Frequently Asked Questions for Chirripo, Tapanti and Corcovado Treks, Costa Rica Trekking Adventures -

What do I need to bring for my trek?
Chirripó Trek and Urán Trek both take place in Chirripó National Park. Due to the climate conditions of the area, it is very important to bring good raingear, a hat and sunscreen to prevent sunburns from the high radiation, flashlight with extra batteries, and any personal medicine. A fleece coat and hat are basic, the temperature might drop at night to -5 C (23 F), also pack your sleeping bag. Sunglasses with UV protection are defenitely important
Regarding your hiking shoes it is better to wear waterproof shoes, mainly during the rainy season, although rainshowers can also be present during the dry season. It is important to mention that the park has a very well developed and maintained system of trails. Some sections of the trail for the Uran Trek are wet most of the year, so good waterproof shoes are strongley recommended for this trek, gaiters will be helpful if trail is muddy. You will also need an extra pair of light shoes or sandals for resting time.
Don't forget your energy food, power bars and any special candy that you particulary like during your treks.
Hiking poles are recommended to prevent knee injuries, they are really helpful when hiking down the mountains, and even going up relieve a lot of work from your legs. Water bottles or hydration bladder, probably this last one the more comfortable so that you don't have to put your pack down to get your bottle out.
In the case of the Tapir Path Trek we as well strongly recommend hiking poles, waterproof hiking shoes as well as a pair of sandals or resting shoes, and raingear. A fleece coat as you will be in the Tropical Cloud Forest and Paramo.
The Corcovado Treks: "Above the Jungle and Rainforest Trek" take place in Lowland Rainforest. Raingear and good hiking shoes are important. Waterproof shoes are always recommended, for the rainy conditions and for crossing creeks. Gaiters are strongly recommended in the lowlands, they will provide extra protection against bugs and snakes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are very important.
A good pair of binoculars is good to have as wildlife is intense in these areas, and you will appreciate taking a closer look.
In any trek you choose to do with us, we will store your extra luggage, and have it ready for you in the last location where the trek ends.
We will be going over all the details for the trek you are planning to take.
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How should I pack?
This is a very important question and we should answer it in four sections, one answer for those who will take the Chirripó Treks, one for those taking the Urán Trek, one for hikers taking the Tapanti Tapir Path Trek, finally one for those who will enjoy the treks to Corcovado.
For Chirripó Trek: Short and Classic remember, we will include porter service to send your heavy luggage up to Crestones Base Lodge and down as well (9 kg / 20 lbs max). In this case you will only need to carry a day pack with your camera or binoculars, sunscreen, raingear, and a fleece coat in case it gets cold when we get to the highlands. The rest of your luggage must be packed separately, it shouldn't exceed 7 kg (15 lbs) per person. All the stuff you pack should be in plastic bags, in case it rains. Please note you will not see your luggage until you arrive to the Crestones Base Lodge, same situation on the way down.

For those taking the Uran Trek, each person will carry their own gear, meaning sleeping bags, clothes, energy food, personal medicines, etc., and always pack everything in plastic bags inside your backpack. Our guides will take care of all the cooking equipment, food, tents, etc.

When taking the Tapir Path Trek you will need to carry your gear, clothes, etc. Pack everything in plastic bags to keep it dry.

For Corcovado Treks is as well advice to pack all luggage inside plastic bags inside your pack. When accessing Corcovado by air with the "Above the Jungle" package the maximun luggage weight per person is 11.5 Kg (25 lbs). Luggage shouldn't be heavier if you are accessing by land in the "Rainforest Trek" as hikes to reach Sirena Station and leaving it are long, packing light is quite important to enjoy your journey through the jungle. Top

How long in advance do I need to book my trek?
For Chirripó Trek and Urán Trek, and Corcovado Treks, we recommend you to start your reservation process three months or four months in advance if possible. The park has a limitted number of people per day, so it is very important to request your space with enough time. This doesn't mean that short notice plans couldn't be arranged, but there is less chance to find space. The Tapanti Tapir Path Trek is usually easier to book, availability is also a concern for our great stay in Savegre Mountain Hotel. Top

