Complete Costa Rica
Destination
Costa Rica
Duration
14 Days
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Delightful
Explore Costa Rica on an ambitious itinerary crafted to showcase the best that the country has to offer. Originally created as a custom trip for one discerning couple, the program was such a hit that we knew we had to share the details with the wider community of Journeys travelers. Although it requires domestic flights to travel within the country, it’s worth it to befriend abundant wildlife along the canals of Tortuguero National Park; traverse the rainforest canopy within view of majestic Arenal volcano; ascend into the oak forests where resplendent quetzals dwell; and escape to the remote and fascinating paradise of Drake Bay, near Corcovado National Park. On your journey, you will encounter a diversity of ecosystems and species, all decoded for you by master naturalists. If you’d like to further customize the particulars, your adventure specialist is happy to present a tailor-made proposal. ¡Pura vida!
Great For
- Diverse Ecosystems
- Wildlife Viewing
- Escaping Civilization
Our guides were so informative, and the love of their country, flora, fauna, and animals was very evident. Our vacation would never have been this fantastic if it weren’t for them; they were awesome.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive San Jose
Upon arrival in San Jose, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After passing through immigration you will be met by a member of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) who will give you a sticker that will facilitate you clearing customs. When you leave the building, look for a representative who will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. Your driver will bring you to your hotel, provide you with the travel vouchers for your services and review them with you at this time.
Lodging
Hotel Bougainvillea (or similar)
Day 2 Tortuguero Rain Forest Immersion
You will be picked up by your private driver from your hotel in Tortuguero (approximately 6:30 am). Drive through the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park on the Limon Highway. Once in the town of Guapiles, you will stop at a local restaurant for a delicious breakfast. The drive in total will be approximately 3 hours. You’ll be driven to the main port lining the canals and board a boat for transfer to your hotel in Tortuguero. The boat ride, with a group, will be approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival, lunch will be served at the lodge. In the afternoon your local guide will take you to the town for a leisurely walk where you will get a taste of local living.
Tortuguero National Park is known as Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”. There are no roads; travel is by boat along a series of rivers and canals or by foot on forest paths. The park consists of a network of waterways surrounded by a vast tropical rainforest and is one of the best places to observe wildlife in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a must for visitors who want to experience the amazing wonders of the tropical rainforest! In Tortuguero visitors will likely see 2 or 3 species of monkeys, iguanas, crested basilisk lizards (they look like miniature dinosaurs!), sloths, lots of water birds, toucans, parrots, parakeets, caiman (cousins of alligators), and possibly crocodiles, as well as colorful tropical forest birds.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 3 Tortuguero
Perhaps the best way to enjoy the gentle rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park is by touring them quietly in a kayak, and around 8:30 this morning you’ll depart for a private kayak excursion. Your guided tour will begin from your hotel dock and last around 2 hours. This afternoon, you will enjoy touring the wildlife-rich rainforest canals by boat with a group, and spot more of the bird species, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and iguanas prevalent in the dense foliage.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
Day 4 Arenal
Early this morning (approximately 5:45 am) you’ll be awakened by one of the staff at the lodge to meet at the pier for an early morning private boat tour. With the silence of the morning, you might be able to observe more of the animals of this region.
Later, fly from Tortuguero to Arenal on the 1:40 pm flight (note: there is a 40-lb weight limit on bags for this flight). Here you’ll meet your private driver who will transfer you to the hotel. The volcano, although inactive for the past few years, is a majestic sight. This picturesque region offers natural beauty, amazing wildlife, and plenty of outdoor activities including hiking trails, the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, zip-line tours, rafting, canopy bridge walks, waterfall canyoning, organic farm tours, and more. There are also a variety of relaxing hot springs with warm, soothing waters heated by the volcano’s underground thermal currents.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa (or similar)
Day 5 Hanging Bridges / Waterfalls
Today explore more of Arenal and the surrounding area. First, join a group tour of the rainforest canopy on the Hanging Bridges. The Hanging bridges forest reserve comprises 243 hectares of protected forest. On the 3.1-kilometer circuit, you will cross 15 bridges, some of them suspended over the forest, and others stationary. The bridges have different lengths and heights and were made with the intention of accessing the flora and fauna from different perspectives as you pass through different levels of the forest. On these bridges, you will be immersed in the forest’s canopy, making it easier to spot birds and animals. The topography of the terrain is relatively easy with some short inclines, making this tour appropriate for most ability levels. Some of the animals that inhabit this type of forest include three species of monkeys, multiple species of birds, serpents, wild boars, frogs, and others.
Next visit La Fortuna Waterfalls. Located just three miles from the town of La Fortuna, this beautiful 200′ waterfall receives its cool, clear waters from the pristine forests of Arenal National Park. En route and near the falls you may see parrots, toucans, and tropical hummingbirds. The steep trail to the waterfall goes down through dense, lush rainforest and ends at a large pool at the base of the falls. In addition to seeing a majestic waterfall in a beautiful setting, visitors to the falls are helping the local community, with fees used for important community projects such as schools, the town orphanage, recycling projects, water quality, roads, and an educational center.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa (or similar)
Day 6 Zip Lining Adventure
Join a group for a half-day zip-line canopy tour including round-trip transportation, local guide and equipment. Ride in a tractor cart to the observation deck where you meet your naturalist guide for a 30-minute natural history walk to the first platform to start the zip-line tour. There are 12 cables spanning lengths from 200 m to 900 m. Each cable offers a different experience as you cross canyons, observe waterfalls, fly over the tops of trees or leave from a spectacular Observation Tower 18 m high. You will be given the opportunity to choose to ride horses back at the end of the tour. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa (or similar)
Day 7 Arenal / Cerro del La Muerte
You will be picked up at your hotel in Arenal by one of our transport representatives for transfer to the Arenal Airstrip. Arrive in time to check-in for your domestic flight. (Arenal local airport fee included. Baggage weight limit 30 pounds)
On arrival in San Jose, you will be greeted by your private driver/guide for the two-hour transfer to your hotel in Cerro de la Muerte/San Gerardo de Dota. Stop for lunch en route.
