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Horseback riding tours
Rides in Brazil
Intro to Brazil
Bahia Pantanal Rio de Janeiro Rio Grande do Sul
Argentina
Chile
Ecuador
Peru
Uruguay
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Darwin's Rain Forest Trail
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
In 1832 the Atlantic Rainforest overwhelmed Charles Darwin with its spectacular beauty and biological diversity. On this trail you ride through these exuberant forests of ancient trees and see a little of what enchanted the young Darwin.
Rio de Janeiro State has some of the best-preserved parts of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil thanks, in part, to the inaccessibility of some of the mountainous areas. Birdwatchers will discover an enormous variety of birds; the Atlantic Rainforest is also rich in reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. The vegetation
is thick and lush and fantastic. Many trees are absolutely dripping with epiphytes and there are an enormous variety of orchids
and bromeliads.
During the week you ride on narrow tracks through the rain forest, over pastures, crossing rivers and following winding mountain trails. The dramatic mountains of this area can be seen all the way from the city of Rio de Janeiro.
You ride during the week on one of the well trained Mangalarga Marchador horses of the Desempenho Riding Centre. The horses are calm and comfortable, most of them offering the marcha gait, so much easier than trotting.
Accommodation varies from comfortable chalets at the riding centre, to simple guesthouses to the beautiful lodge at Guapi Assu Lodge.
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Meeting:
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Rio de Janeiro
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Airport:
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Rio de Janeiro
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Transfer:
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Rio de Janeiro
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Riders:
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Min
5 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations, meals, 5 riding days, English speaking guide throughout
| A | 2010 | 7 day trip, AP | 7d / 6n | $2525 |
| Small group supplement (3-4) pp | $510 |
| Small group supplement (1 or 2) pp | $1400 |
| Single supplement | $525 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from Rio de Janeiro airport included
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Day 1: Arrival at Rio de Janeiro Airport and transfer to Desempenho Horse Center. The first day will be dedicated to know the horse that you’ll ride and to get a general view of the landscape. After dinner (typical Brazilian cuisine) a documentary on the main points of ‘Darwin’s Brazil’ will be presented followed by a briefing on the Atlantic Rainforest – what you should look for on the ground, in the undergrowth and in the tree-tops. If you keep your eyes peeled you can see what Darwin saw.
Day 2: After breakfast, the expedition depart to the mountains with our guide who’ll help you identify species and understand the rainforest and its flora and fauna. Lunch will be a picnic in the mountains by an old Jequitibá tree, probably as old as Brazil’s history, which grows by a waterfall where you can have a swim. Afterwards, we’ll ride along trails, where you’ll get intimate contact with orchids, bromeliads and butterflies. We’ll overnight at Pousada (Lodge) Boa Vista.
Day 3: Breakfast and departure to the second leg of the journey: the ride to Santa Maria. On the way we’ll cross the ‘Itaperiti’ Valley with its spectacular mountain scenery and exuberant lowland forest crisscrossed by many brooks and full of exotic fruit trees. By sunset you’ll be spying the ‘Três Picos’ as the expedition reaches the Santa Maria Inn. A sauna followed by a plunge in the river usually attracts the bravest. A good dinner (Brazilian cuisine) and a chat about the day’s adventures prepares the mind for a good nights sleep.
Day 4: Breakfast and departure to the Reserva Ecologica Guapi Assu - REGUA. On this leg of the journey we’ll ride through Fazenda João Paulo, then enter the ‘Três Picos’ State Park, then transverse ‘Fazenda São Miguel’. This trail follows the base of the impressive granite wall of the ‘Serra dos Órgãos’, so steep that it held up Brazil’s expansion west for hundreds of years. To reach the Reserva Ecologica Guapi Assu we’ll swim our horses across the river Guapiassu. Lunch at Guapi Assu Lodge.
The afternoon is reserved to explore the Reserva Guapi Açu a premier birding and wildlife reserve, located within its own private 6740 hectare land reserve. The lodge we will stay at overlooks great stretches of wetlands and also offers a privileged view of the beautiful forested slopes and high altitude forest as well as of the “Serra dos Orgãos” mountain chain. This habitat, a haven for birds and other wildlife species, is also a heaven for birdwatchers, tree-huggers and animal lovers.
