Talamanca, Rivers and Rainforest 11 day moderate canoe and walking rustic lodge and camping trip. Talamanca trips meet at the Hotel San Gildar in Escazu, just outside of San Jose Costa Rica, and are offered on: Feb 21-March 2, 2008 Trip Cost $1950.00 Single Supplement $250.00 Private Bath 4 nights Trip Notes Day by Day Itinerary Talamanca Questions jim@battenkill.com		Talamanca Rainforest & Rivers of Costa Rica  Hiking, rivers, indigenous people combine for a memorable experience There is no better way to immerse yourself in the cultures of the people and cultures of Talamanca than on this canoeing and hiking adventure. In conjunction with the Bribri Association, we offer a rare opportunity to go where few organized groups have traveled. Until the late 1970's, it was very difficult to get to the densely forested and sparsely populated region of Talamanca. Today, the journey is easier, but the quiet beaches, mountains and rainforests have retained their charm and remain refreshingly unspoiled. The people are a melting pot of Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean and Spanish cultures. The wildlife features a fascinating variety of howler monkeys, exotic birds, sloths, catamounts and sea turtles. The flora offers up a pharmacy of medicinal plants and a cornucopia of wild fruits and vegetables. The rivers give us a back-door look at life in a timeless agricultural valley as we float by a mosaic of lush primary forests, small farms, plantain crops and remote villages. We will also have enough time for hiking and relaxation. Accommodations are a mix of rustic lodges and a safari-style base camp. Our first five days will be spent as guests of the Bribri Indians. During this time we will have an opportunity to visit with the local people and learn about their customs and way of life. We are especially proud to be the first touring organization to work cooperatively with the Bribri Association. The president of the Bribri Association will join us for dinner one evening providing an informal setting where we can exchange ideas and learn more about this special culture. River choices abound in this area and include the Uren, Coen, Telrie and Yorkin. For two evenings we will be guests of a small village community on the Yorkin River. Camp is set up at the women's cooperative which is encircled by towering trees and lush vegetation. Our journey continues as we leave the reserve and head for Asacode, a grassroots organization of local farmers. Their goal is to work together to learn about indigenous trees and plants and to reforest the area for future generations. Association President Jose Luis and his family greet us like old friends. The haunting and mystical calls of the night are a perfect way to end the day. We enjoy two days at Asacode, giving us time to explore our new surroundings. We may choose to paddle in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and spend some time at the Caribbean coast. Or we may opt to take a day walk at Asacode learning about the many ongoing projects and studies. We are quite certain that your Talamanca adventure with BATTENKILL CANOE, LTD. will quickly become one of your most memorable traveling experiences.   Contact Us BattenKill Canoe, Ltd. 800.421.5268 or 802.362.2800 fax--802.362.0159 ©2002 BattenKill Canoe, Ltd.. All rights reserved