W&E Brazil riding holidays summary
Wild and Exotic offers three diverse 8 night riding safaris in Brazil: ride along the golden sands of Bahia, at altitude seeing canyons and waterfalls, or amongst the lush flora and fauna on the Pantanal. You can chose whether you want to swim rivers with your horse, swim in waterfalls, fish for piranha, or indulge in a plethora of bird and wildlife watching: there is something for everyone. Each ride is for the intermediate rider, and are interjected with leisurely picnics and siestas.
Wild & Exotic Bahia beach ride
Brazil is known throughout the world for Rio, its beaches and the excitement of Carnival, but when native Brazilians travel to the coast they head for the golden sands and emerald seas of Trancoso in Bahia. One of the earliest settlements founded by the Portuguese in Brazil (1586), Trancoso is a village of incredible natural beauty. Its ideal year round warm climate coupled with the intimacy and privacy of a small village offer the perfect escape for those seeking exotic location and the best beaches in Brazil. Below the cliffs of the village you will find wonderful beaches bordered to the north and south by rivers flowing into the sea. In Trancoso area you will find small natural pools, preserved rain forest and many kilometres of unspoiled white sand beaches: the perfect place to do beautiful rides with canters by the water.
Itinerary
Day 1: You will be met and collected on arrival at Porto Seguro airport and transferred to the Pousada do Outeiro. You will be given an introduction of our program and the region. Dinner held in the Pousada. Overnight Pousada do Outeiro.
Day 2: After a prompt breakfast at 8:00 am you will be transferred the short five minute car trip to the Polo Field, where you will be introduced to your horse. After familiarizing yourself with your mount we leave for our first ride to the Jacuma Beach up to “Barra do Rio dos Frades”. We will visit the “Indian Native Village of Imbiriba” and meet the Pataxó Indians and see their traditional dance and their handicraft. We will have lunch at the Bigode’s ( typical local restaurant) after which we visit Elmas Forest Wood Design Project. We returning afterwards to the Pousada Outeiro for dinner.
Day 3: After breakfast we leave the Pousada to ride to Transcoso. Trancoso is a charming village located in a particularly stunning part of the coast of Bahia, worldwide famous by its dazzling beaches, seashore cliffs, rivers and lagoons. We set off crossing the Outeiro on to Trancoso Village through the Buffalo Farm. As we ride along deserted beaches we have the opportunity of some lovely canters by the sea. In Trancoso our Guest House is in the heart of the village. Tonight dinner is your choice as there many wonderful, lively restaurants to chose from close to the guest house.
Day 4: This morning we ride to the old fishing village of Caraiva Village approximately 11kms. Again, we will enjoy cantering along the beach en route. The arrival at Caraiva is breath taking, where Caraiva River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The large and turbulent river is surrounded by mangroves and crossed by all kinds of canoes and boats. On the other side, a series of small coloured houses are shadowed by coconut palm trees: a beautiful and unforgettable view! Once in Caraiva the horses spend the night with our local guide in a farm in New Caraiva, and we cross the Caraiva River by boat. It is incredibly calm, and charming to walk around the village on its sand-covered streets as vehicles are prohibited here. We lodge in the Pousada Cores do Mar., and have dinner in the French Man`s Pizza Place.
Day 5: After breakfast we start our ride south in the direction of Corumbau Village. After one hour riding along the beach, we leave the beach towards the Indian Area on the Barra Velha Village side. We cross their native village until the Cultural Centre Porto do Boi – Reservation Tapuruma next to the River Bridge. Afterwards we walk through the forest on a trail that leads us up to the bridge to catch our boat. Our horses return to Caraiva with our guides and we start our navigation on the River up to the Caraiva Village with the optional “Boia” (water ring). On returning to Caraiva Village we cross the river with our horses and return by boat. For those that are strong swimmers, there is the opportunity to swim with the horses, tide permitting. Horses spend the night in the same farm with our guide. We have our late lunch at Para restaurant and overnight again in the Pousada Cores do Mar.
Day 6: Today we ride from Caraiva to Outeiro much of which is along the beach. The end of the ride is in the stables where we say good bye to our horses and local guides. Lunch in the Pousada do Outeiro. This afternoon is free to relax on the Outeiro Beach and in the Club House
Day 7: In the morning you will be transferred to the airport in Porto Seguro.
Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is available on this website under the general info tab.
Wild & Exotic canyons & waterfalls ride
Day 1: On arrival at Porto Alegre airport you will be met and transferred (4 to 5 hours) to the area of the highest point of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (1.400 meters) at Pousade Fazenda Monte Negro where you will acclimatize to the high altitude, and enjoy a welcoming dinner on this comfortable ranch. Overnight at Pousada Fazenda Monte Negro.
Day 2: The first day is ranch based, as you get used to the horses and the altitude. After a breakfast we go on the first ride: a spectacular start to the trip as we pass through the peak of Monte Negro, with a horizon of majestic landscapes. We return to the ranch for a good lunch and afterwards, continue riding in the beautiful surrounding coutryside, by canyons, cliffs and fields before returning to the warm hospitality of the gauchos at the ranch. . Around 5 hours on horseback. Overnight at Pousada Fazenda Monte Negro
Day 3: After a hearty breakfast we start riding towards Potreirinho, which is a typical ranch surrounded by a beautiful river. We stop for a delicious picnic lunch in front of a beautiful waterfall after which we continue riding on trails with spectacular views and pass through the forests of Araucaria, until we reach the ranch. Around 6 hours on horse back. Overnight Potrierinho.
Day 4: In the morning we leave the ranch to ride to Cachoeirão (Big Waterfall), the biggest and most impressive waterfall that we see during the ride. After a photo stop, we continue riding on trails with majestic landscapes passing through some farms, until we reach the ranch of our guide, Eliseu. His family will be waiting for us with a special brunch. We say goodbye to our horses and guide and move by vehicle (1 hour) to Fazenda São Gonçalo, a traditional farm where a special dinner (gaucho barbecue) will be waiting for us. Around 6 hours on horseback. Overnight Fazenda São Gonçalo.
Day 5: After a good breakfast we leave with our new horses to see more stunning canyons and cliffs, locally referred to as “the peirais of the Aparados”. On this day we will have a picnic lunch at the Cachoeira das 7 mulheres (Waterfall of 7 women), so called as it was the film site of filming for a famous television series! This is a fabulous place to have a refreshing swim in the “pool” of the waterfall. Around 5 hours on horseback. Overnight Fazenda São Gonçalo.
Day 6: This morning we are transferred by vehicle (40 minutes) to where our horses will be waiting for us. From here we start our beautiful ride traversing canyons, fields and forests of the area. During this day we will see many waterfalls and have a lazy picnic lunch and siesta on the banks of a river while our horses rest in the shade of the forest nearby. After eating, we continue our ride covering an area of outstanding beauty: we will experience the greatness of the Atlantic rain forest in the lower part of canyons with fields stretching across the plateau, and ferns lilies and bromeliads blanketing the rich slopes. At the end of the day we arrive at the ranch of our guide, Alencar. We say goodbye to our horses and guide, and drive (45 minutes) to the Pousada Fazenda Baio Ruano. Our special farewell dinner will be in a typically atmospheric restaurant in the small village of Cambara do Sul. Around 6 hours on horseback. Overnight Pousada Fazenda Baio Ruano.
Day 7: After breakfast you will be transferred by vehicle to Porto Alegre airport(3 hours transfer).
Note: The itinerary can be changed due to weather conditions and availability on the ranches.
Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is available on this website under the general info tab.
Wild & Exotic Pantanal ride
Day 1: On arrival you will be transferred to the Daniel’s BM, located in the Rio Negro region which is the most preserved region of the Pantanal. You will be immediately struck by the abundance of wildlife and nature. After lunch you will receive a brief presentation of the program before leaving for a boat tour on the Rio Negro/Black River: an idyllic setting that serves as an introduction to the Pantanal. This will be your first opportunity to see Pantanal fauna and you are also likely to see also capybara, caiman, giant otter, otter and many birds – more than 360 are cataloged in this region.
Day 2: After breakfast, we will visit the corral where the presentation of the troops will be following the tradition of the Pantanal, organizing the horses “online”. And then we start the ride by fields, savannahs, forests, mountain ranges, bays and salt marshes that serve as the backdrop for bird and wildlife watching. We will have a picnic lunch that is typical of lunches during in the cattle drives. Around 5 hours ride
Day 3: This morning we leave early to ride until we reach Capao farm,. En route we will visit an authentic school of Pantanal, Rio Negro School. After a good siesta after lunch under the trees, we start our journey on horseback along the banks of Vazante Castelo, whose landscape changes as we left the Rio Negro region. We will ride about 3 hours to reach the Fly Camp Refuge Primavera, which as the name implies, is a true refuge in the middle of the Pantanal. Tonight you will have a unique experience sleeping in a hammock with lighting by lanterns, in the middle of Pantanal. The Refuge has a comfortable infrastructure: a hall with screens to protect against insects, bathrooms and a kitchen. * it is very nice to sleep on hammocks, but for those who don’t like it, we can provide a mattress instead of hammock . Approximately 5 hours ride
Day 4: The glorious sounds of the birds in the trees around the Refuge will wake you. This morning you will ride to explore the surrounding area and return for a lunch at the Refuge. After a snooze in your hammock you will walk a few meters to the big water Baia and have the experience of fishing Piranha, and that evening you will taste the delcious Piranha soup made with the fish that you caught! Around 3 hours ride
Day 5: After an early breakfast, depart for BP Farm. We will ride along the beautiful landscape of Vazante Castelo, where we will enjoy the lush Pantanal flora and fauna with incredible and untouched scenery. We will ride through an open landscape, surrounded by native forest (cerrado), along the shores of Vazante. This is a great opportunity for bird and wildlife watching. En route we will be met by the support vehicle at Retiro Sao Luis, where we will pause for a tereré* (a drink typical in the mid-West of Brazil, made with yerba-mate and cold water). we continue riding along the Vazante Castelo, enjoying a picnic on the way, until the BP Farm, where we will spend the next few days. Around 6 hours ride.
Day 6: After breakfast, we leave on horseback until the pasture where herds of Pantaneiro horses are breed. We will have the opportunity to observe the behaviour of the stallion in contact with our horses, when they approach his “family”. Return to the farm for lunch and after a good rest, in the afternoon we drive to the Bay for the experience of piranha fishing. Around 5 hours ride.
Day 7: We will have an early departure after breakfast so that we enjoy the sunrise while we ride. On this last day, we will attend an authentic culture of the Pantanal, following the Pantaneiro cowboys on their work with cattle. Around 5 hours ride.
Day 8: Depending on the weather, you still will be able to do some activity in the morning before return to Campo Grande.
Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is available on this website under the general info tab.
Brazil general information and map
Capital: Brasilia
Getting there: British airways flies direct to Sao Paulo. Flights from London to Sao Paulo take approximately 11 hours.
Time: GMT minus 3 hours
Try not to miss: Mato Grosso in the Pantanal, covering some 143,000 square miles of lowland savannah, forest scrub and pasture that floods during the wet season. Best experienced during the dry season from May to September, the Pantanal is home to alligators, wood ibis, cougars, snakebirds, hawks, deer, herons, howling monkeys and over 600 species of bird. There are also extensive ranches where herds of beef cattle are tended by cowboys or Peos and guests are welcome to stay.
The Amazon and her tributaries flow through 3.5 million aces of virgin rainforest, which can be explored either by boat or from the base of an eco lodge, where you can interact with both the wildlife and indigenous local communities that inhabit this vast and unique ecosystem. According to scientists, the Amazon is home to nearly 30% of all species on the planet and as many as 3,000 different kinds of fish.
The Fernando de Noronha archipelago, which lies 360kms off the north east coast of mainland Brazil and 4 degrees south of the Equator. The archipelago consists of 21 islands and has been described as paradise by those lucky enough to have visited. Wild and Exotic has a selection of charming posadas from which to enjoy superb snorkelling, diving and boating in the aquamarine waters – or simply relax on a beach.
Rio de Janeiro in February for the most colourful and glamorous carnival in the world. To recover head up the coastline to the elegant resort of Buzios, located on a peninsula that boasts 25 beaches surrounded by the shimmering Atlantic ocean 2 ½ hours drive from Rio. Despite its fashionable status, Buzios has retained the charm of cobbled streets and elegant boutique hotels, including our favourite, Casas Brancas.
Visas: No visa is required for visits of up to 90 days for UK citizens.
Why Brazil: For the Amazon rainforest, the Rio de Janeiro carnival and her fabulous beaches.
