Compare Volcanoes, Forest and Beach - 7 Day Mountain Bike Tour by Project Expedition vs Japan Winter Discovery by Insider Journeys
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 1,765 | $ 9,275 |
| Price Per Day | $ 252 | $ 663 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Retreats | N/A |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | N/A | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Our most popular Bike Tour combines great rides through rural Costa Rica, the northern Volcanic Range and tropical beaches on our Pacific Coast. Ride at the base of Arenal Volcano, and around Lake Arenal. Visit the amazing Rio Celeste (Blue River) and finish it all with a great seafood dinner on a tropical beach. |
From incredible snow sculptures and rare birds in Hokkaido to snow monkeys and cultural treasures on Honshu; this tour demonstrates the myriad attractions of the enchanting winter season on Japan's two largest islands. Take an icebreaker cruise amongst the creaking floes of the Okhotsk Sea and in Yudanaka you'll witness the Japanese macaques as they stave off the cold in the mountain hot springs. Experience Japan's winter delights, whilst discovering her unique culture, fascinating history and contradictions. |
Day 1 - San Jose
We meet you at the airport, then we drive five minutes to our destiny which is a nice place in Heredia province. In here, three provinces form the Metropolitan Area, so, if you want (depending on time) we can offer you a "city tour" at the capital, a place involved in a lot of history, or just staying in our hotel getting ready for the coming days. Tonight we have our first dinner together. Accommodations provided.
Day 2 - La Fortuna - Mountain Biking at Arenal Volcano
Mountain Biking at Arenal Volcano. We shuttle to the quiet village of La Tigra where we start our scenic bike ride by the true rural Costa Rica. We’re heading towards Arenal Volcano, the most spectacular of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes.Hot Springs at Eco Termales. This evening we’ll visit the beautiful Eco Termales Hot Springs and enjoy a special homemade meal prepared by Do a Mireya and her family. Accommodations provided.
Day 3 - San Jose - Hiking at Tenorio Volcano National Park
Hiking at Tenorio Volcano National Park. Do a guided hike on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano to the magnificent Rio Celeste (Blue River). Hiking time 2-3 hours. Accommodations provided.
Day 4 - La Fortuna - Eco Tour at Arenal Volcano
Eco Tour at Arenal Volcano. Today we ride the quiet northern shore of Lake Arenal. Using a narrow road through secondary forest we have great chances of spotting wildlife and enjoying superb views of the lake and the Volcano. Accommodations provided.
Day 5 - La Fortuna - Eco Tour at Lake Arenal
Eco Tour at Lake Arenal. Today’s ride will take us away from Lake Arenal into the Northern Guanacaste Volcanic Range. We’ll experience a dramatic change of scenery today as we go from the lush rainforest, to the brownish tropical dry forest on the west. Accommodations provided.
Day 6 - Playa Samara - Mountain Biking at Samara Beach
Mountain Biking at Samara Beach. Our final ride takes us on quiet rural dirt roads along the nicest beaches of Guanacaste. Enjoy a beautiful sunset and a splendid farewell seafood dinner. Accommodations provided.
Day 7 - Playa Samara - Swimming at Samara Beach
Swimming at Samara Beach. Enjoy the morning at the beach; take a last swim in the Pacific. Do some extra mileage on your bike before driving back to San Jos or the Airport this afternoon.Transportation at Samara Beach. Enjoy the morning at the beach; take a last swim in the Pacific or do some extra mileage on your bike before driving back to San Jose or the Airport this afternoon.
