LOS QUETZALES NATIONAL PARK

Los Quetzales National Park was established in 2006 and extends over 5,000 hectares, comprising three types of rainforest and 14 ecosystems. The park’s terrain varies greatly from mountains to lakes, rivers and rainforest. Exotic flowers add splashes of color to the otherwise dense green rainforest. In this ecosystem you will find a large number of species of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to the area.

CARARA NATIONAL PARK

The park has a unique location between the Amazon and Mesoamerican and houses different flora and fauna from the respective habitat. The name of the park means crocodile, which you understand when traveling on Tarcoles River, inhabited by large amounts of crocodiles. The park is a paradise for bird photographers ranging from colorful parrots such as macaws and several species of toucan to king fishers and herons.

BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK

Braulio Carrillo National Park is the largest national park in central Costa Rica with an area of ​​476 square kilometers. The park consists of dense rainforest and is home to nearly 6,000 species of plants. The highest point in the park is the inactive Barva volcano which, with its 2,906 meters, rises high above the rainforest. Among the over 500 bird species in the park are beautiful quetzals, toucans and different eagles. About 150 mammals also live in the park including jaguars, wild boar, black bear, deer, tapir and bats.

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

The name Tortuguero can be translated into “Land of Turtles” and this national park is home to spider monkeys, howler monkeys as well as capuchin monkeys and the three toed sloth. It also houses over 320 bird species and a vast variety of reptiles. Tortugeuero offers incredible diversity, such as rainforests, swamps, lagoons, beaches and rivers, all set in a beautiful tropical climate. The deep jungle spreads out like a vast canal landscape and opens into the Caribbean Sea. The giant turtles, however, are the park’s major attraction. On the beaches around Tortuguero, four different species of turtles lay their eggs each year.

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL SAN JOSE
We check in at Hotel Sleep Inn located close to the airport in the afternoon. Here you are welcomed by photographer Sudhir Shivaram and a tour leader from Zoom. As many flights arrive late in the afternoon or in the evening and considering the time change, we will only have a simple gathering at the hotel bar for those who wish to.

DAY 2 – SAN JOSE TO SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
After an early breakfast we depart to San Gerardo de Dota, about a three-hour bus ride from San Jose. When we arrive, we check in for two nights at Trogon Lodge, beautifully located in a narrow valley and surrounded by lush rainforest. Before we get out on our first photo session, lunch is served at the hotel. In the afternoon we follow one of the many hiking trails through the dense forest vegetation as we explore and photograph the local wildlife. The area around San Gerardo de Dota is a paradise for bird photographers and we will have some great opportunities to spot the rare and beautiful Quetzal. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
We continue to explore more of Los Quetzales National Park and with help of our local expert guides in search of more birds and animals. One of our main goals of this day is to be able to photograph the picturesque Quetzal. In Los Quetzales National Park We have our best chance of observing this rare and timid bird at Los Quetzales National Park in all of Costa Rica. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA TO TARCOLES
We depart early in the morning for Tarcoles, a journey of about 5-6 hours. Along the way we will go for a walk in the Tarcoles River Delta located very close to Carara National Park. Here we can find a large variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. This is also a breeding ground for the colorful macaws as well as the large Costa Rican crocodiles – some up to seven feet in length. The area is home to 250 bird species, such as tyrant flycatchers, trogons, orioles and hummingbirds. During the period from October to April, you can also spot osprey, terns, pelicans and frigate birds. Upon arrival at Tarcoles we check in at Macaw Lodge where we will stay for two nights. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 – TARCOLES
We will enter Carara National Park during the day. This park is an absolute paradise for bird photographers with its dense rainforest and mangrove swamps. Here you can capture everything from colorful parrots and toucans to kingfishers and heron. Other animals in the park include various species of wild boar, monkeys, poison dart frogs, snakes and crocodiles. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 – TARCOLES TO BOCA TAPADA DE SAN CARLOS
After breakfast and check-out, it’s time to head towards Boca Tapada de San Carlos. We will experience the Arenal Hanging Bridges located in a wonderful 600-acre large nature reserve. During a three kilometer walk into the rainforest, we will cross over approximately 15 bridges, six of them are hanging bridges high up in the tree canopies. One of the bridges is called The Waterfall Bridge and runs 60 meters above the ground, another is called The Tyra Bridge and is almost 100 meters long. Here you will have the opportunity to really experience and photograph the rainforest from above. In this natural paradise, there are over 250 species of birds as well as many different reptiles like the boa constrictor, common basilisk and poison dart frog. In the park there are also thousands of beautiful insects and colorful butterflies. Late in the afternoon we check into our lodge, La Laguna del Lagarto, beautifully located around the corner from the rainforest. Here you will experience toucans, aracaris and other small birds at about a 5-10m distance. In the ponds that are located close to the lodge you can find a massive amount of caimans, the largest is about 2.5-3m long and is called “Agressivo” which means aggressive in Spanish. If you dare you can take the chance to borrow a canoe to get even closer… (B, L, D)

