Find your Sanctuary!
Here at KE, we’ve been creating real adventures for more than 35 years. We’re all about sharing our experiences. It’s how we started, back in the 80s in the heart of the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan, and it’s how we operate worldwide today. Originally running expedition-style trips, we now also offer walking, trekking, cycling and family adventures in over 80 countries. All of our trips have an element of physical activity, so we guarantee we’ll get you moving. We are a fun, friendly and caring bunch, from our passionate team in the UK to our expert leaders worldwide, with a wealth of experience in all aspects of adventure travel and the outdoors.
KE’s guide in Costa Rica, Joe Bernini, has twice been voted our ‘Leader of the Year’ for his endless enthusiasm and expert knowledge. In Joe’s generous hands each trip delivers every shade of wonderful and our holiday has a near perfect rating from all our happy travellers.
KE always offers active adventures and on our Costa Rican itinerary you’ll follow trails through the jewel of Central America’s tropical rainforest, active volcanoes and deserted beaches. Exploring on foot will bring you close to abundant wildlife while enjoying the mud pools, hot springs and tropical waterfalls.
Our itineraries are always designed to take you to the wildest corners of the planet, so in Costa Rica you’ll experience all the highlights but we’ll also spirit you away to the lesser-known places away from the crowds to really experience the best of this remarkable country.
KE carbon offsets all flights purchased from us by our travellers, our staff, and all services provided on the ground such as transport and accommodation. The way that we have chosen to do this is by supporting the Livelihoods Funds, who fund and support a number of fantastic reforestation, agroforestry and rural energy projects around the world. We have pledged to remove all plastic from our trips by 2021 and we have robust animal welfare, children and porters & support policy pledges.
You should come to experience the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle, which, in Joe’s words means “eating gallo pinto (rice, beans and usually eggs) for breakfast, feeling the tropical sun (and warm rain) on your face, meeting the welcoming local people, or ticos as we call ourselves.”
Hiking through the rainforest, listening to the sounds of nature and keeping a look-out for wildlife is the best way to experience the nature and is made extra special at El Copal if you spot a quetzal, the national bird of Costa Rica.
Spending time in the Corcovado National Park is another definite highlight, with boat trips, turtles, dolphins, snorkelling and the stunning backdrop of ’12-mile beach’ and the Pacific coastline.
Definitely pack for the diversity of the landscapes you’ll visit – be prepared for the humidity in some regions like the Osa peninsula and for cooler temperatures in the central highlands which reach an impressive 9000 feet above sea-level.
We begin our adventure in Costa Rica with some scenic walking beneath Volcan Arenal and on Rincon de la Vieja. We have three days to explore the trails and enjoy the mud pools, hot springs, waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Heading south, we stop off at the Pacific beach town of Dominical, before heading to the Osa Peninsula, the gateway to the Corcovado National Park. Journeying by boat, we’ll look out for dolphins, whales and turtles; stopping off for walks and snorkelling opportunities. Our wildlife bonanza holiday is rounded off as we go in search of quetzals and other exotic bird species at San Gerardo de Dota and in the El Copal Reserve. This walking and wildlife holiday is designed to take us to the lesser-known places away from the crowds and main stream tourists, yet allows us to experience the best of this remarkable country.
Our two week family holiday ticks off the renowned national parks and reserves of Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde, but also visits the quieter and more relaxed Pacific beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. We have packed in an awesome range of adventurous activities and wildlife experiences whilst still allowing you some time to experience the best of Costa Rica on your terms. Observe exotic and rare wildlife in the renowned Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Take a family-friendly rafting trip or a floating safari on the Rio Sarapiqui. Explore the rich biodiversity of the canopy layer from incredible hanging bridges, learn how chocolate is made on a plantation tour and enjoy a cookery lesson in Monteverde and hit the beach at the off-the-beaten track surfer’s paradise of Playa Samara.
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