Survive, Explore and Transform: The Ultimate Jungle Expedition

A 10-Day Transformational Expedition in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula — Only 3 Tours per Year. Must Pass an Interview to Join.

Welcome to Osa & Your Call to Adventure

Are you craving a life-altering experience—something deeper than a typical vacation or surface-level retreat? In the Osa Peninsula, nature roars with unparalleled intensity: dense jungle trails, hidden waterfalls, and the heartbeat of an ancient indigenous legacy. This is where Sukia Travel invites you to embark on a 9-day journey of self-discovery, survival, and authentic connection.

Why This Matters

  • Feeling stuck in your daily routine?
  • Longing for a raw, spiritual encounter with nature?
  • Seeking an expedition that challenges both body and soul?

If you’re nodding in agreement, you may already sense this isn’t an ordinary tour. It’s an invitation to cross thresholds you never knew existed.

The Sukia Approach

Offering True Wilderness

Over 100 km of guided trekking. Survival training: building camp, purifying water, navigating dense jungle. Led by a WFR- and SAR-certified team, ensuring safety in remote terrain.

Infusing Ancestral Wisdom

Participate in ceremonies safeguarded by local communities. Learn the cosmovision that unites humans, animals, and the rainforest in a shared cycle of life.

Embracing Mysteries

A sequence of “gates” or rituals, each unlocking new layers of self-awareness.A final ceremony—revealed only to those who persevere through every challenge.

Exclusivity & Small Groups

Only 3 tours per year, each group handpicked through an interview. This isn’t about mass tourism; it’s a dedicated expedition for true seekers.

Who is Leading You?

David Villanueva & Sukia Travel Team

 David Villanueva

  • WFR (Wilderness First Responder), SAR (Search & Rescue) certified explorer.
  • Descendant of Costa Rica’s indigenous heritage, blending biology and ancestral wisdom in every step.
  • A lifetime of confronting nature’s extremes, from high-altitude treks to spiritual ceremonies—now dedicated to guiding others toward their own metamorphosis.

Local Allies & Mentors

Indigenous elders preserving oral histories and sacred knowledge.

  • Adventurers, former hunters, biologists, and anthropologists who illuminate the hidden layers of the Osa.
  • Alfredo, the legendary hermit who has lived in solitude for 40 years, offering perspective on simplicity and resilience.

Why This Matters

You won’t just walk trails—you’ll dive into the heart of Osa’s culture and ecology, steered by professionals who bridge modern safety standards with ancestral insight.

The Journey At a Glance

  • Morning: Board a local flight from San José to Drake Bay, where our team greets you. Transfer to your jungle-adjacent accommodation.
  • Afternoon (14:00): Travel to a private property bordering the rainforest for team-building, basic physical tests, and WFR activities.
  • Initiation Ceremony: We can’t unveil the specifics, but you’ll sense immediately that this is no ordinary tour—it’s a threshold into transformation, marked by shared intent and a hint of ancient ritual.
  • Evening: After dinner, pack essentials—we provide your 50L backpack, hammocks, meals, WFR items, and other gear. Our staff will guide you through color-coding, drybag usage, and the skill sets you’ll need in the coming days.

Key Takeaway: You’ll set foot on the path of collective trust, preparing mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.

  • Early Start (05:20): Breakfast, then boat transfer to Sirena Station in Corcovado National Park.
  • Hiking (8 km): Delve into the rich wildlife—scarlet macaws, tapirs, spider monkeys—and discover the hidden ecological web where every being connects in harmony.
  • Skill Focus: Forest ecology, pace counting, dead reckoning, and basic land navigation.
  • Night: Sleep at Sirena Camp, absorbing the calls of the rainforest under starlit skies.

Key Takeaway: This gentle intro to Corcovado merges the wonder of wildlife with your first steps in navigation—an essential skill for deeper jungle immersion.

  • Dawn Departure: Brace for a 25 km trek across dense rainforest, crossing three rivers.
  • Skill Focus: Advanced land navigation, wildlife tracking, sharpening senses akin to a predator’s awareness.
  • Night: Arrive at camp. Over dinner, delve into native cosmovision from an anthropological lens—tribalism, social dynamics, and archetypal roles like the warrior, shaman, artist, or wizard.

Key Takeaway: A leap in physical endurance, culminating in a deeper understanding of ancient tribal structures and how they reflect our own social patterns.

  • Pre-Dawn (05:00): Depart in semi-darkness, hiking ~2.5 hours to a Gnobe village.
  • Morning: Breakfast with the community; observe their customs, philosophies, and everyday wisdom.
  • Afternoon: Trek to the highest point of the Osa Peninsula. Lunch in the jungle en route.
  • Evening: Camp set-up, jungle survival training, and WFR modules—fire-building, bleeding control, mindful stillness in the dark.
  • Night: Sleep in a self-made jungle camp (hammocks), learning the primitive skill of silent observation under the rainforest’s nocturnal chorus.

