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Horseback Riding Vacations in Costa Rica | Horseback Riding Holidays

"Trails of the Campesinos"

Horseback Riding

in Costa Rica)

Eight Days, Seven Nights ( Six Day's

Horse Riding Holidays in Costa Rica Or click here for shorter 2 hour rides, one day rides in Monteverde or rides to Arenal Volcano

.......spend 8 days exploring the beautiful areas of Monteverde, Guanacaste and La Fortuna. See amazing cloud forests, waterfalls, nature reserves, local farms, wildlife, volcanoes, hot springs and lakes. The tour starts with a pick-up from San Jose by private transport. Forget the worries about public buses and safety. Our driver will take you to the hotel where you will meet up with a staff member who will be over- seeing your tour and will give you advice and tips about the area.

Horseback Riding Vacations with Horse Trek Monteverde

Itinerary

8 Days, 7 nights and 6 Day's Horseback Riding Costa Rica

Day 1

You will be picked up at your hotel in San Jose by private transport. Enjoy the scenery as we make our ascent up to the beautiful cloud forests of Monteverde. Depending on the hour you arrive you are free to do any of the activities in the area of Monteverde (which we can help you set up) or if you are arriving late you can just relax at your hotel which has a restaurant and bar. Hotel Miramontes is a 20 minutes outside the village of Santa Elena. You will spend 3 nights at this hotel, located in a quiet area surrounded by pine trees and in a garden full of flowers. There is full restaurant service from 1.00PM to 8.30PM with over 40 different specialties from Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France and Costa Rica. You can also enjoy their beautiful gardens.

Day 2

9.00 am Pick-up by taxi to take you on a short 10 minute journey to where our horses will be waiting for you. After an introduction to your horse we will set off! Today will be a full day excursion and we'll be riding for about 5 hours or so. We will ride down the beautiful valley of San Luis until we reach the entrance of the stunning San Luis Waterfall, a short 30 minute walk take us to the view point and natural pool (which you are welcome to swim in but it is cold!!).

After a short stay at the waterfall we will walk back to our horses and ride to the San Luis Eco Lodge where we will stop for lunch. San Luis Biological station, recognized as a model of sustainable tropical ecotourism. It is situated on a working tropical farm at the head of the valley, which borders the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and the Children's International Rainforest, and shares with them a stunning diversity of wildlife.

1.00pm

After lunch (included in tour) we will wind our way up from the San Luis valley by a different route passing through rolling hills covered by lush coffee plantations with spectacular views of the Pacific and the cloud forests. We will end up at the Hotel Miramontes.

Hotel Miramontes is located 2 kilometers from the main town area of Santa Elena. The hotel is surrounded by pine trees and other local flora and fauna and has an orchid garden and library. The owner will proudly show you around his loved orchid garden and answer any questions you have about these amazing birds. Butterflies and other parts are abundant because of all the tropical flowers and the hotel is a nice place to wonder around if you have a few minutes to spare.

The restaurant and bar has a wide menu of international cuisine and the full breakfast, included in the package, won't leave you hungry! You will spend three nights at this hotel.

Day 3

The morning is free for those who would just like to participate in the activities available in Monteverde or just catch up on sleep, internet or washing! In the afternoon there will be a sunset horseback ride.

On your free morning there are many options available such as guided hikes in the Monteverde Reserve and canopy tours (not included in the price of the package) Here are some examples:

Optional 1 ($55pp) 6.45am Pick up from the hotel for a guided hike in the Monteverde Reserve for about three hours. The guide will explain all the there is to know about the fauna and flora of the area, as well as the history of the park and Monteverde. Price includes transport, guide and entrance fees

Option 2 ($30 or $45) depending on which tours you choose) Selvatura Park for the Canopy Tour. Enjoy the thrills of zipping from tree to tree, using cables and harnesses high in the canopies of the cloud forest. For those who want a more gentle time you can opt to so the Hanging Bridges on the Walkways at Selavtura Park, which is a 1.5 - 2 hour hike at your own pace high in the canopies along suspended bridges.

Option 3: Trapiche tour general agriculture, sugar and coffee tour) $30pp including transport

Day 3 (1.00pm) - Sunset horse ride around the local area. This afternoon we will mount up again and go to an area that has some of the best sunset views in the area (if the weather is co-operating!!). After the ride we will pass by Marvin's and Janet's house to see some of the young horses Marvin is training or a demonstration of Marvin's famous horse Gladiator!

We will then ride to Cabinas Belcruz where you will be staying for one night, the horses will also be staying near by.

Day 4

AM 9.00am Enjoy an all day excursion, well away from the tourist areas. The route will be on little used dirt roads and through some farms, crossing small streams and valleys. Picnic and swim by our river and see monkeys and tropical birds. The tour is all day and you'll be back in you hotel (Cabinas Belcruz) about 3.00pm-4.00pm. About 5-6 hours riding. At around 6.00pm you'll be served a homemade dinner and then time to relax in you private cabin (Belcruz Cabins). The cabins are very comfortable, the owners charming and the area peaceful. At the restaurant the owners have a balcony at the back where they keep feeders to attract hummingbird and it is a great place in the evening to see the early evening wildlife.

Cabinas Belcruz..

