Horseback Riding Vacations with Horse Trek Monteverde
"Trails of the Campesinos"
Eight Days, Seven Nights ( Six Day's Horseback Riding)
Horse Riding in the Backcountry of Costa Rica
Horseback Riding holidays ...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.
Itinerary: 8 Days, 7 nights and 6 Day's Horseback Riding
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 four 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 with over 350 species.
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.
AM 8.30am 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 at least 6 hours long.
Beautiful views: Horseback Riding Costa Rica at its best!
Day 4 (am)
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. In the 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 tour one ($50pp) 7.00am 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 ($25, $45 or $65pp 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. Or you can do a combo tour of the 2 activities. We need to know in advance which tour you would like.
Option 3: Trapiche tour general agriculture, sugar and coffee tour) $30pp including transport
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Day 4 (pm) - 3 hour 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!!).
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 the very comfortable hotel called Arenal Volcano Inn. Besides all the creature comforts you would expect from an upmarket hotel the hotel has a good restaurant, small pool, jacuzzi and a great view of the volcano. Plus spa facilities for those of you who fancy a massage after your weeks' riding!
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At 4.30pm 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 and a must-see on any tourist's itinerary. Its lava flows and eruptions have been continuous and on virtually any day (when it is not cloudy) one can see huge smoking boulders tumble down the steep slope. A perfect place to view the volcano is from the Hot Springs of 'The Springs Resort (los Perdidos).
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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.
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.
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.
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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 2010 : 20 Feb, 13 March, 27 March, 10 April, 24 April, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August, 13 Nov 2010
Included on Trip: 6 days riding, 7 nights accommodation, all breakfasts and all lunches (except arrival and departure days and Day 4), evening meals are at the two nights at 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, light hiking or riding boots, rain jacket, water-proof pants, sunscreen, insect repellant, anti-histamine cream for insect bites, any personal medication, 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, traveler's cheques 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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