Costa Rica Highlights
Destination
Costa Rica
Duration
13 Days
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Delightful
Journeys International offers travel experiences to Costa Rica that pay proper homage to the country’s riches, and it continues to deserve accolades for the value and attention placed on the preservation of fantastic bio-diversity. On this itinerary, you visit three of the original gems in Costa Rica’s environmental crown—Corcovado National Park on the Pacific coast, Arenal National Park (with its now-dormant, but still imposing volcano), and the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
You will join with others for the Casa Corcovado activities and experiences but you will have a private guide-driver for your Monteverde and Arenal experiences. Occasionally joining in small groups were activity dictates.
Your family will enjoy this in-depth fun but the educational experience of a lifetime.
Great For
- Closer-to-Home
- Flexibility
- Diverse Environments
- Ecology & Biodiversity
Itinerary
Days 0 April 6, 7 Arrive San Jose (Eric and Christina)
Today Eric and Christina arrive, met at the airport, and transfer to the hotel for overnight. You will have a free day on April 7th as you await the arrival of the others. If you’d like some touring of San Jose, this can be arranged.
Arrive on April 6 on Air Canada 1097 at 11:20am – Christina and Eric
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Best Western Irazu
Day 1 April 8 Arrive San Jose for the others
Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore.
Arrival flight: American Airlines 2879 at 3:06pm
Lodging
Best Western Irazu Hotel
Days 2 April 9 Drake Bay/Corcovado
Transfer to the airport in the morning for your domestic flight to Drake Bay, on arrival you will be met and transferred by boat to the lodge. Enjoy the activities of the lodge and settle in for your stay.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Casa Corcovado Lodge
Day 3 April 10 Corcovado National Park
Depart to Corcovado National Park, you enter what some call the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. The enormous park spans 103,290 acres of rainforest and is the nation’s largest park, encompassing about a third of the Osa Peninsula.
The park’s biodiversity is truly stunning, including 10% of the mammals found in all the Americas, including possibly the largest concentration of macaws in Central America. National Geographic once called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth”.
Corcovado is home to 500 species of trees, making up one-quarter of the tree species in Costa Rica. There are 6,000 species of insects, 140 species of mammals, almost 400 species of birds, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles and 40 species of fish. Some of the most frequently viewed wildlife includes jaguars, four species of sea turtles, anteaters, 220 species of butterflies, sloths, crocodiles, poison-arrow frogs, several species of monkeys, and, with luck, maybe even a tapir.
Enjoy a day in the rainforest following an adventurous beach landing. The main hike is in the morning. After lunch, there is a hike to a waterfall where you can enjoy an afternoon swim. Bring hiking shoes, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, water bottle and insect repellent. Guided tours leaves at 6:30am returns at 2:30pm. A long and short hiking trail will be arranged by your guide. An extra pair of shoes/sandals is recommended.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Casa Corcovado
Day 4 April 11 Cano Island Boat Tour w/snorkeling
Snorkel the clear waters of Caño Island Biological Reserve, an Eden of coral and rock formations, filled with schools of vibrant tropical fish. Our dive masters take snorkelers of all ages and experience levels aboard our 30-foot Island Hopper for some breathtaking adventures in these beautiful waters. Visibility is 30 – 100 feet or more year-round, and the reefs and rocks formations are teeming with exotic sea life. Caño Island is an underwater photographer’s dream and great for families.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Casa Corcovado
Day 5 April 12 Sirena Ranger Station hiking / SCUBA diving
The Sirena ranger station is situated in the heart of Corcovado National Park and is the only station situated on the Corcovado plain, where wildlife is more easily observed.
The trails surrounding the Sirena ranger station offer some of the best opportunities in Costa Rica for wildlife viewing. The tour starts after breakfast when you and your guide will meet a chartered boat at the beach. On board will be fresh fruit and cold refreshments. The boat trip, heading south along a beautiful stretch of coast will take approximately an hour and a half. When the boat arrives there will be a beach landing after which you can decide at what time to take a break at the ranger station and which of the trails you are going to explore. There are several trails and which trails taken will depend on the group. Return to the lodge in the afternoon.
For those SCUBA diving you will depart in the morning for your adventure under water.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Casa Corcovado
Day 6 April 13 San Jose/Monteverde
Return to San Jose the same way in which you arrived. In San Jose your driver-guide will meet you at the airport and you will continue your journeys to Monteverde.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Poco a Poco Hotel
Day 7 April 14 Canopy Tour/Chocolate & coffee tour
Sky Tram, Sky Walk Monteverde Park -The Sky Tram track is 570 ft (175 m) and takes about an hour to get up. A guide will come along with you in the gondola, he will tell you about the rain forest/ Cloud forest and you can ask him questions as much as you like.
