RECIFE ECO LODGE - BRAZIL
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Welcome to a different experience on the Brazilian country-side! All the services provided are founded on the principles of Eco-Tourism, respecting and conserving the local natural and cultural heritages, while promoting the well-being of the local population. Run by a Swedish-brazilian family, who have been involved in community work aimed at nature conservation and sustainable development in the highland region in the area since 1995. They have been running horseback riding since 2000 and the Ecolodge has been in open since 2004. Solar energy is used as well as windmills and rainwater harvesting. The drinking water comes from a spring and a well. There are organic vegetable gardens and an ecological banana plantation, as well as free-range eggs and fresh goat's milk. It is a simple, ecological experience for people who really want to immerse themselves in this organic way of life. The people, their culture, and the colourful, intoxicating natural environment make this a really fantastic riding holiday with a difference!
SAMPLE ITINERARY - RECIFE ECO LODGE
15 day programme (The 10 day program runs on the same itinerary from the afternoon of the 4th day to the morning of the 12th day)
Day 1
The group arrives on the Thursday afternoon or evening to Recife airport Guararapes, and go by transfer to a well recommended hotel in the Old Town of Olinda, where you can rest on the terrace and feel the warm tropical breeze on your skin. Dinner is served on arrival at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
Day 2
Breakfast at 7:00 am. At 8 am the guests get to know a little about Brazilian colonial history and the Old Town of Olinda, with its beautiful views over the sea, calm streets, colored low houses, handicrafts and friendly people. Lunch is at a local restaurant beneath big palm trees.
You’ll visit the Oficina Brennand in the afternoon, a magical place of ceramic arts, surrounded by Atlantic Rainforest. The world famous artist Fransisco Brennand used to exhibit here.
In the evening we can join a Capoeira training on the street or a similar cultural event.
Dinner is at a nearby restaurant.
Day 3
Today’s excursion is to the island of Itamaracá: the project Save the Manatee and the Observatory of migratory birds at the old Fort Orange. You’ll have lunch on the Island.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit “The Man from the Northeast” museum, or another similar museum. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Day 4
This Sunday morning is free to walk on the calm streets or to do souvenir shopping in Olinda, where a large variety of handicraft and arts are on offer.
There is an OPTIONAL Visit to the Zoo where you can get to know the fauna from the Atlantic Rainforest and the steppe of the northeast of Brazil (An extra fee is charged for the transfer, interpreter and entrance fee.) Lunch is at a nearby restaurant.
In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred for 2 hours to Gravatá’s countryside in the highlands. Guests on the 14 day programme are joined be those beginning the 10 day programme. After a welcome snack with tropical fruits, you’ll be introduced to the ecological technology on the farm, see the banana plantation and get to know the horses. The day ends with a short walk in order to see the sunset with a beautiful view over the vast valley.
Tonight, you’ll have dinner at the Lodge, where traditional food and homemade bread are always served.
Day 5
An early breakfast before you’ll prepare the horses, adapt the saddles to each rider and ride out for the day. You’ll ride through a hilly landscape, with plantations of flowers, vegetables and fruits, and enormous pastures. If you’re lucky, you might be able to join the native guide when he drives the cattle from our way. At midday, you’ll arrive at a waterfall, where you can swim in it’s pool, have lunch beneath a palm canopy and rest in hammocks.
In the afternoon, the ride returns to the lodge using a different route, making a visit to a smallholding and there’s the opportunity to canter before arriving at the lodge by sunset.
After 5-6 hours on the horseback, you’ll enjoy your dinner at the lodge!
Day 6
After an early breakfast you’ll go by car to an old fashion Horse and Cattle fair. You’ll also go to the biggest Handicraft-market in Brazil, and visit a farm to learn about cattle holding. Lunch in Gravatá.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit to a local artist and a Street kid project and arrival back at the Lodge after sunset for dinner.
