COSTA RICA EXPEDITION - COSTA RICA
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This specially designed trail contains everything a real adventure trip should: exotic nature; excellent horses, rainforests, rivers, water falls and sunny beaches with the sound of the ocean and the wind. Despite it's small surface area, Costa Rica has five different types of tropical rainforests, miles of powder white sand beaches and unique animal and bird life.
This adventure has been designed for riders who like adventure and long days in the saddle. The trip will take you from San Jose to the Arenal Volcano area where you explore the fairy like rainforests on a trail and then on to the sunny Guanacaste province with its sandy beaches. You will experience wonderful views; a variety of flora and fauna richly scattered with clourful bird species, monkeys, frogs and magnificent butterflies. A fantastic combination of the best the country has to offer. Imagine that several horses and riders can hide behind one 500 year old tree trunk..
SAMPLE ITINERARY - COSTA RICA EXPEDITION
Day 1
Arrival
Arrival to the capital San Jose in the afternoon. Transfer to Hotel Alta for the first night. Enjoy the nice standard of the hotel, look out over the capital and maybe take a swim in the pool. The hotel restaurant is of excellent class. The group can as a suggestion eat together to get to know each other (dinner is not included).
Day 2
Over the mountains and into the rainforest
Transfer north via the Poas Volcano and further on to the Saraqui area and Hacienda Pozo Azul for lunch - about a 2 hour drive. From here the group will ride the first shorter tour to Finca Lodge which is a working cattle farm. You will ride through a hilly landscape adjacent to the ”smoking” rain forest. The riding tour will take about 3 hours. Arrival at the lodge 16.30. During this first night there will be some music entertainment with local mariba music. The night is spent at the lodge. www.haciendapozoazul.com
Day 3
Volcanic lakes between mountains
The riding trip continues after breakfast. From a warm climate we take ride to 800 m above sea level. After about 4 hours riding we reach a beautiful lake landscape that represents the nesting area for many different migratory bird species travelling between e.g. Alaska and Argentina. We ride around the lagoon stopping for lunch en route. We leave our hroses here and are driven to a little farm where we spend the night.
Day 4
Cross the Sarapiqui ravine and deep into the rainforest
Today we descend into the valleys again ( to about 200 m above sea level) in the rainforest adjacent to Braulio Carillos National park - Costa Rica's second largest park. Fairy like scenery and hard to reach natural scenery whose beauty can only be experienced by those who travel by horse. The tour continues along small lakes and streams that tempts us to take a refreshing bath along the way. In the afternoon you will arrive to Magsasay Jungle Lodge, a simple old farm building next to a river and the rainforest. Total riding this day about 7 hours.
Day 5
Magsasay Lodge and rainforest
This morning we sleep late, possibly swim in the river and rest. The afternoon is dedicated to an exiting riding tour around the farm where we check the cattle. Tonight we will sleep in permanent tents that erected on a wooden deck with a roof hanging over. The rainforests sounds are unbeatable here when the sun is rising! Christmas dinner tonight is at Hacienda Pozo Azul Lodge. www.haciendapozuazul.com
Day 6
Adeventure activities!
Today is dedicated to river rafting (3 hours) and Canopy gliding in the rainforest. Canopy gliding is the expereince of gliding in a harness on cables fixed in the tree tops of the jungle. An amazing expereince not soon forgotten! Lunch is served on Hacienda Pozo Azul. In the afternoon maybe you will be driven to a local horse show in the area and have the possibility to take part of the local horse shows.
Day 7
San José with national horse show!
Transfer to San Jose to take part in a national horse parade through the city (done once a year). Then the group will be driven to Tambor in the Guanacaste province. The trip to San Jose takes about 2 hours, to Tambor about 3.5 hours. Accommodation at hotel Tambor Resort where the horses are waiting to start the second part of the expedition trip. www.barcelocostarica.com
Day8
South Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica’s well kept secret!
From Tambor we ride down the valley to some of the country's most beautiful beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Today’s ride takes us 25 km over fields, along picture book beaches that start at Ballena Bay (which means whale bay) and ends at Cabuya, a small village on the coast adjacent to Cabo Blancos National Park. This is a tropical, dry rainforest in a marine reserve. Today’s ride will take about 6-7 hours including a lunch stop in the small coastal town of Montezuma. Accommodation tonight will be at a botique lodge with only 10 rooms, Cabo Blanco Lodge. It’s located next to the beach with it’s own swimming pool. www.nicoyapeninsula.com
Day 9
Mountains and beaches
Today encompasses more riding along the pretty beaches and also a couple of hours riding across the southern point of the peninsula. Leafy valleys, higher out looks and wide stretches of beach alternate each other. The highlight will be reaching a high mountain peak with open views over the whole area. During the afternoon we pass more beaches separated by cliff formations and offering a varied rding from climbing the passes to wide open beaches. Many pelicans and sea birds can be spotted along the beaches. Of course there will be an opportunity to go for a swim at one of the beaches. When we reach Manzillo this evening there will be an opportunity to rest or book a massage or even to do some yoga or pilates if there is any interest. Accommodation tonight at Chamalos Palace in simple, clean rooms that are situated just in front of the beach with a lovely view. The evening is dedicated to barbeque on the beach.
Day 10
Over fields and golden sands...
In the morning you can take a kayak tour along Manzillo bay. With some luck dolphins can be spotted. Todays ride is about 25 km heading north and it takes you firstly along more open beaches but after a while the landscape changes to fields with cattle ranches that lie next to murmuring streams that the animals drink from. Today’s target is Hacienda Caleta, a a bit more luxurious with views over the coast. Here we spend the night admiring the view over dinner. www.casacaletas.com
Day 11
The last day of riding through magical landscapes…
The last riding day (28 km) takes you further north to Punta lslita which is the last destination on our trip. You will ride over the river Coyote and further along Coyote Beach, north over beaches, green valleys and glades and arriving in the afternoon at a wonderful small resort close to the powder white beaches.
Day 12 - 14
Lazy days on the beach…
These days are free for relaxing, sun bathing and for relaxing. For those who are active a few different activities can be booked on spot (cost extra): guided bird watching, canopy gliding, jeep tours in the forest and elsewhere. Meals while at Hacienda Caleta (3 last days): Breakfast included. Other lunches and dinners will be extra.
Day 14
Travel home.
A lovely morning when you can sleep in and have a nice breakfast making the departure calm and pleasant. In the afternoon the group will be driven back to San Jose for departure home in the evening (about 4.5 hours drive).
NOTES - COSTA RICA EXPEDITION
A competent English speaking guide will come along during the whole riding trip and share his knowledge with you regarding the country and animal life. During the stay at the coast only breakfast is included. All riding tours are made with experienced riding guides who know their horses and the best riding routes in the different parts of the country.
Getting to Juan Santamaría International Airport
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, riding, equipement and English speaking guide throughout the riding portion, all transfers, Poás Volcano Tour, Canopy Tour, River Rafting Tour, 11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 5 Dinners.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, meals not specified, drinks, personal extras and tips.
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