Once you arrive at the platform on the top, you can take a short walk. You can choose to go back down with the Tram or you can combine it with the Sky Walk, a spectacular guided tour with a combination of suspension bridges and trails with heights that exceed the treetops. Discover the exuberant tropical forests of Costa Rica from all perspectives, enjoying magnificent views.
Chocolate and Coffee Tour – Enjoy a coffee tour of Don Juan. A family business that through its tours teaches visitors the whole process behind two very important products worldwide, Coffee and Chocolate.
Once the coffee tour is finished, we will start with the sweetest part of the tour, the delicious chocolate. Like coffee, we will talk about the entire chocolate process, from the seed to the delicious chocolate bar and we will end up selecting some members of the group to grind the cacao beans and make their own chocolate bar. Once finished you will have the opportunity to taste several types of chocolate such as Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and White Chocolate.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Poco a Poco Hotel
Day 8 April 15 Monteverde Reserve Tour & Cui Cancha Reserve night tour
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Later in the afternoon, the forest may be cool and misty from low cloud cover, so bring a light jacket for your walk. The forest consists of lush, verdant vegetation containing understory palms, majestic canopy trees, arching “ropy” lianas, bizarre “strangler” fig-trees, and epiphytes, small plants that grow on the trees. Outstanding among the epiphytes are orchids; although most are small and high in the tree canopy, more orchid species (>500!) are found in Monteverde than any other place yet known.
As you walk through the forest, you may encounter a variety of wildlife. Frequently-sighted mammals include white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys, white-nosed coatis, two-toed sloths, kinkajous, and agoutis. Look for birds, too—with hundreds of bird species found in or nearby the reserve, you may see the legendary crimson and iridescent-green Resplendent Quetzal (which spends about half the year in the area during its breeding season from February or March to July), Emerald Toucanets, Black guans, Keel-billed toucans, Blue-crowned Motmots, Orange-bellied Trogons, Three-wattled Bellbirds (approximately April to August), and hummingbirds such as Purple-throated Mountain-gems, Violet Sabrewings, and Magenta-throated Woodstars. The wonderful songs of many of these birds will accompany you as you travel through the forest.
In the evening, we will visit the Curi-Cancha Reserve for a night tour. Frequently sighted mammals include armadillo, coati, agouti, kinkajou, ocelot, two-toed sloth, and three species of monkey: mantled howler, white-faced capuchin, and spider monkey. The Resplendent Quetzal, Three-Wattled Bellbird, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Orange-bellied Trogon, and many others are frequently seen. Indeed, over 200 species of birds have been observed making their home in Curi-Cancha.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Poco a Poco Hotel
Day 9 April 16 Selvature Walkways Hummingbird and Butterfly & El Santuario Monteverde Reserve
At Selvatura Park you will enjoy some of the best tours & activities in Monteverde. From a canopy tour and tree top walkway to nature hikes, butterfly gardens, sloth sanctuary, reptile and amphibian exhibition and hummingbird garden.
In the afternoon, you will visit The El Santuario Monteverde with your guide. Enjoy additional nature walks. Monkeys, coatis and agoutis are sights commonly seen on the walks here. The sanctuary is privately owned by a local family where conservation and research takes place. Learn first-hand knowledge from locals about wildlife, coffee farming and agriculture.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Poco a Poco Hotel
Day 10 April 17 Monteverde/Arenal
Transfer in the morning to the boat launch for lake crossing to Arenal. On arrival, met and transferred to the Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridge Walk. This amazing project is located by Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano in a 250-hectare protected rainforest preserve. Your guided walk with a naturalist guided tour on 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) of trails (built with non-slip materials), crossing 16 hanging and suspension bridges in the rainforest. You will see nature on the ground, from under the tree canopy, and from above the treetops! There are universal access trails, and great views of both Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano. There is a restaurant on site.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 11 April 18 Arenal Volcano Area
Today explore more of Arenal and the surrounding area.
Morning Arenal Observatory Lodge trails exploration. The walk takes you across one of our hanging bridges, through our lush tropical gardens, and into the primary and secondary rainforest. Our guide will stop along the way to point out any wildlife and to tell you about the plants and trees of the tropical rainforest that you are seeing. Possible wildlife sightings include many of the 500+ species of birds in the forest, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, spider monkeys, coatis, anteaters, sloths, green iguanas, snakes, and insects.
