Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

COSTA RICAN ODYSSEY RIDE

Day 1 : Arrival
Pick up in San Jose airport. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in San Jose. Overnight at the hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 : Presentation and build-up ride
Morning transfer to our Eco-Ranch & Stables, located along the Trinidad river in the Dry Central Pacific Region, the starting point of your riding adventure. After horse assignment and our presentation, you will head towards Hacienda La Maravilla, riding 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 hacienda grounds.This afternoon, there will be an exploratory ride following the private trails. The next three nights will be at Maravilla House lodge (shared bathrooms) which remote location and attractive scenery will no doubt gives a better feel of typical Costa Rican life and living than anywhere else on the locations you will be visiting.
Approx. 3 hours in the saddle

Day 3 : Coastal Ride
Today’s ride will take you to the Pacific coast following country lanes and an old ranch trail which lead to Tivives Crag. The Spaniards first started their conquest of the Central Pacific around 1561 right from this very spot! Ride across the Cascajalillo Mangrove Swamps and along the coast. Depending on tide times, lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic on the beach or back at Maravilla. Again, depending on the tide you climb on horseback towards Cuevas Crag, enjoying unique views of the Pacific Ocean or alternatively, ride along the shoreline towards Guacalillo beach. Follow a country lane back to hacienda Maravilla.
Approx. 5-6 hours in the saddle

Day 4 : La Mariana Estate and Countryside
This morning you have an exploratory ride of the hacienda’s 1000 acres and its private reserve, riding through rolling hills and savannah’s towards the Transitional-Dry Forest and the lush Gallery Forest. Here, the terrain is picturesque, predominantly flat with gentle slopes and forested valleys. As you ride over the higher areas you will be able to gain excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and perhaps spot some of the local area’s wildlife too. Back at the hacienda in time for lunch and relax. This afternoon there will be an optional ride in the Southern part of La Maravilla Hacienda. After a few gentle hill climbs you may experience an Ocean view sunset – the Pacific coast has the reputation for being amongst the world’s top best places to experience this beautiful event.
Approx. 3-6 hours in the saddle

Day 5 : Machuca River Canyon Ride
Your final ride in the Central Pacific 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. Afternoon you will take a 3 1/2-hour transfer to the Northern Region home to Arenal Volcano which last erupted in 1968 and remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Overnight in Arenal.
Approx. 4-5 hours in the saddle

Day 6 : Ride Along Arenal Lake and Volcano Exploration
Today is a relaxing day to explore Arenal. If the weather is clear, you may wish to join a walk to the summit of the volcano. Enjoy free time at the beautiful Arenal hot water springs and gardens - an excellent complementation to your riding adventure! These thermo-mineral waters ,which people some claim to have healing powers, will help you to leave feeling relaxed! In the afternoon you have a boat ride across Arenal lake and transfer by vehicle to Monteverde, enjoying a scenic drive up on the Tilaran Mountain Range following an old road originally used by farmers and passing the Continental Division line - a location where the arid Pacific area greets the humid Cloud Forests. Monteverde area encompasses six differing ecological life zones and is situated where moist air blown in from the warm Pacific coast precipitates as a perpetual mist. These vastly contrasting locations are easily observed through the differing types of vegetation that will be visible as you start ascending.

Day 7 : Hacienda Ensada
This morning there will be a briefing about our new set of horses and after horses are allocated, we will do an exploratory ride of La Ensenada which will help us learn more about our horses and the terrain we will be discovering over the next few days. During today’s horseback adventure you will explore inner grounds at Hacienda Ensenada where the majority of the area is used for grazing beef and dairy cattle and it also includes a protected wetland area which has been declarated a "national refuge for fauna" including mangrove swamps, wetlands at the Abangares river delta. La Ensenda Wildlife refuge protects some of the remaining primary and secondary forests of the northern Puntarenas province - all this makes this place an ideal location for horse explorations and bird-watching! The afternoon will be free to enjoy the swimming pool. Overnight at La Ensenada Lodge.
Approx. 4 hours in the saddle