Day 7
After breakfast the horses are prepared you’ll ride out down to the "green steppe". Here the climate is warmer and drier, but still is blessed with the water that comes from the highlands, where water is a rich source. You’ll have lunch at a bar in an interesting village and then rest in the shadow of the church, where the people gather on the church’s steps. You’ll go back up the hills in the afternoon arriving at the lodge at sunset.
Day 8
The day starts with a later breakfast. Today you’ll learn how to harvest a banana stock. Then you’ll visit the neighbours’ organic plantation by foot, and join in the production of a basket made from lianas and a carpet made from dried banana leaves! Lunch is served back at the Lodge.
The afternoon ride has several stops. You’ll learn about the way of life of some peasant farmers and their kids in the Green Valley, bathe in a beautiful little damn surrounded by big bamboo-trees, and visit the hosts home in their solar energy house. You’ll get to know the plantation of shadow-coffee, and the happy hens that produce the Lodge’s eggs and we can see them fly up to the branches to have their night’s sleep. You’ll also visit a flower-producer and a little social project in the village. Here you can the join children learning to make handicrafts from recyclable materials and taking care of their environment. You might have the opportunity to some of their work.
Day 9
Today you’ll get to know a little bit more about the rainforest. You can bathe in the river and ride and walk carefully on the trails Lunch is at a peasant farmers’ home where you can sample cactus marmalade with cream crackers and tropical juice. On the way back there is the chance to have some good canters.
Day 10
You’ll take the local bus at 6 o’clock to the town where you’ll also have breakfast. You’ll experience the “free” markets: vegetables, fruits, meat, cereals, second-hand, animal, clothes and others. We also visit two horse/tack shops.
After lunch at a self-service restaurant, you’ll visit a stud farm and get to know the Brazilian pure breed horse Mangalarga Marchador, whose ‘tölt’ can be experience in a ride in the neighbourhood.
Day 11
At 5 a.m. you’ll prepare the horses and ride out over the day. The ride takes the road through the MST-settlement (MST means Movement for Landless Rural Workers) where you can have a lot of good canters before the day gets hot, and arrive at the waterfall some hours later. You can have a swim in the waterfall, have breakfast and rest in the hammocks beneath the palm-roof or at the waterfall.
As an OPTIONAL extra for those who still have energy, two extra activities are offered. There is a walk for 90 minutes on the riverside and for the most courageous you can climb down the waterfall’s cliff face, with safety belts and ropes, with a professional guide. An extra fee is charged for these activities.
After lunch and a rest in the hammocks, you ride back over the great pastures on the hills with their white cattle and beautiful panoramic views. Some good canters in the fresh afternoon winds of the mountains will finish the last day in the highlands
Day 12
An early breakfast where guests will leave the lodge. This is where the 10 day programme ends. Those on the 15 day programme still have plenty of activities ahead of them!
You’ll be driven by van to next stop, the sugar cane farm and fabric where we can see the production of syrup, raw and white sugar, and spirits. You’ll have the chance to buy these products. Lunch is taken in the local area.
The group arrives at the beach hotel in the afternoon. Dinner is taken at a restaurant near the hotel, as well as lunch the following days days. Here you are on your own, without a guide. You can have a swim in the sea, a walk on the beach or go for a boat ride.
Day 13
Breakfast at the hotel. The day is free for beach activities. Lunch and dinner at a nearby restaurant.
During the day there will be a guided raft boat tour in a mangrove area, where the seahorse is being protected.
Day 14
Another day for your own activities. Lunch and dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 15
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport in Recife where this wonderful horse riding holiday comes to an end.
Please note: Not included in the price of both programmes: 6 lunches, 5 dinners and alcoholic drinks.
NOTES - RECIFE ECO LODGE
GETTING TO Recife Airport
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers from Recife, accommodation, meals and riding as described. Bedclothes, towels and mosquito nets are provided free of charge in all bedrooms.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, drinks, tips and items of a personal nature. Meals not included in the 10 day package: 3 lunches and 1 dinner. Meals not included in the 14 day package: 6 lunches and 5 dinners.
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