Chirripó Trek

  5 days & 4nights
GG-019-09

Day 1: San José (Arrival.)

Transfer from the International Airport to Vesuvio Hotel.

Day 2 Cerro de la Muerte.

After breakfast we start driving on the Pan-American Highway (2 ½ hrs) heading south to the Chirripó Highlands and Cerro de la Muerte (Peak of Death, 11,000’). Challenge yourself with the expertise of your resident guide to find the elusive Resplendent Quetzal and other cloud forest wildlife. After lunch, you will spend the afternoon in the quaint village of San Gerardo de Rivas. Equipment check and dinner.

Day 3  Trek to Chirripó

Base Camp: Depart in the morning to begin treking into Chirripó National Park. Today you hike in three stages as you ascend the mountain, eating snacks and lunch before arrival at camp by midday. The uphill trail is steep and can take up to 12 hours in poor conditions for slow trekkers. Fit, experienced hikers can do it in 6 to 7 hours. After passing the sign “Trail to Chirripó”, you begin a grueling uphill stretch called La Cuesta del Agua (allow 2 hours). This climb crests at Monte Sin Fe (“Faithless Mountain”). Expect to see colorful toucans, trogons, monkeys, and more as you pass through dwarf cloud forests draped in “Old Man’s Beard” mosses.

Note: A water filter is useful for re-filling your water bottle. There are not many water sources on this day. Camp is 6 km below the summit.

 

Day 4: Summit of Mount Chirripó.

Arise very early to begin trekking to the summit of Mt. Chirripó before the fog rolls in. Chirripó National Park protects 50,150 hectares of high elevation terrain. Cloud forest above 8,250’ elevation covers half the park. Along the way you will pass by numerous lakes and it is clear why the Talamanca Indians called this area Chirripó—“Place of Enchanted Waters.” Enjoy the sunrise; the view to the Pacific and Atlantic is stunning. Continue descending to Refuge Los Crestones. After a second breakfast, you hike back to San Gerardo de Dota. After short refreshment, you’ll return to San José. And lodging at Vesuvio Hotel.  

 

Day 5: Departure.

Transfer out to the International Airport.

Notes:

CHIRRIPO NATIONAL PARK 

Location
20 Km Northeast from San Isidro de El General Total area of 50,150 hectares (approximately 195 square miles) Chirripó National Park forms part of La Amistad International Park (Costa Rica-Panama) located on the Talamanca Mountain Range.

Natural History
Formation 40-60 million years ago in the Eocene by volcanic activity. the presence of basaltic and andesitic rocks and tuffs 18 million years ago Tectonic folding followed by intense plutonic activity which caused a rapid elevation of the entire area. 3-5 million years ago The definitive shape of the range was attained during the post-organic phase. 25,000-30,000 years ago. Formation of glacial lakes by movement of ice which still remain intact. They are u-shaped valleys, such as we can see in Moraines' Valley, the Lakes' Valley, and the Rabbits' Valley

Climate

The climate of the Talamanca Mountain Range varies greatly and depends on altitude and slope incline. The Caribbean Slope has an average rainfall of 4000 mm (157 inches) a year and is very humid year-round. The Pacific Slope has rain between 30 and 4000 mm a year. Driest period: From mid-December to mid-April. Temperature ranges in lower regions from 18°C (64° F) to 26° C (79° F). Temperature in the highlands from 0° C (32° F) to 12° C (54° F). The lowest temperature recorded in Chirripó was -9° C (14° F). Night temperatures are very cold and often foggy. During the day temperature could change very brusque with incidence of clouds and drizzle. Bitterly cold winds can exceed 80 kph with wind chill dropping temperatures significantly.

Hidrology
Chirripo means "Land of the Eternal Waters". A Chirripó Trek in the rain season shows a numerous streams and brooks. On the top of Cerro Chirripo Grande participant has a view to more than 30 lakes and lagoons. Some of them diappear completely in the dry season. Many large rivers have its source in the valleys of the Talamanca Mountain Range such as Río Chirripo Atlantico, Río Telire, Río Chirripo Pacifico and the Río Ceibo.

Flora
An extraordinary number of habits can be found here, as a result of the differences in altitude, soil type, climate and topography. Paramo From 2.900m on with mixed shrubs, grasses and perennial herbaceous plants of Andean origin. Swamps Composed of herbaceous and shrub communities. Madrono Forests Predominant species of the upper parts of the park. Cloud Forest Large trees like the oak, sweet cedar, nargusta, elm, magnolia, lancewood, and mountain cypress. Fern Groves are mainly made up of the 1-2 meters high Lomaria fern and of sphagnum moss.

Fauna
263 species of amphibians and reptiles, and about 400 bird species have been observed. Chirripó National Park shelters the largest population of tapir in the country, puma jaguar, peccary, monkeys and many other especies of mammals. Among the birds should be mentioned the most espectacular: The resplentend quetzal.

Human History
In 1904 Agustin Blessing a priest and missionary of Talamancais reported as the 1st white human reaching the summit. Following expeditions in 1905, 1913, 1915, 1920, 1932 and 1942. From that time on many expeditions have achieved the goal: Get to the second highest peak in Central America: Mount Chirripó. On August 19th, 1975, Chirripo National Park was officially established. The Park was declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by the Unesco in 1982, and of the “World Heritage Sites” in 1983.

Uphill hike San Gerardo to Los Crestones Base Camp takes between 7 and 10 hours.

FOOD INFORMATION

Please advise if a special diet is required

What to bring

Transportation

Minivan with a/c up t o 7 people
Minibus with a/c from 8 people on