CF Canada’s Infection Prevention and Control for individuals living with cystic fibrosis

Please note that in accordance with Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s Infection Prevention and Control policy, only one individual with cystic fibrosis can attend the 2024 Worldwide Trek to Costa Rica, unless the individuals live in the same household; therefore, it is imperative that you contact the National Events team (worldwidetrek@cysticfibrosis.ca) in advance of your registration if you are living with CF,  so that appropriate arrangements may be made in order to ensure that the IP&C policy is upheld. Please note that registration will be chosen on a first come first served basis.

Level of difficulty

The Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rafting and Rainforests Challenge is graded as tough due to the terrain, exposure to heat and numerous night's camping. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind and with previous trekking experience. You will need a good level of fitness in order to undertake this challenge. During the Challenge, you will be:

• Trekking between 6-8 hours a day
• Trekking with steep inclines and declines
• Trekking in 90+% Humidity and over 30 degrees heat (centigrade)
• 5 nights of camping
• 1 day of white water rafting rapids grade 2-4

Typical Day

Each day you rise early, and after breakfast will help to pack up your kit and break camp, then trek carrying only daypacks for 6 to 8 hours, stopping for a packed lunch en route. You will have scheduled times to stop and view the remarkable scenery, or just absorb the thick jungle environment as you move through it. The challenge zone is remote and home to rare flora and fauna amid the bountiful biodiversity. The evenings are spent in wonderfully located camps, situated in the heart of the jungle or among farmland of the region. The food will be hearty and facilities basic. 

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of it's participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, bringing together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the activity itself. Your welfare is paramount! In terms of your Costa Rica Challenge, there are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
- You will be trekking through dense, isolated primary jungle
- You will be physically exerting yourself for long periods of time in the heat and humidity of the tropics
- A good level of fitness is required for the challenge
- You may encounter a wide variety of insects, animals and plants
- You will be rafting through grade II to IV rapids
- You will be trekking through remote areas where facilities are basic

Responsible Tourism

It is our aim to make your challenge experience unforgettable. We also wish to contribute positively towards the communities and the destinations that we visit. You will be joined on this challenge with native residents. This will ensure that you not only will have a much higher level of engagement with the local culture, but also knowledge of the environment, local ways of living, history and experiences from the locals. During your trek you will pass through lots of local communities. 

Ground Only

This is a Ground Only Challenge and so you will be expected to organize your own flights to and from San Jose, Costa Rica, and to get from the airport to the first night hotel, and to get from the last night hotel back to the airport on the final day.

Visa

Canadian citizens do not require a visa for Costa Rica for a stay up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with the Costa Rican embassy within the country of your origin. You must hold a full ten-year passport with at least six months to run from the end of your challenge, and at least one blank page for your visa and entry/exit stamps.

Climate and Terrain

Climate: Due to the climate of Costa Rica, rain at some point of the challenge is expected. Note, however, that temperatures can be very hot at all times of year. The rainforest offers some respite from the sun, but during the long treks, you will need to ensure that you stay well hydrated and protected from the sun.

Terrain: It is the terrain, rather than the distances covered, that will pose the greatest challenge during the Costa Rica Challenge. Rainforest treks will require orienteering through dense vegetation and undulating terrain. During the rafting you will encounter grade II to IV rapids.

Training

This challenge is graded ‘Tough’, which means that a resonable level of fitness is required! Anyone who leads a fairly active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be able to complete the challenge, as long as they train over a period of a few months leading up to the challenge. Don’t forget that the temperature and humidity is likely to be different from what you're used to – the hot and humid weather are constants on this challenge.

While strength is important, endurance training should be your primary focus. Walking up hills and climbing stairs are both ways to condition your lower body. Begin slowly, without the weight of a pack, eventually adding weight as you increase your training pace. Take long hikes (6-8 hours) with a weighted pack, up and down hills (on treks, weigh your pack with water containers and pour out the water before your descent to minimise knee stress).

Luggage Allowance and Valuables

As no formal clothes are needed, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum – details of what to pack are provided in your Kit List. Your main kit bag, or rucksack, must not exceed 23kgs in weight.  Each trekking day, your personal kit will be transported to the next stop by a support vehicle. You will carry a daypack for your daily needs such as sun cream, lunch, water, camera and lightweight waterproofs. We will do everything to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions. The general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Carry your passport with you and make sure you have a photocopy of your documents (travel insurance, passport etc.) in case they get lost or damaged.

