| Day 1 |
| Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, where you will be met by one of our representatives. Overnight at a San Jose Hotel. |
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| Day 2 |
| Morning transfer to Cien Fuegos Eco-Ranch & Stables, located along the Trinidad river in the Dry Central Pacific Region, the starting point of your riding adventure. After horse assignment and our presentation, you 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. This afternoon, you may choose to join the daily afternoon cattle drive in which the herd is brought up near the Corral for the next day’s milking. The next three nights will be at Maravilla House lodge (shared bathrooms) which remote location and attractive scenery will no doubt gives a better feel of typical Costa Rican life and living than anywhere else on the locations you will be visiting. |
| 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. Overnight at Maravilla Lodge. |
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| Day 4 |
| This morning’s ride takes you on an exciting 3-hour ride in the Southern region of the privately owned La Mariana estate, 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. 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 5 |
| Today’s ride will take you towards the Pacific coast following country lanes and an old ranch trail which lead to Tivives Crag, which before a land slip into the sea was formerly known as the Port of Landecho. The Spaniards first started their conquest of the Central Pacific around 1561 right from this very spot! We will be riding across the Cascajalillo Mangrove Swamps; along the coast, ideal for a great gallop! Lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic on the beach. Depending on tide times, you will climb on horseback towards Cuevas Crag, enjoying unique views of the Pacific Ocean or alternatively, ride along the shoreline towards Guacalillo beach. This afternoon you will transfer up to the Monteverde Cloud Forest region, this location encompasses six differing ecological life zones and is situated where moist air blown in from the warm Pacific coast precipitates as a perpetual mist. Overnight at a Monteverde Hotel. |
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| Day 6 |
| Today you ride from The San Gerardo lookout point down on the Tilaran Mountain Range following an old trail originally used by farmers of the area to take their goods to market. This ride will take you along the forest and the rolling fields toward Arenal Volcano Area, passing the Continental Division line, the location where the arid Pacific area greets the humid Cloud Forests. These vastly contrasting locations are easily observed through the differing types of vegetation that will be visible as you ride. Certain areas on the descent are steep and a very slow careful pace is required. As you ride you will be able to experience some of the most astonishing views of the Cloud Forest and the mountains that are only possible from a rider’s eye. After riding across the slopes of the Cloud Forest region, you will meander and weave across Caño Negro river several times, finally arriving at the plains of Arenal, with excellent views of the volcano and its lake. Overnight at a Arenal Hotel. |
| Day 7 |
| After a hearty breakfast, you will set off for today’s remarkable ride, taking a journey towards the basin of Arenal Volcano! (Which last erupted in 1968 and remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world). You will ride alongside the lake to finally arrive at Arenal Volcano National Park. Leaving your horses at the entrance (as required in all national park areas) and entering the park on foot, whilst following the trail which leads to the Lava site at the volcano foot hills (an area where solidified lava remains from a small eruption about 6 years ago). During this ride, you will enjoy some simply unforgettable views of the lake and volcano. You will then continue riding skirting the volcano to a point where our transport will await us to take us on a short drive to Arenal Hot-water Springs where we will spend time enjoying the volcanic hot-water springs. The Spa offers various treatments like massages, volcanic mud wraps, etc. (at extra cost) These thermo-mineral waters are claimed to have healing powers and help you to leave feeling relaxed and younger! A treat that will definitely be an excellent complementation to your riding adventure. Afternoon transfer (4 hours) to Los Inocentes Hacienda & Wildlife Conservation Center which is located in the Tropical Moist Forest life zone. |
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| Day 8 |
| During today’s horseback adventure you will explore Los Inocentes Hacienda, covering over 2,600 acres of virgin forest, second-growth forest, pastures and grasslands. The majority of the area was once used for grazing beef and dairy cattle and it is now held in conservation and is being gradually restored to it’s natural forest state. Your first part of the ride will be through orange orchards, following forest trails towards the Orosi volcano and continuing on an open expanse, which provides great panoramic views and ideal canters. It is virtually guaranteed that riders will see abundant wildlife whilst enjoying a great trail riding experience. The climb up the volcano takes you into Lower Montane Moist and Wet Forests, with dwarf forests shrouded frequently at the summit, dramatic. Overnight at Los Inocentes. |
| Day 9 |
| This morning you take a further exploration of the hacienda, following a completely different route, you will head towards the southern part of the hacienda into a section which neighbours with the Guanacaste National Park, a ride that will definitely be an excellent opportunity to discovering some of the tremendous diversity of flora and fauna. You can be quite confident of seeing many of the three species of monkey native to Costa Rica. (Spider monkeys, howler monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys), in addition to stunning butterflies and with the help of our local cowboy guide’s sharp eyes, even Sloths, Peccaries, Coatimundis, Tree-anteaters, Armadillos, Boa constrictors, Iguanas and myriad of bird species including Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, Manakins, Owls, Aricaris, Trogons, Parrots and numerous other delightful species. Leaving you with no doubt that horse riding is the best way to get an introduction to the natural diversity of northwestern Guanacaste region! Later this afternoon you will be transferred to your San Jose Hotel (4 hours) for your last night stay in Costa Rica. |
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| Day 10 |
| Morning at your leisure and then transferred into the Airport in time for your flight and we say our farewells. |
| Accommodation |
| 3-nights at an Hacienda Lodge, 2 nights at Eco-lodges, 2 night at a Ranch and 2 nights at a San Jose Hotel. |
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| Ability |
| Intermediate level upwards. |
| Whats Included? |
| · Travel throughout, including airport transfers as feature on this itinerary (To and from San Jose hotels).
· Luggage Transfers throughout the journey.
· Tack, horse-bags, ponchos & torches
· All rides as described in the itinerary, 8 days riding.
· 9 nights in Tourist Class, based on twin accommodation.
· Bilingual guiding service of a professional escort guide throughout the trip and local horse master during all rides.
· Meals as specified in the itinerary.
· Entrance fee to Arenal Volcano National Park & Hot-water Springs.
· One litre of water a day (additional water is available for purchase at all locations)
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| Prices |
| £1640.00 Per Person Single Room Supplement £120
Single Room Supplement £145.00
Christmas and New Year prices upon request |
