EDMONTON BICYCLE & TOURING CLUB WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU ON A BIKING ADVENTURE THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA!

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1 EDMONTON BICYCLE & TOURING CLUB WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU ON A BIKING ADVENTURE THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA! Want to extend your cycle season next year and see a different part of the world? Edmonton Bicycle & Touring Club in conjunction with Exodus Travels and Sue Flemming, Adventure Travel Specialist are organizing an amazing trip for you to join next winter! Take advantage of our special $100 discount per trip if booked prior to 15 OCT, Please note that these trips allow a maximum of 16 people so space is limited and is based on a first come, first served basis. We have space blocked for EBTC until 31 AUG CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & February 18 - March 4, 2017 From $4,295 pp land-only From $4,195 if booked by October, Starting in the graceful colonial city of Granada and ending in bustling Panama City, our route takes us into Costa Rica s steamy cloud forests, alongside active volcanoes and to the tropical island paradise of Bocas del Toro. The rainforest is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and bird species. We explore the island of Ometepe at Lake Nicaragua, and search for Howler monkeys whilst rafting on the Tenorio River. Our journey ends with a ride along the Panama Canal to see the famous Miraflores Locks. Travelling on your own? No problem! We re happy to match you up with a tour member of the same gender. If you d prefer your own room, optional single supplements are available on request. All trip prices include local bike rental, however pedals, clips, seats, etc. can be brought if desired. Please bring your own helmet. Please note $100 discount can be combined with an additional loyalty discount for past passengers.

2 CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & February 18 - March 4, 2017 From $4,295 pp land-only From $4,195 if booked by October, HIGHLIGHTS Cycle 3 Central American countries Ride through tropical scenery Relax in the charming Bocas del Toro islands Challenging rides through tropical NICARAGUA scenery spanning 3 countries. Starting TRANSFER CYCLE / DRIVE / FERRY in the graceful colonial city of Granada and ending in bustling Panama City, MANAGUA our route takes us into Costa Rica s GRANADA steamy cloud forests, alongside OMETEPE ISLAND SAN JUAN DEL SUR active volcanoes and to the tropical C A R I BB E A N SE A island paradise of Bocas del Toro. The rainforest is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and bird species. CANAS We explore the island of Ometepe at ARENAL VOLCANO Lake Nicaragua, and search for Howler monkeys whilst rafting on the Tenorio CAHUITA COSTA RICA BOCAS DEL TORO CANAL River. Our journey ends with a ride along the Panama Canal to see the famous Miraflores Locks. CITY SANTIAGO PAC I F IC O C E A N PAGE 2

