| The Ride |
| This stationary ride has been designed for both beginner riders or experience riders seeking a relaxed, flexible and well-paced riding adventure |
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| Day 1 |
| Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, where you will be met by one of our representatives at the ramp, assisted and transferred to San Jose Hotel for an overnight stay. |
| Day 2 |
| Morning transfer to Cien Fuegos Eco-Ranch & Stables - the starting point of your riding adventure. The ranch is located in La Trinidad de Orotina on the Dry Central Pacific Region which offers one of Costa Rica’s most unspoiled and idyllic riding areas. On arrival you will be introduced to your riding horse, the ranch and its facilities, guides and an opportunity for you to fully acquaint yourself with tack and Costa Rican riding style. After horse assignment, we will head towards Hacienda La Maravilla, riding along rolling hills and meadows into the Gallery Forest alongside the Cuarros river – an excellent spot for wildlife encounters! We meander across the river following a country lane passing en route farmland, rural homes and finally arriving at the hacienda grounds. Today will be an introductory period to go over and share riding and safety issues, prior to being ‘let loose’ in the tropics! |
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| Day 3 |
| Life at Maravilla Hacienda is friendly, relaxed and informal, get up at dawn and coffee and other drinks will be available to quietly welcome in the day. Even join in the morning milking if you have the mind to. After a hearty Costa Rican breakfast, you will saddle up following a trail across the northern part of the hacienda near Cuarros river, the terrain is picturesque, predominantly flat with gentle slopes and forested valleys. Back at the hacienda in time for lunch and relax, followed later during the afternoon, by a further 2/3 hour discovery ride near Cuarros river, which will provide further opportunities for wildlife and nature discovery. |
| Day 4 |
| Today’s rides take you on a splendid journey, following a route which was first used by the Spaniards as they began exploring and settling along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica nearly 500 years ago. Sights to be experienced include rivers, jungles, Gallery Forests, Mangrove Swamps and Estuaries where migratory water birds are found (Egrets, Herons, Pelicans, etc.) And by following a rural lane we arrive at Tivives Crag, (which before a land slip into the sea was formerly known as the Port of Landecho). From here you have unforgettable views of the Pacific. Indeed, from this historic site the Spaniards first started their conquest of the Central Pacific in the late 16th century. With a really satisfying day’s riding safely behind you, there will be plenty to talk and share over dinner and well beyond. |
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| Day 5 |
| This morning’s ride takes you on an exciting 3-hour ride in the Southern region of the privately owned La Mariana Ranch, riding across savannahs, large mango plantations and exploring some of the secondary Dry Forests. As you ride over the higher areas you will be able to gain excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and with the help of the sharp eyes of your guides spot much of the local area’s wildlife, which with some good fortune may include Parrots, Parakeets, Trogons, Anteaters, Raccoons, Coatimundis, Sloths and Howler monkeys. Later this afternoon there is an optional ride in the Southern part of La Maravilla Hacienda, and after a few gentle hill climbs, you could experience an Ocean view sunset - the pacific coast has the reputation of being amongst one of the world’s top sites of this beautiful event. |
| Day 6 |
| Today takes you into the center of rural communities, where you can visit and meet with the people of the communities that have helped play host to you during your week with us. Nothing is ‘staged’ about this event, what occurs is the natural exchange between peoples. On your way you will pass through Santa Rita village, then travel along old railroad tracks, now overgrown and returning to nature, finally arriving La Ceiba town – we will stop at a local venue for a short break and having a drink at John Wayne’s style!! |
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| Day 7 |
| Your final ride will take you to the Machuca River basin, passing Cascajal village, you will ride into the area where this river canyon broadens onto the plains. Heading towards the Jesús María River basin, allowing exploration of the plains and forested valleys along the Machuca River Canyon, where the land is very fertile and most commonly used to cultivate melons. We finish the ride at a local hacienda and are transferred by vehicle to our riding base at Maravilla in time for lunch. Meals Included: B, L. (BG) (LG) (3-4 hours riding) Note: Departure flights which leave San Jose earlier than 12:00 Noon prohibit a reasonable transfer timing, and therefore they would spend this night at a San Jose Hotel and not as originally arranged (at Marvilla). |
| Day 8 |
| Morning at your leisure and transfer to the Airport in time for your flight and our farewells. ($26 dollar departure tax is payable at the airport). |
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| Services Included |
| · All travel as per itinerary, including airport transfers (To and from San Jose hotels).
· 6 days riding.
· Tack, horse-bags, ponchos & torches.
· All meals as specified in the itinerary.
· Guiding services of both a bilingual Equestrian guide and horse master/Guide hroughout the ride.
· 7 nights accommodation.
· Water (1 litre per person a day)
· Sales tax (13%), Tourist Tax on lodging (3.39%) and Restaurant service charges for all meals provided (10%)
Note: Laundry service is extra, and available as and when required throughout your stay at Maravilla Hacienda. |
| Prices |
| Starting from £995.00 per person subject to time of year travelling. There is a £70.00 single room supplement. This supplement will apply for single riders wanting a private room. Riders who are willing to share will NOT pay this whether or not they end up in a Single room. |
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| Additional non riding activities available |
| CROCODILE BOAT SAFARI: This two-hour boat ride explores the Tarcoles river, home of one of largest colonies of crocodiles in Costa Rica, with specimens which length range between 10 to 23 feet. The area where the river merges with Guacalillo estuary, and then both blend into the ocean is one of the best locations to see endangered birds such as the Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo and the Panama Flycatcher, etc. Also commonly encountered are water birds like Pelicans, Boat-billed Herons, Spoon-billed Egrets and Cattle Egrets. |
| Skyway Tour |
| This network of trails is located on a privately owned reserve adjacent to Carara National Park. This attraction consists of a joint of natural trails and hanging bridges (hammock-type), there are five bridges in total (four of them with 100 meters of length each one, and another one of 50 meters long) throughout a wonderful Rainforest of centenary trees with descendent slope; this tour is very accessible for kids and old offering total safety. They are totally built in metal and held with metallic towers, they also have a side rail and plastic cover for the railing to give more security and comfort. The entire trail has a length of 2.5 km. This tour provides great opportunities for wildlife observation. |
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| Canopy Tour |
| The adventure of the “Canopy Tour” starts at Villa Lapas where you will meet your canopy guides, who will help you get geared up. Each person that goes on the tour will be carrying a harness, two Carabinners, a pair of welding gloves, a pulley and two strings (one for the pulley and the other one for safety on the cables and platforms).Villa Lapas Canopy Tour has six cables that go from 180 to 900 feet in length, four single platforms and three double platforms located at a maximum height of 60 feet above the ground. |
| Ocean Kayaking and Snorkeling |
| Short drive to Playa Agujas, near Jaco beach. After a brief introduction and demonstration, start the ocean adventure. Paddle to Playa Limoncito, a beach where you can enjoy excellent snorkelling in warm Pacific waters and a picnic lunch. The beach is in a sheltered cove and nearby is a coral reef where it is possible to view a wide variety of marine life. Continue exploring by kayak or relax on the beach before going back to Playa Agujas. |
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