Introduction: this program has been designed for the person interested, either professionally or personally, in the healing wonders of the Rainforest. Our goal
is to be able to translate the vast body of work carried out in layman's terms. Therefore, no scientiphic background is necessary.
This tour will be lead by an expert naturalist guide who will give you a profound insight into the world of natural medicine. The mix of activities is impressive and range from a visit to the lab of a world famous rainforest research institution
to a walk in the rainforest lead by a local CURANDERO. In between, you will visit cooperatives producing beauty and healing products, you will take a medicinal sauna by a river and visit the market place to see the herbal medicine most commonly
used by common folk.
10 night / 11 day itinerary -- US$1,995 pp
Day 1: arrival to Costa Rica, check in at hotel in the Central Valley. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. We
gather at dinner for a 45 minute audiovisual introduction to the program.
Day 2: We depart after breakfast to visit INBIO, Costa Rica's most important institution in the field of Rainforest Pharmacy; INBIO carries out collection
and research for some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry and we will be able to tour their lab. Later in the day we visit the Central Market and a women's coop producing a line of Body Care products from herbs and spices.
We arrive in the Arenal/Fortuna area to overnight..
Day 3: After breakfast, we go for an invigorating morning at a hotsprings spa. An herbal body wrap and a massage is included. After lunch, we visit the
Arenal Volcano Ntl Park and witness the awesome power of the Volcano.
Day 4: After breakfast, we leave Arenal/Fortuna and take a 90 minute drive to the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiqui. We check in our lodge and have
lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Botanical Gardens and the butterfly gardens to explore the use by butterflies of the medicinal properties of trees and plants.
Day 5: We leave early in the morning for an educational 3-hour hike in the Rainforest and then take a medicinal herb sauna to relax. At the medicinal sauna, we
will walk an impressive medicinall garden with its creator, Don Carlos.
Day 6: We leave the Caribbean lowlands for a two night stay at the Southern Highlands in the town of Providencia.
Day 7: After an early morning search for the Quetzal and a visit to an ecofriendly working coffee farm, we drive to visit a local man working with the Bee Propolis.
In its humble surroundings, we will learn how his company has created the widest range of products coming from the Bee Propolis.
Day 8: Early in the morning, we drive to Costa Rica's deep south to visit one of the most complete botanical gardens in the country. One the way down,
we will visit a local CURANDERO and learn first hand how he applies herbal medicine to his tribe's daily life.
Day 9: We walk a 10 acre botanical garden with a local Curandero from the Guyami tribe. After lunch we drive to a neighboring community to visit even
more Curanderos.
Day 10: Next morning, we drive back to San Jose for our last night in the country. On the way, we will enjoy lunch in a restaurant with a commanding view
of the San Isidro Valley.
Day 11: departure to catch all flights home.
Price per person in double occupancy: US$1,995 based on a 8-passenger group.
Single supplement is $495 and triple occupancy is also available.
Price includes all taxes, transportation, lodging, meals and activities mentioned, from arrival to departure. Full vegetarian menu available in every hotel we visit. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE tips, airline travel to Costa
Rica or departure airport tax
A US$150 NON-refundable booking fee is required at the time of making the reservation. This fee is applied towards the final price of the tour.
If more than 8 passengers book your trip, your US$1,995 price will be reduced accordingly, down to US$1,850 per person when we book 16 passengers, our maximum number per trip. You must book the trip and pay the initial booking
fee in order to receive passenger counts and final price information.
Available Dates for the Rainforest Pharmacy Program are all year around.
We are flexible to open other pre-set dates if the booking consists of at least 6 passengers
Please email us if you need more information or wish to make a reservation.
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