Jetsettersblog

The Great Canadian Travel is offering a 15-day wildlife adventure into Costa Rica’s virgin forests, entitled “Quetzals of the Cloudforest.”

The program journeys to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where clients may encounter the endangered quetzal, a strikingly-colored, long-tailed tropical bird, which was considered divine by Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya and Aztec.

The Monteverde Reserve is one of the last remaining places in Central America where the bird’s habitat has been preserved. The trip begins in San Jose, the centrally located capital of Costa Rica which is in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1,150 meters, where coffee and sugar cane are grown.

Within easy reach is Volcan Poas National Park, where a smoking volcano rises from beautiful tropical rainforests.

The main crater is one of the largest in the world and there are many trails, one of which leads to a forest-fringed lake where fiery-throated humming birds can be seen feeding on colorful flowers.

Next is a drive to Cartago, which was until 1823 the colonial capital.

It sits at the foot of the Irazu volcano, encircled by mountains. The trip continues through coffee farming land to Turrialba.

A short bus journey brings the tour to the excavated Indian ceremonial center at Guayabo, dating from 1000 to 1400 to examine the remains of village life that include paved streets and water channels.

Personal exploration includes an opportunity to try white-water rafting on the Pacuare River or visiting an important agricultural research station dedicated to conserving genetic diversity.

Also included is a drive through vast banana plantations to Cano Blanco, where clients board a boat to travel through jungle waterways to Tortuguero.

The rivers are rich with fish, including rainbow bass and grouper, and also support an abundance of birds such as heron, stork and kingfisher. Between June and September, more than 5,000 turtles come ashore to nest on Tortuguero’s beaches.

These include green turtles and occasional loggerheads, as well as leatherbacks that can weigh up to 700 lbs.

This two-week trip is priced from $1,973 per person double occupancy.

Included are 12 nights in a high standard of hotels used throughout the tour, plus two nights in a comfortable lodge in Tortuguero and meals that include 10 breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners. Also included is transportation by bus/riverboat/4WD, and services of a tour leader—plus driver, boatmen and some local guides.

Departures for 2010 are Jan. 2, 16 and 30; Feb. 20 and 27; Mar. 13, 20 and 27; April 24; July 24; Aug. 7; Oct. 23; Nov. 6 and 20; and Dec. 11, 18 and 25.

For information, call 800-661-3830 or visit www.greatcanadiantravel.com