Photography Expedition


	Photography Expedition

Discount
Airfares

Northern Highlands and Lowlands of Costa Rica
8 days/9 nights
September 27th - October 3rd, 2008
April 18th - 25th, 2009

Custom Tours can be arranged year around.

Our Northern Highlands and Lowlands Photo Expedition is designed to include some of Costa Rica’s most exciting destinations, with three different eco-systems and the greatest possible variety of wildlife and photographic subjects. It is led by renowned wildlife photographer Adrian Hepworth, who will provide photography instruction and guidance to individuals and the group throughout each day. We will also work with professional local wildlife guides who help us to find animals and answer questions about their natural history. In the evenings, digital photographs can be reviewed and the photography techniques required for the following day’s activities discussed.
Participants are entirely welcome to opt out of any trip or activity during the expedition should they prefer to stay in the hotel grounds to photograph or simply relax. The following is a description of Adrian’s itinerary for this photo expedition:

Note: The maximum group size is six to allow for individual instruction. If the trip is filled or this date doesn't work for you, Adrian can conduct this tour at other times of the year if advanced notice is given. Trips to other areas of the country or to photograph specific subjects can also be arranged. Please see bottom of the page for rates and details.

Day 1 - Upon arrival at Costa Rica’s international Juan Santamaría Airport you will receive a private, one-hour land transfer that heads north through picturesque green pastures and coffee plantations to a valley of highland rainforest between the Poás and Barva volcanoes. Here we settle in to the luxurious Peace Lodge, situated in Waterfall Gardens. The grounds offer an exciting and varied start to our trip: numerous hummingbird species visit hanging feeders surrounded by a wealth of tropical flowering plants; a gigantic aviary contains free-flying local birds that have been rescued from private collectors; a series of rainforest waterfalls flow through the grounds and an indoor frog and butterfly gardens contain a colorful array of native species. Overnight at Peace Lodge (B).

Day 2 - After an early breakfast we will take a 30-minute road trip up to Poás Volcano, which has one of the widest active craters in the world (1.3km). A paved road leads from the parking lot and visitors center to a nearby observation area above the crater, where there is plenty of space for tripods. Usually by mid-morning mist from the surrounding cloudforest will begin to drift across this breathtaking view, at which time we shall begin our return journey to Peace Lodge. We will spend the afternoon in Waterfall Gardens photographing more of the numerous subjects that these grounds offer. Overnight at Peace Lodge. (B)

Day 3 - We have all of Day 3 to photograph at our leisure in the grounds of Peace Lodge. Overnight at Peace Lodge (B).

Note: Peace Lodge offers an excellent menu in the $20-$30 range. We do not include dinner day 1 and 2 in our rates to allow expedition participants to order as they wish.

Day 4 - This morning we check out of Peace Lodge and drive for just over an hour to the Del Toro Waterfall, which is second to none in Costa Rica in terms of beauty and splendor. Water plunges into a 400-foot deep extinct volcanic crater in the middle of the rainforest. Lookout platforms close to the entrance provide impressive views from above and a stepped forest trail leads down to the bottom of the crater for those wanting to photograph from inside this enormous hollow.
After lunch at the waterfall we travel east into a new area of Costa Rica: the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiquí. Our hotel for the next two nights will be the quiet and comfortable La Quinta Inn, 13 km from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. Barely 50 meters from your room we will find both the green and black and the ‘blue jeans’ species of poison arrow frogs in their natural habitats on the forest floor. Also in the gardens of La Quinta we can photograph caymans and kingfishers at a small lagoon and birds such as toucanets, tanagers and oropendulas are commonly seen feeding in the trees. Overnight at La Quinta (B,L,D).

Day 5 - Our destination this morning is the world-famous La Selva Biological Station, a mere 25 minute drive from La Quinta. Leaf-cutter ants, collared peccaries, huge golden orb spiders, ‘blue jeans’ poison arrow frogs, toucans, crested guans, tanagers, oropendulas and hummingbirds are extremely common around the well-maintained gardens and trails of this rainforest reserve. Other animals that can often be spotted include iguanas, sloths, trogons, motmots, the great curassow, snakes, monkeys, coati mundis and tayras.
We may remain in La Selva for lunch and a little more walking or otherwise return to La Quinta to photograph or simply relax in the swimming pool or a comfy armchair. In the evening there will be the opportunity of a leisurely night walk around the gardens of our hotel. Overnight at La Quinta (B, D).

Day 6 - Our destination this morning is the third distintic ecosystem of our trip: the freshwater canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. A 3-hour drive followed by a 2-hour boat trip will deliver us to the boardwalk of the Tortuga Lodge hotel in Tortuguero. On the canal there is a good chance of seeing a crocodrile or two, herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, iguanas and basilisks.
The evening offers us two exciting options to choose from: we can join a guided tour to see a green turtle laying eggs on Tortuguero beach (non-photographic and October tour only) or search the hotel gardens for insects and snakes. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7 -In our own private boat, we have 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon to explore the canals that meander through the dense, primary rainforest of Tortuguero National Park. Caimans, monkeys, toucans, kingfishers, blue and tiger herons, basilisks, otters and river turtles are usually encountered and can be photographed if approached slowly. Many other animals such as sloths, bats, snakes, and hawks can also sometimes be found in the vegetation overhanging the water and green macaws, ospreys and manatees are occasionally glimpsed.
Lunch will be taken in Tortuga Lodge between boat outings.
After dinner, either of the previous night’s optional activities can be selected. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - This morning after breakfast we take a 30-minute flight from Tortuguero back to San José and you will then be transfered to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your homeward journey. (B)

Visit our Photo Gallery to see more of Adrian's Costa Rica photos
Complete list of Recommended Equipment for photo tour.

Northern Highlands and Lowlands of Costa Rica

September 27th - October 3rd, 2008:

$2,850

April 18th - 25th, 2009:

$2,950

All rates are per person based on double occupancy

Price Includes: Individual and group photograhy instruction by Adrian Hepworth, all land, water and air transportation within Costa Rica, meals as specified in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), services of local, bilingual nature guides and all park entrance fees.

Price does NOT include: Meals not indicated and turtle-watching tour fee.

Custom Expeditions: With advanced notice, Adrian can conduct this tour at other times of the year. For four to six people the rates are as quoted above for the scheduled expedition. For fewer people or larger groups we will be happy to send you a quote.

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