|
CWU 2009 Alumni Exploratory Tour
Costa Rica - Nature's Museum
February 16-24, 2009
Highlights...Braulio Carrillo National Park ● Poas Volcano ● Coffee Plantation ● Tortuguero National Park ● Sarapiqui ● Rain Forest ● Arenal Volcano ● Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
Per Person Rates: Double $2,799; Single $3,399; Triple $2,769
Included in price: Round Trip Air from Seattle Tacoma Intl Airport-Seattle, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $70 (subject to increase until paid in full), Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $140 per person, Hotel Transfers (round Trip air from Portland, Los Angeles, or San Francisco available at the same rate).
Highlights of your seven-day tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Monday, February 16, 2009
San Jose, Costa Rica
Upon arrival, relax in your new surroundings and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
San Jose - Poas Volcano - Coffee Plantation
View the spectacular scenery of the Central Valley, ringed by soaring mountains, as you travel to the mammoth Poas Volcano. Walk to the edge of the crater for a magnificent view of this amazing landscape. Next, attend a tour of the Doka Coffee Plantation that highlights the importance of the coffee industry in Costa Rica. Tonight, gather for a special reception and dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 3, Wednesday, February 18, 2009
San Jose - Braulio Carrillo National Park - Tortuguero National Park
Braulio Carrillo National Park offers one of the richest rain forest canopies in the world, the perfect introduction to the variety of forests in Costa Rica. En route to the park, experience spectacular mountain scenery, changes in ecosystems and picturesque Caribbean-style villages. Stop at a local banana plantation where you learn about its economic and social value to Costa Rica. As you board your transport to cruise the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park your guide explains the rain forest eco-system and points out sites of interest. A study in rain forest, freshwater, and marine biology, Tortuguero National Park protects over 350 species of birds and mammals, including endangered species such as green macaws and jaguars, as well as species of amphibians and reptiles. This includes 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered species, among them are tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters, and manatees. Enjoy a memorable two-night stay at your eco-lodge surrounded by the beauty of a tropical forest and amazing wildlife. Learn more about your surroundings by visiting the world’s first Green Turtle Research Station and discover how to protect the turtle’s nesting habitat and eggs.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 4: Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tortuguero National Park Canal Cruise
During an early morning bird-watching excursion, learn about the variety of local species and migratory birds that flock to this area. Later, experience a spectacular boat cruise through the various canals and be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, aquatic birds, bats and caimans as well as exotic flora. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 5: Friday, February 20, 2009
Tortuguero National Park - Sarapiquí - San Carlos
A leisurely boat ride returns you to the mainland to travel to the fascinating Sarapiquí region. Stop at an organic pineapple plantation and learn about the various types of this exotic fruit and why Costa Rican pineapples are among the world’s best. Your travels continue to San Carlos where you will spend three nights in a sprawling rain forest resort set amongst 35 acres of magnificent gardens and tropical fruit trees overlooking the San Carlos River. Enjoy a tour of the botanical and butterfly gardens upon arrival. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6: Saturday, February 21, 2009
San Carlos - Rain Forest Walk - Arenal Volcano
Explore the nearby rain forest's diversity of flora and fauna during a morning walk. Appreciate the great variety of birds and mammals in the area, such as crocodiles, caimans and giant iguanas. Experience the beauty of the geothermal region surrounding the impressive Arenal Volcano when you arrive at Ecothermales Hot Springs, a family-owned hot springs oasis. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful grounds, soak in the soothing, hot mineral-rich waters, or take advantage of the first rate spa services. Enjoy a wonderful dinner overlooking Arenal Volcano. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Sunday, February 22, 2009
San Carlos - Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is a remote 20,000-acre jungle refuge with an amazing variety of birds and indigenous wildlife, including spider and howler monkeys and two-toed sloths. Embark on a guided riverboat trip down the Rio Frio to observe this exotic wildlife.Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 8: Monday, February 23, 2009
San Carlos - San Jose
Returning to San Jose, tour the colorful Plaza de Cultural; the National Museum, which houses a collection of pre-Columbian art and other exhibits detailing the history of Costa Rica; and the National Theater, a magnificent building of post-baroque splendor. This evening, enjoy a festive farewell cultural dinner sponsored by a Rural Based Community Project. You will be captivated by the folkloric dances and traditional marimba music, presented by local performers.Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 9: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
San Jose - Tour Concludes
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation. Today breakfast will be included.
