Approximate Itinerary

 

Day One  Continental airlines flights departs San Francisco for

Costa Rica via Houston, overnight in Alajuela at Hotel 1915

 

Day Two  Transport to University of Georgia San Luis Biological Station,

located at an elevation of 1100 m in the Tilarian Mountain Range of

Costa Rica. Habitats include virgin cloud forest, lush tropical

gardens, coffee and banana fields, pastures with spreading shade

trees and primary and secondary forests in all stages of regeneration.

    *    Tour of Jardin Botanico San Luis and forest trails including a

              beautiful display of common edible and medicinal plants

    *    Presentation: Introduction to Cloud Forest Ecology

 

Day Three

    *    Natural History guided hike of the El Camino Real Trail

    *    Plant-o-rama workshop on plant biodiversity,

                 characteristics and classification down to families. 

    *    Presentation: Reforestation in Monteverde area

 

Day Four

     *    Visit to Costa Rica Conservation Foundation nursery

     *    Collection and identification of seeds for reforestation

     *    Night hike in the dark forest to study nocturnal

                 species and behavior

Day Five

    *    Bird watching, while learning about avian natural

               history and behavior

    *    Reforestation service project

    *    2007 Monteverde Conservation Forum-  local experts

               discuss their scientific research and conservation projects

 

Day Six

    *    Sky Walk along bridges suspended in a cloud forest canopy

    *    Butterfly Garden- guided tour of 4 gardens housing butterflies

               and interesting discussion of other insects

 

Day Seven

     *   Milking- help local farmers milk cows then drink the milk later

               at breakfast

     *    Reforestation service project

     *    Monteverde Reserve guided hike

 

Day Eight

     *   Waterfall hike- a 4km challenging hike along San Luis River

               ending up the second largest waterfall in Costa Rica

     *   Optional Horseback ride ($10)

     *   Insect workshop to collect insects and study biodiversity 

               and classification through live and preserved specimens

 

Day Nine  Transport to San Jose airport.  Continental airlines flight

departs San Jose for San Francisco via Houston