Brazil - Beaches, Dunes and Mangrove Trail

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from AH of Bury St Edmunds on 30/10/2023

2025 ITINERARY:
Day 1
Fly to Maceio, or to Rio and take a short connecting flight to Maceio, the capital of the Alogas region of Brazil. After check in at the hotel, meet the guides for a full briefing before enjoying a relaxed welcome dinner with the group.

Day 2
After breakfast, leave early to meet the horses at the beach of Jequiá. Once guests have been partnered with the ideal horse, set off for a relaxing ride to get used to the horses. Ride the deserted beaches, flanked by cliffs of multi-coloured rocks and coconut trees. The destination today is the Marapé Dunes, lying between the river and the sea. In the middle of preserved mangroves, leave the horses to delight us with a boat trip along the mangroves, we take a refreshing bath river and the sea. The Sunset here is stunning. Overnight at Pousada - Dunes de Marapé. 2 hours riding.

Day 3
Enjoy the view of the sand dunes over breakfast on the terrace before saddling the horses and setting off for another day exploring this tropical coastline. Ride along deserted beaches lined with coconut trees and appreciate the lush vegetation of the Atlantic rainforest. On this part of the trail guests will be able to see barrier reefs from the saddle. The destination today is the Pontal do Coruripe beach with its lighthouse. The warm, calm waters of this beach are perfect for a swim before a late lunch. Guests will stay overnight at another local Pousada. 3 hours riding.

Day 4
Today's ride heads south towards Feliz Deserto (happy desert) and crosses the mouth of the river Coruripe before stopping to sample some of the tropical fruits and coconut water. The trail continues along the beach, through small fishing villages. Just before reaching the overnight spot, see the Swiss Cargo shipwreck "The Stockholm", before checking into the beach house at Feliz Deserto, the stop for the next two nights. 5 hours riding.

Day 5
The ride starts after breakfast heading inland towards the dune complex, a protected area with a unique ecosystem and great views from the top of the dunes.. Enjoy wading or a swim in the clear waters before enjoying lunch and a siesta. Heading back to the beach house there is the opportunity for more gallops. 4 hours riding.

Day 6
The day begins by exploring the fisherman's village of Pontal do Peba with its bars and seafood restaurants. This is the starting point of the day's ride. From the saddle, explore a special area of the dunes. Look out for tropical birds, reptiles and mammals that make their home here.  End the ride at a traditional coconut farm. Overnight 'glamping' at a comfortable tent camp on the banks of a river dotted with coconut trees.  5 hours

Day 7
Enjoy breakfast before mountaing the horses to start the last riding day. Head off through a coconut forrest until reaching the huge dune complex on the way to the mouth of the São Francisco River. Ride throgh the quilombola community of Pixaim. (a quilombo is a town of escaped slaves). When reaching Foz, riders can enjoy a refreshing river swim with the horses. After snacks and refreshments, riders leave the horses and board a boat to sail to the lunch spot. End the afternoon in the colonial town of Penedo. Overnight at the Hotel. 4 hours riding

Day 8
Guests can enjoy a lie-in and late breakfast today before exploring the baroque architecture of Penedo and enjoy a final lunch at a restaurant before departing back to Maceió at around 11.30am. Please do not book a return flight leaving Maceio before 8:00 PM (20:00hrs). Staying an extra night in Maceio is sometimes the best / cheapest option (wide range of hotel choice)

 

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses on this trail are Mangalarga Marchador crossbreeds. These native horses are extremely responsive, calm and easy-going to ride. Their average height is 1.60m. The breed is the most popular breed in Brazil, and is known for its smooth gaits and stamina. Perfect for the trail! Ride in a relaxed Gaúcho style, similar to western riding and trail riding, using Brazilian/Australian saddles.

The ride is suitable for intermediate to experienced riders who are confident on a horse at all paces. The pace is varied to include walk, trot, canter and gallop so riders must be confident riding at speed in open spaces. Together with the guide you will choose your horse according to your riding level, your height, weight, and preference.