A deposit of $450/per person - due by September 16, 2008
Final Payment - due by December 16, 2008
How to register and make your payments:
1. Complete reservation form (one per person). You can complete this form online or print the form and return to the Alumni Association.
2. Make your deposit. You can make a deposit online, calling us at 877.846.2287 or by sending a check or money order to the Alumni Assocation at 400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7507.
Important Reservation Information
IDENTIFICATION
Travel within USA
All airlines will ask for identification when you check-in. It is recommended that you carry a passport if you have one. A driver's license (with a photo I.D.) is also acceptable for domestic flights.
Cancellation Charges for this tour: After your seat reduction date has passed, a non-refundable deposit will be retained. For Cancellation between 60-16 days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 20% of total price. For cancellation between 15-1 days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 40% of total price. For cancellation on the day of departure and after: 100% of total price. For Ocean Cruises: For cancellation between 90-61 days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 25% of total price. For cancellation between 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of total price. 30 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of total price. For River Cruises: including Europe, Russia, Egypt and China, 90-61 days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 40% of total price. For cancellation between 60-31 days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 75% of total price. For cancellation 30 or fewer days prior to departure: cancellation fee of 100% of total price. For Galapagos and Antarctica: A cancellation fee of 50% will apply for cancellation between 120-90 days prior to departure; A cancellation charge of 100% will apply for cancellation less than 90 days prior to departure. For Oberammergau: A cancellation fee of 75% will apply for cancellation between 120-90 days prior to departure; A cancellation charge of 100% will apply for cancellation less than 90 days prior to departure. Cancellation protection is highly recommended and must be purchased at time of deposit. Air rates are subject to change until tour is paid in full. Cancellation charges also apply to reservations made for "pre" and "post" night accommodations. Purchase of Waiver and Insurance guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposit), except the Waiver and insurance fee itself, made to Collette Vacations for travel arrangements in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. The Waiver and Insurance does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual's Traveling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. Upon cancellation of transportation or travel services where you, the customer, are not at fault and have not canceled in violation of the terms and conditions above, you will be refunded 100%. Please see your sales agent for more information, or review our brochure for details.
Consumer Protection Plans: Collette Travel Service holds membership in the following highly reputable industry organizations: the United States Tour Operators Association and the American Society of Travel Agents. Each association operates a consumer protection plan to cover deposits made by travelers. Full details are available from the organizations or Collette Travel Service. Collette is pleased to give this additional protection to our clients. Our California Sellers of Travel registration number is 2006766-20. Our State of Washington Unified Business Number is 601220855. Our Nevada Sellers of Travel registration number is 2003-0279.
Responsibilities: Neither Collette Travel Services, Inc., its affiliated entities and its and their employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively "Collette"), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. Because neither maintains any control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers, Collette assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party not under the supervision and control of Collette. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, terrorism, computer problems, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. Collette reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. They reserve the right to withdraw any tour announced. Collette reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the tour manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. Neither does Collette accept liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times. Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of Collette. Arbitration - I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this contract, the brochure or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association in Rhode Island. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive Rhode Island law.
Payment of the deposit to Collette constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Cancellation waiver and insurance are included in the tour price. Payment of a Per Person Waiver Fee guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposit), except the Waiver Fee itself, made to Collette Vacations for travel arrangements in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. The Waiver and Insurance does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual’s Traveling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. Air rates are subject to change until tour is paid in full. Please see your sales agent for more information, or review our brochure for details.
For questions or more information, please contact the Alumni Office at 509-963-2752 or email us at alumni@cwu.edu.
|
