- Ride with the gauchos
Stay in typical fazendas
-28.125290253643, -52.3394008
Join the legendary Gauchos on a journey through vast, rolling grasslands with rivers, lakes, forests and isolated fazendas (ranches). The South American cowboy refuses to break with the tradition which, according to UNESCO, constitutes the most vibrant equestrian culture in the world. The Brazilian gaucho lives in the southern states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul and all have roots in Europe due to the large number of immigrants arriving in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The adventure begins in Coxilha Rica, a high plateau in the interior of the southern state of Santa Catarina. Here, at around 1000 meters above sea level, in the heart of gaucho territory, you will be welcomed with open arms. Paul and his fellow gauchos Roberio and João will be your hosts and equestrian guides throughout your horseback riding vacation. For eight days you will be immersed in the most attractive equestrian culture. After a first traditional night at the Fazenda da Chapada, you ride a criollo horse (very comfortable authentic saddles) and set off on a 6-day journey from fazenda to fazenda. The beauty and immense expanse of the pampas, with its hills, are difficult to describe. The breeding farms (fazendas) of several thousand hectares are the ideal playground for testing the temperament of your criollo horse. There are no roads or trails to follow, just propel yourself through the wide open spaces at a gallop or gallop; your driving dreams will all come true. On average, you spend 6-7 hours a day in the saddle, crossing rolling meadows, Araucaria forests, crystal clear rivers, and generally traveling off the beaten track in southern Brazil. This is gaucho country, so if you encounter a cattle "roundup", you'll be happy to help. What’s work for them is fun for you! When “cutting” (sorting livestock on horseback), you will be surprised by the agility of your criollo horse! Every evening you stay in a colonial fazenda, where time has stood still with rooms filled with antique furniture and large country kitchens: a perfect ambiance to taste the local Chimarão beer (mate, a kind of tea) and Pinga (local rum).
Gauchos are not only tough men, but also romantic souls. The guitar and accordion will appear most often and the serenade will be one of lost loves and good old days, while mom roasts the best meat in the world. A fantastic relaxed, pure and sincere gaucho atmosphere.
This is not a "nose to tail" riding experience, but a trail ride for riders looking for a truly exciting and challenging Gaucho experience! Welcome to the Gaucho Pampas Trail!
SEE ALL OUR HORSE RIDING OFFER IN BRAZIL:
HORSEBACK RIDING TRAIL RIDE IN BRAZIL
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 1: Arrival
Your trip leader will be waiting for you upon arrival at the airport of Florianopolis. Transfer (3.5hrs drive) to Coxilha Rica and Fazenda da Chapada near Lages. You will be welcomed with a local drink upon arrival at the fazenda. You will be introduced to Daniel, the owner of the farm, the Gauchos who will accompany you throughout the trip, and will even get acquainted with the horses. Installation in the cozy and comfortable rooms of the fazenda. After a delicious dinner, we can socialize at the bar of the fazenda. Local gaúchos will perform music and folklore of the region. It’s a great first evening!
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda da Chapada
Day 2: Fazenda da Chapada to Fazenda Rodeio Bonito
After breakfast, we saddle our horses early and leave around 09:00 am in the direction of Fazenda Rodeio Bonito. After the first few minutes you will notice already how beautiful the region is. We ride through wide and rolling green countryside dotted with Araucaria trees and cross pristine rivers. You will never forget your first canter with your criollo horse. After a ride of 4 hours we arrive at a typical fazenda where lunch is waiting for us. After a good meal and a siesta we mount our horses again around 2:00 pm. We continue towards fazenda Rodeio Bonito through the beautiful landscape of Coxilha Rica.
Here we find the well-preserved colonial Tropeiro Route. This 250 year-old tropeiro route was the route of cattle and mules between Rio Grande do Sul and Argentina to Sao Paulo. Gauchos drove herds thousands of kms, being away for months via this route. Goods on livestock traveled along the route, so the tropeiro also became a trade. The route, consisting of an approx 4m wide corridor made of stone, was built by slaves. The corridor runs hundreds of kilometers through Coxilha Rica and the State of Santa Catarina. Tropeiro means Trooper. (The route of the troops).
We follow a few miles this historic route and arrive around 5:30 pm at Fazenda Rodeio Bonito. We are welcomed by the owner Lucia. A hearty and delicious dinner is prepared for us in this traditional Gaucho fazenda.
Riding approx. 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Rodeio Bonito
Day 3: Ride through Coxilha
After a hearty breakfast we mount our criollos around 9am and trek through the rugged Coxilha landscape. We climb and descend, trot and canter, crossing rivers and chasing waterfalls. On top of a green mountain you have a fantastic panoramic view of the landscape, just you and the great outdoors! Coxilha is a great cattle region. Most cattle ranches (fazendas) here consist of thousands of acres that are over 200 years old. We arrive at a little farm where Dona Vera has prepared a fantastic lunch. In the afternoon, we ride another 3.5 hours until we arrive back at the the Fazenda Rodeio Bonito. After a refreshing shower and a delicious dinner, a soft bed awaits for you at this very cozy fazenda.