Cerro de la Muerte, or Mountain of Death, was so named about a century ago when settlers migrating to the rich lowlands beyond often perished in cold, windy rains near the 10,000-foot peak. Today the area is known for its outstanding scenery and for excellent high-elevation birdwatching. Most notably, this region is very likely the best place in the world for observing resplendent quetzals – birds so spectacularly beautiful they were considered divine entities by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas. On arrival, settle into your lodge, with dinner included.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Trogon Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 Paraiso del Quetzal Tour in Los Quetzales National Park
Visit Paraiso Del Quetzal in the Cerro de la Muerte, San Gerardo de Dota area for a 2-3 hour guided nature walk. The vegetation of the high mountains is quite distinct from lower elevations and dominated by oaks, bamboo, and trees of the avocado family. In these high, cool and often windy and misty habitats live a variety of colorful bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal. Another avian feature in the Los Quetzales National Park is the colibri, a bird that builds cone-shaped nests. While walking in the park, guests are bound to encounter a few charming hummingbirds, known to dart in and about the area, as if welcoming tourists and asking them about their stay in Costa Rica. Other magnificent creatures to watch for in Los Quetzal National Park are the pumas, sloths, tapirs, black guans, squirrel monkeys, jaguars, and coyotes.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Trogon Lodge (or similar)
Day 9 Drake Bay
You will be picked up at your hotel in Cerro de la Muerte by our driver/guide for a 2-hour transfer back to the airport, then a 40-minute flight from San Jose to Drake Bay. You will be picked up at the airstrip in Drake Bay by transport representative from your hotel for land transfer to the Drake Bay coast, approximately 20 minutes. Once at the shore, board a motorboat to your hotel in Drake Bay, approximately 15 to 45 minutes away by water. Drake Bay offers visitors a taste of a tropical wilderness along the coast and in to the forests of nearby Corcovado National Park. It also offers some of the most lovely nature lodges in the country. Resting on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay is an adventure-seekers paradise. With scattered accommodations, Drake Bay is the ideal vacation spot for those wishing to relax and escape from it all. If, after you have arrived, you decide that the isolation is too much, the rustic area around the bay provides a plethora of activities at your disposal. These include scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking the trails of Corcovado National Park, sport fishing, bird-watching or exploring the miles of deserted picturesque coastline.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Aguila de Osa
Day 10 Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park has often been described as one of the most biologically intense places on earth. The park extends over 100,000 acres on the southwest coast of Costa Rica. Your guided walk will bring you into a wonderland of ancient, steamy forests dominated by huge trees, home to much wildlife including scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots, all four monkey species found in the country, and jaguars (although these elusive cats are rarely seen).
(Due to established limits on the number of visitors to Corcovado and Caño Island National Parks the Lodge reserves the right to change the order of the tours.)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Aguila de Osa
Day 11 Cano Island Tour
After an early breakfast, board a boat for a 45-minute trip to Caño Island. En route, you may see a variety of marine life including flying fish, dolphins, frigate birds, and whales. Caño is a forested island biological reserve with a beautiful, light, sandy beach and waters that protect an abundance of marine life best appreciated by snorkeling or diving.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Aguila de Osa
Day 12 Day at Leisure
Enjoy your day at Aguila de Osa with free time to explore.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Aguila de Osa
Day 13 Drake Bay / San Jose
You will be picked up at your hotel in Drake Bay and reverse your steps to return to San Jose: motorboat, 4×4 taxi, and 40-minute flight. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport terminal, personnel from Hampton Inn will transfer you to your hotel, a 5-minute drive. Enjoy your last day in Costa Rica to explore, shop for souvenirs, dine at local restaurants, and savor the memories of a fantastic adventure.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hampton Inn Suites
Day 14 Onward
Transfer by hotel shuttle to the San Jose International Airport for your flight home.
Meals
Breakfast
Dates & Price
Dates
Custom & private on your dates. Contact an Adventure Specialist to create your dream trip! Schedule a call or tell us more about your dream trip!
Best Time of Year to Visit
Explore Costa Rica on an ambitious itinerary crafted to showcase the best that the country has to offer. Originally created as a custom trip for one discerning couple, the program was such a hit that we knew we had to share the details with the wider community of Journeys travelers. Although it requires domestic flights to travel within the country, it’s worth it to befriend abundant wildlife along the canals of Tortuguero National Park; traverse the rainforest canopy within view of majestic Arenal volcano; ascend into the oak forests where resplendent quetzals dwell; and escape to the remote and fascinating paradise of Drake Bay, near Corcovado National Park. On your journey, you will encounter a diversity of ecosystems and species, all decoded for you by master naturalists. If you’d like to further customize the particulars, your adventure specialist is happy to present a tailor-made proposal. ¡Pura vida!
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land Cost from
$7,285
Single Supplement
$2,695
Rates Per Person -
Price includes domestic flights in Costa Rica.
Need to Know
Holiday surcharges will apply.
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 14 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 2 - 20
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
Extensions
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.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.