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The adventure starts in Coxilha Rica, a high plateau in the interior of the Southern state of Santa Catarina. Here at an altitude of about 1000m above sea level, in the heart of gaucho territory, you will be welcomed with open arms on an old Fazenda (Brazilian for hacienda) by Paul and his Gaúcho friends. Flemish-born Belgian Paul Coudenys is one of the pioneers of the international equestrian tourism in Europe (HippoTrek). Paul, together with his gaucho companion Daniel will be your host and riding guide during your entire riding holiday. For eight (8) days you will be immersed in the most appealing horse culture in the world.
The “Criollo” horse is just as legendary, an intelligent animal with unequaled stamina as well as being fast and highly manouverable and a joy to ride. If you are dreaming of a unique equestrian experience and a thoroughly authentic riding holiday...... Well, this is it! The locals of Santa Catarina will welcome you in traditional style! And this is just the start...
After a traditional first night at Fazenda do Barreiro we will saddle up our criollo horses (very comfortable authentic saddles) and leave for a 6-day trip from Fazenda to Fazenda. (8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback) The beauty and huge expanse of the pampas with its rolling hills are difficult to put into words. Livestock farms (Fazendas) with thousands of acres are the ideal playground to test the temperament of your criollo horse....and there are no roads or paths to follow, just simply pull yourselves across the great outdoors at a gallop or a canter... your riding dreams will all be realized.
On average, we will be 6 to 7 hours per day in the saddle, make our way across rolling grasslands, riding through Araucaria forests, crossing pristine rivers and, in general, off the beaten track of southern Brazil. This is gaucho country so should we come across a cattle “round up” we will be happy to help. What is work for them is fun for us! During the “cutting” (sorting the cattle on horseback) you’ll be surprised at just how agile your criollo horse is! Every evening means a different Fazenda, colonial Fazendas where time has stood still with rooms filled with antique furniture and large country kitchens, a perfect atmosphere to sample the local brew Chimarão (maté, a sort of tea) and Pinga (local rum).
Gauchos are not only tough men but also romantic souls. Guitar and accordion will appear more often than not, and the serenade is of lost loves and the good old days, this while mama is roasting the best meat in the world. A fantastic relaxed gaucho atmosphere, which is pure and sincere.
Multilingual Paul guides you through each experience and answers all inquiries whilst leading you through this unique experience. This is not a tourist trip where you're just a number ... but a gathering of riding friends among themselves. With pride, friendliness, and hospitality the gaucho families open their doors for you, let you ride their best horses and guide you in their territory. Riding the gaucho way, living the gaucho way!
Brasil Gaucho do Brasil ~ Horse Trail® Level required for riders: Suitable for intermediate to experienced riders.You should be confident on a horse at all paces. The pace is varied to include walk, trot, and canter. Language: Portuguese is the official language. Many Brazilians are monolingual. TRAVEL insurance We request you take a travel Insurance. Ask your local insurance company or travel agent about it. You will not be allowed to participate at the “Entre Orejas” riding holiday program without having a Personal Travel & Medical Insurance Total duration: 8 Days 7 Nights Horsing : 6 days (Average of 6 hours per day) Mount types: Comfortable Gaucho-saddles Horses: Brazilian criollos (Crioulo in Portuguese) Pace: Walk, trot and canter Luggage: Your personal luggage is transported during the trek to the various stopovers. Limitations: Weight: Riders weight limit: 120 Kg Age: Minimum age is 12 years, only allowed if accompanied by an adult. Minimum of participants: 4 Pax Maximum of participants: 12 Pax
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Accommodation: nights in authentic, rustic and comfortable farm rooms in different fazendas. Based on double-rooms, some fazendas have 3 & 4 bedded rooms.
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Meals: full board. (From dinner first day to breakfast last day).
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Open Bar - All you can drink
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Guides & Gaúchos: professional and multilingual guides – Trip leader: Paul, Simon, or Chalas. Furthermore, you will be accompanied by local Gauchos. The guides are equipped with cell phones so they can call for assistance if needed.
