Kosher Expeditions has developed this unique educational adventure of Costa Rica combining science, bio-study, Tikun Olam community service & eco-conservation, Jewish history & heritage and adventure.

 

There are few places in the world where nature is so exuberant or where the color and variety of the tropics can be so keenly experienced as in Costa Rica. In area it is slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. Despite its small size, Costa Rica contains an incredible ecological diversity that is protected by one of the best-developed conservation systems in Latin America. Whether you are interested in high adventure, studying with and assisting naturalists in private nature reserves, or just relaxing then this is the place for you. Join Kosher Expeditions as we explore the natural wonders of Cost Rica and all it has to offer.

 

The Costa Rica Adventure & Discovery week is based at our eco-lodge, located deep in the rainforests of Central Costa Rica's Sarapiqui area. The Sarapiqui area is full of splendid opportunities to hike and cruise through lush, mountainous primary rainforest. National Parks and private reserves throughout Sarapiqui maintain the old growth forests with well-kept trails where wildlife freely roams. Spend a day at the Arenal Volcano; participate in Zip-line Canopy Tours and Hike the Arenal Volcano National Park.  View spectacular volcanic eruptions as fire and lava spill over its upper slopes; here the natural beauty of the rain forest merges with the magnificence of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

 

Guided daily adventures with our naturalists from our bases will allow us to explore everything Costa Rica has to offer; from its awe inspiring volcanoes, to rain & cloud forests, to wildlife & bird watching, to pristine waterfalls and rivers.  Shabbat will be spent with the local community of San Jose.

 

Get ready for an educational eco-adventure with Kosher Expeditions that will provide memories that will last a lifetime!

 

5 Day itinerary

Day 1 (Su): Welcome to Costa Rica! / Intro to the Rainforest:  Arrival, transfer to eco-lodge, rainforest hike

 

Day 2 (Mo): Community Service project (Tikun Olam), Rainforest bio station hike, evening nocturnal wildlife hike: *Optional early morning naturalist guided bird watching and wildlife walk, community Service (1/2 day), afternoon wildlife hike La Selva Biological Station (1/2 day)

 

*Optional tours: White Water Adventure (1/2 day), evening bats bio-adventure program

 

Day 3 (Tu): Arenal Volcano Adventure Day: Rainforest (zip-line) Canopy Adventure, Volcano National Park Adventure Hike

 

*Optional tours: Hanging Bridges Adventure, Volcano Hot Springs Spa, Waterfall hike

 

Day 4 (We): Tikum Olam community service project, Rainforest Riverboat Adventure: Morning guided bird watching and wildlife walk, community service project:  Understanding the gifts and impact of the rainforest or community service & interaction, afternoon riverboat cruise on the Sarapiqui River

 

*Optional tour: Rainforest adventure (1/2 Day):  Canopy tour, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling

 

Day 5 (Th): Rainforest Morning hike /Exploring the Jews of Costa Rica & Central America - Depart: Morning guided bird watching and wildlife hike, transfer to San Jose, exploring the Jews of Costa Rica & Central America:  Explore Costa Rica’s stunning Central Synagogue with guided museum tour and interactive lecture with Professor Dr. Aaron Argeudas, Depart

*Option student interaction program with the local student Jewish community

 

7 – Day itinerary

Day 1 (Mo): Welcome to Costa Rica! / Intro to the Rainforest:  Arrival, transfer to eco-lodge, rainforest hike

 

Day 2 (Tu): Community Service project (Tikun Olam), Rainforest bio station hike, evening nocturnal wildlife hike: Optional early morning naturalist guided bird watching and wildlife walk, community Service (1/2 day), afternoon wildlife hike La Selva Biological Station (1/2 day)

 

*Optional tours: White Water Adventure (1/2 day), evening bats bio-adventure program

 

Day 3 (We): Arenal Volcano Adventure Day: Rainforest (zip-line) Canopy Adventure, Volcano National Park Adventure Hike

 

*Optional tours: Hanging Bridges Adventure, Volcano Hot Springs Spa, Waterfall hike

 

Day 4 (Th): Tikum Olam community service project, Rainforest Riverboat Adventure: Morning guided bird watching and wildlife walk, community service project:  Understanding the gifts and impact of the rainforest or community service & interaction, afternoon riverboat cruise on the Sarapiqui River

 

*Optional tour: Rainforest adventure (1/2 Day):  Canopy tour, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling

 

Day 5 (Fr): Rainforest Morning hike /Exploring the Jews of Costa Rica & Central America, Shabbat: Morning guided bird watching and wildlife hike, transfer to San Jose, exploring the Jews of Costa Rica & Central America:  explore Costa Rica’s stunning Central Synagogue with guided museum tour and interactive lecture with Professor Dr. Aaron Argeudas,

 

Shabbat: Experience Shabbat with the Jewish community of Costa Rica

 

Day 6 (Sa): Shabbat with the Jewish community of San Jose, Kiddush, farewell dinner

*Optional student get-together with local Jewish Costa Rican youth at the Jewish Club

 

Day 7 (Su): Depart to USA / Morning Departure

 

Kosher Expeditions Tikun Olam Costa Rica Cultural and Conservation Program

Kosher Expeditions has partnered with a non-profit cultural and conservation consortium that includes over 65 universities and research institutions around the world.  Founded in 1963 to provide leadership in education, research and the responsible use of natural resources in the tropics, the program conducts student education, facilitates research which actively participates in tropical forest conservation, and manages three biological stations in Costa Rica: La Selva, Las Cruces and Palo Verde.

