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Coconut Trail

Overview

The north-eastern Brazilian state of Alagoas is the greatest producer of coconuts in the country and its coastline comprises palm-lined, white sand beaches, clear lagoons and coral reefs. You explore this tropical paradise from the back of a Mangalarga Marchador - these beautiful horses are nat…

Highlights

  • Ride along white sandy beaches under clear blue skies
  • Canter on miles of deserted beaches
  • Enjoy fresh caught fish and famous sweet coconuts
  • Immerse yourself in the relaxed Brazilian way of life
  • Ride in the company of experienced guide Paul Coudneys

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 14 riders per group
  • Average of 4 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 100kg / 220 lbs / 15 stone 10lbs

Description

The north-eastern Brazilian state of Alagoas is the greatest producer of coconuts in the country and its coastline comprises palm-lined, white sand beaches, clear lagoons and coral reefs.

You explore this tropical paradise from the back of a Mangalarga Marchador - these beautiful horses are native to Brazil but the breed originates from Portuguese Lusitanos crossed with Barbs. They are valued for their beauty, intelligence, disposition and smooth gaits. The Mangalarga Marchador's have four paces - walk, canter and then two Marcha gaits - the Marcha batida, where the feet move diagonally like in a trot, but in an ambling gait - and the Marcha picada, which is a four-beat lateral gait. The Marcha picada creates little vertical movement and is smooth and comfortable, being similar to the paso llano of the Peruvian Paso, or the tolt of the Icelandic horse.

The itinerary takes you past coloured sea cliffs, across rivers, through sand dunes and mangrove swamps as well as into the Atlantic rain forest and down the many pristine, deserted beaches. There are typical local fishing villages to explore and delicious seafood to sample - as well as lots of coconut water to quench your thirst after pacey canters along the endless beaches.

This ride is offered by the same man who guides our Gaucho Experience ride. Paul was born in Flanders and in a previous life was a farrier. He has travelled the world leading trails and shoeing horses in many countries including Singapore, Australia and South America. Paul has ridden horses in fifty two different countries and is perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. Paul first came to Brazil in 1989 and it was love at first sight. The beauty of the country, the great horse culture and the hospitality of the Brazilians proved too great a draw and he now lives and works Brazil. After years of experience in organising and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now concentrates on his own Brazilian trail rides. He usually guides the riding trips himself, ably supported by his trusty gauchos, and assures you of the best horse treks in South America. Paul speaks six languages and has a great sense of humour, his love for life is evident if you take up one of these trails.

Horses & Riding

Tack

During the trail, you will ride in traditional Brazilian tack or Australian stock saddles. Both comprise deep-seated saddles with plenty of padding for long hours of riding. Bridles are simple western-style headstalls with typical western shank bits.

Horses

You explore this tropical paradise from the back of a Mangalarga Marchador - these beautiful horses are native to Brazil but the breed originates from Portuguese Lusitanos crossed with Barbs. They are valued for their beauty, intelligence, disposition and smooth gaits. The Mangalarga Marchador's have four paces - walk, canter and then two Marcha gaits - the Marcha batida, where the feet move diagonally like in a trot, but in an ambling gait - and the Marcha picada, which is a four-beat lateral gait. The Marcha picada creates little vertical movement and is smooth and comfortable, being similar to the paso llano of the Peruvian Paso, or the tolt of the Icelandic horse.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Coconut Trail is a trail ride

Health

No specific health requirements but you may require a Yellow Fever vaccination.

Weight

100kg / 220 lbs / 15 stone 10lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

Brazilian cuisine is a mixture of European with Indian, African and Asian cultures. The main dishes are usually rice and beans (Feijao) with sauces alongside lots of meat, fish and salads. Each region has its own traditional dishes and fish and shrimp are commonly found along the coast. Churrasco - a Brazilian BBQ is also popular.

All meals are included on the trail except for the first day.

Accommodation

Nights are spent in authentic and comfortable pousadas, hotels and beach houses. In the hotels and pousadas the rooms are double/twin, but for the two nights at the beach house they are double or triple rooms. Single rooms cannot be guaranteed every night.

Itineraries

Coconut Trail Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Riding is mainly focused into the morning so that the afternoons are free for you to enjoy the beaches and sea. On two afternoons boat trips are included - firstly through mangroves and then later in the week, along the river.

Travel

There are no direct flights to Maceio (airport code MCZ) from the UK and so you will likely have to change planes in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo in Brazil or can fly directly from Lisbon in Portugal if preferred.

On day 1 of the trail, you can arrive in Maceio at any time and can either take a taxi from the airport to the hotel or a bus to Rodoviaria de Maceio which is 2.5km from the hotel. Check-in at the hotel is from 2 pm that day and there will generally be a short briefing/introductory meeting at approx. 6 pm that same evening.

On departure, a transfer to Maceio airport is included for guests departing that day. You can expect to be back at the airport in time for flights departing after 8pm - please do not book a flight departing before this time as you will not make it back in time.

If it is difficult to accommodate this departure time on the final day then we would recommend planning to spend an extra night in Maceio instead. There is a multitude of hotels available to book with prices and standards varying from hostels to high specification beachfront hotels.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrive in Maceio, the capital of the state of Alagoas. Check-in at the hotel is from 2pm and there is a "meet and greet" scheduled for c. 6pm where you will meet your guide and receive a briefing about the coming days. Dinner is to your own account before overnighting in your hotel in Maceio.