3 ITINERARY 14 nights comfortable hotels, in a mixture of colonial and modern properties, all with en suite facilities 12 days cycling with 100% vehicle support 80% tarmac, 20% unpaved track Routes mainly follow quiet roads and can be potholed DAY 1 (FEB 18, 2017) We land in Managua and transfer to Granada (approx. 1 hour). Following a short briefing in the evening, it s time to get some rest before our day s cycling tomorrow. DAY 2 (FEB 19, 2017) After breakfast, we have a briefing on the day s ride and make some last minute adjustments to the bikes before we set off towards the shore of Lake Nicaragua. As we reach the lakeshore, we enter into the Asese Peninsula recreation area, a beautiful protected area, where the traffic is kept to a minimum and several species of exotic birds can be spotted. After our lunch we head west with stunning views of the large volcanic mass of Mombacho. After a break at the hotel, we transfer to the market town of Masaya, famous for its handicrafts, where we have some time to look at the local products in the artisans market. We then drive to the Masaya Volcano National Park. The road goes almost to the lip of the crater and it s possible to see bubbling lava and parakeets which make their nests in the crater despite the constant emissions of Sulphuric gas. We drive back to Granada in time for a dip in the hotel pool and there will be time in the evening for a stroll around the historic center of the city. Ride 23KM. DAY 3 (FEB 20, 2017) After breakfast and a 30 minute drive, we stop to enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Nicaragua, Granada and the Mombacho volcano from the popular mirador at Catarina, situated just above pretty Laguna Apoyo. We then cycle through the rolling countryside which surrounds the famous Pueblos Blancos (White Towns). These are seen as the birthplace of Nicaraguan culture, as well as General Sandino, the hero of the modern revolution. We continue along this a busy route, we next encounter the larger town of Masatepe, which is a popular destination for Nicaraguan families looking for nicely crafted furniture, pottery and ornamental plants, the specialty of the locals. We will take a quick ride into the center of town to see the central plaza and church, the typical lay-out of a Latin American town. Our final Pueblo Blanco is bustling San Marcos. Then back onto the bikes for a final climb up to the junction of the Pan Am highway, situated right on the continental divide. Then we cycle to San Marcos where we conclude our biking and have lunch. The transfer to the ferry dock takes about an hour and a half. From San Jorge it s a 1 hour boat crossing to Ometepe Island - the views of its twin volcanoes (Concepcion and Maderas) are spectacular. If we arrive early enough, we will have the option to ride the 8 miles to the hotel, but this is dependent on the notoriously erratic ferry schedules and we may need to complete the journey by minibus (approx. 20 mins). If we do ride this section then it is almost all flat, with just one short climb near the end. We spend the night close to the wildlife-filled Charco Verde Lagoon. There are great sunsets from our hotel on Ometepe Island. Ride 40KM. DAY 4 (FEB 21, 2017) Today we depart the hotel around 10:30am, which gives us some free time beforehand to hike the trails around the lagoon to spot more wildlife or relax on the beach and admire the view. We cycle to Moyogalpa and get the ferry back to the mainland. We then get in the saddle again for a ride to Rivas, the largest city in southern Nicaragua and then along La Chocolata Road towards San Juan del Sur, a Pacific beach town. The road takes us through dry forest where we may see Howler monkeys and large iguanas, we also pass through several small villages which receives no tourism other than our biking groups. If you plan to bring any gifts for local people, the children and teachers in the small rural schools along the way really appreciate pencils, pens and crayons. After finishing the mild climb which then drops us onto the Pacific side of Nicaragua, we bike just a bit further west to the turn for two beautiful beaches Playa Marsella and Playa Maderas. Our hotel for this evening is close to the beaches on the Pacific coast where we have the opportunity to enjoy the pool or view the spectacular sunset. Ride 42KM. DAY 5 (FEB 22,2017) Starting early to avoid the heat, we cycle over the continental divide and down to La Virgen before transferring approx 20 minutes to the border. After clearing immigration at the Costa Rican border (which can take a while at the Nicaragua border post) we ll have a brief lunch stop near La Cruz and then continue south along the Pan Am highway to just outside Cañas, another good sized town. Our arrival will be late in the afternoon due to ongoing highway constructions. Ride 29KM. DAY 6 (FEB 23, 2017) This morning we get out of the saddle early in the morning for a 2 hour float down the Tenorio River, a haven for birds and wildlife. As our raft takes us gently along the river, we can expect to see several species of monkey, iguanas, coatis and a wide range of birds. There are also crocodiles along the lower stretch of the river and our experienced guides will not only handle the oars but will also point out as many species as possible. This is likely to be a big wildlife highlight of the trip! Afterwards, we transfer up to near Bijagua, then cycle back down to the Pan Am Hwy before lunch. Right after our meal we head up to the hilly region surrounding PAGE 3

