The Colonial Trail Ride

Difficulty

Moderate

Comfort

Basic+

Weight limit

100 kg / 220 lb

Experience a unique journey to Minas Gerais, Brazil, delving into colonial history and the Mangalarga Marchador horse. This exclusive riding trip unfolds the breed's origins, highlighting its four gaits along the historic Estrada Real.

Explore breathtaking landscapes, visit the oldest stud farms, and stay in 17th and 18th-century Fazendas. Minas Gerais, once central to the Brazilian Gold Rush, reveals its history along the 1,600 km Estrada Real. Tropeiros relied on Pousadas, and towns emerged around tax collection outposts. Baron Francisco Gabriel Junqueira's breeding efforts gave rise to the Mangalarga Marchador. The trail includes nights at the colonial stud farm, visits to breeding farms, and the Mangalarga Marchador Museum. Experience beautiful bridle paths, colonial towns, historic fazendas, and local cuisine on this Colonial Trail Ride—a fusion of history, culture, and the exceptional Mangalarga Marchador horse.

Paul C. is the provider of this trip

5.0 1 review

The provider speaks: English

If anyone can say "been there, done that" then it’s Paul! Paul, born in Flanders Belgium, was once in his previous life a farrier. At age 21, he traveled backpacking around the globe, 3 years later and with a luggage full of travel and riding experiences he returned to Belgium. During his "long journey", he worked as a blacksmith shoeing horses at the polo club in Singapore, as a blacksmith and cowboy at a cattle station in Australia, as a Gaucho in South America and as a rider in too many places and countries to mention. In 1996 he became one of the pioneers of worldwide riding holidays in Europe. Paul rode horses in 61 different countries and is perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. Loving the great horse culture and hospitality in Latin America Paul decided to move to Brazil in 2010. He lives in the southern state of Santa Catarina, home of the South American gaucho (cowboy). After years of experience in organizing and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now only concentrates on trail rides and equestrian tourism in Latin America. He is guiding all the riding trips himself and assures you participating at the best horse treks in Latin America. Paul is also co-founder and president of ALATCE; "Asociación Latinoamericana de Turismo y Cultura Ecuestre". (Latin American Association of Equestrian Tourism and Culture) He speaks 6 languages, loves humor and life, is a very social person and knows like no other how to take you on a ride on the wild side!

Tour highlights

Ride through Stunning Landscapes

Beautiful landscapes along the Estrada Real - the Royal Road

Travel Back in Times

Visit the best and oldest stud farms of the breed in the country

Get to Know The Mangalarga Marchador

This journey is entirely devoted to this very special Brazilian horse

Route details

Pick up at the International airport of Guarulhos in São Paulo and transfer (3 hours drive) to Fazenda Roseta (fazenda = farm) in the county of Baependi in the state of Minas Gerais. Arrival at the impressive Roseta farm build by Baron Maciel in 1738 . Welcome drink, meet & greet with the guides and assistance team, check in at the rooms and visit the stables and horses you will ride during the trail ride.

Dinner & overnight at the farm.

Difficulty

Moderate

Tour provider's comments

Suitable for intermediate to experienced riders.You should be confident on a horse at all paces. The pace is varied to include walk, trot, and canter.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic+

Guest House

8 nights

Nights in authentic colonial & comfortable Farms. Rooms are based on double & triple-rooms. Some farms have shared bathrooms. You will spend the night in important historical places where few others have been before you. Several of the farms have a nice swimming pool.

The Meals:
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. Especially the Italian and African cuisines have great influence on Brazilian cuisine. Not only the population is mixed, also their habits and customs. Already 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. Minas Gerais were the trail ride is taking place is known for serving the best diches in the country and for making the best Cachaça = a Brazilian sugarcane brandy. In this part of Brazil you can drink water from the tap and eat without problems fresh vegetables, fruit and ice cream.

Travel recommendations

Group meeting place

São Paulo

Tour conditions

Included

accommodation;
back up vehicle: for brings your luggage to the daily overnight place/pousada;
meals: full board;
Guides: professional and multilingual guides;
horses & tack, including saddlebags;
transfer: on days 1 and 9 from and to the Airport of Guarulhos-São Paulo.

Extras

travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance are mandatory. You will not be allowed to participate in the riding holiday program without having both of these personal travel insurance;
flight: international and local flights;
alcoholic beverages & soft drinks: (cheap);
single supplement - USD 600: only possible if we have a single room available;
personal expenses;
tips.

Group size

up to 12 tourists

Duration

9 days

8 nights

It's important to know

Valid international passport.
Travel Insurance.
Pocket money (you can change EUR/£/USD in the airport).
A sweater and a jacket.
4 or 5 T-shirts and minimum 1 a shirt with long sleeves.
Jodhpurs or jeans to ride with.
Riding shoes or boots / riding shoes with mini-chaps or long chaps.
(Gaucho boots can be bought on location).
A second pair of shoes for the evening.
Swimsuit.
Comfortable clothing + a hat.
One towel.
Toiletries.
Sun Cream.
Camera.

*It is recommended to put your luggage in travel bag instead of a hard suitcase. 10 bags are easier to get in the backup vehicle than 10 suitcases. (thanks!).

Tour reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

B
Ben

20 Oct, 2021

about provider

It was a wonderful trip. We were so lucky that they organized this trip and we were able to go on it for the first time. I'm sure others will want to do this. Every aspect of the holiday was great - we were looked after in every way from start to finish. I highly recommend this holiday. Many thanks to the entire team for everything you have done for us.

20 Oct, 2021