Day 5: Daybreak is announced by the chirping, singing and screeching of birds of many feathers. In the saddle again, we’ll ride over a new trail, hill and dale where keen eyes have much to see creeping, crawling and flying everywhere. Lunch will be served at the Santa Maria Inn. After eating the best Brazil has to offer, to keep fit, you can choose between a hiking, a tree-rope course, zip-line or an invigorating sauna. After dinner, a game of cards a sip of wine, and when the time is right a comfortable bed and a sound night’s sleep in the heart of Darwin’s Brazil.
Day 6: The ride to Desempenho will follow the ‘Trilha das Tocas’, which winds through farmland and cattle ranches. Picknick at ‘Fazenda das Tocas’. Mounted again, we’ll cross the town of Cachoeiras de Macacú, follow the trail that leads to the ‘Pedra do Colégio’, where Jesuits once taught Indians the ‘Golden Rule’, and then we’ll have a snack at ‘Mirante dos Três Picos’, where the mighty mountain chain can be seen in all its splendor. Then it’s clippetty-clop back to dinner and tall-tales at Desempenho Horse Center.
Day 7: Farewell
After breakfast a farewell to the horses and then its back to Rio de Janeiro Airport and a nice flight home. You’ve seen what Darwin saw and have a string of photographs to prove it.
Notes:
the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Meeting:
Rio de Janeiro
Airport:
Rio de Janeiro
Transfer:
Rio de Janeiro
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Tack:
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Brazilian endurance and English
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Horses:
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Mangalarga Marchador (Brazilian gaited horses breed)
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Pace:
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Moderate, trots and canters
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(2.5
to
3.5
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
5 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passports valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart. Passport Note All non-Brazillian nationals under 18 years of age, when. more
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*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Tack:
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Brazilian endurance and English
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Horses:
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Mangalarga Marchador (Brazilian gaited horses breed)
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Pace:
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Moderate, trots and canters
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(2.5
to
3.5
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
5 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Passports
Passports valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
All non-Brazillian nationals under 18 years of age, when not accompanied by both parents, must have a birth certificate (an original or authenticated photocopy). This must be in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish, otherwise an official translation must be presented as well. When travelling alone or with one parent, a declaration from the absent parent(s) must be presented authorising the journey and giving the name and address of the person in Brazil who will be responsible for the minor. In the case of divorced or deceased parents, papers attesting to full custody must be presented.
All travellers must be in possession of onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover their stay.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta who do require a visa) for touristic and business stays of up to 90 days;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting flight, provided holding onward documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist: cost varies according to nationality. Generally, it is around £30. Other prices, based on reciprocity, are £28 (for nationals of Australia); £52 (for nationals of Canada); free, but £104 processing fee (for nationals of the USA). British citizens requiring visas with a validity over 180 days will be subject to a processing fee of £124. Business and Transit: cost varies according to nationality; contact the consulate for details.
Validity
Normally 90 days from date of issue, although this is at the discretion of Brazilian immigration officials. Tourist visas can be used for multiple entry within the period of validity. Tourist visas can be extended up to a further 90 days, provided the application is made at least two weeks before the expiration of the visa. Nationals should apply in Brazil to the federal police; this must be done before the visa expires or nationals risk deportation.
Note: Some Brazilian immigration officials have been restricting single male tourists aged 25-50 to stays of up to 30 days, particularly in the north east region, in an effort to combat sex tourism.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at the embassy); see Contact Addresses. Applications made through travel agents or by post are subject to a fee of £8.
Working Days Required
Depends on nationality. Up to three days for applications made in person and 10 days for applications made by a third party. Additional time is required to process applications made by post.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Darwin's Rain Forest Trail
Tour Code:
IT-BRRT12
7 days /
6 nights
~$2,525.00
Dates :
May to Nov
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Brazilian endurance and English
Horses:
Mangalarga Marchador (Brazilian gaited...
Pace:
Moderate, trots and canters
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Airport:
Rio de Janeiro
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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