Brazil - Beaches and Fazendas of Rio

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Day 1
Transfer to the stables. After a presentation about the horses and an orientation briefing covering the ride, head to the Camboinhas Beach Pousada hotel (or similar) located only 50 meters from the beautiful and peaceful beach of Camboinhas.

Day 2
Today's trail starts in the Serra da Tiririca Ecological Park forest, passing the area once covered by Charles Darwin in 1832. After crossing a mountainous path the route follows a dirt road to Praia de Itaipuaçu. After a ride on the beach, stop for lunch and return to the Ranch. Overnight at the Camboinhas Beach Pousada hotel (or similar).

Day 3
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Ranch for a morning beach ride. Stop for lunch at a scenic spot before heading back to the Camboinhas Beach Pousada hotel (or similar).

Day 4
After breakfast, transfer to the Pao Grande farm in Paty Alferes (2.5hrs), set in the mountainous heart of the old Vale do Café, steeped in history, and with beautiful landscapes. In the afternoon the group visit the award-winning Pao Grande horse stud farm, home to over 350 horses. Overnight at the historic Fazenda Pao Grande for the next 4 nights.

Day 5 - 7
Over the next 3 days tride for about 4 hours a day, passing through the eucalyptus plantation at Fazenda da Posse, Vila Rica Farms and Aldeia Farm (Sucupira) to visit the agroforestry coffee plantation, Fazenda Santa Lúcia. Cross areas of forest and pasture, home to around 100 breeding mares belonging to Haras Pao Grande. There are also abundant cattle herds here and riders will encounter a lot of Nellore (Brahman) cattle in the pastures (the farm has around 1,000 of them). This is also the location of the Remonta Instruction Field of the Brazilian Army.

8th day
Departure after breakfast to the airport.

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.

This ride gives the chance to experience the gaited Mangalarga Marchador horse. It is the national breed of Brazil derived from the Portuguese Lusitano crossed with local Criollo stock. They are approx 15.2hh, responsive and forward going.

Intermediate and above.

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

Four nights accommodation at a modern hotel 50m from the beach with free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a year-round indoor pool, double-twin en-suite rooms with air conditioner and TV and on site cafeteria / restaurant.

Three nights are spent in an historic Fazenda building restored to its colonial glory. The fazenda is decorated with interesting antiques and offers comfortable rooms and amenities, with shared bathrooms.

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

The climate in this area is tropical, with summer rainfall. Rio de Janeiro is in the Southern Hemisphere. The balmy days of Summer commence at the end of January and conclude in December. This period encompasses the months: December, January, February, March. The best time to travel is January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December.

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.

Wi-Fi Signal and cell coverage available each evening at accommodation. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the group's permission 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

It will be hot during the day and cool in the evenings

*Medical Travel Insurance is mandatory

8 day / 7 night / 5 riding day programme available year-round on request.

2025: 7 Apr; 5 May; 2 Jun; 7 Jul; 4 Aug; 8 Sept; 6 Oct
Other dates available on request between April - October

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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 many species of animals and plants living in 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)

Around 156,000 British nationals visit Brazil each year.