Arenal Lava Hike in the afternoon:
Hike up to the remainder of the lava flow on Arenal Volcano caused by the original 1968 eruption. The tour departs from Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, driving 15 minutes to the Arenal Volcano National Park entrance, and then walking approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) on trails through secondary rainforest and natural open areas to the lava flow. You have the possibility of seeing monkeys, toucans, parrots, oropendulas and other wildlife. Our guide will tell you interesting facts and stories about the history and activity of Arenal Volcano. There are great panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from the observation point. The tour finishes with a visit to Arenal Observatory Lodge’s Frog Pond.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 12 April 19 Cano Nego Refuge Boat Tour & Hot Springs
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is one of the richest sites for birding in Costa Rica. Besides abundant birds, Caño Negro is a wildlife lover’s paradise, where you can see three species of monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles, bats, and many other animals. Located in the very north of Costa Rica, Caño Negro is a showcase of native wetland vegetation. The full-day tour to this beautiful region leaves La Fortuna at 7:30 a.m., traveling a little over an hour to Los Chiles, a rustic village three kilometers from the Nicaraguan border. This is where the tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge wetlands begins. This tour is highly recommended for nature and wildlife viewing.
The ecological natural volcanic hot springs at EcoTermales Hot Springs offers five thermal water pools in a very private setting, surrounded by dense rainforest and botanical gardens. It is a true jungle experience! Hot pools range in temperature from 37° to 41° C (99° to 106° F). There is a cool freshwater waterfall and pool, paved and lit trails through the rainforest, and a restaurant. Admission is limited to no more than 100 guests in each of the three daily reservation times.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 13 April 20 San Jose
Transfer to San Jose where you arrive by late morning.
Covid testing to take place this morning on arrival into San Jose.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Park Inn
Day 14 April 21 Depart San Jose
Zachary and family along with Kathleen depart the hotel at 3:30am for transfer to the airport for check-in for flights home.
Christina and Eric, transfer to the airport about 8a.m.
Meals
Breakfast
Dates & Price
Dates
This trip will be customized for you on your dates of choice.
For dates and customization options for this adventure, please contact us.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Journeys International offers travel experiences to Costa Rica that pay proper homage to the country’s riches, and it continues to deserve accolades for the value and attention placed on the preservation of fantastic bio-diversity. On this itinerary, you visit three of the original gems in Costa Rica’s environmental crown—Corcovado National Park on the Pacific coast, Arenal National Park (with its now-dormant, but still imposing volcano), and the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
You will join with others for the Casa Corcovado activities and experiences but you will have a private guide-driver for your Monteverde and Arenal experiences. Occasionally joining in small groups were activity dictates.
Your family will enjoy this in-depth fun but the educational experience of a lifetime.
Price includes domestic flights in Costa Rica.
The land cost published is for the stated itinerary and is subject to change. This covers accommodations, transfers, activities, touring, guide services and meals as described in the full itinerary.
Need to Know
We are happy to have you participate in a Journeys International program!
Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly. They contain information that will be important to your planning and guide how we will handle any circumstances that may change in the midst of planning or while a program is underway. If after reading our materials and talking with our staff you decide to participate in a Journeys International program, please send us your deposit along with your completed Reservation Form and Explorer Information Forms. Important: Your booking is only complete once we receive your deposit, completed Reservation Form, and completed Explorer Information Form, and once we have confirmed that space is available.
Pricing and Payment
We will confirm your reservations once we receive a non-refundable booking deposit, a Reservation Form signed by each person responsible for payment, and an Explorer Information Form signed by each participating adult or the guardian for each participating child, and if space is available. Custom programs during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to confirmation. The deposit contributes to non-recoverable costs of holding space and servicing your booking through the stages of preparation, execution, and follow-up and cannot be refunded if you choose to cancel.
We charge an additional planning fee of $250 per program for preparing customized proposals. This fee may be credited to your total cost upon booking, but it is non-refundable if you choose not to finalize your reservation.
Prices are stated in U.S. Dollars, based on double room occupancy, unless otherwise noted. We will send an invoice for your total estimated cost when we send your reservation confirmation. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to your program start date regardless of whether any arrangements are still pending. Although we do our best to avoid increasing prices after we receive your deposit, in some cases it may be necessary to adjust pricing after we receive payment to allow for changes in group size, rooming status, currency exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges and/or other circumstances attendant to the challenges of adventure.
Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your program participation and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure, then your reservation may be canceled subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated below.
Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available are not available toward bookings made through third-party travel agencies, advisors, or planners.
We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Paying by credit card offers you certain consumer protections, including the ability to initiate a chargeback if you believe we have committed consumer fraud. You may not use credit card chargeback as an alternative to compliance with your agreement with these terms and conditions.
Late Signups
Early reservations are encouraged! Some programs and flights fill several months in advance. We can confirm your space once we receive your deposit and signed Reservation and Explorer Information Forms. We try, but cannot guarantee, to accept late signups. In the event that we are able to accept reservations fewer than 60 days before a program’s start date, additional fees may apply to cover administrative costs necessary to expedite your reservation confirmation and transmit your program materials. For reservations made fewer than 60 days in advance of your program’s start, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Program Changes
We understand that circumstances arise that lead you to inquire about changes to your custom program, and we aim to satisfy your requests. Once activities and accommodations have been confirmed, we charge a $50 change fee, in addition to the difference in costs for the services booked. When changes are requested less than one week before your program’s start, the change fee is $100. For changes requested after a program has begun, the change fee is $200.
Journeys International reserves the right to change or reprice any program due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control. Journeys International cannot guarantee conformity with the provided program plan at any point in time. Among other things, if necessary Journeys International may change the scheduled dates of a program; omit or alter sections of the plan; substitute lodgings, leaders, or conveyances; or change meals, activities, or waypoints; all without notice and without allowance for refunds and with participants bearing the responsibility for increased costs, if any. Should this become necessary, Journeys International will not be liable for extra costs that participants may incur as a result of changes, including but not limited to flight change fees, additional meal costs, or additional accommodations. We strongly recommend that participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, adequate to cover such costs.
Cancellations & Refunds
If you must cancel before your program begins, please notify Journeys International in writing by emailing info@journeysinternational.com or writing to your adventure specialist directly. You may request a refund according to the following schedule. Some programs require additional non-refundable payments beyond this schedule, as noted in the program description. In the case of cancellation, such amounts are withheld in addition to the amounts listed here.
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Penalty |
---|---|
61 or more | Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable |
31-60 | Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable, plus 50% of total land costs above amount of initial deposit |
0-30 | 100% of total land costs |
Please note: cancellation of airfare, other transit, lodging, and ticketed tours and activities is subject to the policies of the individual carriers or providers and is not included in the schedule above. Additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the traveler. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, that includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption and that may reimburse you for cancellation penalties and extra expenses should a circumstance force you to cancel or interrupt your participation.
Departure is defined as the date on which travelers will leave their home state, province or city, or the program start date as indicated on the program description, whichever comes first. Cancellation date will be considered the date that we receive written notification of your intent to cancel according to the local time observed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Payments due at the time of cancellation remain the responsibility of the participant. No partial refunds are possible for unused hotel rooms, air or land travel, program days, or other sight-seeing arrangements included in the land cost.
If Journeys International cancels or postpones a program before the program starts for reasons completely within its discretion, such as but not limited to insufficient group size, all money for services described in the program description will be refunded in the form of credit towards a future program with Journeys in the same location originally planned, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, or the client may submit a written request for a refund to the original form of payment. If a program’s cancellation is necessary due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, credits and refunds will be issued according to the standard cancellation schedule, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, without regard to whether client or company initiates cancellation or postponement. Once a program begins, there are no refunds for unused goods or services.
Air Fares
We can help you to secure air travel arrangements for Journeys International programs. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. Journeys International and/or the airfare consolidator may charge a ticketing fee for this service. For group programs, if you prefer to fly on dates other than those listed as program dates, or if you arrive at your destination other than at the group arrival time, then you may incur additional fees to cover the separate transfer, contingency, and coordination costs which frequently arise from arrival and departure on flights different from our regular bookings. We will let you know about these fees ahead of time, if they apply. If you must change your air routing after ticketing, there is a charge of $50 per change, in addition to change or cancellation charges levied by the airline.
If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we may help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times. If you arrange your own flights, we can book ground transfers to meet you on arrival in your destination if you wish, and you agree to pay additional costs, as applicable.
Transfers Between Programs
You may transfer between some programs upon written request. More than 60 days before your program start date, the deposit transfer fee is $100 per person plus any cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or ground service providers. 60 days or fewer before the program start date, full cancellation penalties from the original program apply. In the event that Journeys International cancels a program, you may transfer the full amount of your payments to another program without penalty, subject to availability.
