Fly into beautiful Costa Rica and head to your hotel in San José. Depending on what time you land, explore, or just relax and get ready for the start of your adventure.

Hop on a bus bound for the Pacific Coast - the starting point for your coast-to-coast adventure. This will be your last motorised vehicle for the next 10 days! Spend the night in the quiet fishing village of Quepos, next door to Manuel Antonio National Park. Relax on the beach, visit the park, famous for its abundant wildlife and then have dinner and a group briefing with the rest of your team.

Fuel up with some fresh fruit and coffee and set off on your bike. Be warned, there are some steep sections straight away, although you'll be instantly rewarded with some sweeping views of the Pacific coastline. Reach the small town of Esquipulas and have a bigger, second breakfast before swapping your bike for hiking boots and heading deep into the cool mountains of Central Costa Rica. Camp for the night in the valley of Naranjillo and listen to the sound of nature uninterrupted.

Start with a hike towards the Continental Divide before tackling the infamous 'Cemetery Hill' - a challenging 13km climb. From the pueblo of San Lorenzo, grab your mountain bike and set off for the quaint village of Santa Maria. Load up on some typical Costa Rican food and then rest up in a comfortable cabin for the night.

Time to tackle the toughest and steepest climb - a 14 km uphill stretch to the Continental Divide. At 2330 meters it's also the highest point of your journey. Luckily, what goes up must come down, so the remainder of the day is mountain biking at its very best – downhill and scenic along dirt roads and single-track trails. Finish the day in the beautiful Orosi Valley, where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land.

Mountain bike beside the river and then into the vast Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge. Take a break from the bike and head deeper into the mountains on foot – far from where wheels could ever take you. Trek through the cloud forest and feel tiny beneath thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads and mosses. After reaching flatter ground, camp near the small settlement of Taus and have a big dinner under the stars.

Continue cycling towards La Cruz - gateway to the raging Pacuare River. Eat lunch on the shore and then load up your raft and paddle through pristine rainforest, canyon cliffs and past deafening waterfalls. Set up camp at El Nido del Tigre, named after the giant indigenous ginger plants that carpet the area, nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the river There will be some free time to explore this lush environment - be sure to look out for toucans, boa constrictors and sloths - or just relax in a hammock.

Enjoy some well-earned downtime at this gorgeous location. Explore the primary forest, swim in the river, visit some nearby waterfalls and swimming holes where the water is so pure you can drink from them, or just put in some more hammock time. The area of rainforest around your camp is in a pristine state and rarely visited – perfect for a peaceful day.

Continue along the Pacuare, passing through river carved canyons. There are also some exhilarating rapids to manoeuvre as well as gentler sections where you can peer into the rainforest and spot wildlife. Take a break from rafting and hike to some cascading waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Stop for the night as the forest gives way to the banana plantations at Finca Pacuarito and enjoy the rapidly changing scenery.

Jump back on your bike and ride through the plantations to the town of Freeman and board your kayak for the final leg of the journey. Leave the rapids of the highlands behind and paddle into the tropical lowlands, before finally drifting into the Caribbean Sea. Celebrate with a drink in the surf and some beach time - you've earned it!

Enjoy some final downtime on the sand and then drive back to San José through the cloud forest and misty mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Toast your epic coast-to-coast achievement. Not everyone can say they've crossed an entire country!

After breakfast, head back to the airport in time for your flight home, or explore a little more of this incredible country.

What do I need to bring?

Bags

• Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
• Daypack (25+ litres)
• Waterproof liner for kitbag/rucksack or drybags

Clothes

• Padded shorts for cycling segments
• Trainers or specific cycling shoes (for flat pedals unless you bring your own clip in pedals)
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Breathable wicking layers
• Fleece jacket or similar
• Buff or neckscarf
• Lightweight trousers/shorts / skirts
• T-shirts, underwear & socks
• Swimwear
• Sunhat
• Something to sleep in
• Hiking boots (worn-in)
• Sandals

Other

• Sunglasses + keeper strap (don't want to lose your sunnies in the river)
• Padlock for left luggage
• Universal travel adapter
• Power bank or solar charger
• Spare camera batteries
• Passports (and visas)
• Travel Insurance documents
• Earplugs
• Insect repellent
• Suncream
• Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
• Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
• Alcohol hand-gel
• Headtorch or torch