Costa Rica - Sold Out!

JANUARY 15-28, 2005

Join Hamilton's Alumni Travel adventure in this primeval landscape where ancient volcanoes rise above rain forests. Few places in the world make it easier to be "one with nature" than in Costa Rica. In the legendary Rincón de la Vieja, white-faced monkeys race through the forest canopy as butterflies drift on tropical breezes. Crocodiles swim the Río Tarcoles, accompanied by the raucous music of macaws and parrots. Discover Costa Rica's other great natural resource: its warm and gracious people. Our small group will enjoy a meal with a local family and spend time with the local schoolchildren of Chachagua. And our local connections help us discover Costa Rica's most thrilling locales for hiking in the rain forest or white-water rafting. You just can't get closer than this.

Our host will be Colby College Associate Professor of Biology Russell R. Johnson. Russell has traveled extensively in Costa Rica and is expert on plant responses to environmental stress. This is a "small" tour of no more than 16 travellers.

The price is $1,590 including air. This thirteen day trip is arranged by Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT.) The trip is set for a January 16, 2005 departure date and is entitled: "Real Affordable Costa Rica" OAT needs 8 people to hold the slot specifically for us (Colby, Bates, Bowdoin and Hamilton travelers.) OAT will hold our slot until September 1.

Highlights:

• Explore five different types of tropical forests - from rain forests to dry forests, cloud forests, and more.
• Enjoy elective water activities such as sea kayaking, white water rafting, and snorkeling. 
• Cruise down the Río Tarcoles watching for crocodiles and vibrant flocks of birds. 
• Ride by horseback to the Rincón de la Vieja thermal area. 
• Dine with a local Costa Rican family at their home for lunch. 
• Travel overland to the Guanacaste Province, a portion of which has been set aside as conservation land and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which is supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the Grand Circle Foundation.

This trip requires moderate walking; we experience Costa Rica by foot for much of our journey. You must be able to walk for three miles unassisted each day on a variety of terrain, from sandy beaches to rugged woodland paths. You should be in good physical shape and enjoy outdoor exploring. Mobility is required for getting in and out of water transportation and for full enjoyment of the elective activities of river rafting, horseback riding, and flatwater kayaking. Nature walks are available during each elective activity.

When you go to the OAT Web Overseas Adventure Travel site to click on Central America and the first trip is the "Real Affordable Costa Rica." To sign up use either the web site or call 1-800-353-6262 Option #2. You do need to refer to our Group #1263 and the service code: GO51263 to be part of the CBBH Alumni Group. Please also be prepared to give a $350 per person deposit via credit card.