A rare opportunity to seek out the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, this guided tour provides easy access to the region where these amazing birds with their 3-foot colorful plumage can be found. For in-house guests only, staying at the Savegre Mountain Hotel, you’ll explore the highland cloud forest of the Continental Divide with an experienced nature guide checking out spectacular views as you go on your quest to find the beautiful Quetzal.
Guests staying at the hotel will meet with a professional, naturalist guide in the hotel’s reception area. You will travel together for approximately 20 minutes to the town of San Gerardo de Dota and enter the misty cloud forest of Los Quetzales National Park. The park is a gateway to the paramo, or high-altitude ecosystem, thriving above the mountain timberline.
With a trained ear and local knowledge, your guide will have you checking off all kinds of exotic birdlife on your list like black guans, a variety of hummingbirds and hopefully the Resplendent Quetzal. You’ll learn all about this paramo environment which is uniquely different from any other forest in Costa Rica.
You may also see sloths, squirrel monkeys, tapers, peccaries, and other interesting mammals living in this habitat. After a short walk on cleared pathways, you will discover impressive panoramic views from on top of the mountainous Continental Divide, separating the watersheds of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Los Quetzales National Park ranges from 6,500 – 9,800 feet above sea level. This altitude offers a bird’s eye view of almost the entire country. To the north, the Talamanca Cordillera, or mountain range, and the Central Volcanic Cordillera. To the west shines the Pacific Ocean. Looking south the southern Pacific leads to the Valle del General and the Osa Peninsula. The eastern view presents you with Chirripo, Costa Rica’s highest peak.
The park covers over 12,000 acres and includes 3 forest zones and 14 different ecosystems. Its objective is to preserve highland forest, protect the water sources, and sustain the flora and fauna of the area.
At the end of your guided hike you will ride together back to your hotel taking the time to review your notes and photos documenting your trip to this amazing area.
The tour includes a bilingual, naturalist guide and park entrance fee. It is only available for guests staying at the Savegre Mountain Hotel. The entire tour, including the 40-minute round trip ride to San Gerardo de Dota and back to the hotel, is typically between 5.5 and 6.5 hours.
Please wear completely enclosed hiking shoes and bring insect repellent, rain gear, bottled water, (snacks if you like), binoculars, and your camera. This is a high-altitude hike so you may want to bring a jacket as well.
You’ll likely want to capture all the unforgettable memories in this misty, mountaintop, panoramic setting to show the folks back home.
No transportation is needed from Savegre Mountain Hotel. Transportation is not included from other area hotels.
The Guided Hike through Los Quetzales National Park - Savegre Moutain Hotel is available from San Gerardo de Dota
Latitude: N 9° 33' 57.42"
Longitude: W 83° 49' 24.14"