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Pipa Beach

Overview

The state of Rio Grande do Norte is situated on the north-eastern coast of Brazil and has one of the country's most spectacular coastlines. It hosts 310 miles (500km) of tropical, paradise beaches, many of them fronted by reefs with natural pools and backed by tall dunes or cliffs. The capital, Nat…

Highlights

  • Ride on some of the best beaches in Brazil
  • Experience the unique paces of the Mangalarga Marchador
  • Stay in a wonderful beachside hotel with pool
  • Ride through rainforests and sugar cane plantations
  • Dine on delicious local produce and seafood

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 10 riders per group
  • Average of 22 kilometres riding per day
  • Weight limit: 100kg / 220 lbs / 15 stone 10 lbs

Description

The state of Rio Grande do Norte is situated on the north-eastern coast of Brazil and has one of the country's most spectacular coastlines. It hosts 310 miles (500km) of tropical, paradise beaches, many of them fronted by reefs with natural pools and backed by tall dunes or cliffs. The capital, Natal, is on the eastern edge of the state and the beaches you visit on this ride - Tibau do Sol and Pipa - are located to the south of Natal.

Tibau do Sol has been rated one of the best beaches in the world according to Trip Advisor in 2021, and Pipa is known to be one of Brazil's premier beach destinations with dramatic landscapes, so you can be certain of glorious coastal views on this new ride from our partner in Brazil.

Spending all your nights in the same comfortable beachside hotel, you ride wonderful gaited Mangalarga Marchador horses through the varied landscapes, including sugar cane plantations, Atlantic rainforest, sand dunes and, of course, the fabulous beaches. The horses you ride are provided by an award-winning breeder who has been in the top three of the country for the last ten years.

Horses & Riding

Tack

Typical Brazilian tack. Saddles are deep seated and padded for long hours in the saddle.

Horses

You ride Mangalarga Marchador horses which originate from cross-breeding between Portuguese Alter-Real Lusitano horses and Berber horses. Mangalarga Marchadors are gaited - they have a normal walk and canter but then two ambling gaits instead of the trot - the marcha batida and marcha picada - both are very comfortable. They are fit, forward going, well mannered and a pleasure to ride.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Pipa Beach Ride is a based ride

Ages

8 years or older

Health

General good health

Weight

100kg / 220 lbs / 15 stone 10 lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

Meals are taken either at the hotel restaurant or other local restaurants - during the rides these are often beachside restaurants.

There is a wide range of quality gastronomy on offer, with an obvious emphasis on fresh seafood, but there are options for all palates. It is possible to choose different dishes each day with a host of incredible flavours. One night includes a barbecue at the stables.

Either lunch or dinner is included each day, with the other being payable locally, so you can choose to eat as much or as little as you like.

Accommodation

All nights are spent in the 3* Marinas hotel in Tibau do Sol. The hotel is on the cliffs overlooking the sea and has a great view of the sunsets. It's just a few minutes walk from the beaches and town centre of Tibau do Sol, where there are markets, a pharmacy, restaurants and bars to explore. The hotel itself has a swimming pool, a cafe bar, a sunset terrace and a creperie.

Itineraries

Pipa Beach Ride Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Your accommodation is located on a typical beach resort and so there is plenty of beach and water-based activities on offer for guests to book and take part in. These include activities such as windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, tennis, volleyball and fishing, to name a few. Activities are, of course, at an extra cost and will likely need to be arranged in advance - you can speak to the hotel reception staff if you would like ideas or help in booking any additional activities.

Travel

The nearest airport to the resort is in Natal, which is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. The airport is approximately 90 km from the resort but transfers from the airport on arrival and departure are included in the cost of the trip.

You are unlikely to find direct international flights from Europe to Natal and so should plan to take a connecting flight through the major hub airports of Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: No riding.

Transfer from Natal airport to your beach hotel, the Marinas in Tibau do Sul. Settle into your room and meet your guide who will take you to the stables to meet the owner of this stud farm. He will give you information about his award winning breeding programme - this stud is one of the top three in the country, with approximately 280 horses on-site and 50-60 foals born each year. You will be introduced to your Mangalarga horse and after a riding orientation you set off on your first short ride.