Key Takeaway: Merging community interaction with an escalation of survival skills. The night unveils your capacity for composure in the wild.

  • All-Day Hike (8 hours): Ascend the Osa’s summit region, navigating pristine, uncharted jungles.
  • Camp by a River: Gather around the fire with our local guide Pítico, who shares stories of life in nature’s purest form.
  • Workshop: Self-rescue with ropes & knots (led by David). Strengthen mental resilience through undisclosed exercises.
  • Night: Hammock camp again, pushing deeper into survival mode and forging an unbreakable bond with your environment.

Key Takeaway: Confront isolation and harness newfound resilience and rope-based self-rescue methods—solidifying your confidence for the challenges ahead.

  • Early Morning: Dismantle camp, pack gear into dry bags.
  • Expedition: Follow the river downstream—swimming, walking hip-deep currents, rappelling unknown waterfalls, scrambling through canyons.
  • Landscape: Towering rocks, hidden pools, untouched vistas of raw jungle beauty.
  • Night: Another camp-based session on anthropology, ancestral philosophies, and local plant medicines. We piece together the bigger picture of nature, spirit, and mind.

Key Takeaway: A full-sensory immersion in the river’s embrace, showcasing advanced survival and trust in your collective.

  • Morning Silence (4 hours): Hike in complete quiet, detoxing mental chatter for the ceremony ahead.
  • Arrival: Reach Alfredo’s hidden oasis, where he has lived in solitude for 40 years. He shares profound insights on stillness and longevity in the wild.
  • Afternoon Ceremony: Joined by a special guest schooled in ancient native culture, we embark on a deep sensory ritual—aromas, vibrations, and the power of tribal plants. This immersive rite merges your detoxed brain (free from digital overstimulation) with the primordial rhythms of the rainforest.
  • Night: Group reflection under the stars, grounding the lessons of this 5-hour cere­mony in the safety of our shelter.

Key Takeaway: A day of inward gaze, guided by Alfredo’s unwavering presence and enhanced by an altered sensory experience that crystallizes your transformation.

  • Morning: Emerge from camp with renewed energy—feeling at one with your body, spirit, and the jungle.
  • Hike: The path back to the ocean feels almost effortless, as if the rainforest now works with you instead of against.
  • Evening: Return to civilization for a gala ceremony.
  • Token of Achievement: You’ll receive a memento symbolizing your trials, survival, and induction into the Sukia community.

Key Takeaway: Having crossed every threshold—physical, emotional, spiritual—you now carry the elixir of the rainforest.

  • Morning: Final goodbye to the team. Transfer to the local flight back to San José.
  • Reflection: This marks the end of our shared journey—but the start of a lifelong transformation you’ll continue to embody wherever you go.

Key Takeaway: The adventure may conclude, yet the forest’s whispers remain with you, shaping your renewed outlook on life.

Our Customers Say

“I’ve attended yoga retreats, tried meditation apps, and even dabbled in wilderness excursions before—but nothing prepared me for the profound shift I experienced on this 9-day journey with Sukia Travel.

Physically, I pushed my limits far beyond what I thought possible. Between trekking over 100 km of dense rainforest and learning actual survival skills (like building camp, purifying water, and even rappelling down hidden waterfalls), my sense of confidence soared. I no longer doubt whether I can handle the ‘unexpected’—I now feel equipped to face life’s challenges head-on, both in the jungle and back home.

Spiritually, it was like opening a hidden door to my soul. The indigenous ceremonies, guided by David Villanueva and the local elders, had a level of depth and authenticity I’d never encountered before. We shared moments of raw vulnerability—reflecting on our archetypes (warrior, artist, healer, wizard), and tapping into ancient wisdom that awakened a part of me I didn’t know existed. The semi-hypnosis, journaling, and fireside talks were simultaneously humbling and empowering.

Mentally, I found a new clarity. Without the constant pull of social media or urban distractions, every day felt like a purposeful step toward rediscovering my true self. The WFR modules also gave me an inner calm: knowing how to handle first-aid in remote locations or coordinate a self-rescue genuinely shifted my mindset from fear to capability.

I’ll never forget the final ceremony: it felt as if time stood still, and every lesson we’d gathered along the way—about nature’s intricacy, about our own hidden strengths—came rushing in. I came back to my ‘normal life’ with a renewed sense of direction, creative spark, and deep gratitude for everything I used to take for granted.

If you’re looking for real transformation—physical, mental, and spiritual—this is it. You won’t find superficial group exercises or canned tourist experiences here. You’ll find yourself, in the most unexpected and beautiful way. I’ve already decided I’ll return someday, if only to feel that jungle hum in my bones again and to reconnect with the Sukia community that welcomed me as one of their own.”

Eco-Friendly Tours

Alexandra R

snorkeling

Transformational Outcomes

1. Breakthrough in Self-Discovery

Overcome the limits you’ve set for yourself—physically, mentally, and spiritually—and emerge with renewed clarity. Each threshold crossed in the jungle becomes a symbol of your own potential, reminding you that the boundaries you believed unshakable can indeed be moved.

2. Mastery of Real Survival Skills

Gain the confidence to tackle unexpected challenges, from navigating unmarked trails to executing first-aid in remote settings. Practical survival knowledge not only keeps you safe, but also empowers a mindset ready to face adversity wherever you go.

3. Deep Connection with Nature & Heritage

Disconnect from digital noise and immerse in the primal hum of the rainforest. As you experience indigenous rituals and respect ancestral wisdom, you discover a sense of unity with the land, and a profound respect for the cultural narratives that shaped it.

4. Lasting Inner Change

Return home with a rejuvenated sense of purpose and direction. The experiences, bonds, and ceremonies throughout the expedition anchor deep shifts that resonate in daily life—reminding you of the inner strength discovered in the heart of the jungle.

Courses Breakdown

Beneath the canopy of the Osa Peninsula, you’ll embark on three complementary courses woven throughout the journey. Each is carefully designed to strengthen a different dimension of your transformation—mental, spiritual, and physical.

1. Holistic Coaching

Key Elements:

  • Medicinal Plants & Shamanism: Learn about the healing traditions and sacred rites passed down through generations.
  • Archetype Development: Identify and explore your inner warrior, chaman, artist, or wizard archetype.
  • Mindfulness & Journaling: Cultivate presence through meditation, semi-hypnosis techniques, and reflective writing.

Why It Matters: By understanding and engaging these ancient perspectives, you develop a grounded yet flexible psyche, ready to adapt and evolve under any circumstances.

2. Survival Training

Key Elements:

  • Orientation & Dead Reckoning: Master essential navigation tactics in dense forest.
  • Wildlife Tracking & Camp Craft: Learn to interpret animal signs, build shelter, and safeguard food.
  • Fire & Resource Management: Gain confidence in harnessing elemental resources responsibly.

Why It Matters: Knowing you can rely on practical know-how reduces fear, boosts self-sufficiency, and heightens the sense of oneness with your environment.

3. WFR: Self-Rescue in Remote Locations

Key Elements:

  • First-Aid in Isolation: Recognize and treat injuries when help is days away.
  • Rope & Knot Workshops: Secure rappelling, climbing, and rescue operations.
  • Crisis Mindset: Manage stress and adrenaline in high-stakes scenarios.

Why It Matters: When you trust your capacity to handle emergencies, you free yourself from constant worry—allowing for deeper immersion in the experience and a stronger sense of leadership.

Events Dates for 2025

February 23th 2025
Available tickets: 2 95%
April 15th 2025
Available tickets: 4 80%

10 Days Jungle Adventure Details

You May Be a Fit If You…

  • Have dabbled in yoga, mindfulness, or other holistic pursuits but want something more intense and raw.
  • Crave authentic adventure—not a prepackaged tour.
  • Are prepared to commit time (10 days) and financial resources for a truly game-changing expedition.
  • Are willing to challenge your comfort zones (physically and emotionally).

You Might Hesitate If…

  • You want a purely relaxing vacation.
  • You’re uncomfortable with rustic conditions or minimal electronics.
  • You’re not open to encountering your own emotional/psychological depth during ceremonies.

Domestic Flights: Round-trip from San José to Drake Bay.

All Accommodations: From rustic jungle stations to off-the-grid lodges (Days 1–9).

Meals & Snacks: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus trail snacks for all hiking days.

Guided Activities: Expert-led survival training, cultural immersions, wildlife spotting, and river canyoning.

Essential Gear: Jungle hammocks, cooking utensils, safety equipment, and basic first aid supplies.

Local Community Support: Permits and fees to the Ngöbe reserve, Corcovado National Park, and off-grid homesteads.

(Note: Personal items—e.g., hiking boots, personal toiletries—are not included. See our detailed packing list for recommendations.)

The price is $4500 per person 

Deposit: 30% at booking to secure your dates

Balance: Due 60 days before the expedition

Payment Methods: Major credit cards, wire transfers, and installment plans upon request

Discounts:

Early Bird: Book 6+ months in advance to save 5%

Group Rates: Ask about additional perks for groups over 8

 

We run this 9-day Osa Peninsula adventure several times a year, offering limited slots to maintain small group sizes and personalized attention. Join us on these upcoming dates:

February 23th

April 15th

(Both expeditions begin on these dates and run for 9 days.)

Future Adventures

If these dates don’t fit your schedule, stay tuned—these journeys are an annual tradition. We’ll announce next year’s dates in the coming months, giving you time to plan ahead and secure your spot early.

Tip: Our Early Bird Discount applies for those booking at least 6 months before departure, so consider signing up now for next year’s expedition to save on your spot.

Ready to reserve your place? Contact us or check our Pricing & Booking info for complete details.