Photos of Monteverde Cloud Forest if you decide to go to the park on your free morning:

Photos of Cloud Forest (Selvatura Caopy) if you decide to do this on your free morning:

Photos of Trapiche tour if you decide to do this on your free morning:

Day 5

AM Today is a long day riding, from Monteverde to Solania, passing though Campos de Oro (an area famous for its coffee plantations). The route is steep in places and we will rest the horses frequently, plenty of photos opportunities of the coffee plants! You can't fail to enjoy horse riding into the heart of the mountains and the countryside, passing other riders known as campesinos (local people of the rural communities) who often rely on horses for mobility. In Campos de Oro we will stop to have lunch in a typical Costa Rican family house, a real chance to taste home cooking. Here we will rest the horses before continuing down to Solania. The ride today will be 6+ hours in total.

In Solania (real cowboy country!) we will spend two nights on a working farm in some lovely villas. They are located in beautiful gardens and have a pool and a jacuzzi. The large villas have kitchens, cable tv, a/c, sitting room and a veranda It is a good opportunity to experience staying on a working ranch and you are free to in inspect the cattle and other animals. Solania is much hotter than Monteverde being at a lower elevation but you'll have a chance to cool off in the swimming pool before taking a hike in the area, go bird watching or just relaxing on the veranda.

Day 6

am Today you can have a chance to sleep in and we will set off about 10.00am for a day's ride around the cowboy country of Solania, visiting a local waterfall and local ranches.

Lots of monkeys and other wildlife can be spotted on this day

Day 7

7.30 am Ride from Solania to El Dos (4-5 hours) where we sadly say good-bye to our horses. We will ride early in the morning through small villages until we reach the El Dos where we take a vehicle to our boat waiting on the shores of the famous Arenal Lake at the foot of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The 30 minute boat trip is lovely with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. At Arenal Dam a car will be waiting to take us to a comfortable Ecolodge called Arenal Oasis.

At 6.00pm transport will pick you up and take you one of the world famous Arenal Hot Springs at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Arenal Volcano (1,633 meters) is a picture-perfect cone. It is one the world's most active volcanoes although it has been very quiet of late but it still emits gases and rumbles! A perfect place to view the volcano is from the Hot Springs of 'The Springs Resort (los Perdidos).

At the hot springs you can soak any aches away from the last few days of riding. This is a place where you can really relax and pamper yourself. The Springs has a series of 18 eighteen freeform, landscaped pools with temperatures ranging from 76?F to 103?F set amid glorious tropical gardens. It's a place where, on a clear night, you can sit in a warm pool, sipping the cocktail of your choice, while watching the fireworks as Arenal volcano erupts. Evening buffet meal is included.

Tests of the hot mineral springs reveal an ideal natural combination of high bicarbonates and high chlorides with relatively low sulfur content to provide a safe and clean soaking experience.

Los Perdidos Hot Springs

You might also decide to pamper your body by opting for one of the many body treatments that are available such as massage, reflexology, body polish, volcanic mud wraps and facials (this is optional and nor included in the price). Included in this tour is a buffet dinner. The transport back to the hotel will depart around 9.30pm.

Day 8

This morning you will be free to do optional activities such as canyoneering, cycling, exploring the volcano or do a half-day white water rafting.

At around 1.30pm we will end the tour with shuttle transport to San Jose or we can arrange transport to some of the main beaches in Costa Rica.

Read bottom of page for trip details...

BEACH OPTION AVAILABLE WITH ADDITIONAL 3 NIGHTS, 2 DAYS, 1 DAY HORSEBACK RIDING. $450pp (double occupancy). 2 people minimum. Single supplement $150. Transfer to San Jose included.

Playa Junquillal beach. Unspoilt, white-sanded beach of your dreams! On the Pacific in Guanacaste side 45 minutes from Tamarindo (excursions available). Small, friendly and very comfortable beach hotel (Hotel Guacamaya Lodge with pool and restaurant).

Details of the Horse Riding Holiday

Cost: $1595 per person ( Single supplement $250)

Minimum: 2 people (Double occupancy) MIn 2 - Max 6-8 people.

Max weight: 200lbs, Riding Western Style

NOTE THE FOLLOWING DATES ARE FLEXIBLE!!! jUST LET US KNOW WHEN YOU WANT TO RIDE.

Year 2012
18 Feb, 10 March, 24 March, 07 April, 21 April, 07 July, 21 July, 04 August, 18 August, 17 Nov

We can be flexible with the dates - Inquire by email: info@monteverdetours.com

Included on Trip: 6 days riding, 7 nights accommodation, all breakfasts and all lunches (except arrival and departure days and Day 4), evening meals on 4 nights, at Cabinas Belcruz, Villas Solania and Los Perdidos The Springs Resort), all transport, luggage transfers, entrance to The Springs and transport, experienced guides and all tours in the itinerary (except optional activities).

Not Included: Flights to Costa Rica, hotels in San Jose (which we can arrange for you - just let us know!), some evening meals, lunches on arrival day and departure days and Day 4 and the last day, optional tours or transportation to other tours.

What to Bring: T-shirts, shorts, long pants for riding (you might want to bring half-chaps), sweater or light jacket, gel seat saver for western saddles, light hiking or riding boots, sandals to walk in rocky rivers, rain jacket, water-proof pants, sunscreen, insect repellant (also recommended for insect repellant is Avon's Skin So Soft), anti-histamine cream for insect bites, any personal medication, hair dryer, shorts, swimming gear, sports sandals, riding hat (or we can lend you one - let us know), traveler's insurance (to include horse riding), full passport and a credit card (VISA and MC's only - other cards are difficult to use in Monteverde).

Insurance: You must have your own insurance that includes horse riding (the policy number and details needs to be send to us).

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