Expenses Covered
Normally, our stated total costs include the costs of all guides, leaders, facilities, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, costs of described activities, food as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the activities described in the itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses Not Covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in program descriptions; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
If a program must be modified due to medical emergency, acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, then the participant may incur additional costs that are not included in the program price. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, to cover these risks.
Travel Insurance
Journeys International strongly recommends that you purchase a Travel Protection Plan, or travel insurance, sufficient to protect your investment in travel, personal assets and health during your program. Doing so will mitigate a significant amount of financial risk and decrease your need to worry about things beyond your control. We do not require you to purchase such travel insurance; however, we know many travelers who have benefited from purchasing travel insurance because the insurance carrier assumed risks that would otherwise have been the risk of the traveler. Travel Protection Plans often cover things like theft, baggage loss, trip interruption or cancellation, emergency evacuation, emergency medical treatment, flight delay or cancellation, airline or service provider bankruptcy, jury duty, personal or family sickness leading to cancellation, U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings about terrorism issued for the destination, and other risks as described in the insurance policy. In particular, consider the availability of higher-cost “Cancel for Any Reason” and/or “Interrupt for Any Reason” policies that may allow policy-holders to recoup a significant portion of trip costs under a much wider range of circumstances than standard policies may allow; we have seen travelers benefit from this selection when public health crises, personal turmoil, and civil unrest arose in their destinations. Please note that while we at Journeys will do our best to help you to have a pleasant and successful experience, Journeys International assumes no liability for many of the types of losses described above. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance and you suffer a loss, then you will be responsible for the associated costs.
For your convenience, we will provide a recommendation for an insurance carrier that offers competitive rates and has proven reliable, fair, and prompt in responding to claims, but we can offer no guarantee that our recommended carrier will meet your needs and you are welcome to contact any insurance carrier that you prefer. It is important to obtain insurance immediately upon signing up for your program in order for problems arising from pre-existing conditions to be covered.
All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy that covers you while in your travel destination for the duration of your trip. For some individuals or for some destinations, it may be advisable to purchase a supplemental policy. Contact your provider for coverage details.
Group-Sized Pricing & Group Minimums
Many programs are guaranteed to depart at prices published on our website with as few as two participants. In some cases, it may become necessary to increase prices depending on the size of the group. We do everything we can to make a program operate as planned even with a single participant. Additional costs for small groups vary from program to program. When pricing for a group program is based on the number of participants, staff and guests of Journeys International (such as topic experts, journalists, photographers, leaders-in-training, or others) are not included in the numbers counted to determine the price. Final decision to cancel a program due to insufficient signups is made at least 60 days prior to departure.
Lodging Accommodations
Lodging accommodations are usually double occupancy in hotel rooms, tents, or other facilities as described in trip itineraries. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and availability of alternative accommodations, if desired. We try to honor specific requests for lodging, but in some cases, we may have to book and confirm equivalent-standard accommodations. In rare cases it may become necessary to make same-day or out-of-class substitutions.
If you are joining alone for a group program but would prefer a roommate, then let us know! We are often able to match solo participants. If a roommate is not available or if you prefer single accommodation, then you must pay the Single Supplement, if one applies. For some programs it is not possible to guarantee single accommodations.
Assumption of Risk
Throughout any program of Journeys International, certain risks and dangers may arise. These include, but are not limited to, travel by train, foot, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat or other means of conveyance; the hazards of traveling in rough or mountainous terrain; high altitude; undeveloped areas; the forces of nature; civil unrest; terrorism; labor interruption; close proximity to fellow program participants; exposure to illness or virus; and accident or illness in remote areas without means of rapid evacuations or availability of medical supplies and facilities. The unique nature of adventure programs entails inherent risks that may be involved in unique program activities and travel away from home and, in fact, the specific nature of these activities is often a reason for participation. Even if a trip or program is rated “easy” these dangers and risks are present. Journeys International and its agents and operators will have no liability regarding emotional distress, equipment, access to, or adequacy of medical care, evacuation plans, or emergency supplies that may be provided. When you sign the Explorer Information Form, you agree to participate in these activities with full knowledge of the dangers and risks involved and agree to assume all risks, including trauma, sickness, injury, and death.
While Journeys International intends that your experience be safe and comfortable, Journeys does not have legal or operational control or ownership of facilities, staff, services, or transportation providers and acts only as agent for the owners of such facilities, staff, services, and transportation. Journeys International is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act by any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction of any third party not under its control.