What is the advantage of taking an organized trek with Costa Rica Trekking Adventures?
Costa Rica Trekking Adventures is a branch of Selva Mar Tour Operator, a company with more than 11 years of experience in the reservation service and tour operation. Our treks involve and require a great number of details, we provide with each trek an eco-adventure, involving local communities, culture, and environmentally minded actions. Our guides are professional and very knowledgeable of the areas being visited, helping you enrich your experience in Costa Rica. By taking a Chirripó Trek or an Urán Trek with Costa Rica Trekking Adventures you are helping the local communities, helping the national park, and helping the environment. For the Chirripó Trek you can choose to hike by yourself, the Urán Trek requires guides.
In the same way, the Tapir Path Trek is an eco-adventure, we involve local communities and families, and follow environmental regulations. Once again our guides will point out interesting aspects of this Tropical Cloudforest Reserves. This hike can only be done with guides. Top

Are we going to be trekking with more people?
Most of the time when you book your trek you get to go in private tour, sometimes another reservation matches the dates and then you might meet two or so people in the same trek. We have to say this doesn't happen too often.
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Can I smoke in the parks?
The park and reserve regulations are very strict regarding smoking and fires due to the forest fires that natural areas experience in some areas a few years ago. For this reason you will only be able to smoke at the permitted sites in the Crestones Base Lodge, Lodge in Sirena Station and destination points, never on the trails. Fires are totally forbidden in the National Parks. Top

Are there food other items available for purchasing up in the base lodge or during the treks?
In Chirripo you can only get pop drinks at Crestones Base Lodge. During the Tapir Path Trek there is not access to stores, with the exception of San Gerardo de Dota where you will spend the night. Still, we recommend you to make sure you have all you will need to prevent inconveniences. In Corcovado we are very isolated and it is important to bring with any item you might need, of course having in mind to pack light! Top

Are there camping sites in the Chirripo National Park?
The only camping area in Chirripo National Park is the Indian Pass Camp. This camp will be used only in the Urán Trek, the second night of the trek. Top

Can I extend my stay once up in Corcovado or Chirripo National Parks?
This will be difficult due to the space in the park. In the Chirripó Trek and the Urán Trek it might be possible with a small group of two or three people. We always have some extra food storage in case of emergency in Crestones Base Lodge. The extra night (if possible) has a cost too and it will calculated for you. It is always possible to request in advance an extra night for these treks. In the case of the Tapir Path Trek you might request one more night in Savegre Mountain Hotel, depending always on the availabilty. Night will be quoted separately. In Corcovado we can extend the stay in some cases, again we depend on availability and being able to change the flight in the case of "Above the Jungle" Top

Are the parks closed any time of the year?
Chirripó National Park closes the whole month of May for park mantainance and as a buffering time to lower the environmental impact. Corcovado National Park is open year around. Top

How much physical fitness do I need?
For the Chirripó Trek we always recommend at least to be used to hiking once in a while, and do some excersise, this will make the trek much easier for you. The way we organize the trek will allow you to get up to Chirripó, always with the good assistance of our guides. None of the treks are recommended for people with serious problems of asthma (unless recovered), diabetes, severe knee complications, hearth diseases, and any other health limitation that could evolve into a serious problem during a trek. It is important to mention that most people under normal conditions can take these treks. In the case of Urán Trek we only recommended it to people who are used to hiking since it is a longer trek and the path is tougher, however the most important aspect is your conviction. The
Tapanti Tapir Path Trek is good for most hikers since it covers a good trail going down all the time thought the magnificent Cloud Forest until we arrive to the San Gerardo de Dota Valley.

The Corcovado Treks will be in humid and hot environments of the lowland rainforest. The "Above of the Jungle" tour is nice for any type of hiker and even ages since hikes will be around Sirena Station and distances are short. The "Rainforest Trek" requires more good physical condition as you will need to carry your luggage, and the hike to get to Sirena and to reach Carate are long, an average hiker can do them with not problem. Top