Day 2 - Tibau do Sul - Lagoa do Carcara

Riding: 24 kilometres

After breakfast you start with a ferry crossing with the horses before riding from Guarairas Lagoon to Malemba beach (you will ride through the dunes if the tide is high). The coastline is beautiful and one of the best tropical places you'll have possibly been. Before arriving at Lagoa do Carcara you stop at Rio do Pirrichiu (restaurant/bar) and Cacharia Papary (drink stop). Transfer back to your hotel by car, c. 40mins.

Day 3 - Praia de Baia Formosa - Praia da Pipa

Riding: 25 kilometres

Depart your hotel after breakfast to transfer to the horses (c. 50mins) at Baia Formosa and start riding to Barra do Cunhau. There are another couple of ferry crossings with the horses and some stops at beach huts for drinks/snacks before stopping at Sibauma restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, cross the river Catu on horseback before arriving at Chapadao de Pipa and transferring to your hotel again.

Day 4 - Haras - Tibau do Sul - Haras

Riding: 22 kilometres

After breakfast transfer c. 10 mins to the horses at Haras. Start riding through sugar cane fields and Atlantic rainforest until reaching trails to Tibau do Sul. Ride through stunning landscapes along the beaches of Tibau do Sul, Cacimbinhas and Madeiro, stopping for lunch at a beach restaurant. After lunch you return to the stables and your hotel.

Day 5 - Haras - Umari - Haras

Riding: 22 kilometres

Transfer back to the stables at Haras after breakfast and again set off riding through the sugar cane fields and Atlantic rainforest. Today you are riding towards the Umari district where you stop at a typical restaurant for top quality regional cuisine. Return to Haras for a special barbecue.

Day 6 - Haras - Praia de Sibauma

Riding: 36 kilometres

Today is a long day of riding. After your initial transfer and departure through the sugar cane, you ride 18km to the ancient indigenous village of Catu where you stop to bathe in the river and enjoy typical food and drinks. Continue riding 6km to the district of Vila Flor where you will learn about the area's historic role in the trade of slaves taken from the African continent. You will stop for lunch by a lake and visit the old Pelourinho - this where slaves were kept and traded after being unloaded from the slaving ships. After lunch, continue riding for another 12km to reach the beach on the banks of the Rio Catu estuary with the Atlantic ocean. This district of Sibauma has one of the oldest Quilombos in Brazil - these are settlements set up by escaped and freed slaves. Take time to bathe in the sea and river before transferring back to your hotel by car (c. 15mins).

Day 7 - Departure

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast transfer to the airport.

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

You should be an intermediate to experienced rider who is comfortable in all paces outdoors.
Minimum group size 4
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

At any time during: Jan. 2, 2022 - Dec. 22, 2022  (Open all year except Christmas/New Year and Carnival (usually February))

Feb. 13, 2022 - Feb. 19, 2022

March 13, 2022 - March 19, 2022

April 3, 2022 - April 9, 2022

Aug. 7, 2022 - Aug. 13, 2022

Sept. 4, 2022 - Sept. 10, 2022

Oct. 2, 2022 - Oct. 8, 2022

Nov. 6, 2022 - Nov. 12, 2022

Dec. 4, 2022 - Dec. 10, 2022

Jan. 22, 2023 - Jan. 28, 2023

Pricing

2022
Rider, sharing		 £1400 $1560 €1595
2023
Rider; Sharing		 £1540 $1715 €1750
Included 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, one other meal each day (lunch or dinner), riding as per itinerary, ferry crossings and internal transfers, airport transfers from Natal.
Not included Flights, insurance, one meal each day (lunch or dinner), drinks, tips, personal expenses.

Extras

2022 - Single Supplement £335 $375 €380
Paid to Far and Ride
2023 - Single Supplement £365 $410 €415
Paid to Far and Ride
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.