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talamanca treks

description:   We offer a safe and authentic way for travelers and adventurers to experience Costa Rica, from her capital in San Jose to her untamed wilderness in the Talamanca Mountains. We provide leaders, equipment, and a base camp for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding in backcountry Costa Rica. Our trips are healthy for the mind and body. We make a profit with a low impact on the environment and people around us.

Talamanca Treks base camp is on the 200 acre San Agustin private rainforest reserve which borders the edge of Costa Rica 's larges wilderness area. We are a team of intelligent, resourceful, honest, and friendly people who enjoy life in the great outdoors. Our clients, like our leaders, are people who love to be outside, to explore, to be challenged and to live. We can’t guarantee you won’t get bit, wet and muddy but we can guarantee and outstanding adventure.

We have an advantage over our competition because we are based and live in the same wilderness we trek through and we are not limited to National Parks and reservations. Our employees are honest and dedicated to providing the best experience possible. We have a great love and pride for this part of Costa Rica and wish to share it with travelers who will appreciate its inimitability.

accommodations: located on the cool banks of the Vereh River , far from phone and power lines, we have made base camp very accommodating for travelers. Covered camping assures a dry night sleeping and our outstanding family style meals give the energy needed for rainforest trekking. We provide most of the equipment so you can pack light. And we will do everything possible to make your experience marvelous.  

Base camp is the starting point for all our day hikes and backpacking trips except for Cerro Chirripo. We have a low maintenance, self help service at base camp for people who are unable or do not wish to make reservations for a trip. Base camp has fresh spring water, candle light, and a composting outhouse. This service is maintained through visitor donations.

For those who have not made reservations, at base camp you can buy food to prepare and are welcome to use our pots, pans, and dishes.  You need to bring your own stove or make your own fire.  Family style meals are also available to purchase. All meals are included for people who have reserved trips.

People who come to base camp are experienced resourceful travelers. They are people who can be comfortable without modern conveniences and embrace new experiences.

surroundings: The San Agustin Reserve, where base camp is located, has an 8km trail which you can hike at your leisure. Guided trips to local waterfalls, rivers, coffee farms and other areas of interest may be available. We have a large organic garden and ample fruit trees which add variety to the menu. The reserve is bordered on all sides by streams and rivers. The Vereh River is great for taking a refreshing dip or lying on the hot rocky bank. Our small pond is nice for sitting by and bird or frog watching. The majority of the San Agustin Reserve is primary rainforest and we have an ongoing cedar reforestation project in the secondary growth.

location and climate: the Vereh River Valley where Base Camp is located is in the province of Cartago , Costa Rica 45km southeast of Turrialba on the edge of the largest wilderness of Costa Rica . The nearest small town, Jicotea, is 2.5 hours walking. Here there are some small general stores and 4 buses/day to Turrialba. The nearest large town, Turrialba, is about 1.5 hours by car. Here there are restaurants, super markets, hotels, internet and buses to San Jose .  

In Vereh, at 980m above sea level we are in the middle of the Atlantic zone moist-wet forest. The temperature ranges from 60F(15C) to 82F(27.8C).  Our dry season ranges from 3 to 5 months between December and May.  During dry season rains are light and rare and present no obstacles.  During the rainy season many mornings are sunny however heavy afternoon showers can make river crossings a challenge and sucking mud slows down hiking.  December and January can be very dry or very wet.  We can experience non-stop rain which cause the rivers to become impassible for several days in a row.

For any of our trip packages we will meet you at the airport in San Jose and accompany you out to base camp in Vereh. However, if you would like to make the journey on you own, check out our website for detailed directions and a map. Just getting here is an adventure.  

overnight backpacking trips: We present to the seasoned backpacker solid and fulfilling expeditions through the largest wilderness in Costa Rica.  Using the ancient foot paths of the Indigenous Costa Ricans, our journeys span the country from the heart to its highest peak at 3,820m and the Caribbean Sea.

Your experience is enhanced through the lessons and example of our expedition leaders who live in the same wilderness you will be traveling through.  Your own skills will be tried and tested climbing steep terrain, crossing rivers, and setting up a dry camp after a tough day of hiking.

Our service saves you the hassle of renting a vehicle, lugging food and equipment on an airplane, purchasing park passes, obtaining maps, and the time needed to plan the logistics for the successful completion of an expedition through the backcountry of Costa Rica.

Below are short descriptions of our four overnight backpacking trips. Please see our website for full itineraries and trip details.

chirripo peak

10 day, 10 night trip through the Talamanca Mountains and over the highest peak in Costa Rica, at 3,820m, where one can see both oceans. Reservations required 4 months in advance.

hot springs & cloud forrest

6 day, 5 night trip from Vereh to the bust stop in Atirro. Camping at base camp, along the Pacuare River, a natural hot spring, and in the cloud forest of Mirador.

talamanca trail

10 day, 10 night trip through the Talamanca Mountains. Camping along the Pacuare and Chirripo Rivers and the Uran Ridge 15km from Cerro Chirripo. There is an option for making the summit of Chirripo.

rivers & waterfalls

6 day, 5 night trip camping at base camp, along the Pacuare River and above the Vereh Waterfall. Returning to San Agustin along the Vereh River.

base camp trips & day hikes: We also offer six very different day hikes which provide a relaxing and healthy outdoor adventure for travelers who want to learn about the nature and culture of backcountry Costa Rica.  Below are descriptions of the day hikes we offer to guests staying at Base Camp.  

pacuare river - The Pacuare River is ranked as one of the top 10 most beautiful rivers in the world!