 

Kosher Expeditions promotes and supports scientific environmental consciousness through activities such as: Guided Natural History Walks, Bird-watching, night tours, short term projects and hands-on science activities, volunteer projects, river boat tours, lectures, etc. These activities are just part of the experiential learning that fulfills the mission of enhancing the appreciation of nature and ecology, the understanding of need for preservation and the support of conservation measures.

 

Discover the amazing wild life and natural history of the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest at one of the most important sites for Tropical Ecosystem Research in the world. Our bio-stations has also been a pioneer site in education, research, conservation and ecotourism in Costa Rica since 1953 and one of the first private protected areas in the country, and together with the Braulio Carrillo National Park are part of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  Located in the Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica and comprises 1,614 hectares (3,988 acres) of old growth and disturbed tropical wet forest. Species diversity is spectacular, including more than 1,850 species of vascular plant flora, 350 species of trees, home to more than half of the 886 species of birds in Costa Rica, home to five of the six species of felines in the country, home to more than 70 species of bats, approximated 500 species of ants, and thousands of reptiles, amphibians and insects. Program is led by knowledgeable bilingual naturalist to explore life in the tropical rain forest on 57 km (35 miles) of well-maintained trails, some of which are accessible to the physically challenged.

 

Kosher Expeditions is Your Source for World-Wide Jewish Student Educational Adventure Travel

Kosher Expeditions is the most established student tour operator in the industry.  Since 1997 Kosher Expeditions has taken thousands of satisfied youth on educational tour programs around the world.  KE's Academic Expeditions endeavors to offer our clients opportunities to expand their horizons through travel. Founded by professional educators and travel experts, Kosher Expeditions realizes the true benefits of an educational program. What better way to experience an in-depth discovery of a new country or region than to experience it first-hand under the guidance of expert scholars and educators. KE, Academic Expeditions adheres to a strong educational philosophy when designing each tour, whether the emphasis is on adult education or tours appropriate for student groups. We have developed a number of unique travel categories dedicated to cultural and Jewish education in the field. Whether traveling with renowned scholars through Provencal France, exploring the wonders of wild Alaska, eco study in tropical Costa Rica, or wildlife adventures through South Africa, Kosher Expeditions brings you a unique way to travel with exciting educational adventures and, of course, our wonderfully prepared Glatt kosher meals.

 

Our Mission "Enhancing travelers' lives through education"

The mission of KE, Academic Expeditions is to enhance the lives of students of any age by extending educational and Jewish identity programming into the worldwide classroom and providing the best opportunity for learning through seeing, experiencing, and interacting.

 

Service & Experience: KE, Academic Expeditions provides the utmost in personalized service. We coordinate every aspect of your program. We work behind the scenes to ensure a safe, fun and memorable experience for each participant. Our years of experience allow us to handle all of the logistics from start to finish:

 

All development, reservations & logistical planning

• Round trip air and/or deluxe motor coach transportation

• Quality hotel & lodging accommodations

• Appropriate accommodations and programming for Shabbat

• Escorts, sightseeing guides, lecturers, educators

• Nutritious and plentiful Glatt kosher meals under strict supervision

• Highest quality leaders, lecturers & educational programming

 

Academic Expeditions will put together the educational component appropriate for your tour or choose the programming that is of interest to you and your group. These include a list of lecturers and educators with expertise in Jewish history, nature, Jewish identity building, youth programming and much more. We have a wide range of programming to choose from which includes Exploring Jewish History, Jewish Roots and Tikun Olam.

The ability to learn & travel worldwide: With the ability to prepare Glatt Kosher meals at most worldwide destinations, we are able to tour remote and once inaccessible destinations. Now, exploring Jewish history & heritage in China or exploring Jewish identity in the wilds of Alaska or the rainforests of Costa Rica is a reality.

 

Safety is our first priority: KE, Academic Expeditions considers the safety and security of our participants to be the top priority. We travel to destinations that have been fully explored by our staff, giving us intimate knowledge of the area. Comfortable transportation and lodging have been specifically picked that are group-friendly to insure maximum comfort and peace of mind. We have an excellent staff-to-participant ratio so that every one of our clients' needs is met. For our younger groups, we ensure that the group is supervised at all times and each day is fully programmed. Free time to explore is offered in small groups in controlled areas with an accompanying staff member.

 

Why Travel with KE Academic Expeditions?

Customized Tour Development: KE, Academic Expeditions develops unique, customized educational travel programs for each group. An experienced, licensed Kosher Expedition Guide / Educator is assigned to assist in planning specialized travel itineraries, including all transportation, meals, lodging, and programming.

 

Quality Leadership: Each KE, Academic Expeditions trip is staffed with a full-time Guide / Educator who is responsible for all educational content, guiding, and logistics. Many educators are teachers, rabbis, university professors, tour leaders, and naturalists. They are dynamic and energetic professionals who are experts in engaging groups.

Outstanding Educational Content: To prepare groups for their adventure, KE, Academic Expeditions provides relevant educational resources prior to each trip.  This content is then brought to life during the trip through lively and meaningful presentations. Groups are met at their level of interest and knowledge, with powerful and stimulating information.

 

Premium Accommodations and Amenities: KE, Academic Expeditions uses only premium properties for its tours. We choose comfortable, clean, and spacious lodgings which are suitable for student groups. Meals are nutritious, well-balanced, and plentiful.

 

Safe and Secure Travel: Kosher Expeditions maintains one of the most comprehensive travel protection policies in the industry.

 

24-Hour Emergency Assistance: Detailed itineraries and contact numbers to our offices and lodgings are provided to each participant and their families along with our 24-hour emergency toll-free contact numbers.

 

Gateway to a Great Time: Let Kosher Expeditions take care of the details of your travel program so you and your group members can sit back, enjoy, learn, and experience memories that will last a lifetime!