4 Lake Arenal where our afternoon biking stage will begin. This is quite a challenging section and although the distance is short there are several climbs and it can also be rather windy. The rewards are the spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding hills. Ride 55KM. DAY 7 (FEB 24, 2017) After breakfast we set off on our bikes towards La Fortuna. This is one of the most spectacular cycling stages, starting in lush agricultural land which gradually gives way to thick rainforest as we approach the dam which forms Lake Arenal. Watch out for monkeys, toucans and the amazingly colourful neon-blue Morpho butterflies as we cycle. If it s clear the dam is a great place to take a break for a wonderful view of Arenal Volcano. We spend the night in a hotel in the centre of La Fortuna which has observation decks for views of the volcano, as well as pools, jacuzzis and pretty gardens. The town of La Fortuna itself is a major tourism destination within Costa Rica, so those looking for souvenirs will be well satisfied. Ride 63KM. DAY 8 (FEB 25, 2017) Ride up from tropical lowlands with views of Arenal volcano; visit thermal springs. Today s ride follows a circular route through the region surrounding La Fortuna taking in a great variety of terrain and ecosystems. Starting with a fast descent to the town of El Tanque, we pass through agricultural land devoted to bananas and sugar cane before heading into a rugged hilly zone leading back towards rainforest near the small town of La Tigre. We stop for lunch at Chachagua. Toucans are especially common here and there are some incredible views of the jungle and Arenal Volcano. As we approach La Fortuna again, there is one final steep climb before we reach our hotel. This evening we include a visit to the Eco-Termales Hot Springs to soothe any aching muscles - the best hot springs in the area! If the weather is clear, we can head closer to the volcano for a better view. Ride 48KM. DAY 9 (FEB 26, 2017) Another early start today as we head east into the rolling terrain of the San Carlos plains, riding though rich agricultural zones, sugar cane and pineapple plantations and rural villages. We are generally descending on this leg, although there are some short climbs later in the morning when the heat becomes more noticeable. Watch out for toucans as we make water crossings. Our initial destination today is Aguas Zarcas, from where we transfer to Rio Frio for lunch (approx. 2 hours). We continue by bus onto Limon (1 hour) where we start a beautiful 45km (28miles) cycle ride along the Caribbean coast road. Our destination is Cahuita, a typical Caribbean town, complete with a lively reggae music culture and spicy cuisine. Ride 85KM. Day 10 (FEB 27, 2017) Today we begin biking south at the base of the towering Talamanca Mountains. We follow the main coast road at first, before turning off to the indigenous community of Bri-Bri, home to members of the Guaymi tribe. We may see some of the traditionally dressed women in flowing embroidered dresses as we pass through this area. The ride continues through vast banana plantations to the border crossing on the banks of the Sixaola River. After a quick lunch we leave Costa Rica and walk across the derelict bridge which takes us to Guabito, the Panamanian port of entry on the Sixaola - the crossing can be a little challenging as the bridge is not in great condition, so caution is required. After the border formalities, we board the bus through the frontier town of Changuinola and then through steep rainforest hills which are inhabited by indigenous people. We hit the coast and board a private boat transfer to cross into the Caribbean to the wonderful Bocas del Toro Islands, our home for the next two nights. Ride 53 KM. DAY 11 (FEB 28, 2017) A free day today to explore the beautiful Bocas del Toro Islands, which are rapidly becoming a popular destination in the Caribbean. Today you will get a chance to see why: spectacular palm-shaded white sand beaches, crystal clear water, wonderful snorkelling and diving, lots of wildlife, kayaking and even great surfing are all available! It s also possible to take boat trips to the other islands, or go on dolphin watching tours. All of these optional activities can be arranged through the hotel or nearby tour agencies whom we have long-established relationships with. For those who want to ride today, biking is available on the island and the 20-mile round trip to Bocas del Drago on the island s western tip is recommended. Bikes can be hired locally, as our bikes will stay on the mainland at Almirante. DAY 12 (MAR 1, 2017) After taking a private boat back to the mainland we drive to Punta Robalo for a morning biking stage through beautiful jungle scenery. After lunch we transfer 1.5 hours through the mountains that separate Panama s two coastlines after which we begin our second biking stage. The change in temperature, humidity and eco-systems is significant as we gain altitude. At the top of the pass we find beautiful Lago Fortuna, set in a rainforest-clad tropical valley. We then have a fast downhill ride with great mountain views and several river crossings to Gualaca and the Pan-Am Highway beyond. Upon meting the Pan Am Hwy junction we board the minibus for the drive down to Las Lajas, a lovely, isolated Pacific beach, which stretches for miles. Here we can enjoy a great tropical sunset, here while relaxing under the shade of a palm thatch palapa. Ride 63KM. PAGE 4

