Day 1
Riding: No riding.
You will be transferred from Juan Santa Maria airport to the hacienda - a journey of about 2 hours. Upon arrival, you'll be offered a small snack and a non-alcoholic welcome cocktail. Relax in the hacienda garden filled with butterflies, hummingbirds and the sounds of howler monkeys and enjoy the swimming pool.
Day 2
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
After a ride briefing and assessment, you'll be able to meet your horse. A short ride around the arena will allow you a moment to check you're happy together before you set off on your first ride to sample the panoramic views of the Pacific Coast and mountains. The hacienda is located at about 750m with the ocean in front and the cloud forest behind. When it's hot you can take the horses down to the river to cool off after riding.
Day 3
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Today you will ride to the hacienda's own waterfall. Pass through herds of grazing cattle to reach the mountain river Zamora. Follow the river for about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall with its own natural plunge pool. Here you can swim and enjoy a tasty packed lunch before returning in the afternoon.
Day 4
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast this morning, you will take a transfer to Manuel Antonio - one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica. Here you have the chance to see sloths and howler monkeys as well as many unique Costa Rican birds and plants as well. Afterwards, you will continue your journey heading to one of the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast. Later in the afternoon, you'll reach your hotel in Uvita where you will spend the night.
Day 5
Riding: No riding.
Early breakfast will allow you to be ready in time to join a whale-watching tour which starts at 08:30 am today! Humpback whales migrate to Bahia de Ballena every year to give birth to their calves. With luck, you may even see some of them breach out of the water, look out for their characteristic jump backs and finned tails.
After your tour you will transfer back to the hacienda, stopping to watch the sunset with cocktails at the 5-star hotel Villa Caletas. (Total transfer time c. 3.5 hours).
Day 6
Riding: No riding.
Today will be a rest day at the hacienda. You can take a walk, enjoy the pool, ask for an additional horseback ride or even visit a beautiful waterfall in the village about 4km away (additional activities and required transfers are payable locally).
Day 7
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Today you have the option to experience a day of working with the cattle at the Hacienda. You can be as involved or not as you wish and the types of tasks you can do will depend on whatever needs to be done that day. Perhaps you might help to round up the cattle in the fields or help the team to collect the cows to be vaccinated or branded.
Day 8
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Today you will enjoy an adventurous ride into the cloud forest where you might have the chance to spot resident pumas, jaguars and ocelots. They live wild in these forests but are shy and reserved animals that are rarely seen - but keep a lookout for their tracks! You will ride to one of the most beautiful Finca (tourist farms) in the area, where the raising of cattle works alongside the protection of the cloud forest. You might enjoy a short canter over lush meadows, to reach the jungle. The epiphytes and orchids that hang from the trees will make it seem like a fairytale forest. Stop at a local restaurant, which is typical and very rustic, for lunch. Continue your ride to the Cloud Forest Cafe where you will spend the night in bungalows.
Day 9
Riding: 2 hours
After a typical Costa Rican breakfast of "Gallo Pinto" - a traditional dish consisting of rice and beans, often flavoured with garlic and spices. During the day you will ride back through the cloud forest to the hacienda. The afternoon is then yours at leisure!
Day 10
Riding: No riding.
Departure after breakfast.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.