Cerro Chirripo guided ascent in 4 days
An unforgettable 4-day ascent to the summit of Cerro Chirripo, the highest peak in Costa Rica. Your guide will be Armin, a local IFMGA certified professional.
4 Days
All year
Description
Today I would like to invite you to the highest mountain of Costa Rica. It’s the famous Cerro Chirripo, at 3819 meters above sea level.
This 4-day ascent to Cerro Chirripo is a great opportunity to discover Costa Rica in a different way. As you may know, it is a really unique country in Central America. Moreover, it is ideally located between the Caribbean and the Pacific oceans, which makes it a really attractive destination. The Chirripó National Park is famous for its biodiversity and mountains.
During this ascent, you will also have the chance to admire and learn a lot about the native flora and fauna of the place. As for the accommodation, we will spend a night in a hotel in San Gerardo de Rivas and the following ones in a cozy mountain hut.
Besides that, you won’t have to worry about heavy backpacks. That way you can move lightly and enjoy the expedition to the fullest. Regarding the itinerary, we will progressively ascend so you don’t feel the abrupt altitude change. Our base mountain hut is at about 1400 meters.
Summit day will be on the third day. However, the whole way up will be full of amazing moments of discovery. You can find a detailed itinerary below. Furthermore, we can also climb other mountains in the area such as the Cerro Terbi (3760 m) or the Cerro Ventisqueros (3812 m), which is the second-highest peak in Costa Rica. In fact, I am also leading a program where we combine the Cerro Chirripo ascent with the Cerro Uran!
Finally, on the fourth day, we will return to San Gerardo de Rivas after midday, where this amazing program ends.
Please keep in mind this tour is not technically difficult. And thanks to the help of optional porters, this trip will be even easier. The only requirement is to have a good fitness level since we must hike between 4 to 8 hours per day. Additionally, keep in mind that the damp-hot climate requires a healthy cardiovascular condition. The hut is very simple and provides sufficient space for many people.
So, if you find this ascent program interesting please fill out the form and get in touch with me. I have no doubt we’ll have a really good time together!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Permit and entrance fees
- Sleeping bag
- Snacks
Price details
- Minimum 2 participants. 150 USD per person for the national park fee is nonrefundable.
- Included in the price:
- 1 night in the Hotel Pelicano at San Gerardo the Rivas and Diner,
- 2 nights of lodging in Crestones Base Lodge, meals 2x Breakfast, 2x Snacks, 2x Dinner,
- sleeping Bag and/or Blankets in the Hut,
- 3 days entrance fees to the Chirripó National Park,
- transportation to the starting point from the Hotel and on the return to the Hotel,
- using the Shower in the Hotel Pelicano at the end of the Tour,
- organization and bilingual qualified Guide whit experience from more than 25 years of guiding.
- Not included:
- transportation from the Hotel in San Jose – San Gerardo de Rivas and back after the Trek from San Gerardo de Rivas to San Jose,
- porter service to send up and down your main luggage, (U$ 5, - per Kilo one way)
- tips
Itinerary
Day 1: San Gerardo de Rivas
The Mountain Guide will meet you in San Gerado de Rivas at the Hotel Albergue Pelicano approximately at 02:00 PM. The Guide will give you a Briefing over the following days an after that we back al the equipment for the porters if you like to send same up to the Hut. 03:00PM, we go to the National Prak Office to sign in personally. Then to the Association from the Hut and deposit you Equipment what we like to send up to the hut. Here is also the place where you can decide what you like to eat for dinner and breakfast. In the evening, we will enjoy our Diner together. Overnight: Hotel Pelicano (Diner)
Day 2: Crestones Hut
After a very simple breakfast of tea/coffee and biscuits, we take breakfast with us and eat on the way, we start very early our hike to reach the Crestones Base Lodge in Chirripó National Park at 3,372 meters a.s.l. Our journey in the tropical cloud forest will be a wonderful experience and will take in average 8 hours. The halfway point will be Llano Bonito, and here a picnic breakfast/lunch will give us energy to continue. Four more hours and we will arrive at Crestones Base, which will give us shelter for the following days. Dinner will make us warm before our first night in Chirripó. Overnight: Refugio Crestones (Breakfast, Snack, Diner).
Day 3: Summit day
Depending on the weather conditions we will have breakfast in the hut or on the mountain. The guide will decide that. Today we will visit the highest peak in Costa Rica, Mount Chirripo at 3,820 meters a.s.l from where, weather permitting, we could enjoy the amazing sights of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans simultaneously, as well as a panoramic view of the peaceful lakes in the Moraines’ Valley. A picnic breakfast /lunch at the top will certainly be the highest lunch in Costa Rica. We will continue and visit Mount Terbi at 3,760 meters a.s.l and Crestones, great rock formations of the park. Later, back at the lodge, we can take some time to walk along the Talari River while a good warm dinner is prepared. Overnight: Refugio Crestones (Breakfast, Snack, Dinner)
Day 4: Return to San Gerardo
We will get prepared to hike down the mountains after breakfast; the time hiking down is usually shorter than on the way up. Many beautiful things you didn’t see on the hike up, maybe because you were a little tired, will appear in front of your eyes to give your trip the final touch. Once we arrive at San Gerardo de Rivas the tour ends and you travel back to San Jose o other Destinations. (Breakfast)
Details
More info
150 USD per person for the national park fee are non-refundable,
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
-Backpack for 30. – 40. Litre Volume, -Small Trekking bag (waterproof) for the personal luggage what you like to send to the hut, -Hiking shoes, (Gore–tex are better), -rain jacket and rain pants, - fleece coat, hat and good sunscreen, -hiking poles (recommended), -sandals or shoes for inside the lodge, towel, personal medicines, energy food, -warm clothes (for inside and outside), -flashlight with extra batteries, **Pack everything in plastic bags inside your backpack.
FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
No experience is needed for this tour. The condition should be sufficient for a long leisurely hike up to 7 - 10 hours for 14,5 km (9 Miles) and 1900 meters (6235 ft) of altitude for the first day. 10 km (9 Miles) and 900 meters (2950 ft) of altitude on the second day and descent into the valley on the third day. It is suitable for young people in good physical condition.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
I recommend a 6-month training period with mountain hiking and cycling routines.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
There's no need of bringing any technical equipment. We recommend hiking poles.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Yes, porters will be able to help you carry equipment. Please note that for 1kg is about $5.
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
Very simple Hut along the Trek with only cold water available. The cabin has two bunk beds and must be shared with other guests if required. Food will be provided throughout the trek: breakfast, snacks and dinner.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
In general, it is always dry in Costa Rica in the morning and it can only rain in the afternoon. That's why we always start very early on tour. If the weather changes on the mountain, the mountain guide will decide whether to continue or turn around.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
I recommend travel cancellation insurance that includes mountain rescue.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
5 Client 1 Guide, 8 Client 2 Guides.
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
The dry season from December to May is generally considered the best time to climb Cerro Chirripó. During this period, the weather is more predictable and the trails are in better condition. Keep in mind the nights are very cold. Rainy season it is much warmer and distant views are much clearer from the summit. In the afternoon more rain probably still very good conditions to climb the Chirripó even in the rainy season. In addition, it is easier to get to the places for the hut.
Can I join a group?
If there are free spaces available, yes!
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Armin
4.9
(19)
Mountain Guide
IFMGA / UIAGM Mountain guide
I was born in Admont, a small town in Styria in Austria, in the center of the Austrian mountains. After my school, I studied motor vehicle mechanic. Beside my hobbies (skiing, nordic ski, running and soccer) mountain climbing was a very important part of my free time activities.
There are experiences in our life we will never forget. When I was 10 years old, my dad took me one day to a local mountain tour. We were climbing over a local and very famous waterfall. I was so impressed about this experience that my interest for mountain climbing was awake forever. After that, I started to take climbing courses with various alpine associations.
Later, I used to climb repeatedly very famous mountains like the “Rosskupenkante”, the north wall of “Perternschartenkopf”, the north wall of “Dachl” and the north wall of “Rosskupen”. My first foreign experience was in Croatia in “Velebit” and in Italy, in the Dolomites, where I did several tours there. Now, since 22 years, I work as a professional mountain and ski guide all over the world.
I guided successfully more than 30 expeditions and more than 50 trekking tours. I give climbing and ice courses to students; children adventure weeks, firm events, canyoning and rafting tours, and much more. Here are some of the peaks I climbed these last years: Alpamayo, Toclaraju, Huascaran, Cotopaxi, Cimborazo, Iztaccihuatl, Pico de Orizaba, Aconcagua, Denali, Pic Lenin, Gasabrum II, etc.
My philosophy: Go outdoor and explore the beautiful magic of the nature, to experience and to enjoy unique moments! It can be in the Alps or on top of the highest mountains of the world or in the nature paradise of Costa Rica (where I live now for the last 13 years). Come with me and let’s carry out together a great adventure!
Languages
German | English
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about this trip
Ira
It was no space available in the Chirripo hut, and Armin gave us the option to try the Uran mountain, that is like 'next door' :) The service was fantastic - people are super nice, food is completely awesome. And, I was able to finish the climb just thanks to Armin - he led the group in very comfortable pace.
Martin
Cerro chirripo is a great trek. Armin did a wonderful job organizing both the details of the trip and setting a very good pace. He also gave terrific service getting me to the next point in my trip. The accomodations both at the base at the pelican and the hut exceeded my expectations. The food at the pelican is amazing and features farm products from the property. If you have a chance at the pelican to sit with Wilson who has a great eye for spotting local birds Don't hesitate to book Armin for this trip or any other.
Michael
The initial contact via the internet portal explore share was somewhat unusual and automated. Certainly adapted to Zrit, but impersonal ä, especially if you were planning on the assumption of an individual trip. However, one was quickly in contact with Armin, the local travel organiser. From then on, the planning was perfect and very personal. Everything worked out perfectly. From the overnight stay in San José bus to the transfer or overnight stay at the starting point. Armin could not accompany us, instead Wilson a local led us up the Cerre Cirripó. He was an extraordinarily friendly guide with proven knowledge of flora and fauna, especially the local birdlife. All in all, an excellent trip with impressive scenery and unforgettable experiences.
STEPHEN
Our hiking team had an amazing time! Our guide was named Wilson and he was extremely helpful, joyful and knowledgeable. This was a very difficult hike, but we had an adventure of a lifetime!
vedavid
I was very happy I booked this trip with Armin. He took very good care of me and ensured that I got the most out of my Chirripo experience. The 4 day itenarary allowed us to go at a gentle pace and enjoy the beauty and wildlife around us. Highly recommended experience.
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