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From mountain back roads 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 moonlit beach ride 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 4 dinners, all interior transfers,
English speaking guide, 8 riding days
10 days/ 9 nights $ 2,395
Single: + $ 325
2007 Dates:
01/27-02/05
02/25-03/06 03/27-04/05
06/24-07/03 07/23-08/01
2008 Dates:
01/16-01/25
ITINERARY INCLUDES:
Airport Transfers, all transportation within Costa
Rica, 9 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, 4 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: 6 to 10
Costa Rican
saddles
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Costa
Rica... transfer in to Real Quality Inn
Overnight. Dinner on your own.
Day 2: Santa Ana to
University of Peace
Early breakfast at the hotel then transfer short
distance to Santa Ana where we mount up and start
the ride over the small mountains and back roads to
the University of Peace area, stopping in the
village of Ciudad Colon for lunch. Continue on the
ride to Finca Dulcinea. Here we set up camp for the
night in cabins. The horses have accommodations and
so do the riders. Finca Dulcina will have a BBQ
dinner for the riders this evening. Overnights in.
All meals included today.
Day 3: From the
Mountains to the Coastal Area
Early morning breakfast then start out over the
mountains to the coastal region, slowly winding down
mountain trails and country roads till we reach the
Pacific Coast and Villa Lapas. Box lunch en
route. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel Villa Lapas
with the sound of the river to lull us to sleep. All
meals included today.
Day 4: Rainforest
/ Waterfall / Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer a short
distance to the Jaco beach area where we mount up
once again and ride thru local farm tracks and
amazing rainforest. Arrive at the secret waterfall
surrounded by exotic plants and wildlife. Refresh
yourself under the gentle cascade of the falls.
Refreshments of tropical fruits will be served
before riding back to the ranch. From here we
transfer to Monteverde. Overnight Hotel Viandte in
Monteverde.
Breakfast and lunch included this day, dinner on
your own in local restaurant.
Day 5: Monteverde/
Rio Chiquito / Finca Los Ayotes / Tilaran
Early breakfast then start out for the
ride. Today we will be riding the mountain region
from Monteverde to Rio Chiquito. Incredible
vistas of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal can be
seen as we wind down the mountains. At Rio Chiquito,
we stop for lunch at a local restaurant and change
horses. Our new horses will take us to Finca Los
Ayotes, the farm of the Jenkins. Uvi Jenkins is the
equestrian naturalist who will be leading the group
with local guides. We will then transfer short
distance to the town of Tilaran where we’ll spend
the night in a local hotel. This is a good chance to
explore the town, perhaps do some laundry and stock
up on snacks for the trail. Breakfast and lunch
included this day. Dinner on own in local Tileran
restaurant.
Day 6: Terras
Morenas/ Tenorio, Miavalles Volcano range/ Yoko Hot
Springs
Early breakfasts at our hotel the transfer the
short distance to Finca Los Ayotes, where our horses
are waiting for us. We are riding from the farm
along the Tenorio, Miavalles Volcano range. More
incredible vistas. On clear days one can see the
Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. There are wonderful
areas to canter along the way. Lunch en route. Upon
reaching Terras Morenas, we’ll change horses again.
Our new horses will take us the rest of the way to
Yoko Hot Springs Hotel. Here we have time to relax
and enjoy the natural hot springs. Dinner and
overnight at Yoko Hot Springs Hotel. All meals
included this day.
Day 7: BY THE LIGHT
OF THE MOON to Rincon de la Vieja
Since yesterday's ride was a long ride; we can
start later this day. This night is a full moon
so we will be riding late into the night by the
light of the moon. The ride will be to the Rincon
de la Vieja Volcano area. What a magic night with
the moon to light the way and the stars to entertain
us as we ride along. Dinner on the trail.. Overnight
at Guachipelin Lodge. All meals included this day.
Day 8: Swim in the
Canyon/ Flamingo Beach
Breakfast at the lodge then a short ride to the
canyon for swimming under the natural waterfalls.
Lunch back at the lodge then transfer to Flamingo
Beach. Time to relax and enjoy the beautiful white
sand beach of Flamingo before dinner. Overnight
Flamingo Beach Hotel. Breakfast and lunch
included. Dinner on your own in one of the local
restaurants.
Day 9: Flamingo
Beach Equestrian Center/ Swim with the horses.
We’ll be riding from the Flamingo Beach Equestrian
Center to the beach. Here we can swim with our
horses.
Overnight Flamingo Beach Hotel. Breakfast and lunch
included. Dinner on your own in one of the local
restaurants.
Day 10: Depart
After breakfast transfer to the Liberia
International Airport…depart Costa Rica
Do we really have to go back to
the "real world"? Sadly we leave Costa Rica but the
memories we take with us of an incredible horse
trekking adventure, will last a lifetime.
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... Villa Lapa
Flamingo Beach
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