica not included. We are pleased to help you locating best routes and fares.