The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation on this trail is in authentic posadas, hotels, and two nights in a beach house. All are cosy, comfortable and clean. Double or twin rooms are available in the pousadas and hotels whereas the beach house accommodation (2 nights) offers either double or triple rooms. Bathrooms are shared.

Brazil has a rich cuisine with a mixture of European, Indian, African and Asian cultures, This is reflected in the way the Brazilians cook. The cuisine is varied with the main dishes mostly feature rice and beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. Each region has its own traditional dishes. As this trail meanders around the coastline the food is mainly fish and seafood, all fresh and locally sourced. Breakfast varies from place to place but guests can expect a selection of fresh, tropical fruits, yogurts and pastries.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Oct 2023 - Brazil reintroduces visa requirements for tourists from US, Australia, Canada, and Japan Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brazil. You can travel to Brazil without a visa as a tourist for up to 90 days; however Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/brazil In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/brazil

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Maceió has a typical tropical climate, specifically a tropical monsoon climate with very warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and trade winds blowing from the ocean. January is the warmest month, with mean maximum of 32 °C and minimum of 22 °C and more sun; July experiences the coolest temperatures, with mean maximum of 27 °C and minimum of 17 °C with more rain and much higher humidity.
As Maceio is surrounded by rainforest there is a lot of rain. The rainy season falls in the months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September. On average, May is the wettest month and November is the driest month.The average amount of annual precipitation is: 999.9 mm (39.37 in)

At Unicorn Trails, the health and safety of our customers is of paramount importance.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Tap water is heavily treated giving it an unpleasant chemical taste but is safe to drink in most urban areas providing it has been passed through a charcoal filter system; you should check with your hotel/restaurant management before drinking tap water. Tap water in remote areas can be unsafe even if filtered; stick to bottled mineral water, which is available virtually everywhere.

UK health authorities have classified Brazil as having a risk of Zika virus transmission and chikungunya, yellow fever and dengue are present.
Cases of dengue fever have increased, especially in the north, south-east and central-west of Brazil.
You should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Brazil and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Brazil is one of the very few countries that do not have a standard mains voltage, but at the same time it has only one official type of socket. In other words, you cannot tell the difference between a 220 V and a 127 V socket. Most states use 127V electricity, but a couple of them are on 220 V. Make sure to check with your hotel or hosts when checking in.

We recommend that you bring all required equipment, including batteries with you when you arrive. There is limited mobile phone coverage on some parts of the trail. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
• Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
• Riding boots designed for riding and walking
• Riding gloves
• Chaps
• At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
• Long sleeved shirts
• Lightweight waterproof
• Water bottle
• Mobile phone

Provided by hosts:
Raincoat
Saddlebag

Please Note: It is recommended to put your luggage in travel bag instead of a hard suitcase. 10 bags are easier to get in the backup vehicle than 10 suitcases. (thanks!)

9d /8n programme with 7 riding days available on set dates.

2025: 9 - 16 Feb; 5-12 Oct; 2-9 Nov*; 2-9 Dec* (*Confirmed)
2026: 30 Jan - 6 Feb; 11 - 18 Sep; 8 - 15 Oct; 6 - 13 Nov; 5 - 12 Dec

Cannot be guarateed

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A Death in Brazil by Peter Robb

The Violent Land by Jorge Amado 

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible onhorseback visit  www.thelongridersguild.com. 

An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com  

There are two boat trips included in this trail. One will explore the ecological preserve of the Marapé Dunes and the other is a boat tour of the San Francisco river. Both trips will provide opportunities for wildlife watching and photography.

There are many species of animals and plants living of this part of Brazil. Birds such as red-headed macaws, trogons, siriemas and corucacas and many others, are often seen. There are also azur blue jays, black birds (Gnorimopsar chopi) and coatis,capibaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) , crab-eating foxes (also interpreted as wild dogs, Pseudalopex gymnocercus ).

New species are continually being found in the Atlantic Forest. Between 1990 and 2006 over a thousand new flowering plants were discovered. Furthermore, in 1990 researchers re-discovered a small population of the black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara, previously thought to have been extinct. A new species of blonde capuchin (Cebus queirozi), named for its distinguishing bright blonde hair, was discovered in 2006.

Around 156,000 British nationals visit Brazil each year.