Day 2 - Maceio - Beach of Jequia

Riding: 2 hours

After breakfast you are transferred to meet the horses on the beautiful beach of Jequia. After horse allocation you set off along this deserted beach, dotted with cliffs of multicoloured sands and coconut trees. Your destination is the Marape dunes which lie between the river and the sea. After c. 2 hours of riding you leave the horses amidst the mangroves and take a boat trip through the mangroves, including a chance to bathe in the river. Overnight in a pousada amongst the dunes.

Riding: c. 7km

Day 3 - Jequia Beach - Pontal do Coruripe

Riding: 3 hours

After breakfast in this beautiful spot, you set off riding along more deserted beaches lined with coconut trees and the lush vegetation of the Atlantic forest. Barrier reefs are visible out to sea. Your destination is Pontal do Coruripe beach with it's omnipresent lighthouse. The warm sea is perfect for a swim. After a late lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax. Overnight at a pousada. 

Riding: c. 12km

Day 4 - Pontal do Coruripe - Feliz Deserto - Pontal do Peba

Riding: 5 hours

Set off riding south towards Feliz Deserto - translated literally means Happy Desert - where you will spend two nights. Early into your ride you reach the mouth of the Coruripe river which you have to cross with the horses. Take a refreshing dip yourself and sample coconut water and tropical fruits brought by the back-up team. Re-mount and continue riding along deserted beaches and past a village where local fishermen can be seen. You'll also pass the wreck of the Swiss cargo ship The Stockholm. Your exclusive beach house awaits you with a good caipirinha - you will spend four nights here.

Riding: c. 25km

Day 5 - Pontal do Peba - Dune complex - Coconut plantations - Pontal do Peba

Riding: 4 hours

After breakfast you start riding inland, away from the beach and towards the dune complex - a protected area with a unique ecosystem and fantastic views from the top of the dunes. Continue the ride through coconut plantations and a tiny village until reaching the beach again. Return to your beach house by riding along the beach and ending with a gallop!

Riding: c. 20km

Day 6 - Pontal do Peba - Sugar Cane plantations - Pontal do Peba

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Today you'll have time to enjoy the best of the region - deserted beaches, sugar cane plantations, coconut trees and a small fishing village. You'll also be able to bathe in the sea and enjoy the local cuisine with excellent fresh seafood arriving all the time in small boats which dot the coast. Your beachfront pousada enjoys a privileged location on the beach. 

Riding: c. 20km

Day 7 - Pontal do Peba - Bonito - Potengi - Pontal do Peba

Riding: 5 hours

Depart the fishing village of Pontal de Peba and explore the sand dunes on horseback - between the dunes and coconut groves you may spot tropical birds, reptiles and mammals. Your ride ends at a traditional coconut farm in Bonitio before you head back to Ponta do Peba for a final night.

Riding: c. 15km

Day 8 - Potengi - Sao Francisco River - Penedo

Riding: 4 hours

Your final day of riding and you head through a coconut forest and across dunes to reach the mouth of the Sao Francisco river. You will ride through the Quilombola community of Pixaim (a quilombo is a town of escaped slaves). In Foz you stop to swim in the river with the horses and enjoy some more coconut water to drink. Leave the horses here and board a boat to sail the mighty river, stopping for a seafood lunch on the banks of the river. In the afternoon you will reach the colonial town of Penedo where you overnight in a hotel. Dinner is to your own account tonight.

Riding: c. 20km

Day 9 - Penedo - Maceio

Riding: No riding.

A relaxed start today. After breakfast you can walk around the town to discover the beautiful baroque style churches, old houses, theatre and convent. After lunch at a traditional restaurant overlooking the river you are transferred back to Maceio for your flight home. NB. if you are departing from Maceio this afternoon your flight should leave no earlier than 8 pm. We recommend spending an extra night to make flights easier.

Accommodation

1 night Maceio, 1 night Jequia, 1 night Coruripe, 4 nights Pontal do Peba and 1 night Penedo.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

You should be at least an intermediate rider, confident on a horse in all paces. The pace is varied to include walk, trot and canter, plus at least one gallop along the beach.
Minimum group size 7
Maximum group size 14
Departure windows

Feb. 23, 2024 - March 2, 2024

April 7, 2024 - April 15, 2024

Oct. 3, 2024 - Oct. 11, 2024

Nov. 17, 2024 - Nov. 25, 2024

Dec. 1, 2024 - Dec. 9, 2024

Pricing

2024
Rider, sharing		 £3075 $3830 €3590
Single rooms cannot be guaranteed on every night but please enquire for availability.
Included 8 nights accommodation in shared rooms, 7 days riding, all meals except dinner on days 1 & 8, transfer to Maceio airport on departure day.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, drinks, dinners on days 1 and 8, transfer from the airport to the hotel in Maceio on arrival, tips and personal expenses.

Extras

2024 - Single Supplement £480 $600 €560
Paid to Far and Ride
Single rooms cannot be guaranteed on every night but please enquire for availability
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.