5 DAY 13 (MAR 2, 2017) An early start today as we avoid the heat and traffic on our ride through the Panamanian countryside. We have a short drive to Guabala, a customs/passport control point on the Pan Am highway. Once our documents have been checked, we will offload the bikes for a fairly challenging ride through a quite remote and hilly section of the western portion of Veraguas province. Some of the morning s ride takes us along remote back roads past large sugar plantations and through dry tropical forest. We finish biking close to the town of Jaguito, where we have lunch then board the bus for the drive to Panama City (approx. 3 hours). We cross the famous canal where we re very likely to see huge ships as they make the journey between the Caribbean and the Pacific. Our hotel is located in the suburb of Albrook, where many opulent residences are testament to the days when US military officers and Canal Authority officials lived in the city. Ride 55KM. DAY 14 (MAR 3, 2017) Our final day of biking is truly memorable: we cycle along a stretch of the Panama Canal and see all of its highlights (please note that access is currently suspended at the Caribbean coast and so we cannot presently cycle the entire length, but we are monitoring this situation). We start from our hotel, close to the Pacific end of the Panama Canal and transfer with the bus (15 minutes) to the Miraflores Locks to view the process of raising and lowering the traffic. Entrance to the Visitor Centre is included. Departing Miraflores, we bike from the entrance into Soberana National Park which spans nearly the entire width of the country along the east side of the canal. We have a great lunch stop with views of the passing ship traffic from the peace of Gamboa Rainforest Resort. After lunch we return to our hotel, leaving us some free time, perhaps to explore Casco Vieja, the historic old town of Panama City. This evening we will be taken to the lovely Las Clementinas, one of the best restaurants in all of Panama have to have our last meal. Ride 15KM. DAY 15 (MAR 4, 2017) Our trip ends after breakfast this morning. Full trip notes available at: PAGE 5

6 PLEASE READ EXODUS FULL BOOKING CONDITIONS BEFORE REQUESTING CONFIRMATION: TERMS AND CONDITIONS Note: The $100 discount is available on the quoted prices until October 15, From that point forward, full price for each trip will apply. All prices quoted include accommodation, local bike rental, meals (as outlined), all transportation and listed activities and a tour leader throughout. International flights are not included. 1. BOOKING To confirm your space on this trip, we require a nonrefundable deposit of $300 per person or full payment within 56 days of departure, along with the following passenger details: Full name as it appears on passport Date of birth Passport number Passport issue date Passport expiry date Nationality Existing medical conditions Dietary concerns Emergency contact details 2. FINAL PAYMENT Remainder of payment is due no later than 56 days prior to departure. 3. CANCELLATION (LAND-ONLY) Cancellation 56 days or more prior to departure will result in loss of deposit, unless transferred to a new booking for a different trip departing within 3 years of the original departure date. Cancellation between 56 and 42 days before departure date will result in loss of 50% of the trip cost. Cancellation between 41 and 28 days before departure will result in loss of 60% of the trip cost. Cancellation between 27 and 15 days before departure will result in loss of 80% of the trip cost. Cancellation between 14 days or less before departure will result in loss of 100% of the trip cost. DOCUMENTATION/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS It is the sole responsibility of the traveller to ensure that proper documentation is in place. All countries require a valid passport, with a minimum of 6 months validity. Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. TRAVEL INSURANCE Adequate and valid travel insurance is mandatory for all clients while on one of our tours. You are strongly advised to insure yourself against possible risk that may occur and in particular to ensure that you have sufficient insurance in respect of dependent relatives on whom your trip may depend. You are required to carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested by Company employees or suppliers; failure to do so may result in your being prevented from participating in certain activities without the right to any refund. PAGE 6

7 INTERESTED IN BOOKING A TRIP? FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW. Trip name(s) Number of travellers Lead Traveller Title First, middle and last name (as appears in passport) address Date of birth Gender Height Emergency contact name Emergency contact number Address Contact number Postal code City Passport number Country Nationality Issue country Expiry date Issue date Do you require a quote for medical / cancellation / interruption insurance? YES NO *All of the above information is required to confirm your booking. PAGE 7