In consideration of the right to participate in Journeys International programs and the service arranged for you by Journeys International and its agents and representatives, you unconditionally and fully assume all risks of bodily injury, death, emotional trauma, property damage, and/or theft, however caused, including those mentioned above, as a result of participation, and release Journeys International, its agents, and its representatives from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, demands that you may have, including for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, and other claims.
Fitness to Join
Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of Journeys International’s programs. It is your responsibility to select/design a trip appropriate to your own abilities and interests. You are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake your trip, and for consulting with your physician for medical advice regarding travel. On some Journeys International programs, participants travel in rugged areas remote from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all programs, especially those involving hiking or trekking. Most programs require some walking. By signing the Explorer Information Form, participants certify that they are fit for rigorous activity and do not have any physical, mental, or other condition that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, prolonged travel, high altitude, heat, cold, natural phenomena, or particular foods, notify Journeys International in writing prior to booking. We assume no responsibility for medical care, and we cannot guarantee meeting special dietary requirements or vegetarian needs. Participants may be required to furnish a physician’s statement of good health for some programs.
Journeys International’s or the individual group leader’s or guide’s judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual’s fitness to embark upon, or to continue, a program. Journeys International reserves the right to refuse reservations or deny participation to anyone whom it deems unsuitable for a program or certain activities. Once a reservation has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy for the duration of their participation. Proof of such coverage may be required.
Personal Conduct
You are responsible for acting in a manner considerate and respectful of fellow group members and local culture in areas visited.
You are responsible for reading all health-related information provided in advance of the program, adhering to all guidance given by guides and site staff, and conforming to the established standards of personal hygiene to minimize risk of disease. This may include a requirement to wear a face mask when in proximity to other people, whether indoors or outdoors, or other measures intended to limit the spread of disease; failure to do so when requested may result in your dismissal from the program.
Certain activities included in your program may require specific safety precautions. You are responsible for listening to instructions, adhering to guidance, and following the protocols provided for safety throughout the program. If you are unsure about safety precautions, you are responsible for seeking advice. If guides or staff perceive your behavior as risky, uncooperative, or otherwise unsafe, they may remove you from an activity for the safety of yourself and others.
Smoking or vaping are not permitted in buses, cars, below decks on boats, in tented camps, in designated non-smoking areas, or during guided tours and activities. Participants agree not to consume cannabis for the duration of the program and understand that possession or use of cannabis may be illegal and subject to severe punishment in some destinations. Participants agree to follow all local laws in the jurisdiction(s) where the program takes place and acknowledge that Journeys International cannot be responsible for ensuring participants’ compliance nor for any costs or consequences of non-compliance.
Sexual harassment or misconduct of any sort by Journeys program participants is not tolerated. You may not make jokes or sexually suggestive comments or gestures regarding the bodies or bodily activities of fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program. You may not touch fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program unless invited. You may not solicit sexual services during the dates of your participation in a Journeys program.
Environmental Stewardship
Journeys International believes that we have a responsibility to protect the earth for future generations. Tourism may be responsible for up to eight percent of annual worldwide emissions of greenhouse gasses. Journeys International advocates that adventure travelers who make environmentally conscious choices when selecting their destinations and activities should also make the environmentally conscious choice to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to compensate for their personal contributions to global climate change. Every Journeys International invoice includes an optional donation to the Earth Preservation Fund’s carbon offset program to be used to purchase and permanently retire certified carbon credits to offset the carbon footprints of Journeys’ program participants. The Earth Preservation Fund purchases carbon credits that have been certified under a reliable third-party standard. Participants who choose to make this donation may also be eligible to claim a tax deduction. There is no penalty for opting out of this donation.
Recording
Journeys International may take photographic, audiographic, and videographic recordings during your program, and may use your image and voice for promotional and commercial use without compensation.
Planning & Preparation Services
We look forward to working with you! After we receive your deposit, we will send you a planning packet containing things like medical and immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a recommendation for travel insurance, packing checklist, reading list, cross-cultural information, and an initial invoice for the balance due. About 3 weeks before your program begins, we will send you a final notes packet including last-minute reminders and contact information for your program. You are responsible for reading all information provided, and for bringing all clothing and equipment noted on the packing list. If you are leaving home before the scheduled trip departure date, please let us know how we can best reach you in case any details change in the days immediately prior to your program’s start.
Please call our office at any time if you have questions about your trip or for additional information.
Duration 13 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 7
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Delightful
Unique eco-lodges
Activity Level
Active
Optional hikes
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.