Day 1 : Tokyo
On arrival in Tokyo, transfer to your hotel and immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of the city. Meet your fellow travellers and Tour Leader (or local guide), and enjoy your first taste of Japanese cuisine. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)
Day 2 : Tokyo City Tour
Join a walking tour of Tokyo and visit Yanesen, home to one of the most important Shinto shrines in Tokyo, Nezu-jinja. Wander through the maze-like alleyways of Yanaka and participate in a ‘shodo’ class – a traditional style of calligraphy art. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)
Day 3 : Shunka-en
Travel to Shunka-en, home to a 1000-year-old bonsai pine tree. Visit Ueno Park, Tokyo’s most significant cultural centre. Discover Ameyoko-cho, a street market that began as a black market during post-war Tokyo. Finish your day at Tokyo National Museum, Japan's oldest and largest museum. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)
Day 4 : Tokyo to Matsumoto
Spend the morning at leisure before taking the train to Matsumoto, a beautiful castle town situated in the Japanese Alps. Hotel: Matsumoto Tokyu Rei (or similar)
Day 5 : Matsumoto
Discover Matsumoto’s highlight attractions including Japan’s largest wasabi grower, Matsumoto City Museum of Art filled with Yayoi Kusama’s work, and Matsumoto castle. Hotel: Matsumoto Tokyu Rei (or similar)
Day 6 : Matsumoto to Yudanaka
Travel by train to Nagano and visit Zenko-ji temple, a 7th century national treasure. Continue to Obuse and visit Hokusai Museum. See snow monkeys frolicking in the natural springs at Yudanaka. Spend a special evening at a ryokan, enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner, soak in the onsite onsen, and sleep on a futon bed in a tatami-floored room. Hotel: Yorozuya Ryokan (or similar)
Day 7 : Yudanaka to Sapporo
Travel by train to Haneda airport and fly to Sapporo. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)
Day 8 : Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido is famous for its beer, skiing and the annual snow festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. Spread across three sites, the festival is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a fantasy world of glistening beauty and pure-white fun. Visit Nijo fish market, Okurayama Observatory, and Sapporo Beer Museum before enjoying the snow festival in the evening. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)
Day 9 : Sapporo
Explore the historic village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum in the suburbs of Sapporo. The museum exhibits approximately 60 typical buildings from all over Hokkaido dating from the Meiji and Taisho Periods. Enjoy free time at the festival. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)
Day 10 : Sapporo to Kushiro
Travel by train to Kushiro City to explore the Tancho Crane Reserve. The area was designated as a national park in 1987 in order to preserve the country's largest wetland and marsh habitat, which supports the only known population of endangered Japanese cranes in the country. Hotel: Hotel Ana Crown Plaza Kushiro (or similar)
Day 11 : Kushiro to Lake Akan
Explore Akan National Park filled with large volcanic caldera lakes, thick forest, and rejuvenating onsen. Savour a sumptuous Japanese dinner at your traditional hotel before driving to Ainu Kotan village, home to one of the largest remaining Ainu communities in Hokkaido. Enjoy a traditional Ainu performance where dancing and singing are integral to the Ainu who live in harmony with the gods and with nature. Return to your hotel and enjoy a rejuvenating soak in the onsen. Hotel: Akan Yuku No Sato Tsuruga (or similar)
Day 12 : Abashiri
Board your icebreaker cruise for an unforgettable experience as the ship carves its way through the Sea of Okhotsk, smashing through blocks of drifting sea-ice. Visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum to learn the science behind the sea ice and the small animals that inhabit the freezing waters. At the Abashiri Prison Museum, learn about the daily life of prisoners held captive here during the Meiji era over 100-years-ago. Hotel: Sounkyo Grand Hotel (or similar)
Day 13 : Abashiri to Sapporo
Visit Sounkyo, one of the largest canyons in Japan and see two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the canyon – Ginga No Taki and Ryusei No Taki, which freeze into enormous ice pillars in winter. In Asahikawa city, visit Otokoyama Sake Brewery to learn about the sake making process, enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden and sample some sake. Return to Sapporo and indulge in a sumptuous farewell dinner. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)
Day 14 : Sapporo
Transfer by private taxi to Sapporo Bus Station for your onward journey. Tokyo Sapporo 14 Days
