“Scenic mountains of Santa Fe”
7 Day Adventure Horseback Riding Holiday in Santa Fe, Veraguas
Hotel Anachoreo, Calle Chinita, Santa Fe, Veraguas, Panama
Horse Riding Holiday Panama
The rides will take you through natural landscapes where you will forge rivers, cross suspension bridges, and traverse the mountainside. The trails here in Santa Fe are breathtaking with amazing views and access to places that you would not get to in a vehicle.
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 209 pounds / 95 kilograms
- Horse Height Range: 13.5 - 14.8 hands
- Tack Type: Western-style / Australian Stock Saddles / English General Purpose
- Horse Breed: Paso Creole Horses
Meet the instructors
Elizabeth & Martin
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Highlights
- 5 days of horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 3 - 8 hours
- Excursions to local organic coffee farm or waterfall
- Ride through valleys, hillsides, farms, and wildlife sightings
- Daily tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 6 nights accommodation
- Expert guides
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
5 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 6 participants
Airport transfer available:
Tocumen International Airport (US$500 per person)
Tocumen International Airport (US$500 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
Your accommodation is arranged with the beautiful Hotel Anachoreo located in Santa Fe town. This hotel is managed by a friendly Australian family. They offer excellent guest service and have a five-star dinner menu. The location boasts spectacular views of the valley and national park. The rooms are clean and comfortable and service friendly making this quaint five-room hotel the perfect place to stay in Santa Fe. During this holiday, you will stay in a private room with a hot water shower and expansive terrace vistas at Hotel Anachoreo.
Program
All the horses are owned by Junglecat Panama, and they take great pride in their maintenance and well-being. With a variety of trails and horses suitable for all levels of rider confidence, Junglecat Panama is able to provide memories that will last a lifetime. Every day, you start your ride at 8:00 a.m. and ride until lunchtime where you will either stop at a local restaurant, hitch the horses' cowboy style, and enjoy a local lunch. Or the staff will provide a packed lunch for you to enjoy under the shade by one of the many river crossings. You can enjoy lunch on the banks with the horses grazing nearby.
In the afternoons, there will be various excursions to choose from including a visit to a local organic coffee farm, hiking to a local waterfall, or just relaxing in your hammock. Each day, you take a different ride, looping through the valleys and hillsides passing local homesteads, small organic farms, cacao and coffee trees, as well as fantastic bird and wildlife sightings being on the boundary of the Santa Fe National Park. All of the horses are a mixed breed, creole cross with Paso Fino. This gives them a smooth, stable gate and even temperament.
Each ride provides the opportunity to view the continental divide from a different angle. Due to the mountainous landscape, the vegetation and wildlife changes within each location we experience different terrains and riding conditions. There will be opportunities to gallop with the horses as well as experience their past fino trot gait. The program can include the hike to the Bermejo Waterfall where you take a narrow jungle trail into the national park to a secluded waterfall and swimming hole.
Along the way, your interpretative guides will fill you in on local plant species, the medicinal properties of the local vegetation found on the route, and describe the deep cultural and historical heritage of one of the longest settled towns in Panama. The trails and backcountry roads here in the mountains of Panama are amazingly rustic and rural with expansive views of the valleys and peaks of the continental divide. The vegetation and landscapes change and vary depending on what side of the divide you explore as well as what season you are in.
There are massive rivers to cross, with clear cool waters and clean rocky river beds. Take a cool dip in the midday heat and catch a glimpse of a toucan or majestic giant kingfisher. The local mountain communities still live a life off the land, the culture, dress, and friendly faces make you feel connected and welcomed. On horseback, you are able to explore far and wide. The horses and ponies are well suited to the hilly terrain, narrow trails, rivers, and bridges. They are sensible, responsive, and forward-moving allowing you to put your faith in their steps and enjoy your trail ride adventure.
Instructors
Elizabeth Wilkinson
Elizabeth grew up in Botswana and has enjoyed horse riding and competing from a young age. While at university in New Zealand she taught children and adults at the Auckland Equestrian Center part time. After having moved to Panama the dream to own a trail riding company has become a reality. The trails here in the mountains of Central America provide some of the most spectacular scenery and you'll often see Elizabeth out and about exploring new routes on horseback. Additionally her and her partner Martin endeavor to support the local horse culture, a big part of the lifestyle here in Panama.
Martin Zipprich
Martin was born and grew up in South Africa and attended an agricultural boarding school. There in Africa his passion for animals, especially reptiles blossomed. As an adult, with over ten years of experience managing hotels, resorts, and lodges in Zambia, South America, and the USA, Martin found himself in the beautiful mountains of Santa Fe. Here the idea of Junglecat Panama was born. The preservation of local culture, community, and environment is his primary objective allowing him to bridge the gap between tourist and local thus providing an authentic Panamanian experience.
Location
This horse riding holiday will take place in Santa Fe, Province of Veraguas, Panama. Santa Fe is located on the boundary of one of Panama's most diverse national parks boasting an abundance of birds and wildlife.
Food
Your breakfast will be prepared for you at your hotel, served in the spacious dining room or on the outside patio. Lunch is provided on tour and is based on a farming lifestyle. This includes free-range chicken, locally produced pork, and homegrown beef. Rice and beans are a popular option as well as green salads and tropical fruit juices. Dinner is a flavor explosion at the in-house restaurant.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Go river tubing down the crystal clear river of Santa Maria
- Take a hike to the beautiful Bermejo waterfall
- Visit a local organic coffee farm
If you are interested in a full body massage after a long day of riding, please let Junglecat Panama know so they can notify their local massage therapist.
What's included
- Daily activities
- 1 beautiful local horse or pony to suit your riding level and physic
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
What's not included
- Beverages including alcohol
- Any additional food
- Gift item purchases
How to get there
Recommended Airports
PTY
Tocumen International Airport
195 km
Transfer available for additional US$500 per person
Driving directions from Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
- Rent a car from the airport.
- Take the Interamericana freeway out of Panama City heading toward Santiago (approximately 3 hours depending on traffic flow leaving the city).
- In Santiago, turn off the main freeway following the signs to Santa Fe (1 hour's drive).
- Please keep in mind there is no gas station or cash machine in Santa Fe so take advantage of these services before you leave Santiago.
- Your accommodation is located in the village of Santa Fe.
- Please follow the wooden signs to Anachorera Hotel, approximately two blocks from the main bus terminal.
Arrival by bus
If you decide to take public transport, this is also a safe and reliable way to arrive in Santa Fe. The main bus terminal in Albrook Station Panama City provides buses to Santiago at 9 USD per person. Once in Santiago, you will have to change to a smaller coaster bus to reach Santa Fe at 3 USD per person. Please keep in mind the last bus to Santa Fe leaves at 6:00 p.m. Your accommodation is a short walk or a 2 USD taxi ride from the bus terminal in Santa Fe.
Airport: Tocumen International Airport
Airport transfer available:
Tocumen International Airport (US$500 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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