Southern Costa Rica. The Art in Nature. July 21-31, 2010
CLOSED
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/PERSON IN DBL |
|---|---|
| 5 people | $ 3,954 |
| 6 people | $ 3,425 |
| 7 people | $ 3,268 |
| 8 people | $ 2,955 |
| 9 people | $ 2,886 |
| 10 people | $ 2,675 |
| SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $ 681 | |
Led by award-winning nature photographer Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev and Foto Verde Tours’ co-founder and professional photographer Greg Basco, this trip was designed to take you to the most striking places in Southern Costa Rica, from the lowland tropical rainforest of the Pacific coast to the highlands of Talamanca Mountain range. Costa Rica will bedazzle you with opportunities to capture its incredible landscapes and abundant wildlife, from poison dart frogs, quetzal, hummingbirds, toucans and emerald toucanets to reptiles, monkeys, sloths, and orchids. This tour will provide access to all of this for you and your camera. Sasha and Greg will work with you to develop your nature photography skills through both formal teaching sessions and hands-on field shooting. You will be sure to amass an exceptional portfolio from this instructive photo expedition.
Itinerary
Day 1, July 21 - Arrival - San José/Hotel Bougainvillea
Upon arrival to the Juan Santamaría International Airport you will be met our representative for transfer to the Hotel Bougainvillea near the capital city of San José. Foto Verde Tours’ Greg Basco will be waiting for you at the hotel. The hotel is surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden filled with great subjects for macro photography, including orchids, bromeliads, and passionflowers. There is a free wireless Internet throughout the property.
Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea (no meals included)
Day 2, July 22 - Central Pacific Lowland Rain Forest/Rancho Casa Grande
After early breakfast we travel to the Pacific coast, Quepos area. On the way we stop for a walk to Carara lagoon at Carara National Park, where it is possible to see broad-billed heron, ringed kingfisher, caimans and if we are lucky scarlet macaws. After walk lunch at a local restaurant and continue on with our trip to arrive at Rancho Casa Grande in late afternoon. We have time to unpack and look for squirrel monkeys on hotel grounds. After dinner presentation by Sasha on using artistic elements in wildlife photography.
Hotel Bougainvillea (B), lunch en route, Overnight Rancho Casa Grande (D)
Day 3, July 23 - Central Pacific Lowland Rain Forest/Rancho Casa Grande
Optional early morning walk through hotel grounds in search of squirrel monkeys. After breakfast we depart for all day visit to Manuel Antonio national park. Troops of capuchin and howler monkeys are frequently seen in the park, and there is a great opportunity to spot three-toed and even nocturnal two-toed sloth. Abundant colorful rainbow land crabs make great photographic subjects along with orchids in this lush lowland tropical rainforest. Return to Rancho Casa Grande in the evening.
Overnight at Rancho Casa Grande (B, L, D)
Day 4, July 24 - South Pacific Lowland Rain Forest/Villas Corcovado
After breakfast and last opportunity to photograph squirrel monkey we travel to amazing Osa peninsular and Villas Corcovado at the sea level. Stop for lunch en route. We arrive to Villas Corcovado in mid to late afternoon, check in and then enjoy a cold drink and a presentation by Sasha and Greg on long exposures for landscape photography. After dinner, optional session for long exposures photo with star trails on the secluded beach.
Rancho Casa Grande (B), lunch en route, overnight Villas Corcovado (D)
Day 5, July 25 - South Pacific Lowland Rain Forest/Villas Corcovado
We spend the morning and early afternoon photographing on the grounds of Villas Corcovado. Scarlet macaws and toucans are the frequent visitors as well as dozens of other birds. After leisurely lunch we take a hike in the lodge’s private forest reserve for landscape photos of the lush rainforest and views of the Golfo Dulce. In the evening enjoy a drink and informal Q & A with Sasha and Greg. Optional long exposure photography on the beach.
Overnight at Villas Corcovado (B, L, D)
Day 6, July 26 - South Pacific Lowland Rain Forest/Villas Corcovado
After an early breakfast we take a boat tour of Golfo Dulce right from the private pier of Villas Corcovado. We will have excellent opportunities to photograph dolphins within feet away and if we are lucky – whales. Return to lodge for lunch. Afternoon free time to relax by the pool or at the secluded beach, enjoy the free wireless Internet, chat photography with Sasha and Greg, or explore photo opportunity on your own. Optional long exposures on beach after dinner.
Overnight at Villas Corcovado (B, L, D)
Day 7, July 27 - Pacific Cloud Forest/Savegre Mountain Hotel
After breakfast, we depart to the highlands of Talamanca Mountain range. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive to Savegre Hotel at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level amidst Mountain Cloud forest in late afternoon with time to check-in and explore possible photo opportunities for quetzal on the grounds of hotel. Rest after dinner.
Villas Corcovado (B), lunch en route, overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel
Day 8, July 28 - Pacific Cloud Forest/Savegre Mountain Hotel
We spend all day at Savegre Hotel. In the morning we search to photograph quetzals and hummingbirds, and possibly emerald toucanets. After lunch, river photography with emphasis on a range of different techniques for capturing moving water. Sevegre river is very picturesque with huge moss covered boulders and rushing waters. Dinner and rest.
Overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9, July 29 - Pacific Cloud Forest/Savegre Mountain Hotel
In the morning we will search for quetzals and emerald toucanets, and photograph several hummingbird species. After lunch, hike in Savegre private forest reserve for landscape photos of towering oak mountain cloud forest laden with abundant epiphytes (air plants). After dinner presentation by Sasha on use of Lightroom for image correction/editing.
Overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 10, July 30 - Savegre/Hotel Bougainvillea
Breakfast and then free time to photograph more hummingbirds, flowers, the river or last opportunity to search for quetzal. Lunch at hotel and then depart for Hotel Bougainvillea. Arrive late afternoon, check-in and rest before our farewell dinner. Enjoy free wireless Internet throughout the property.
Savegre Mountain Hotel (B, L), overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea (D)
Day 11, July 31 - Departure - San José/Airport
After breakfast private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Hotel Bougainvillea (B)
End of Services
- Lodging as specified
- Meals as specified
- Private transfers to and from airports and hotels on first and last days
- Professional driver and private transportation in spacious, air-conditioned tour bus
- Professional bilingual photo/nature/culture guide
- Photo guide assistance with workshops and informal photo learning
- Photo guide assistance with caption and ID info for your images
- Entrances and fees for all described activities
- Taxes on all services listed above
- Biodegradable water bottle for each participant
- Airfare
- Airport departure tax (US $26)
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Gratuities
- Non-meal time snacks
- Non-meal time soft drinks and bottled water
- Souvenirs
For more details or to register for the tour, please visit Foto Verde Tours web site :