Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 1 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY Day 1: Sun. July 3, Adventure in Costa Rica - Serendipity Style! July 3, - July 10, DATE ACTIVITY HOTEL We ll assume you ll be flying into the San Jose (SJO) Casa Turire international airport sometime midday today. Your private transfer will meet you just outside the terminal doors. It can get crowded and chaotic outside but don t worry, stay together and walk right through the crowds, declining all solicitors. Your shuttle driver will have a sign with your name on it. You will then head towards Turrialba, a hidden river valley nestled between the Caribbean coast and San Jose s central plateau. The Turrialba Volcano has come in to major volcanic activity in recent years and the area surrounding the crater has been seriously affected by the gases released. The up close experience is fascinating and you can see the white columns of smoke steadily emanating from the crater top. Meals are not Included. Day 2: Mon. July 4, Today and for your first adventure! - An unforgettable whitewater rafting adventure down one of earth s most spectacular rivers: El Rio Pacuare. You ll join other paddlers coming from the capital city on a group rafting trip down the lower stretch of the Pacuare. It s 25 kilometers of continuous whitewater through some of the most impressive rainforest scenery in the country. The first hour of the trip starts off gentle, just perfect to learn your guide s commands and how to paddle as a team. You should take advantage of the calmer rapids and jump out and float, learn to trust your life jacket and practice rescue too. Eventually, you ll notice the canyon walls close in and the scenery becomes even more dramatic. Get ready to paddle hard! You will make your way down challenging rapids with Remarkable 14-room lakeside plantation manor home-style hotel surrounded by lush green mountains. Guests enjoy royal treatment serviced by 30 well-trained staff persons. Property includes beautiful architecture, interior design and lovely poolside restaurant (fusion cuisine). 1 Standard room w/ 2 queen beds. 0703-BAILEY
Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 2 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY curious names like Lower Huacas and Cimarrones and Pinbol (yes that s Pinball). These rapids are often baptized by the first explorers that descended down the canyon and their glorious stories of courage are shared by your guides along the way. The river trip ends when the mountains disappear. It s a grand river journey that merits celebration and high fives at the end. Round trip transportation to your hotel is included. Day 3: Tue. July 5, Day 4: Wed. July 6, Day 5: Thur. July 7, Breakfast and Lunch Included. We have scheduled a private transfer to come and pick you up and take you to your next destination. The San Carlos/Fortuna area, famous for its hot springs and Arenal Volcano. We have also made reservations to the famous hanging bridges tour, a guided hike through the canopy of the forest.transportation to and from activity included. Keep in mind that it s approximately a 4+ hour drive from Turrialba to La Fortuna. Let me know at what time you would like to depart Turrialba so I can schedule transfer and tour accordingly. We have scheduled a hike *choose between early morning or evening with one of our trusted guides. Bird watching he will have a couple of options as to where to go depending on the time of day and your interests. Afterwards, relax at the volcanic hot springs. Transfer to and from hot springs to hotel is not included but can easily be arranged by your front desk, a taxi ride should be around $5. Cerro Chato is a dormant volcano flanking the southeast side of the Arenal Volcano. The mountain is completely draped in primary rainforest and is the beginning of a long biological corridor that extends as far as the high altitude cloud forests at Monteverde. The hike to the lake (extinct crater) at the top of the mountain is a rugged trail that La Pradera Hotel. Located at 2 km from La Fortuna, on the way to Arenal Volcano, at 5 min from Hot Springs. Facilities have: Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Restaurant, Volcano view in all rooms, 24 hours security, Wireless internet, Tourist information, Private parking. 1 Cabin 2 queen beds 0703-BAILEY
Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 3 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY starts near the Arenal Observatory and ends on the other side, near the town of La Fortuna. Day 6: Fri. July 8, Day 7: Sat. July 9, The trail presents a strenuous, steady ascent at the beginning. The terrain can become difficult and hikers must be prepared to cope with elements of the tropical wilderness. But the reward is well worth the effort. Also, being a trail that does not cater to mass tourism, the chances of encounters with wildlife are much higher. Definitely prepare for a full day of advanced rainforest trekking. (you will be accompanied by a local trail guide for security due to isolation of trail). We have scheduled a private transfer to come and pick you up and take you to your next destination. The Manuel Antonio Beach area, famous for its National Park right on the beach. Manuel Antonio s beaches are pure white sand, and there are lots of different types of beach within the park itself. Outside the park are the usual beach resort kinds of fun -- sometimes people show up with horses to run on the sand, sometimes a man with sea kayaks comes there to rent his equipment, sometimes it's just home-made barbecue sold off a roaring fire, and fresh milk chopped by a machete from a green coconut, or strawberries or bananas or mangoes and water in a blender to drink. Take into consideration transfer time is 4+ hours, let me know in advanced at what time you would like to depart La Fortuna. Remember to take some time to visit the national park, front desk service at your hotel will be able to give you instructions on how to get there and schedules. Free day at the beach! If there is any snorkeling to be had in Costa Rica, here is probably the best place to do it. I have scheduled a sunset trimaran tour for you, the total length of this tour is about 4 hours snorkeling is about an hour. Includes a meal and dolphin/whale watching Costa Verde Hotel Considered one of area s best values, this familyfriendly hotel enjoys a privileged location perched on a bluff that overlooks the jungle-lined beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Highlights include two cliff side pools with sundecks; spacious rooms with balconies that offer a amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel is surrounded by lush tropical wilderness inhabited permanently by monkeys, sloth and various exotic bird species. 1 Standard room w/ 2 queen beds. 0703-BAILEY
Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 4 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY Day 8: Sun. July 10, depending on luck. Due to travel dates/rainy season it might be best to do this tour in the morning to avoid rain, but it s hard to predict what the weather will be like then. No meals Included. Departure. We have scheduled a private transfer to come and pick you up and take you to the airport, please advise us when you have arranged for flights and we will schedule time accordingly. No meals Included. NOTE THAT THIS IS A FULLY INDEPENDEN TRIP AND NOT A PRIVATE SERENDIPITY ADVENTURE. Departure 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 2 adults costs: U.S. $3,710.00 total (USD 1,855 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 0 thru DAY 0 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). 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 0703-BAILEY
Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 5 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY 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. 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 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, NOTICE OF RISK 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 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. 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 0703-BAILEY
Friday, March 25, 12:23 PM Page 6 of 6 ITINERARY: 0703-BAILEY 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 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 www.travelguard.com. RELEASE FORM: All participants will be required to sign and return a release form prior to departure. See Serendipity website: www.serendipityadventures.com/release 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. 0703-BAILEY