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 transfert to the ranch, located along the Trinidad river in the dry central Pacific region, the started point of our trail. After horse assignment and our presentation, you will head towards Hacienda La Maravilla riding along rolling hills and meadows into the gallery forest, an excellent spot of wildlife. We meander across the river following a country lane, passing en route farmland, rural homes and finally arriving at the Hacienda grounds. This afternoon you may choose to join the daily afternoon cattle drive in xhich the herd is brought up near Corral for the next day's milking. The next three nights will here.

Day 3 : Coastal Ride
Today's ride will take you to the Pacific coast following country lanes anf an old ranch trail which lead to Tivives Crag. The Spaniards firts 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 alocal café or as a pic nic on the beach or back to Maravilla. Again, depending on the tude you climb on horseback towards Cuevas Crag, enjoying unique views of the Pacific Oceanor alternatively, ride along the shoreline towards Guacalillo beach. Follow a country lane back to hacienda Maravilla.

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 is 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.

Day 5 : Machuca River Canyon Ride
Your final 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 Jesus Maria River basin, allowing exploration of the plains and forested valleys alongthe Machuca River Canyon, where the land is very fertile and most commonly used to cultivate melons. Afternoon you will take a 3 hours 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. This evening you will visit Arenal Hot-water Springs where we will spend time enjoying the volcanic hot-water springs. These thermo-mineral waters are claimed to have healing powers and help you to leave feeling relaxed and younger! A treat that will definitely be an excellent complementation to your riding adventure. Overnight in Arenal.

Day 6 : Ride Along Arenal Lake and Volcano Exploration
After a short drive, you will set off for today's ride, taking a journey towards the basin of Arenal Volcano National Park. Leaving your horses at the entrance and enter the park on foot following the trail which leads to the hardened lava site at the volcano foot hills. Then you will ride along Arenal Lake, passing the rural community of El Castillo, crossing Caño Negro River a couple of times, enjoying some simply unforgettable views following a route that meanders along Arenal Lake. Finally, you arrive at Rio Choquito where your back-up vehicle will meet you for a scenic drive up on the Tilaran Moutain Range following an old trail originally use by farmers passes the Continental Division line, the location where the arid Pacific area greets the humid Cloud Forests of Monteverde. This location encompasses six differing ecological life zones and is situated where moist air blown in from the warm Pacific coast precpitates 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 : Cloud Forest Hanging Bridges and Exploratory Ride at Ensenda
Although Monteverde is not one of our favourite riding areas because the terrain can be asteep, muddy and the weather unpredictable, the area is home to one of the most amazing forests. This morning you will visit the hanging bridges at Selvatura Park which is an amazing structures that will take you to new heights following a trail of 3 kilometres that crosses the cloud forest. Walking through 8 differents bridges from 50 ti 170 meters long, and between 12 and 60 meters high. Every bridge is 1.5 meter wide, which makes them the widest hanging bridges in Costa Rica! This afternoon we will transfer to Abangaritos. We will stay the next two nights at La Ensenda Lodge which is a his family run lodge located on a 100 acre hacienda which offers guests the opportunity to participate in the typical farm activites such as cattle raising, horses and the production of salt and fruit. After lunch and a rest, we will do an exploratory ride of La Ensenda 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 palce an ideal location for horse explorations and bird-watching! Overnight at La Ensenda Lodge.

Day 8 : Ensenda Lodge (Salinas and Miradores Rides)
This morning we will head to towards the Eastren side of Ensenda 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 egert amongst athers. 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 oppotunities to enjoy a full Ocean view and Golf of Nicoya. Depending on the timewe leave it could be a great Sunset ride withe Panoramic views of the Pacific ocean! Overnight at La Ensenda Lodge.

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 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 Ensenda crossing the Cañamazo river and continuing on farm trails through reforestation plantations of Teaswood 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 for your last night in Costa Rica.

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

Day 11
Arrival in your country.

We propose to you a 4 days and 3 overnights stay on the pacific coast at Samara, we will provide you 3 overnights in a 2*sup hotel with breakfast and a rent car all the stay long. To have more informations do no hesitate to contact us.

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.

Required 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, and you weight in riding clothes should not exceed 110kg.

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.

- Single room supplement is 240 €.
You can choose to share your room in this case please let us know at booking time, but it will depend if someone else can share the room with you. If there is nobody to do it you will have to pay the sigle room supplement. The single room is not guaranted each time.

Rates are given for a departure from Paris, they depend on flight availabilities, and the town where you will leave. At the booking time we will give you the rate found at this time and depending on your town departure.

- the trail ride as described, on full board basis,
- 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, Costa Rica,
- Special exit fee (26$ to pay at the San Jose Airport),
- 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

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
If you transit by USA territory, formalities depend on your nationality, passport type and issue date of your passport : please contact us for further information.

Vaccines-Health
The yellow fever vaccination and the anti paludean tretments are recomanded, we recommend you to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.