KALEIDOSCOPE TRAIL - COSTA RICA

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A perfectly balanced 8 day horse trek highlighting various aspects of Costa Rican culture and Nature, finishing on the beach. You will enjoy 4 days of magnificent forest and nature at its best as we ride our horses from 7200ft above sea level, down to the Pacific Coast. You will experience 2 days of relaxed beach riding and safari in San Antonio National Park. Here we stay at one of the most luxurious lodges, known for its prime location close to a pristine beach and on the edge of the rain forest, just three minutes from the national park.

Trip length 10 days / 9 nights Ride only price 2008: £1319 Departure dates 2008; Jan 11-20, Feb 15-24, Mar 14-23, Apr 11-20, May 15-24, Jun 6-15, Jul 18-27, Dec 5-14 Approximate riding time per day varies from 3 to 6 hours, see itinerary Riding ability required Must be able to walk, trot and canter comfortably. Min age 12. Group size 4-10 Meeting point San Jose airport, Costa Rica Transfer Included from meeting point Flight guide London - San Jose return £550 - £750. See below for flight info. Single supplement 2008: £236

SAMPLE ITINERARY - KALEIDOSCOPE TRAIL

Arrive in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose. After a greeting at the airport by a specialized natural history guide, transfer to the accommodations for the first night and the start of your horse riding holiday. A briefing gives riders a chance to get acquainted with the guide and fellow travelers. Overnight Le Berjerac Hotel or similar. No meals included this day.

Day 2
After breakfast drive to Rancho Redondo where you start riding highland trails to Parque Prussia. This is an area of incredible beauty where birds and animals adapted to high elevations are very easily seen. The transfer van will be waiting at Parque Prussia where you leave the horses and visit Irazu Volcano, which is a short distance away, and one of the highest volcanoes (11,000 ft) in Costa Rica. See the actual crater and then transfer to Santa Maria de Dota. Overnight Cabinas Ceci. (Total riding time 3+ hours) All meals included this day.

Day 3
Today descend from the highland region of Terrazzo, through beautiful forests to the warmer region of the coastal area. This ride is truly a spectacular trek starting at coffee farms, with panoramic mountain views along a colonial trail all the way to the Quepos Area. Enjoy this full day ride with lunch en route. Reach Paquita River and meet the support van that will transfer us to Rancho Casa Grande of Quepos on the Pacific Coast. There will be time to check out the town this evening and have dinner on own. (Riding time about 5 hours) Breakfast and lunch included this day.

Day 4 
Leaving from the stables and ending at the waterfalls, We start out in the forest then the  horses take you around the river through lush vegetation, where you pass butterflies, like the traditional blue Morpho, many varieties of birds Here, one can bathe in the lagoon and waterfall, or simply sit and rest while listening to the relaxing sounds of the waterfall as it cascades into the small lagoon below. Overnight Rancho Casa Grande. There is time this afternoon for an optional Canopy Tour (not included) Breakfast and lunch included this day.

Day 5
After breakfast we'll transfer to the Savagre bridge where the horses will be waiting for us and then we start our ride through the rainforest and tiny settlements to Rafiki Safari Lodge, a luxury tent camp in the rainforest. The lodge is nestled on 750 acres of pristine jungle along the Savegre River, 30 km south of Quepos. Each  luxury tent is situated with its own spectacular view of the pristine mountains. All Meals included this day.

Day 6
After a fun day of rafting, we’ll be met by our driver who will take us the short distance to Playa Palo Seco.  Once again we saddle up for a wonderful sunset ride. Stop to enjoy not only the sunset but the wine and cheese served on the beach as a special treat. (Riding time is 3 hours) This is the part of the tour that everyone has been waiting for; here you can canter on the beach and even take the horses into the water.   Overnight Villa Lapas. Breakfast and lunch included this day.

Day 7
The ride today is over incredible terrain. This is part of the “Route of the Conquistadors”, world famous bike race. This is a very remote region yet incredibly close to civilization As you ride, the beauty of the area will truly amaze you. Lunch included  Late afternoon we depart for Monteverde. Overnight Cloud Forest Lodge in Monteverde. (Riding time is 4 plus hours) Breakfast and lunch included this day

Day 8
Enjoy the incredible vistas during today's ride as you descend from the cool cloud forest area of San Gerado to Lake Arenal, where on clear days you can see Arenal Volcano and Lake as you wind slowly down the mountain passes crossing rivers until reaching Rio Chiquita. Transfer to Eco Thermales Hot Springs. The fabulous thermal hot springs will be a refreshing treat after the days of riding. Overnight Arenal Paraiso Lodge in rooms facing Arenal Volcano. With any luck you will see the mighty volcano put on a natural firework display. (Today's ride is approximately 5 plus hours with lots of stops along the way to allow the horses to rest) Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day.

Day 9
Today's ride will explore the surrounding trails of Arenal Volcano which are only passable by horseback or on foot. The views from this area are magnificent. Not only can you see the cone shape of the volcano but also the old lava flow trails and the green fertile hills near the volcano. Transfer to San Jose arriving late afternoon. There will be time to relax before the farewell dinner and show at the Hacienda San Miguel. Spanish Horses are raised here and you will see how these magnificent horses are trained. Overnight at El Rodeo. (Riding time today is 3 hours) Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day.

Day 10
After breakfast you will be returned to the San Jose International Airport for your departure. Breakfast included this day.

NOTES - KALEIDOSCOPE TRAIL

GETTING TO San Jose 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 16 st/225 lb/102 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All meals as described, accommodations, horses, tack, guide, round trip transfers from San Jose airport, all transportation during the ride, taxes and entrance fees to national parks.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Air fare to and from San Jose international airport in Costa Rica, dinner on Days 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7, alcoholic beverages and tips. A single supplement of £295 applies if booking alone.

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