IRAZÚ VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK – OROSI VALLEY – LANKESTER BOTANICAL GARDENS

Visit Costa Rica’s highest volcanic mountain, discover Orosi valley and take a walk through one of the most important orchid collections in the world!

This tour combines trips to mystical Irazú Volcano, Lankester Botanical Gardens and Orosi valley.
 

It begins with a ride south along the Pan-American Highway until we reach the base of the behemoth “Itztarú” the name of an indigenous village once situated on the flanks of the volcano and likely origin of the volcano’s present-day name.
 

The winding road crosses fertile lands where all types of vegetables are cultivated, always in sight of a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. At the very top of the summit, on a clear day you’ll have an unforgettable bird’s eye view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
 

Descending to the former colonial capital city of Cartago, we stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica, home of the “Little Black Virgin” and destination for thousands who walk days or even weeks from all over Costa Rica on a pilgrimage of faith to ask and thank La Virgencita for her blessings and miracles. With its large vaulted ceilings and exquisite stained glass windows, the Basilica is not to be missed.
 

Then we move on to the Lankester Gardens, a research center run by the University of Costa Rica harboring more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countless other plants.
 

Afterwards we continue to the pastoral countryside of Orosi Valley, where we will visit one of the country’s few remaining colonial churches and stop to enjoy a scrumptious typical lunch at one of the local restaurants.