Costa Rica | Nature Photography with Emily Carter

Upon arrival in San José, you will be met and taken to your hotel in San Jose. Check-in begins at 3 pm. Elevation is 3,100 feet. Orientation will be followed by a welcome dinner tonight at the hotel restaurant. In order to arrive in time for orientation, participants must book flights that arrive in San José no later than 4:30 pm.

This morning, have breakfast then depart for Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, located in the lush lowlands of north-central Costa Rica on a private tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. Settle in then receive an orientation on the lodge's facilities and 500-acre private reserve. After lunch at the lodge, visit the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station for a photography hike. Established in 1968, La Selva is world-renowned for scientific research on rainforest ecosystems. After dinner, venture out on a night walk to spot a variety of nocturnal life including the colorful red-eyed tree frog, a must in every photographer's collection.

After an early breakfast, visit the Macaw Farm, a private initiative started by Don Alvaro Otoya that has turned into a successful breeding center for the two species of Costa Rican macaws: Scarlet and Great Green. Habitat loss and poaching have threatened these amazing birds, nearly bringing them to the point of extinction in some places. As a result, the need for reintroduction into the wild is high, in particular for Great Green Macaws. Projects like Don Alvaro's have allowed local authorities to bring the populations back in some areas, and now macaws can be seen flying high where they were absent for decades. The macaws at Don Alvaro's are not caged, and fly free through the surrounding rainforest. Take advantage of the opportunities to capture amazing images of macaws in flight, with more controlled light than in the forest, while contributing to the effort of protecting and reintroducing the macaws back to their habitat. Have lunch at the lodge. This afternoon, transfer to Nature Pavilion for a two-hour session in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner. This evening, there is another optional guided nocturnal hike around the lodge.

Begin the day with optional birding around the Selva Verde grounds. Then visit Copearte, the home and gardens of the artist, photographer, birder, and nature-lover known as Cope, to photograph bats, owls, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Have lunch onsite, then visit Picos & Plumas. Return to Selva Verde for dinner.

Spend the early morning photographing birds on the lodge grounds. After breakfast check out and head south to the city of Cartago for a visit to the Basilica de Los Angeles and Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins before continuing southward, enjoying a traditional lunch en route. Stop at Cerro de la Muerte, an area located at the top of the Talamanca Mountain Range that is famous for its diversity of endemic wildlife. Consisting of temperate forest and páramo habitats, the natural vegetation attracts an immense amount of bird life such as the rare Red-fronted Parrotlet and the photogenic Resplendent Quetzal. Upon arrival at the lodge, take some time to visit the hummingbird feeders in front of reception and off the balcony of the lounge. The feeders are often active with resident Talamanca Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, Gray-tailed (White-throated) Mountain-gem, Volcano Hummingbird, and tiny Scintillant Hummingbird.

Spend the morning exploring Savegre's trails, which wind through mostly virgin forest and consist of hundred year- old trees, multicolored plants, mushrooms, insects, amphibians and mammals. Altitudes vary from 7,220 to 11,384 feet. Savegre is a paradise for birders and known as one of the best places in the country to observe the Resplendent Quetzal. During your stay you will have ample opportunities to photograph hummingbirds. In the afternoon, visit Batsu Garden.

Spend the morning exploring the upper trails at Savegre in search of Resplendent Quetzal and some of the other species present here. Board 4x4 vehicles to travel up to the beginning of the trail system. The large centennial oaks of the forest are laden with lichens and mosses that contrast with the colorful bromeliads, adding to the striking atmosphere of this forest. In the afternoon, visit Miriam's Quetzals for some time to explore and lunch.

After some early morning birding around the lodge, have breakfast and begin the journey back to San Jose. En route, stop at Paraíso del Quetzal for lunch. Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and take some time to freshen up and relax. Attend a farewell dinner this evening.

Transfer to the airport for flight home. Check out is at 12 pm.