If you are travelling on the group flight you will be met on arrival at San Jose's international airport and taken to your hotel. Depending on arrival time you should have some time to explore the sights of San Jose. We will provide an information pack with full details of the trip, including maps and suggestions for cafes, bars and restaurants in the San Jose area.

We transfer from San Jose to the quiet coastal village of Dominical which will take approximately 4 hours. The drive takes us along the Pan American highway reaching heights of over 3000 meters before turning west to the Pacific coast. Upon arrival we have a chance to relax either at the pool or on the beach before your guide gives you a briefing on the trip in the evening. Dominical is a village (pueblo) of approximately 500 people and it has various tiny cosy restaurants, sodas and small souvenir shops.

Our expedition begins immediately as we leave the sandy beach behind. We have the option of a quick warm up on the bikes before heading into the Escaleras mountain range which enjoys the spectacular views along the Pacific Coast. Our first climb is quite a challenge before continue down into the lush river valley of the Baru River Falls where we take a break and have lunch while marveling at these magnificent waterfalls. They are formed by two exquisite cascades that tower almost 300 feet above the sparkling 25 foot deep pool with 3,000 square feet of surface area. We take the chance for a dip in the crystal clear water before making way to our nearby camp.

We set off hiking to the Tinamaste Cave passing through small hamlets with beautiful views of surrounding waterfalls with the tallest at 600ft. Surrounding the cave are waterfalls with diving and swimming areas. The cave is very large and open set behind two 90ft waterfalls with kitchen and sleeping facilities.

Although today is challenging, yesterday’s activities have stood us in good stead for our day’s mixture of trekking and biking. We start with a few hours trekking away from the Tinamaste Cave leaving the Pacific coast behind us and making our way towards the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We meet up with our bikes again as we head uphill for an hour or so and then begin a great downhill with vistas of the San Isidro de General valley. We then head inland on dirt roads bordering a local river with a chance for a quick cool-off in one of the many natural pools along the way. Our camp for the night is by the side of the river and so dinner will be as fresh as it comes! – local Tilapia.

Today is a very active, with a full day trekking through the mountains of Costa Rica. As we pass through pastures and along gravel tracks, the terrain is hilly and mountainous in parts with some steep climbs and plunging drops into the valleys below. We are in part of the Cordillera de Talamanca range of mountains which is a protected area. Our late morning climb finds us reaching a self-sufficient farm dedicated to reforestation where we plan to stop for lunch. The afternoon sees us trekking along intricate trails as we climb and descend the peaks and ridges on the way to the village of Angeles where we camp for the night. Angeles is on the banks of the Rio Division and is a major coffee producing area.

We are amid both cloud and rain forest today but by now we are well into our stride of climbing mountains. Starting out we get the chance to see Costa Rican coffee plantations up close before ascending a seldom used trail to Cerro Lira at 2,300 metres and one of the major peaks on our trek. The trails to and from the peak are more technical and involves steady balance and some scrambling. If the weather is kind to us, there are great views of the Pacific coastline and the forest covered mountain ranges below. As we are passing through cloud forest there can be no guarantees but hiking in this environment is a unique experience in itself. From the peak, we start our descent, which is not to say it is all downhill from here! We pass several spectacular waterfalls to the village of Providencia, where we camp in the valley below Cerro Lira.

Today is the longest and toughest day of trekking. Plans for the day are very flexible and will depend on the weather conditions and the group. Your guide will brief you on the route but you must be prepared for a long 10 hour day. Today our aim is to reach the highest point on our traverse, the Cerro Las Vueltas at 3,100m. The trail takes us through thick dense cloud forest and constantly changing scenery, vegetation, wildlife and evergreen forests with heavy epiphytic growths in the trees, thick ferns and bamboo under storeys. Look out for monkeys at the beginning of the trek. These highland forests are home to such birds as the flame-throated warbler and buffy tufted-cheek to name but two. Blue and green frogs and lime coloured caterpillars thickly covered with stinging hairs make their way across the trail. You will be viewed at some points by sloths basking in the trees. Day packs are required during the trek and you will have access to your main luggage this evening at our overnight cabins.

