presents Costa Rica Photo Tour All trails lead to waterfalls, misty crater lakes, rain forest jungles, tree topped cloud forests & towering volcanos. Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in Central America, but has the largest variety of wildlife, birds, flora & landscapes. Costa Rica Photo Tour February 7th to 16th, 2018
Costa Rica Nature Up Close Gaudy Leaf Frog, Green Crowned Hummingbird, Poas Volcano, Glass Wing 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. I would like to invite you to join us as we photograph and explore the nature and culture Costa Rica has to offer. I m very excited that 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 and nature during our schedule of photo shoots and chance to return during free time. During our journey we will experience the rain forests and volcanic regions from high and low offering up a variety of birds and other wildlife. I look forward to traveling to one of the most beautiful locations Central America has to offer with you in January. James Cowie
La Paz Waterfalls, Tucan Colour, White Faced Monkey, Costa Rica Ox Cart Art Costa Rica Photo Tour - February 7th to 16th, 2018 Day One: Wednesday February 7th, 2018 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: Thursday February 8th, 2018 After breakfast at our hotel we will will have 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 from exhibit and an orchid garden. Over night Aurola Inn Hotel (B), (L), (D). Day Three: Friday February 9th, 2018 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 colorful village, one of the most popular items in the market Ox Carts. There are many colorful market stalls to explore. Later this morning and into 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)
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge - Costa Rica Day Four: Saturday February 10th, 2018 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: Sunday February 11th, 2018 Today we will make use of the Cano reserve spending time exploring and photograph 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: Monday February 12th, 2018 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 Monteverde Country Lodge (B) (L) Day Seven: Tuesday February 13th, 2018 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 Monteverde Country Lodge. (B) (L) Day Eight: Wednesday February 14th, 2018 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. If time permits we will visit the Don Juan Coffee plantation. We will have a chance to explore and experience the history of the crop from its beginnings to the way it has helped build Costa Rica s economical development. Later in the day we will board our coach and drive back to San Jose. Tonight we will be back at the Aurola Inn Hotel. (B) (D) Day Nine: Thursday February 15th, 2018 Breakfast, check out of our hotel, travel to the airport for our 9:10 a.m. departure for Toronto. Flying via Air Canada our flight is scheduled to arrive at 3:20 p.m. After clearing customs we will meet our coach and be back in London at approximately 6:30 p.m. (B)
Making your Adventure Easier... Costa Rica has an annual temperature range of 21C (70F) to 27C (81F), the coolest months of the year are 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 footware and covers for your photo equipment. Workshop Opportunities: During the tour we will be offering up many other opportunities to explore different ideas with your photography. We will have daily challenges, which will be suited to the shooting environment. The tour is designed to learn as you go, there is no better place to improve your photography than out working in the field with your camera and equipment. There will also be one on one time available to work with James during the tour. Pre-tour Information Night: As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information night approximately a few weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travelers, and host. The tentative date for the information night is Thursday February 1st, 2018. On-line Booking: We are pleased to offer on-line booking for all our photo adventures. This is a quick and easy way to book your tour and provide all the travel information we need to make your trip worry free. If you would like to use our on-line booking system please visit www.phototourtrekkers.com select the tour you wish to join us on from the main page, this will take you to the tour page and there you will find the link to the on-line booking form, unique to that adventure.
Costa Rica Photo Tour Feb 7th to 16th, 2018 The cost of our Costa Rica Tour is $3390.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air taxes of $331.97 CAD plus HST $11.47. Single supplement is available of an additional $695.00 CAD. Includes: - Round trip coach via Coach for departures from London & Woodstock to Pearson Airport, Toronto - Round Trip Airfare via Air Canada, - Departures from London, Woodstock, and Toronto, - 8 nights accommodations, Aurola Inn Hotel, Cano Negro Natural Lodge, Monteverde Country Lodge, - All airport and hotel transfers, - Breakfast included each day, - Lunch included 2 days, - Dinner included day 2 and day 8, - 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 James Cowie, 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 Booking tour space can be done through our online registration by visiting www.phototourtrekkers.com then select February 2018 Costa Rica Photo Tour. Questions or assistance in booking please contact James Cowie toll free at 1-800-263.2995 ext 2688 or 1-416-391-0334 ext 2688 or by email to james@tourcanvacations.com. Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Photo Tour Trekkers / Tourcan Vacations - 5799 Yonge St. Suite 1001 Toronto, ON M2M 3V3 www.phototourtrekkers.com