Extreme Nature Hike Fortuna to Monteverde

Our tour guide, Franklin, was amazing and extremely knowledgable about everything in nature. We started our hike through a farm and then had to cross a stream and a river. We then headed into the rainforest for a challenging but doable hike (about 9Km) to a wonderful, but basic cabin owned by Mr. Seferanio. It had several bedrooms with wood beds, a little foam cushion and sleeping bags. It was so peaceful being in thia cabin surrounded by nature with no technology. Franklin made us and amazing dinner and breakfast over the fire. On day 2 (8km) we packed up amd continued up the mountain. It started on a trail and most of day 2 was on a gravel road with the most incredible views! We stopped along the way and enjoyed taking pictures and learning from Franklin. It ended by getting picked up in a van and taken the rest of the way to Monteverde. Once in Monteverde, we had time to have lunch and walk through the shops. We then got in a bus to Lake Arenal and took a boat to the other side then back to a bus for the rest of the way to LaFortuna. We would HIGHLY recommend this tour with Red Lava and Franklin was amazing!

This is an excellent tour taking you through a private rainforest reserve where others cannot go to experience the real rainforest. The overnight stay was an experience and our hosts were very welcoming in their home. The tour guide was excellent and gave us lots of information along the route. I would highly recommend this tour to someone who is looking for something different in Costa Rica.

The trek was excellent. Walking from the farmland around Largo Arenal, into the rainforest along steep paths deep into the mountains.staying at a farmstead surrounded by the forest, then walking on dirt tracks with uninterrupted views across to Arenal Volcano all the way to Monteverde cloud forest, arriving in San Elena after a short taxi ride Walking through lemon orchards, swimming in river then I to the narrow tracks steeping walking in forest climbing 1000m. Our guide Christian was excellent. He stopped often to explain things and ensure the walk was kept to a manageable pace,. Everything from fungi through to plants butterflies frogs birds and monkeys pointed out and discussed. The farmstead had uninterrupted views of Arenal Volcano, yet surrounded by the forest. Firefly display, serene isolation (perhaps we could have done without the predawn cock crowing : but we did not miss the stunning sunrise) Dinner was excellent suitably sustaining two course event, and breakfast was usual Costa Rican fare. The second days walk was on wider tracks on ridges just above the forest affording fantastic views. Then a short taxi ride to San Elena. We booked this as a family of 4 ( 13 yo son and 16yo daughter). This trek requires a good level of fitness, it is steep hot and hot walking, day one 1200hrs to 1700hrs walking, following day 4 hrs walk. The farmstead is basic as you would expect, no electric no phone reception, fresh water, sleeping on thin but clean beds.