For days 9 and 10 there are several plans. Again, depending on the weather and the group, one of the routes takes us along the Rio Humo and into a 4 hour hike through a canyon. This is a very technical route as there are loosened rocks so it is only passable at certain times of the year. The canyon narrows at some points with the walls some 30-40m tall. As the river widens we reach a gravel road where we meet our bikes for a 2 hour ride to Kiri Lodge. We are now into the protected area of the Tapanti National Park. The park is traversed by the Rio Grande de Orosi, with many other rivers and creeks joining the main river. If the canyon is not passable, we will be trekking in the heart of the rain forest with a number of river crossings, steep descents made more interesting by the muddy trails of the forest bed. Tonight we stay at Kiri Lodge within the National Park.

Today is a little gentler so we have a chance for a more relaxing start to the day before setting off into the forest as we trek to Taus. Although the hike itself is hilly, towards the end the terrain levels out as we reach the small hamlet of Taus located on the Pejibaye River. Here we meet out bikes for a short ride along the river to La Suiza. The ride takes us through the sugar cane fields and a sugar refinery on relatively flat roads. We stay overnight in a bed and breakfast in the La Suiza area.

We bike to the rafting put-in and if the skies are good to us we will have an early start on the river on the seldom run upper section of the Pacuare River (Class III-IV). The Pacuare is the most scenic rafting river in Costa Rica and one the world's classic whitewater experiences. The last 300 metres before the take out are very technical rapids filled with boulders. If the weather has swelled the river, we will hike out of the valley along a road used only by the indigenous village we pass through. The indigenous people maintain this route and so sometimes a local person will join the group to make sure we take the right route. The terrain is challenging uphill and likely to be muddy and slippery. Whichever route is decided upon, we camp tonight in San Joaquin.

With our hiking boots back firmly on our feet we head up into the remote area of Valle Escondido (The Hidden Valley) and home to the Cebecar Indians. The area is a mixture of forest and open spaces but likely to be muddy and heavy underfoot. We will be backpacking all the camping and overnight gear as we head into the mountains and camp near an indigenous settlement.

The end of our two day trek leads us back to the Pacuare River and we finish up the day with a 2 hour stretch of rafting to our camp, El Nido del Tigre which borders the river but is set in the midst of the forest. Your overnight bags will accompany you on the river in an Oar Boat which is transporting all the food for the coming days on the river. The Pacuare River plunges down the Caribbean slope through a series of spectacular canyons clothed in virgin rain forest. The savage beauty of the surroundings is humbling as we negotiate Class III and IV rapids, meandering through pristine rain forest spotted with waterfalls.

Overnight is at our camp on the banks of the river. Spacious tents on fixed platforms board the edge of the river and nestle in the surrounding forest. The camp is fully functional with its own supply of pure spring water, shower and sanitary facilities. The name of the camp, El Nido del Tigre, comes from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the main floor of the main area of the camp. When the ginger reaches a certain height it falls over creating flattened areas in the shape of a tiger's paw - hence its name, which translates to "the nest of the tiger". From the centre of the nest, trails radiate throughout the forest and along the river. There is an open area for those who like the odd game of ball or Frisbee. If this is too much after a day on the river, seek out one of our quiet reading areas, set yourself down with a refreshing drink and just 'be' for a while.

This a well earned rest for a day although you can make it as active as you like. Your guides will be with you and so make the most of this free day at the camp by spending it enjoying El Nido del Tigre and the surrounding area. Hiking through the rain forest to a waterfall, floating down a rapid with just a life jacket, or relaxing in a hammock around the camp, are all possible activities.

Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rain forest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating Class III and IV rapids and point out the intricacies of the rain forest at the river’s edge. The Class IV rapids are exciting and separated by calm stretches which enable you to stare at the near vertical green walls towering hundreds of metres above the river, which make this a magnificent and unique river trip. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Tonight’s camp marks the end of the rapids and the beginning of the banana lined slow moving waters of the Pacuare River.

For the final leg of the crossing we swap to kayaks and head down the Pacuare and ease into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rain forest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we kayak last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have passed. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea. After some time to celebrate our accomplishment we are transferred by motor boat and van to a comfortable hotel for a well deserved hot shower and some time to relax around the pool.

A relaxing morning around the hotel is followed by an afternoon transfer back to San Jose.

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your return flight.