Brazil - a countryside of superlatives. The largest countryside in South America with the largest rainforest, the mightiest river, the longest beach and the most colorful carnival in the world. In addition to the world-famous metropolises of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the south around the town Florianópolis has also made a name for itself. Not far from there, in the hinterland, the original life of the Brazilian gauchos awaits you. Here, in the endless expanses and green hills of the state of Santa Catarina, you can immerse yourself in the traditional life of the Brazilians. This region still lives from agriculture. Many fazendas, which run livestock farms, have been here for over 200 years in some cases. It almost goes without saying that it is not only the cattle that enjoy the vast grazing areas, but also rider. Unlimited terrain provides countless riding opportunities without restrictions. Along the way, you can stop for a drink or snack at a fazenda and make contact with the hospitable locals.

Itinerary

Day 1: Your guide Paul will be waiting for you at Florianópolis airport. Transfer (approx. 3-hour drive) to Coxilha Rica and Fazenda Chapada near Lages. On arrival at the fazenda, you will be welcomed with a typical drink from the region. You will get to know the gauchos who will accompany you during the trip, as well as the horses. After you have settled into the cozy and comfortable double rooms on the fazenda. After a delicious dinner, you can enjoy the evening at the bar of the fazenda, where the local gauchos will perform some songs of the region. 

Day 2: After breakfast, you ride towards Fazenda Rodeio Bonito at around 9:00 am. Your route will take you through the hilly, green countryside of Araucaria, interspersed with trees and you will cross pristine rivers. After a ride of around 4 hours, you will arrive at a typical fazenda where lunch will be waiting for you. After a good meal and a siesta, you will set off again at around 14:00. We continue towards Fazenda Ferradura through the beautiful landscape of Coxilha Rica. Here you will find the well-preserved, colonial Tropeiro Route. This 250-year-old trade route was used to drive cattle and mules between Rio Grande do Sul and Argentina to Sao Paulo. The route, an approximately 4 m wide corridor made of stone , was built by slaves. The route runs for hundreds of kilometers through Coxilha Rica and the state of Santa Catarina. You follow this historic route for a few kilometers and arrive at Fazenda Rodeio Bonito around 5:30 pm. A hearty and delicious dinner is prepared for you and you spend the night at this traditional fazenda. 

Day 3: Around 9:00 a.m., after a hearty breakfast, to tack up your criollos and set off through the rugged Coxilha landscape towards Fazenda Ferradura. You trot and canter, cross rivers and pass waterfalls. At the top of a green mountain you have a fantastic panorama, just you and the unique expanses! Coxilha has been known for its cattle herds since colonial times. Most of the cattle ranches (fazendas) cover thousands of hectares and are more than 200 years old. You arrive at a small farm where a fantastic lunch is prepared for you. In the afternoon you take an other 3.5 hours ride before you arrive back at Fazenda Rodeio Bonito. After a refreshing shower and a delicious dinner, a comfortable bed awaits you at the colonial fazenda.

Day 4: In the morning, we set off again on horseback at around 9.00 am to the high pampas of Coxilha Rica. The view is breathtaking! The horses, the gauchos, the landscape, the atmosphere in the group and the feeling of freedom are breathtaking! After an outdoor lunch, we continue to the next fazenda. Fazenda Lua Cheia is your host for the evening. Enjoy the atmosphere during a lavish asado with live gaucho music and later a deep sleep. 

Day 5: After breakfast you tack up your horses and set off for todays ride. Today is a real gaucho day! And if you want, you can help the gauchos round up the cattle from horseback. Driving the herd is always great fun! They drive the herd to the corrals, where they are either vaccinated or receive treatment. Here you can experience the gauchos at their daily work. If you decide not to actively participate, you can simply watch. Would you like to learn how to throw a lasso properly? The gauchos will teach you the tricks of the trade! After lunch, you continue your ride in the direction of Fazenda Sâo Joâo. Once there, you can enjoy a well-earned shower and then a good meal, a cold beer or a warm pinga (local rum) awaits you.

Day 6: After breakfast you prepare the horses and gallop through the wide open spaces. On the way, you will pass by other groups of gauchos working witht heire animals. These South American cowboys still live and work as they did 100 years ago. The gauchos and horses are a perfect match and their lives are closely interwoven. Uphill, downhill, one slope steeper than the next, the ride invites you to gallop gently again and again. It is a pleasure to ride these horses! You arrive at the Fazenda Ferradura and feel right at home. Dinner and overnight stay at the fazenda.

Day 7: Strengthened by breakfast you prepare your horses for the last day of riding. You will be out and about all day and once again see a lot of the varied and fertile landscape. Towards evening you reach the Fazenda da Chapada. Here you are welcomed with caipirinhas and can look forward to an exuberant evening of dancing. Enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the gauchos once again.

Day 8: After a final breakfast, you say goodbye to the Fazenda da Chapada at around 8:00 am. Transfer to the airport or Florianópolis city center for a beach extension.

Subject to change, order of days may vary.Would you like to go to the beach after a week of riding? Just 200 km from Coxilha Rica you will find Florianopolis, the most famous coastal city in southern Brazil. Or would you prefer to go somewhere else in countryside? You can fly on from Florianopolis to all of Brazil's major cities. Flight time to São Paulo: 40 minutes, to the Iguazu Falls: 40 minutes, and only 1 hour to Rio de Janeiro and Argentina.

Accomodation
Accommodation on this tour is mostly in double rooms, rarely in shared rooms for up to 4 people. The traditional fazendas are the Brazilian equivalent of a classic Working Ranch, with lots of countryside and cattle. The accommodation is rather basic, but with a direct connection to the gaucho families.

Saddle & Tack: Brazilian/South American (western-style) with curb bit (neck reining) and sheepskin saddles.

Experience: Saddle fit in all gaits and with trailexperience.

Horses: Criollos and some Curly Horses (also suitable for people with allergy).

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