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Caribbean
Adventure Ride
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast feels a world apart
from the rest of the country. The pace is slower, the food is spicier,
the tropical heat is more palpable, and the rhythmic lilt of patois and
reggae music fill the air. So remote was the Caribbean coast from Costa
Rica's population centers in the Central Valley that it developed a
culture all its own. The original inhabitants of the area included
people of the Bribri, Cabécar, and Kékoldi tribes, and these groups
still maintain their cultures on indigenous reserves in the Talamanca
Mountains today.
Here we offer a ride full of culture and contrasting landscapes. A ride
for the more experienced rider through thick jungles and across wide
open beaches. This is a ride for those who are looking for a real
adventure ride with difficult riding through the jungle and fast paced
canters on wide open beaches.
 IT-CRIT05
Rates: All inclusive from San Jose, accommodations in
hotels, back-country lodges and 2 nights in rustic cabins, meals as indicated, land
transportation, 5 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,845
Single: + $ 195
2008:
01/06-01/13
02/10-02/17 03/16-03/23
04/20-04/27 05/11-05/18 06/15-06/22
07/06-07/13 08/10-08/17 08/17-08/24
09/14-09/21 10/12-10/19 11/16-11/23
11/30-12/07
Airport: San Jose
Transfer: Included from airport or hotel
in the early afternoon
Horses:
Criollos, Pasos
Tack:
Central American (Western Style)
Pace: Moderate with trots, canters,
and some gallops
Level:
Good
intermediate
Min/Max Riders: 4-8
Small group supplement 3 riders only + $ 160 each
Small group supplement 2 riders only + $ 495 each
ITINERARY INCLUDES:
Airport Transfers, all transportation within Costa Rica, 7 nights lodging, meals
as indicated, all
equipment needed for horse trekking, services of professional equestrian
naturalist guides
NOT INCLUDED:
International Airfare, all items of a personal nature, some meals, alcoholic beverages, gratuities,
Costa Rica departure tax
Itinerary
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
Sunday, Day 1: Upon arrival in San Jose, transfer to Sarapiqui
area and Hotel Sueno Azuel or similar …overnight
Monday, Day 2: Morning Waterfall Ride – Afternoon Butterfly House Ride.
This morning we’ll be riding along Gallery Forest and Reforesting Forest over a
2.5 km dirt road to the private waterfall of Sueno Azul rainforest. This is a
truly unique experience. The waterfall is bursting from ancient volcanic rock
into pristine pools. A perfect place to relax and refresh after the ride. Enjoy
the sights and sounds of the jungle. Riding time is 3 plus hours. We return
back to the hotel for lunch and a rest. And then will ride to the Butterfly
Garden. This ride will take us through cattle pastures surrounded by the beauty
of the pristine forest. We ride to the Butterfly House with more than 30
different butterflies.
overnight Sueno Azuel… BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER INCLUDED THIS
DAY.
Tuesday, Day 3: Bri Bri Indian and Kekoldi Reservation and Beach Ride
After breakfast at Sueno Azuel we’ll transfer to Punta Cocles…check in at Azania
Bungalows then we select appropriate horse according to riders ability. These
horses are chosen for their experience in soft grounds since the ride goes
through the Bri-Bri trails inside the Kekoldi reservation. We ride up the Cocles
hills until reaching the ranchito. There, (if available) we visit an Indian
family and drink Chicha, before entering the bush. Chicha is a common drink
made by native Americans throughout the Americas, north, central and south.
After this social event we enter the semicircular trail which will take us
through the hills under the forest canopy. We’ll be dodging branches, ride over
logs, cross creeks and rivers. Parts of the trail can be difficult due to the
rainfall. The density of the green is so full that it may distort your depth and
orientation. The air is pure in oxygen and the feeling is indescribable. After
one and a half hours you will be ready for galloping across Cocles Beach to
Playa Chiquita. The open space of the beach and sea gives the rider and horse a
great sense of liberation which encourages a good run into the vastness of
sunlight and the watery reflection of the turquoise sea. For another hour you
will see and experience part of the beach at a fast pace. Lemonade or coffee is
served upon return . Dinner tonight is on own at a local restaurant, where
you’ll be sure to enjoy the Caribbean flavor. Overnight Azania Bungalows.
Just a few steps from the Caribbean sea, with the tropical rainforest in
background, the spacious and tastefully decorated bungalows are privately set
apart amidst lush gardens full of color and natural beauty.
Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Wednesday, Day 4: Punta Mona Jungle, Beach
Ride from El Mirador at the beginning of Punta Mona and through the jungle with
stopovers at charming secluded beaches. The beaches look like Balinese beaches
due to the coral lifted cliffs and rocks which are covered by wild vegetation.
The horse trail is difficult due to soft mud. On this trail you will see lots
of howler monkeys and exotic birds until we reach Steven’s Organic Farm. Here
we will set up camp for the night (overnight in rustic cabins). The fantastic
vegetarian food is prepared from the food grown on the organic farm. We’ll have
a chance to visit the farm. If it is turtle nesting time, we’ll go out with the
guides and look for the nesting turtles. Overnight at camp. The sounds of the
jungle will lull you to sleep.
All meals included this day.
Thursday, Day 5: Gandoca Lagoon
Today we start the day with a yoga class and vegetarian breakfast. After
breakfast, we’ll be riding to Gandoca Lagoon where wild life is abundant. The
guide will encourage you to do HORSE SWIMMING, at Punta Mona or Gandoca so as to
help the horses stretch their muscles and relax. Not only do the horses enjoy
this experience but you will thrill to the feeling of the horse swimming
beneath you. Tonight we will be sleeping in Gandoca or riding back to Steve’s
lodge. This is definitely an adventure where you see it all and ride it all.
DEFINITLY A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE .
All meals included this
day.
Friday, Day 6: Ride back to Cocles via jungle and beach trails. More
Horse Swimming and people swimming … lots of fun for the horses and the
riders. Overnight Azania Bungalows… breakfast and lunch included this day.
Saturday, Day 7: Transfer back to San Jose, stopping in the artisan town
of Moravia for a little shopping if desired. …check in to hotel then have time
to relax before the dinner and Spanish Horse show at Rancho San Miguel.
Overnight Rodeo Hotel. Breakfast and dinner included this day.
Sunday, Day 8…transfer out… breakfast included this day.
Costa Rican saddles
Criollos
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Azania Lodge
Azania Bungalows
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