DRAFT ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, meet at airport & transfer to San Jose Hotel. (No meals)
Day 2: Morning transfer to Eco-Safari Ranch, stopping by Orotina Town, horse presentation, assignment and ride. Free afternoon. Next 5 nights at Finca Los Domos or Cerro Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Ride to Machuca river canyon and Oricuajo del Labrador, picnic lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Morning visit to the the Rainforest Park to do the Aerial Tram and and the Zipline Canopy Tour.After lunch take a Crocodile Boat Safari tour down the Tarcoles River and transfer back to your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Countryside ride visiting local villages and La Ceiba Town. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Full day ride to the Pacific coast ride (Maravilla - Bajamar - Tivivies Crag). (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ocean Kayaking and Snorkeling at Playa Agujas. Afternoon transfer back to San Jose. (B,L)
Day 8: Transfer to Airport in time for return flight home. (B)
KEYS: (B) Breakfast, (S) Picnic Lunch / (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (LG) Local Horse Guide (where the horse guide may not speak English, an additional bilingual guide will be provided)
PRELIMINARY DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, where you will be met by one of our representatives at the ramp, assisted and transferred to San Jose Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2: This morning at 8:30 a.m. your local guide will meet you at the Lobby and accompany you today and during each riding day. After a brief meeting and introduction, you will be transferred to Eco-Safari Ranch & Stables, located along the Trinidad river in the Dry Central Pacific Region, the starting point of your riding adventure. On arrival you will be introduced to your riding horse, the ranch and its facilities, guides and an opportunity for you to fully acquaint yourself with tack and Costa Rican riding style. After horse assignment, we will ride 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 Finca Los Domos. If you are staying at Cerro Lodge, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals: B, L, D. (LG)
Day 3: Today’s ride will take you to the Machuca River basin, passing Cascajal village, you will ride into the area where this river canyon broadens onto the plains. Heading towards the Jesús María River basin, allowing exploration of the plains and forested valleys along the Machuca River Canyon, where the land is very fertile and most commonly used to cultivate melons. We finish the ride at a local hacienda and transferred back to your lodge.
Included: B, L,D. (LG)
Day 4: Today you will have a break from riding and be filled with some of Costa Rica's best Tropical Adventures including a visit to the Rainforest where you will do the Aerial Tram and and the Zipline Canopy Tour. And after lunch, you will take a sightseeing Crocodile Boat Safari tour down the Tarcoles River which will also be a very good opportunity to encounter many of the local bird species. - See detail descriptions below.
Meals: B,L&D. (LG)
Day 5: Today takes you into the center of rural communities, where you can visit and meet with the people of the communities that have helped play host to you during your week with us. Nothing is ‘staged’ about this event, what occurs is the natural exchange between peoples. On your way you will pass through Santa Rita village, then travel along old railroad tracks, now overgrown and returning to nature, finally arriving La Ceiba town – we will stop at a local venue for a short break and having a drink at John Wayne’s style!! Meals Meals: B, L, & D. (LG)
Day 6: Today’s rides take you on a splendid journey (approximately 5 hours riding), following a route which was first used by the Spaniards as they began exploring and settling along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica nearly 500 years ago. Sights to be experienced include rivers, jungles, Gallery Forests and by following a rural road, Tivives Crag, (which before a land slip into the sea was formerly known as the Port of Landecho). From here you have unforgettable views of the Pacific. Indeed, from this historic site the Spaniards first started their conquest of the Central Pacific in the late 16th century. With a really satisfying day’s riding safely behind you, there will be plenty to talk and share over dinner and well beyond.
Meals: B, L, D. (LG)
Day 7: Today’s a non-riding day, you will enjoy an Ocean and Kayaking experience on the Central Pacific coast warm waters and will be transferred back to your hotel in San Jose.
Meals: B, L. (LG) Non-riding Activity: Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling.
Day 8: Morning at your leisure and transfer to the Airport in time for your flight and our farewells.
Meals included: B.
