Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival San Jose International Airport , Costa Rica…
After a greeting at the airport by a specialized equestrian natural history guide, transfer to the accommodations for the first night and the start of your riding adventure. A briefing gives riders a chance to get acquainted with their guide and fellow travelers. Overnight Hotel Villa Tournon or similar. No meals included this day.
Day 2: Turrialba Volcano/ Old Lava Flow trails...
This morning our support van will transfer everyone to Casa Blanca heading to the Turrialba Volcano area. Here the horses will be saddled and waiting. From here we’ll be ridding to Volcan Turrialba Lodge, which lies in the valley between Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes. The lodge itself is in the foothills of Turrialba, only 5 kilometers from the crater of this dormant giant. The whole area is one of great natural beauty and virtually unexplored. Ranging from 4500 to 10000 feet above sea level, it encompasses several life zones including tropical rainforest, cloud forest and paramo. Hot Lunch will be waiting at the lodge. After lunch, we ride to the old lava flow trails. On the way, we’ll be able to see Turrialba Volcano’s western part, were the recent fumarolic activity takes place. Continuing on, we decent into the deep forest, with various species of flora and fauna typical of cloud forest. The outstanding views from here are of Braulio Carrillo National Park, Northern Plains of Sarapiqui and Guapiles. Making a perfect loop we return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight Volcan Turrialba Lodge . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day.
Total riding time 5 plus hours
Day 3: Summit of Turrialba Volcano…
After a hearty breakfast. horses will be saddled and ready to start the journey up to the summit of Turrialba Volcano. This is the only access to the view point at the top of this giant, at more than 3.300 meters, of altitude. On a clear day, spectacular views of the Caribbean coast line, Guarco Valley,, Central Valley, even the Golf of Nicoya and the Pacific coast line can easily be seen. Turrialba Volcano, is one of the few places in the country were such a vistas can be observed. Return back to the lodge for a nice hot lunch and relax the rest of the day, relax in the indoor heated pool. You might want to check out the dairy and sheep farm, and other agriculture attractions of the lodge. Overnight Volcan Turrialba Lodge Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day.
Total riding time 4-5 hours
Day 4: Santa Cruz / Copey de Dota…
After a full Costa Rican mountain style breakfast, horses will be ready to go again. Today we’ll be working our way out from the mountains, taking the single track trail knowing as El Tapajo. We pass dairy farms, unexplored trails, as well as primary forest, on the east side of Turrialba Volcano, all the time riding down to the town of Santa Cruz, well known for being the home of the famous “Queso Turrialba”. Once in Santa Cruz we stop and taste this wonderful fresh farmer’s cheese, with a homemade tortilla and a nice mug of fresh hot coffee at one of the little restaurants of the town. We say good-bye to the horses. Here the support van will be waiting to take everyone to the Valley of Copey de Dota, within the Los Santos Forest Reserve at the foothills of Las Voltas Biological Reserve. After lunch there will be time to relax. Later in the afternoon, we’ll take a short drive down the valley into coffee country to a real coffee mill processing the world famous Tarrazu coffee. Visiting the co-op "CoopeTarrazu" which has been receiving and milling this special coffee for export since 1960. Overnight at El Toucanet Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day.
Total riding time 4 plus hours
Day 5: Paramo Las Vueltas…
Another amazing ride to the Paramo Las Vueltas which rises to over 10,000 feet. Here the vegetation is defined by the climate. mist, fog, strong winds, drizzle and sudden temperature changes, which creates the growth of the unique flora. Along the trail you’ll sight shrub like plants, dwarfed and twisted trees, and abundant grass species, all characteristic of the paramo. When the sky is clear, the paramo is a profusion of flowers and hues of green and yellow. Overnight El Toucanet Lodge . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day
Total riding time 6 hours
Day 6: Highland Coffee farms to the coast…
Today we’ll be descending from the highland region of Terrazu, 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 everyone to the beach area of Dominical. Overnight Hotel Rio Mar…Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Total riding time 5-6 hours
Day 7: Cataratas Nauyaca …
These majestic waterfalls are in a true tropical rainforest; one of the southern regions main attractions. This is ecotourism at its best. Here you meet the family of Don Lulo, have breakfast at their home and ride to these incredible waterfalls that can only be accessed through their property. No where in Costa Rica will you find waterfalls of this magnitude but the real beauty is this adventure comes from the family that run this operation. Overnight Villas Rio Mar breakfast and lunch included
Total riding time 4 hours
Day 8: Southern beach ride to Matapalo …
This morning we meet up with the horses at the entrance to Hacienda Baru. From here we‘ll be ridding on the beach and in and out of jungle trails. This is rough terrain but so amazing. We’re sure to see wildlife along the way. Once reaching Matapalo, we can relax and swim in the ocean and take a lunch break. There will be areas were the pace is fast. This is a long stretch of beach where you can run with your horse in the surf. We’ll continue on to the drop off place of the horses. Our support van will be waiting to transfer us to the Jaco Beach area and the Timirai Bamboo Beach Resort Overnight Timirai Bamboo Beach Resort. Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Total riding time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 9: Mountain Vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean…
From the stables, amble through the picturesque mountains surrounding Hermosa, amazing views are reveled to you at every corner, this is true Costa Rica back country. Descend to the famous surfing town of Jaco beach. via the old Hermosa Mountain road. The views and flora and fauna are breath taking. There will be more beach riding included with a lunch break then ride back a different route to the stables . transfer to Timirai Bamboo Beach Resort. For the overnight Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Total riding time 5 plus hours
Day 10: Back to the Real World….
Sadly we say good-bye to Costa Rica. Transfer to the International Airport. Depart Costa Rica. Breakfast included this day.
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