FULL-DAY IRAZU VOLCANO, CARTAGO, LANKESTER GARDENS & OROSI VALLEY TOUR WITH LUNCH
Today
get ready for a full-day tour combining Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago,
and the Orosi Valley, home of the mighty Reventazon River and beautiful
Bridal Veil Falls. First
drive past the old capital city of Cartago (right), founded by the Spaniards
in 1564, where you can see the shrine of the patron saint of Costa Rica,
Our Lady of the Angels. Continue upward for 33 kilometers and enjoy the
marvelous view from the brink of Irazu Volcano (left). You will be able
to observe the immensity of this volcano, at an altitude of 3,432 meters
above sea level (the highest peak of the Central Cordillera and still
growing!). This volcano was inactive for many years until it erupted in
1963, sending up clouds of black ashes that covered the entire central
valley, greatly enriching the soil and helping to produce some spectacular
vegetation in this zone. Enjoy
the extraordinary panoramic views that can be seen from the summit - on
a clear day it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans!
Your
route then descends into the Orosi Valley (right), stopping at the Cachi
Dam, and the ancient monastery of San Jose of Orosi. Impressive Lankester
Gardens (left), gathers one of the region's largest collections of orchids,
bromeliads, ferns and anthruiums, attracting more than 100 species of
birds, and allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature's most delicate
and impressive expressions - orchids blooming all the year round! Lunch
is included in one of the best restaurants in the valley.
First
drive past the old capital city of Cartago (right), founded by the Spaniards
in 1564, where you can see the shrine of the patron saint of Costa Rica,
Our Lady of the Angels. Continue upward for 33 kilometers and enjoy the
marvelous view from the brink of Irazu Volcano (left). You will be able
to observe the immensity of this volcano, at an altitude of 3,432 meters
above sea level (the highest peak of the Central Cordillera and still
growing!). This volcano was inactive for many years until it erupted in
1963, sending up clouds of black ashes that covered the entire central
valley, greatly enriching the soil and helping to produce some spectacular
vegetation in this zone. 
Enjoy
the extraordinary panoramic views that can be seen from the summit - on
a clear day it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans!
Your
route then descends into the Orosi Valley (right), stopping at the Cachi
Dam, and the ancient monastery of San Jose of Orosi. Impressive Lankester
Gardens (left), gathers one of the region's largest collections of orchids,
bromeliads, ferns and anthruiums, attracting more than 100 species of
birds, and allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature's most delicate
and impressive expressions - orchids blooming all the year round! Lunch
is included in one of the best restaurants in the valley.