Day 8 : Hacienda Ensenda Lodge (Salinas and Miradores Rides)
This morning we will head to towards the Eastern side of Ensenada where the Salinas and various lagoons are located including Laguna Augusta and Laguna Jacana-during high tide and with some luck, this could be a fantastic ride to do some bird-watch on horseback as these wetlands and lagoons are frequented by water-birds. Part of this ride develops over area neighbouring the Tropical Mangrove Swamps - The gulf of Nicoya, the mangroves and the Salinas (Salt Lagoons) offer bird lovers and photography enthusiasts alike the opportunity to see many different species of birds such as pelicans, herons, parrots, Montezuma oropendula, bellbird, white iris and great egret amongst others. Later this afternoon, you will  follow " La Pizota" trail which develops over varied terrain including plaints, grassland, slopes and rolling hills which are natural lookout points that provide excellent opportunities to enjoy a full Ocean view and Golf of Nicoya. Depending on the time we leave it could be a great Sunset ride with Panoramic views of the Pacific ocean! Overnight at La Ensenada Lodge.
Approx. 5 hours in the saddle

Day 9 : Ensenda Lodge (Farms and Rural land trail)
This morning you take a further exploration of area, following a completely different route covering a wide range of terrain and countryside scenes - It starts bordering the coast line on the trails that skirt the mountain slopes that meet the Pacific Ocean towards the Eastern side of the Hacienda. Then continues on a rural road visiting the rural community of Manzanillo where life is rustic and simple and will give us get a better feel about the real rural Costa Rica. Then we will enter a sister property of Ensenada crossing the Cañamazo river and continuing on farm trails through reforestation plantations of Teakwood and Melina trees. Later on, you will cross Congo River and head back to the lodge crossing Abangares river and stopping at a local town for a drink. The ride back to Ensenda will provide a great opportunity to do some cantering! You will get back in time for lunch. Afternoon transfer to your San Jose Hotel (2 1/2 hours) for your last night stay in Costa Rica.
Approx. 4-5 hours in the saddle

Day 10 : Departure from Costa Rica
After breakfast transfer for your return flight.

Horses
Most of the horses are criollos.
The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.

Tack
Western saddles. Saddle bags linked at the saddle.

Recommended riding level
Without great technical difficulties, it is necessary to feel at ease at the three paces.
You should also be fit enough to ride up to 6 hours per day.

Useful information

Weight limit of 110 kg.

Children from 13 years old can be accepted if they have the required riding abilities.

The rides are supervised by professional local guides, who know perfectly well their region, environment, fauna and flora.

Accomodation will be in hotel for nights spent in San Jose. During the trail, you will be accomodated in haciendas, little hotels, or more simple rooms in small guesthouses. You may have to share bathroom on several accomodations.

Costa Rican Odyssey Ride - 2012
January 26 to February 04	1440€	fully booked
February 23 to March 03	1440€	fully booked
March 08 to 17	1440€	3 seats free
March 29 to April 07	1440€	available
April 05 to 14	1440€	available
April 19 to 28	1440€	confirmed
May 03 to 12	1440€	confirmed
May 31 to June 09	1440€	available
June 21 to 30	1440€	available
July 19 to 28	1440€	available
August 23 to September 01	1440€	confirmed
September 20 to 29	1440€	available
October 04 to 13	1440€	available
October 18 to 27	1440€	available
November 15 to 24	1440€	available
November 22 to December 01	1440€	available
December 13 to 22	1440€	available
December 20 to 29	1440€	available
December 27 to Janaury 05,2013	1440€	available

- return transfers from/to airport
- the trail ride as described, on full board basis (except diner on day 1 and 9),
- transfers from and to San José airport with the other riders (transfer if you arrive or leave another day is at your own expense),
- the financial guarantee of the deposits sent to Randocheval.

- Flight to San Jose and airport taxes,
- Special exit fee (28$ to pay at the San Jose Airport),
- Diner on day 01 and day 09,
- drinks,
- any other services,
- tips and personnal expenses,
- insurance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). Please contact us for rates. You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an resident of EU or Switzerland. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company.

Humid and hot tropical climate all year long. Numerous microclimates according to the altitude, the evenings can be cool in the Arenal area. Rain is possible all year long.
The best period : from November to May