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Backup Vehicle: brings your personal luggage to the daily overnight place/Fazenda.
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Horses & tack, including saddle bags and raincoats.
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Transfer: From the Airport of Florianopolis (FLN) to the Fazenda and vice-versa.
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Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance are Mandatory: ask your local insurance company or travel agent about it. You will not be allowed to participate in the "Entre Orejas" riding holiday program without having both of these personal travel insurance.
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Flight: international and local flights are not included. Gateway is Florianopolis (FLN)
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Single Supplement: only possible if we have a single room available and in case we have single a room is not extra charged.
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Personal expenses
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Tips: (optional)
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Booking Sales Tax: USD 33,00 per person per payment.
We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location, and difficulty of terrain In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding.
Only 200 km away from Coxilha Rica you will find Florianopolis, the most splendid coastal city of southern Brazil. We will be glad to help you to arrange an optional extension to the coast. Rather go somewhere else in the country?…you can fly from Florianopolis to all major cities in Brazil. Flying time to São Paulo: 40 minutes, to Foz do Iguaço waterfalls: 40 minutes, and only 1 hour from Rio de Janeiro and Argentina.
Do not worry, you can individually register/book and join a group with other riders. Most participants are people who register individually and may just like you, not know the other riders in your group. Since everyone has the same points of interest (horseback riding, nature, travel, culture) there is always a good atmosphere and understanding among the participants. Participants come from all corners of the world, so you can be part of a group with riders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, France, Sweden, Canada, USA, Australia, and many others countries. Your friends are suddenly so much more international! :) A standard group consists of 6 to 15 riders. In general, there are as many females as male participants.
Most European and South American citizens do not need a visa to travel to Brazil. Citizens from the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan need a visa for Brazil. Contact a Visa Agent or Brazilian Consulate/Embassy in your country for more info.
Our trail-riding holiday is not a dude ranch vacation where you stay in a tourist ranch-hotel and where you're just a number, but a riding holiday where you stay on authentic working Fazendas (ranches)
The rooms and comfort during your stay: without any fancy hotel service. So we will stay in guest rooms at the house of gaucho families. One Fazenda might be a bit more simple than the other, but all Fazendas are authentic, colonial, cozy and very clean. The Fazendas do not all have a standard type of room. Most rooms are double rooms, some fazendas also have 4 bedded rooms with connecting bathroom. There always awaits you a soft bed and a good shower
During our holiday we eat delicious homemade Santa Catarina dishes at the Fazendas. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Fazendas.
Brazil has not always the best reputation for safety and crime. This is primarily and almost exclusively in large cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Recife. The state of Santa Catarina and its capital city Florianópolis is quiet and completely safe. Our ride passes through the region of Coxilha Rica where there is no need to worry at all!
Valid international passport.
Travel Insurance.
Pocket money (you can change EUR/£/USD in the airport).
A sweater and a jacket.
4 or 5 T-shirts and minimum 1 a shirt with long sleeves.
Jodhpurs or jeans to ride with.
Riding shoes or boots / riding shoes with mini-chaps or long chaps.
(Gaucho boots can be bought on location).
A second pair of shoes for the evening.
Swimsuit.
Comfortable clothing + a Hat.
One towel.
Toiletries.
Sun Cream.
Camera.
* We have raincoats and saddle bags available for you.
*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!).
A gaucho is a cowboy or vaquiero from Southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. They are descendants of European immigrants and in some regions Gaúchos also have Indian blood.
They are often described as strong, honest, proud, silent types. However, the gaucho is also a colourful character, known for occasional rebel-rousing, but always respected. Gauchos were, and still are, master horse riders. They are also adept at the use of boleadoras (also known as bolas)
The Gaucho culture and way of life is still very present in Southern Brazil. UNESCO has launched a project to protect the Gaucho culture and quotes as follows: "The gaucho way of life is the liveliest equestrian culture in the World".
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