The Coconut Trail Ride

8 Days  |  From £pp

Brazil ( Best airport: Maceió)

Brazil is all about tropical heat and breathtaking nature. But when it comes to beaches, the north-east of the country is the place to be. And that’s exactly where Paul, your equestrian guide, is taking you: to the state of Alagoas, where you’ll gallop along endless beaches. From the saddle, you’ll sip fresh coconut water as you take in some of the most beautiful tropical scenery you’ve ever seen.

 

The Riding

On this 8 day trip, 6 days are spent on horseback, the itinerary will take you over colourful cliffs, across rivers, up huge sand dunes, through mangroves, Atlantic rainforests and along miles of deserted, pristine beaches fringed with coconut palms. On average, you’ll ride for around 4 hours a day – with some early morning rides – arriving each time around midday at the next pousada or beach house by the sea, where you’ll be greeted with a glass of Caipirinha, the national drink.

 

After an exceptionally tasty dinner (seafood being the speciality of the region), a good night’s rest awaits you, so that you’re ready for another morning of adventure in the saddle. At breakfast, fresh tropical fruit will be served, while the horses are prepared for another magnificent day riding along part of Brazil’s 8,000 km coastline.

The ride ends in Penedo, a colonial village at the mouth of the São Francisco river, one of the largest in Brazil. Its baroque churches, convents and houses remind us of the era of Portuguese and Dutch colonisation. A perfect setting for a last night in the Alagoas. Welcome to the liveliest, most colourful and most coconut-like state in the country! 🙂

Level of Riding and Fitness

Suitable for intermediate to experienced riders. You need to be confident on a horse at all gaits. The gait is varied and includes walk, trot and canter.

Rider weight limit: 90 kilos

If you weigh more than 90kg, please contact us to discuss the availability of additional horses for you. A supplement of 50 USD/day pp will bne chgarged for the additional horse if the rider’s weight is greater than 90 kilos

Guides and Group Size

Tour leader and guide, Paul has over 30 years’ experience as a horse riding guide, leading trails in  over 50 countries including Singapore, Australia Argentina and Brazil, perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world?! Paul first came to Brazil in 1989, drawn to the beauty of the country, the great horse culture and the hospitality of the Brazilians. He usually guides the riding trips himself, supported by trusty gauchos, and assures you of one of the best horse treks in South America. Paul speaks six languages and has a great sense of humour. The group size on these trails is from 7 to 12 riders.

The Horses

The horses on this trail are the Mangalarga Marchador breed, a Brazilian horse breed renowned for its comfortable gait and docile temperament.  Originating in Brazil, this breed was developed from Lusitanian and Andalusian horses brought over by Portuguese settlers and crossed with local breeds. Excitingly it is also a gaited horse with four distinct paces – walk, canter and two Marcha gaits – the Marcha batida and the Marcha picada. Best of all, these horses love the sea and the beach so need little encouagement to get their hooves wet!

Tack and Riding Equipment

Brazilian and Australian saddles are designed for comfort and stability, particularly suited to long hours on horseback, such as trail rides.

Coconut trail ride
Coconut Trail Ride

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation is in colourful guesthouses known as ‘pousadas’ or hotels. These are usually independently owned and family run. Your Brazilian hosts are friendly and cheerful and rooms are twin or double with en suite bathroom facilities. Single rooms can be available for a supplement.
Please note these are the usual options but your hosts reserve the right to use alternative accommodation (of a similar standard) should these be fully booked.
Long before Europe was talking about fusion cuisine, Brazil was already combining ingredients from different continents to create a new, typical Brazilian cuisine. Breakfast will be served at your accommodation, expect tropical fruit, eggs, toast, coffee and juice. Lunches and dinners are eaten in local restaurants for a real insight into Brazilian coastal culture. Most menus feature rice, beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. Along the coast, you’ll find more fish and prawn dishes. Churrasco, a Brazilian barbecue is always popular on this trail!

Get a free The Coconut Trail Ride mini-brochure in PDF format.

Itinerary

The Coconut Trail Ride

8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding
£pp

FOR UK CITIZENS A TRAVEL VISA IS REQUIRED FROM 24 DECEMBER 2024- PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR EMBASSY.

You can arrive at any time on your first day in Maceió. The hotel can be reached by taxi from the airport (approx. 20 km) or by bus from the airport to the main bus station ‘Rodoviaria de Maceió’, just 2.5 km from the hotel. Check-in at the hotel is possible at 2pm. Official welcome at the hotel at 18:00.

Return flight: Do not book a return flight leaving Maceió before 8pm. Staying an extra night in Maceió is sometimes the best/cheapest option (wide choice of hotels).

Single supplement: USD 600 – we cannot guarantee a single room.

Transfer included for day 8 to Maceió and airport.

Do not book flights or train tickets until you have received the booking confirmation email from SaddleTravel.co.uk.

Price Includes
  • Nights in authentic and comfortable Pousadas, hotels and beach houses. Hotels and Pousadas are based on double rooms.
  • The Beach house (2 nights) based on double and triple rooms.
  • Full board. From breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 8.
  • All drinks
  • The guides ( Paul, Simon or Chalas)
  • Emergency vehicle: transport of your personal luggage to your daily accommodation/pousada.
  • Transfer on day 8 to Maceio and the airport
  • All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except champagne and foreign brands of non-alcoholic beverages)
Price Excludes
  • Travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance are compulsory
  • Flights
  • Single supplement: only possible if a single room is available.
  • Diner on day 8
  • Transfer on day 1: From Maceió airport to hotel in Maceio
  • Tips