Brazilian Outback

Introduction
Alagoas Brazil
One of Brazil's most captivating places lies in the northeast of the country; the Sertão or the Brazilian Outback. Sung by poets, the Sertão covers eight Brazilian states and although battered by drought, it is one of Brazil’s culturally richest areas. From frozen-in-time colonial towns to otherworldly landscapes of red-rock canyons, rolling plains of caatinga to the mighty São Francisco River, it is the land of the brave northeastern Vaqueiros/cowboys. Dressed from head to toe in leather to protect themselves against the thorns of the acacia bushes they have a totally different look than any other cowboy you have ever seen. 

In harsh environments, where life is tough, controversial historical characters always emerge. At the beginning of the last century, the Brazilian outback was ravaged by a bandolero on horseback called Lampião. He was the most famous bandit leader of the Cangaço. Cangaço was a form of banditry endemic to the Brazilian Northeast; it had origins in the late 19th century but was particularly prevalent in the 1920s and 1930s. Lampião led a band of up to 100 Cangaceiros, who consistently took over small towns and who fought several successful actions against paramilitary police. Lampião's exploits and reputation turned him into a folk hero, the Brazilian equivalent of Jesse James or Pancho Villa. 

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights will be spent in different accommodations.

Description
Nights in authentic & comfortable Pousadas, hotels, and beach houses. Hotels & Pousadas based on double-rooms. The Beach house (2 nights) based on double and triple-rooms.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Maceio
Night 2: Farmhouse in Remanso
Night 3: Pousada in Piranhas
Night 4: Farmhouse in Olho d´Água do Casado
Night 5 & 6: Pousada Verde in Talhado

Hotel in Maceió
This hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms featuring air conditioning, cable TV, a safe, a phone, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with hairdryer. Additional amenities include and outdoor pool and a fitness center. Laundry facilities are available for an extra fee.


** Please note that hotels are subject to change. Double check on hotel accommodations 2 weeks before trip start!

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is not mandatory if you are willing to share.



Meals
All meals are included from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 7. If you choose the extension, meals from dinner on day 8 to lunch on day 11 are also included.

Brazil has a rich cuisine. The country is a mixture of European, Indian, African, and Asian cultures and is reflected in the way the Brazilians cook. Italian and African cuisines have great influence on Brazilian cuisine. Well before Europe spoke about fusion cuisine, Brazil was combining ingredients found from different continents to a new, typical Brazilian cuisine. They also often serve dishes from different countries on one table.
The Brazilian cuisine is very good, varied, and serves many naturally made dishes. The main dishes are mostly rice and beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. From region to region one has its own traditional dishes. Along the coast you will find more fish and shrimp dishes. Very popular is the Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ).

Alcoholic drinks are not included in this trip but guests are welcome to bring their own if they wish.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Horses
Mangalarga Marchador crossbreed. Beautiful and responsive horses, easy to ride. They have a comfortable pace and are used to the tropical climate, beach, and water. Average height: 1.60m

Riding
On average we spend 3-5 hours per day in the saddle. This ride is suitable for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be confident on a horse at all paces. The pace is varied and includes walk, trot and canter. 

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location and difficulty of terrain  In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding. This is a sporty and adventurous vacation!

Day 1: Arrival in Maceió
Late afternoon Meet & Greet at the hotel in Maceió to brief the riding group about the coming days.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Maceio

Day 2: Ride to Entremontes Remanso Farm
We will depart from the hotel right after breakfast, leaving the coastal city of Maceió, and heading to the region where our horseback riding tour will start. The road will take us from the Atlantic coast to the backcountry. Through the windows of the car, we will be able to witness the dramatic change in vegetation and topography. We will know we are getting closer as soon as we see the San Francisco River. Lunch will be at the place where we will meet the horses. We will start our journey under the afternoon sun, following ancient tracks until we reach the village of Entremontes and the bank of the San Francisco River, where we will be lodged in a cozy farmhouse.
Riding approx. 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse in Remanso

Day 3: Entremontes Remanso Farm to Piranhas
The São Francisco river will greet us when we wake up. Throughout the trail ride, we will have the mighty river within sight. A hearty breakfast will precede our boat ride to Angicos, in the state of Sergipe, where Lampião and part of his gang were ambushed, captured, and killed in 1938. We will then return to the farmhouse, go for a refreshing swim in the river and have lunch. The ride to Piranhas will be full of magnificent views. Tropeiros used to drive herds along this path, sell animals and food, and peddle other goods. The pearl of the Outback (Piranhas) will soon come into view with its remarkably well-preserved old houses and historic government buildings. Just like in the old days, we will tie up our horses in front of the old station, where today stands the Cangaço Museum, and dive into the history of the place. After a drink, we will find our Pousada, where we will spend the night.
Riding approx. 3.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pousada in Piranhas

Day 4: Piranhas to Olho d´Água do Casado
Along the ride, we will learn about the history and development of Piranhas and the region. The railroad was part of that story, and we are constantly reminded of it by the well-preserved station building and remains of old rails that cross the outback. We will follow the old railroad until we reach the river cliffs and see the huge dam of the Xingó hydroelectric power plant. We continue the ride following the canyons and slopes. We will be lodged in a farmhouse style hotel right by the dam.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse in Olho d´Água do Casado

Day 5: Olho d´Água do Casado to Talhado
Today we will learn more about the old way of life in this region: the Caatinga, rock paintings, toil in the fields, slopes, rock formations, and canyons. We will arrive at an oasis in the middle of the Caatinga, near the edge of the Talhado and the São Francisco river canyons. The view of the sunset from this spot is magical.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pousada Verde in Talhado

Day 6: Ride to Povoado do Lamarão
Today, we will leave our Green Oasis towards Lamarão. We ride following old trails through properties in the middle of the caatinga, sometimes bordering the river and river cliffs until we reach our lunch spot near the village. The lunch will be served by members of the community that are known for having a self-sustaining tourism project around rock archaeological sites. After lunch, we will attend to the traditional PEGA DE BOI. Which is the origin of the Vaquejada*, practiced as a sport, but still widely used in daily dealing with the cattle in the area. Then, we return to sleep at Pousada Verde, our Oasis, in the outback.
*The vaquejada is a sport typical to the Northeast region of Brazil (also practiced in some other Latin American countries) in which two cowboys ("vaqueiros") on horseback pursue a bull, seeking to pin it between the two horses and direct it to a goal (often consisting of chalk marks).
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pousada Verde in Talhado

Day 7: Talhado to Maceió
We start with a short ride going down the canyon to the platform where our chartered boat will be waiting for us. This is where we say goodbye to the horses. We will navigate through the canyons. There will be enough time to go for a swim and take pictures. The horses will be waiting for is on the shore, and we will ride them to our lunch spot. We will then head back to the coastal city of Maceió.
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Brazilian Outback

Dates Note: Custom dates possible year round depending on availability

Other Info
Meeting: Maceió
Airport: Maceió/Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport
Transfer: --

Climate:
                                                Maceió area