DAY 7 – BOCA TAPADA DE SAN CARLOS
In the morning we will enjoy a hearty breakfast outside on the large balcony of the lodge as the birds welcome us to the new day. In the garden of the lodge you can find both owls and various types of woodpeckers nesting. During the day we will be photographing and exploring the rainforest and its abundant wildlife with the help of our local nature guides. We will hike on the trails through the forest as well as padd canoes on the nearby waterways. The area is a bird paradise, so the lodge has made a list of all the birds in the area, how easy they are to spot and during what times of the year you can see them. In addition to birds, there are also snakes, spiders, frogs, monkeys and many other exotic animals all within reach from our lodge. If you feel like it, you can also rent a hide ($ 75 per person) to get the opportunity to photograph the beautiful king vulture. We will also do a night walk in the rainforest to experience the forest and its animals after dark. If you walk down to the ponds located close to the lodge, you can also see the red eyes of the caimans shining in the water. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 – BOCA TAPADA DE SAN CARLOS TO SARAPIQUI
After check-out, our journey continues to Sarapiqui and Selva Verde Lodge, where we check in for the two upcoming nights. In the afternoon we will embark on a photo walk into the dense and lush rainforest of La Selva Biological Reserve. This reserve was created in 1554, originally for scientific purposes, and has since become a leading research center for Costa Rica ecology. In the park there are some of the most immaculate primary tropical areas of rainforest throughout Costa Rica. There are about 1,000 species of trees in the park, as well as 420 documented bird species, including the near extinct great green macaw. You can observe about half of the mammal species found in Costa Rica and the majority of the country’s various butterflies in this vast biological reserve. If we are really lucky we will also have the chance to photograph jaguars, ocelot and its close relative, margay. In the park there are also 55 species of snakes as well as many species of frogs. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 – BRAULIO CARRILLO TO TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
In the morning immediately after check-out, we will board a boat and head out on the canals towards Tortuguero National Park, whose main attraction is the giant sea turtles laying their eggs on the beaches. Upon arrival at Aninga Lodge, lunch isfollowed by a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Center. This center was established in 1959 by Dr. Archie Carr at the University of Florida for the purpose of studying and protecting sea turtles. Two years later he started tagging sea turtles, which still continues today. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 – TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Early in the morning we take a boat trip along the canals of Tortuguero National Park to experience the sunrise on the water. A late breakfast is served at the lodge when we come back and afterwards there will betime for some image processing and a relaxing break by the swimming pool. In the afternoon, we will further explore Tortuguero’s beautiful canals. The park has a large biodiversity, with no less than 11 biological environments including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamp, beaches and lagoons. As the park is located in a tropical climate with no less than 6 400 mm of rain per year, the humidity is very high. Tortuguero is home to many different species of spiders and monkeys as well as sloths, jaguars, caimans, 320 bird species and a variety of reptiles. The evening will be spent with a nice final dinner together where Sudhir also will announce the best photo of the trip. The photo will go on to the finals in our contest Photo of the year 2019 (B, L, D)

DAY 11 – TORTUGUERO TO SAN JOSE
After an early morning trip on the canals we will have a great breakfast before checking out and eventually begin our return to San Jose and transfer to the airport. (B, L)

Sudhir Shivaram is much loved, recognized and respected in wildlife photography circles not only in India but the world over. After 18 long years in the corporate world, Sudhir turned his passion for photography and teaching into his profession. Through his commercial venture, he conducts photography learning tours and workshops to numerous destinations across India and Africa. His online photography tutorials – the first of their kind in India – offer video-based photography lessons to learners anywhere, anytime.

PORTFOLIO:
www.sudhirshivaram.com
www.facebook.com/SudhirShivaramPhotography

SAN JOSE – SLEEP IN DOWNTOWN HOTEL ****

GERARDO DE DOTA – TROGON LODGE***

TAPADA DE SAN CARLOS – LAGUNA DEL LAGARTO LODGE ***

SARAPIQUI – SELVA VERDE LODGE ****