• Distance: 22km
• Time: 5-7 hours
• Difficulty: Tough
• Departure time: 7am

The Pacuare River tour is our most difficult and extensive day hike, which also makes it our most popular. We start off into the San Agustin reserve where we follow the old Cabecar Indian Trail up and over the Barreal ridge and down to the Barreal stream. We ascend the steep face of the Morado ridge for twenty minutes taking us to the saddle. Our decent into the Pacuare valley is filled with beautiful views and backcountry culture. At the river we go swimming and cross an old 80m hanging bridge. The Pacuare River is popular for whitewater sports, but few venture into the upper Pacuare, where we are located, do to the limited access. We eat lunch and loop around to the Herrera ridge and begin our decent back into the Vereh valley.

hanging bridges - You don’t have to be a hard core outdoors adventurer to have an awesome experience in the rainforest.  

• Distance: 12km
• Time: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure time: 8am

San Agustin hikes are for all levels of athletic ability.  This is our most relaxing hike. A flat hike with a wide trail and abundant plant and animal life is what our more laid back crowd enjoys. The highlights of the trip are two resourcefully made hanging bridges and swimming in an emerald pool below some awesome rocks and rapids. As we go further up river the path gradually fades into the wilderness.

leona waterall- This waterfall, high upon a mountain, is a Cabecar landmark.  

• Distance 18km
• Time: 4-6 hours
• Difficulty: Tough
• Departure time: 8am

You can never see enough waterfalls!  Our most exciting hike is to the Leona Waterfall on the Morado ridge.  You can see the magnificent falls from several kilometers away and it appears unapproachable, high on the steep mountain side. To reach the waterfall you turn off the path and follow the stream. You climb over boulders and fallen trees as the cool water cascades around you. Just below the waterfall is an adrenalin pumping, 10 meter, 80 degree, rock face, where we use a rope to aid us in the climb.  As you approach the falls you can feel the wind and awesome energy of the water as it pounds against the rock wall.  You can wade through the cool pool at the bottom of the falls and climb up behind the curtain of rushing water.

visit the neighbors – We could not live in Vereh without the friendship and help of the wonderful Venegas family.  

• Distance: 9km
• Time: 3-6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure time:8am

Come with us to visit our neighbors and friends, the Venegases. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet and Nico is an awesome cook.  They are excited to share stories and knowledge about life in the backcountry of Costa Rica.  We take a tour of the coffee farm, sugar mill, and see the biggest tree in Vereh.  They are always hungry for a game of back yard soccer. For lunch, Nico will cook us a delicious typical plate.

san agustin reserve – This primary rainforest is saved because people like you come out to see it.  

• Distance: 16km
• Time: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure time: 8am

David bought San Agustin in 1974 planning to live a simple life on a self sufficient farm. Instead of cutting down the forest to raise livestock, we have used the rainforest as an attraction for adventure travelers. It took some time and many learning experiences, but we persevered and in June of 2003 we opened up   a successful adventure business, which earns the money needed to live comfortable without clearing land. The Jungle tour is a loop around the San Agustin rainforest reserve, down to the San Agustin waterfall and across the Barreal ridge. Many animals abound here in their natural and ancient habitat.; including small cats, the giant fertilance pit viper, huge insects, ant-eaters, tepesquente, and the elegant Quetzal.

vereh river waterfall – Emerald pools, turquoise rock formations, boulder climbing, river crossing, and swimming!  

• Distance: 12-16km
• Time: 4-7 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure time: 7am

This hike is for people who love the water, river crossings and swimming. About two hours of the four hour trip is spent in the river.  We stop several times to swim and enjoy the moment!  The waterfall is a masterpiece of nature.  The full volume of the Vereh River squeezes through the narrow river walls and shoots out into a clear pool. With more energetic groups and good weather we can explore the waterfalls and boulders further down river as well. On the return trip, we will stop at the Venegas farm for a typical lunch.

horseback riding – The horses are well trained, pampered and strong.

• Distance: Varies
• Time: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Departure time: 8am

Horseback riding is the best and most relaxing way to take in views of the Vereh and Pacuare valleys.  Mounted on horseback you are twice as high and you can look out across the mountains rather then at your next step.  The trips go either to Jicotea, Paso Marcos, the Pacuare River, or Leona Waterfall.  Horseback riding is guided by our neighbor Carlos Venegas. You need to let him know the before so he can get the horses from the field early in the morning.  A good time to set this trip up is during the Venegas day hike.

prices:

walk-ins who show up at base camp without a reservation:

Staying at Base Camp: free/donations

Tent rental: $2 entire visit

Blanket rental: $2 entire visit

Rubber boots: $2 entire visit

Ground pad: $1 entire visit

Towel: $1 entire visit

Family style meals: $3-$5

General store food to prepare yourself: $0.50-$4

Horseback ride: $25/horse

Day hikes: $7-$10/person

base camp trips:

backpacking trips:

see website for more camp details and backpacking trip information

When you make reservations we arrange to meet you at the airport in San Jose and accompany you to base camp in Vereh.

Walk-ins are welcome, but without reservations there is a small chance no one will receive you at base camp. Just make yourself at home. We recommend arriving at base camp in the morning as afternoon rains sometime make the River difficult to cross.  

contact details:

for information and reservations:

Sarah Dohle

info@costaricabackpacker.com

www.CostaRicaBackpacker.com

if you are traveling somewhere remote, or to a country with an unstable political climate, please check the travel advice section first

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