Insurance

It is a condition of travelling with Charity Challenge that you have a suitable travel insurance policy which covers you for your entire challenge including medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, cancellation and curtailment of the challenge, and more specifically for the adventurous activities undertaken on this challenge. The White Water Rafting rapids are graded II  - IV and so please make sure these are covered. 

Vaccination and Medicines

For up-to-date vaccination information please check the Canadian Government Health Advice or visit your localdoctor or travel clinic to discuss vaccination requirements. Your doctor may ask questions about the specific locations that you are visiting so it may be useful to take a copy of your itinerary with you.

• Carry medicines (including those bought over the counter) in their correctly labelled container, as issued by the pharmacist, in hand luggage
• Consider packing a spare supply of medication in the hold luggage in case of loss of hand luggage
• A letter from the prescriber detailing the medicines with the generic names for the medications can be helpful for border control checks, and in case medicines have to be replaced or medical help is required
• Carry a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injection medications
• Some medications are banned abroad so please check before you depart

Money

Currency: Costa Rica uses the colon as its currency, USD$ are also widely used. For up to date currency exchange, go to www.xe.com. You should ideally bring a combination of colons and dollars, or bring dollars that you can change into colons on arrival in Costa Rica.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are welcomed in Costa Rica but take cash when outside of the cities. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.

ATMs: You will find ATMs in San Jose, located in the airport, the city centre or near banks.  There will be limited time to withdraw cash and so it is recommended to come prepared with currency. 

How much to bring: You will not need a large amount of money during this trip, as most expenses are included. You should only need money for tips, food & drink (additional), gifts and souvenirs. On average around US$350 plus a credit card in case of an emergency, should suffice. Keep in mind that, other than at the start and end of the trip, you will normally be away from any foreign exchanges or banks. We therefore recommend that you carry some cash. You will mainly need colons and just enough dollars in small denominations for the staff tips for this trip. 

Tipping: Tipping is personal and at your sole discretion. You should only tip if you feel that you have received good service. We recommend the equivalent of approx. US$15 per person per day (approx US$105) in colons (ideally in small denominations), and this should be given to the challenge leader during the trek who will distribute it among the support team, including guides, assistant guides cooks, and porters.

Phone and Wifi

During your stay in San Jose you will have good wi-fi access and phone signal. On camping days there will be no wi-fi and phone signal will be extremely limited. We recommed that you bring a portable charging device for charging phones. 

Leadership

You will be joined by experienced leaders in Costa Rica to support you through the entire journey. Specialist rafting guides and support staff will join you on the Pacuare River. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. We employ a number of local challenge guides, all of whom speak fluent English.

Group Size

Your group is intended to be a minimum of 18 people in order to run and a maximum of 30 people.

Clothing and Equipment

Good quality, durable kit could mean the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof, well-worn in (not leather) boots will be indispensable, particularly coupled with some really good quality walking socks. You don’t need a clean pair every day, but enough to make sure you have dry socks each morning. The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated, so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are lightweight waterproof jacket, and technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. A full kit list for this challenge can be found in your account area, and once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our clothing and equipment partners. Due to high humidity levels please note that kit will be hard to dry out each day so it is highly recommended to bring several dry bags to seperate wet and dry clothing. 

Accommodation and Toilets

Accommodation: Accommodation will be in twin rooms at hotels and two-person tents at campsites. Participants should bring their own sleeping bag and sleeping mat for camping sections. If you would like your own room/tent, this can be arranged if there is availability but there will be a single room supplement. Please let Charity Challenge know if you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with. 

Toilets: Toilets are supplied during the challenge. They are set up near the campsite at specific locations away from watercourses. Toilet paper is provided. During the trekking days, you will have to make use of the bushes and rocks for privacy. Please ensure you have a few nappy bags to dispose of used toilet roll, and hand sanitiser.

Food and Drinks

Most breakfasts and dinners will be served at the hotels/camps or at local restaurants. Lunches are a combination of local restaurants and/or picnic meals. Water and snacks will be supplied during the trekking days; participants need to bring a water bottle for refills. Please let us know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies. All dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Emergencies

The event is not run as a race and there is always a large discrepancy in people’s walking abilities. This is allowed for. There will be a staff member at the back of the group at all times to ensure that you are not left behind and can take things at your own pace. In the event of an emergency all guides and leaders maintain contact via radio, and the support vehicle not be far away. If somebody is unable to walk at all, then we can transport him or her from one location to the next.

Pre Existing Medical Conditions

We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request.

Medical Support

First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold, high altitude and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in Canada for pre-exiting medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.

If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss with your family doctor or specialist in advance and can discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader.