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From the tall volcanoes to
rainforest and waterfalls, this 10-day Costa Rican
ride, from the Pacific Ocean to the inland areas
around the volcano Arenal, offers incredible vistas
of vast mountain ranges, active volcanoes and
pristine sandy beaches. Combine this with relaxation
at a natural hot springs, a rafting trip, sunset
rides and
time to swim with your horses and you end up with a
perfect equestrian getaway. Much of the area that
we’ll be riding through is fairly inaccessible and
relatively unexplored by the average tourist. The
panoramic route takes you through hilly farm country
and small villages, tropical rainforest, volcanoes,
jungle rivers, exquisite unspoiled beaches, cool
mountain lakes, cloud forest, oak forest and much
more.
 IT-CRIT08
Rates:
Accommodations in hotels and back-country lodges,
all meals except 5 dinners, all interior transfers,
English speaking guides, 9 riding days and
rafting trip
10 days/ 9 nights $ 2,450
Single: + $ 445
2008 Dates:
01/11-01/20
02/23-03/03 03/14-03/23
04/11-04/20 05/15-05/24
06/06-06/15
07/18-07/27 12/05-12/14
ITINERARY INCLUDES:
Airport Transfers, all transportation within Costa
Rica, 9 nights lodging, meals as indicated, all
equipment needed for horse trekking, 9 riding days, services of
professional equestrian naturalist guides with 6+
riders, otherwise local English speaking guides, day
of rafting
NOT INCLUDED:
International Airfare, all items of a personal
nature, 5 dinners, alcoholic beverages, gratuities,
Costa Rica departure tax
Meeting Point: San Jose
Pace: Moderate with canters
Level:
Intermediate+
Tack:
Costa Rican saddles
Horses:
Criollos
Min/Max: 2 to 10 riders
Weight: Max 225 lbs
Costa Rican
saddles
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrive in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose.
After a greeting at the airport by a specialized
natural history guide, transfer to the
accommodations for the first night and the start of
your
riding
adventure. A briefing gives riders a chance to get
acquainted with the guide and fellow travelers.
Overnight Le Berjerac Hotel or similar. No meals
included this day.
Day 2:
Parque Prusia and Irazu Volcano
After breakfast drive to Rancho Redondo where
you start riding highland trails to Parque Prussia.
This is an area of incredible beauty where birds and
animals adapted to high elevations are very easily
seen. The transfer van will be waiting at Parque
Prussia where you leave the horses and visit Irazu
Volcano, which is a short distance away, and one of
the highest volcanoes (11,000 ft) in Costa Rica. See
the actual crater and then transfer to Santa Maria
de Dota. Overnight Cabinas Ceci. (Total riding time
3+ hours) All meals included this day.
Day 3:
Highland Coffee farms to the coast
Today descend from the highland region of Terrazzo,
through beautiful forests to the warmer region of
the coastal area. This ride is truly a spectacular
trek starting at coffee farms, with panoramic
mountain views along a colonial trail all the way to
the Quepos Area. Enjoy this full day ride with lunch
en route. Reach Paquita River and meet the support
van that will transfer us to Rancho Casa Grande of
Quepos on the Pacific Coast. There will be time to
check out the town this evening and have dinner on
own. (Riding time about 5 hours) Breakfast and lunch
included this day.
Day 4: Finca Valmy Waterfall
Leaving from the stables and ending at the
waterfalls, We start out in the forest then the
horses take you around the river through lush
vegetation, where you pass butterflies, like the
traditional blue Morpho, many varieties of birds
Here, one can bathe in the lagoon and waterfall, or
simply sit and rest while listening to the relaxing
sounds of the waterfall as it cascades into the
small lagoon below. Overnight Rancho Casa Grande.
There is time this afternoon for an optional Canopy
Tour (not included) Breakfast and lunch included
this day.
Day 5: Rafiki in the Jungle
After breakfast we'll transfer to the Savagre bridge
where the horses will be waiting for us and then we
start our ride through the rainforest and tiny
settlements to Rafiki Safari Lodge,
a luxury tent camp in the rainforest. The lodge is
nestled on 750 acres of pristine jungle along the
Savegre River, 30 km south of Quepos. Each luxury
tent is situated with its own spectacular view of
the pristine mountains. Lodge. All Meals included
this day.
Day 6: White Water Rafting on the Savagre
River / Beach Ride
After a fun day of rafting, we’ll be met by our
driver who will take us the short distance to Playa
Palo Seco. Once again we saddle up for a wonderful
sunset ride. Stop to enjoy not only the sunset but
the wine and cheese served on the beach as a special
treat. (Riding time is 3 hours) This is the part of
the tour that everyone has been waiting for; here
you can canter on the beach and even take the horses
into the water. Overnight
Villa Lapas.
Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Day 7:
Biajuel Route of the Conquistadors
The ride today is over incredible terrain. This
is part of the “Route of the Conquistadors”. This is
a very remote region yet incredibly close to
civilization. As you ride, the beauty of the area
will truly amaze you. Late afternoon we depart for
Monteverde. Overnight Cloud Forest Lodge in
Monteverde. (Riding time is 4 plus hours) Breakfast
and lunch included this day.
Day 8 Monteverde to Arenal
Enjoy the incredible vistas during today's ride as
you descend from the cool cloud forest area of San
Gerado to Lake Arenal, where on clear days you can
see Arenal Volcano and Lake as you wind slowly down
the mountain passes crossing rivers until reaching
Rio Chiquita. Transfer to Eco Thermales Hot Springs.
The fabulous thermal hot springs will be a
refreshing treat after the days of riding. Overnight
Arenal Paraiso
Lodge in rooms facing Arenal Volcano. With any
luck you will see the mighty volcano put on a
natural firework display. (Today's ride is
approximately 5 plus hours with lots of stops along
the way to allow the horses to rest) Breakfast,
lunch and dinner included this day.
Day 9 Arenal Volcano
Today's ride will explore the surrounding trails
of Arenal Volcano which are only passable by
horseback or on foot. The views from this area are
magnificent. Not only can you see the cone shape of
the volcano but also the old lava flow trails and
the green fertile hills near the volcano. Transfer
to San Jose arriving late afternoon. There will be
time to relax before the farewell dinner and show at
the Hacienda San Miguel. Spanish Horses are raised
here and you will see how these magnificent horses
are trained. Overnight at El Rodeo. (Riding time
today is 3 hours) Breakfast, lunch and dinner
included this day.
Day 10 Departure
After breakfast you will be returned to the San Jose
International Airport for your departure. Breakfast
included this day.
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... Villa Lapa
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