Birding Escape I – 5 Days 4 Nights

Caribbean Foothills and Cloudforest Highlands of Talamanca

Day 1: Turrialba - Caribbean Foothills.
You'll leave from San José area hotel and drive into the lush green valleys of the Orosi area until reaching the famous Turrialba on the edges of a lush pre-mountain rain forest in the Caribbean zone at 3000 feet. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded by guests locally. Rancho Naturalista is now days the best spot to see the Snowcap (Microchera alborocoronata). This afternoon enjoy the numerous species that come near the balcony of the main lodge: Snowcap, White-necked Jacobin, Green Thorntail, Garden Emerald, White-lined Tanager, Brown Jay, White-throated Crake, just to mention a few.
You will for sure enjoy your two nights in Turrialba, Birding is just great here!. (L,D)

Day 2: Turrialba - Caribbean Foothills
Early in the morning your guide will be waiting for you in the main lodge's balcony, a good fresh cup of coffee will be ready for you. At around 7 a.m. you will enjoy breakfast and then begin your hike through the different trails in the property. Lunch back in the lodge. More birding in the afternoon in some of the surrounding areas of the lodge. Night in Rancho Naturalista. (B,L,D)

Day 3: San Gerardo de Dota (Savegre) Mountain Cloudforest
Birding and early coffee, great combination!. Breakfast and depart towards San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca Mountains in the midst of a precious ecosystem, the Tropical Cloudforest, filled with massive oaks and other native species. The woods serve as a sanctuary for a large number of mammals and innumerable species of insects, amphibians, amazing plants and of course, the abundant beautiful birds. The Savegre Cloudforest is definitely a paradise for birdwatchers, where the Resplendent Quetzal can be seen all year around and hummingbirds fly all over the place, just to mention a few: White-throated Mountain-gem, Volcano Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Green-crowned Brilliant, among many others. Collared Trogon, Acorn Woodpecker, Yellow-thighed Finch, Dark Pewee, and Emerald Toucanet, and occasionally, but seen lately, an Ornate Hawk-Eagle, can also be in your list at the end of the day. You will be arriving to this destination before noon, lunch and afternoon birding walk. Night in a San Gerardo de Dota (Savegre) area. (B,L,D)

Day 4: San Gerardo de Dota (Savegre) Mountain Cloudforest
You will have the entire day to bird with your guide this excellent location. Right after breakfast you will concentrate on finding the Resplendent Quetzal, and then continue to explore the different areas in Savegre. Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Yellowish Flycatcher, Flame-throated Warbler, Barred Becard, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Zeledonia, Torrent Tyrannulet, are other candidates to be found. Night in a San Gerado de Dota (Savegre) area. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Half day birding and return to San José
You will have plenty more time to explore this bird hot spot of the country. On the way, you will stop at Quetzal´s Paradise to visit the Hummingbird Garden and the Zeledonia Trail. A delicious lunch will be served before heading back to San José. (B,L)