Riding approx. 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Rodeio Bonito
Day 4: Fazenda Rodeio Bonito to Fazenda Lua Cheia
We leave on horseback at about 9am heading for the high pampas of Coxilha Rica. The views are wonderful. The group of horses, the Gauchos, the landscapes, the atmosphere in the group, the sense of freedom... nobody wants to travel back home after this trip. After a lunch in the field, we continue our ride to the next fazenda, where the owners Dido and Sonia have prepared the best roasted lamb in the world. We make it cozy with a drink and some live Gaucho music
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Lua Cheia
Day 5: Fazenda Luca Cheia to Fazenda Sâo Joâo Rancho
After breakfast, we saddle our horses. Depending of the season, sometimes before heading off we give the gauchos a helping hand at the farm rounding-up some cattle or sheep on horseback. We drive the herd to the corral, where they are either vaccinated or receive some treatment. So here or on another farm during our week you will see the Gaúcho perform their daily job. Those who prefer not to participate in the activities can easily watch. Want to learn how to rope? Our Gauchos teach you the tricks of the trade!
After lunch we continue our ride to the Colonial Fazenda Sâo Joâo. Upon arrival at this Portuguese style Fazenda we pull off our boots, take a shower, and are called to the table for a good meal, a cool beer or a warming Pinga (local rum).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Sâo Joâo
Day 6: Fazenda Sâo Joâo to Fazenda Ferradura
After breakfast, we saddle the horses and leave for another great day in the saddle. We regularly ride into other gauchos whom are busy at work. These South American cowboys still live and work the same way as roughly 100 years ago. Gaúchos and horses matching great together, living as we can only dream of. Climbing and descending, one slope steeper than the other, the ride regularly invites us for a nice canter. The horses are really fun to ride with. Eventually, we arrive at Fazenda Ferradura and are welcomed by the owner Gaucho Benjamin Krüzen. A hearty and delicious dinner is being prepared for us.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Ferradura
Day 7: Fazenda Ferradura to Fazenda da Chapada
After breakfast, we depart for the last day in the saddle. Daniel, the owner of our last fazenda accommodation, welcomes us with Caipirinha & hugs. The ladies of the house make us a delicious dish while the musical talented gauchos bring their best songs, guitar and accordion into the barn. The bottle of Pinga is eagerly passed around and sometimes we dare to dance! We enjoy the warm gaucho atmosphere and forge friendship with the locals.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda da Chapada
Day 8: Fazenda da Chapada to Florianopolis
After our last breakfast at around 8am, we say goodbye to Fazenda da Chapada, the guides, gauchos, and horses and drive around in direction Florianopolis (departure time depending on the flights). People staying longer can have a drop-off in downtown Florianópolis.
Meals included: Breakfast
* The itinerary is indicative, it can change according to weather conditions and group interest.
MEETING:
Day 1. Free transfer from Florianopolis airport late afternoon.
DEPARTURE:
Day 8. Free transfer to Florianopolis airport after breakfast.
FLIGHTS:
Flights to Brazil are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request.
RIDING LEVEL: 
To be comfortable on horseback at three gaits outdoors, at canter in various terrains.
Maximum weight: 110 kg. Minimum age: 12 years old accompanied by an adult.
RYTHM:
About 6 hours on horseback per day on average. The pace of the hike varies from walking to trotting to galloping as soon as the terrain permits it.
On average, you spend 6-7 hours a day in the saddle, riding through rolling meadows, through Araucaria forests, crossing crystal clear rivers, and generally going off the beaten track in southern Brazil. The trip includes 6 days on horseback. Every ride is always a relaxed ride. You ride with loose reins and enjoy the fantastic nature. Every day there is enough time and space to enjoy a good trot and gallop.
GUIDES:
You will be accompanied by an English speaking guide and a local guide. Both guides have good knowledge of the local area.
GROUPS:
5 to 14 riders + guides.
HORSES:
Criolo horses. Safe and balanced horses.
TACK:
South American Gaucho saddles.
ACCOMMODATION: 
You stay in authentic working fazendas (ranches) in guest rooms in the houses of gaucho families.
One fazenda may be a little simpler than the other, but all the fazendas are authentic, colonial, comfortable and very clean. Not all fazendas have a standard room type. Most rooms are double rooms, some fazendas also have 4-bed rooms with connecting bathrooms.
All the fazendas are authentic, colonial, cozy and very clean. Fazendas generally do not have televisions or air conditioning. Internet is generally not available.
Please note that most nights you will be required to share rooms and bathrooms with other riders.
Night 1 : Fazenda Da Chapada
Nights 2 & 3 : Fazenda Rodeio Bonito
Night 4 : Fazenda Lua Cheia
Night 5 : Fazenda Sâo Joâo Rancho
Night 6 : Fazenda Ferradura
Night 7 : Fazenda Da Chapada
Fazenda Da Chapada:
This lovely fazenda is located close to Painel and offers simple accommodation in comfortable guestrooms. The fazenda is decorated with various objects from the farm like old saddles and tools. There is air conditioning and Wi-Fi access here.
Fazenda Rodeio Bonito:
This fazenda is remotely located in the Coxilha region. The building is made out of stones and araucaria wood. This fazenda has a very cozy and warm atmosphere.
Fazenda Lua Cheia:
This fazenda is made out of wood and has a rustic charm. It is decorated with antiques, adding to the charm. Meals are cooked on an old oven that also warms the house.
Fazenda Sâo Joâo Rancho:
This fazenda features a Portuguese colonial style architecture. The interior is fitted with many antique wooden furniture.
Fazenda Ferradura:
This rustic fazenda is surrounded by beautiful pine trees and offers a warm welcome and a memorable experience, while providing guests with all the basic necessities.
MEALS:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the fazendas. Meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8.
Brazil offers rich cuisine. The country is a mix of European, Indian, African and Asian cultures and is reflected in the way Brazilians cook. Italian and African cuisines have a great influence on Brazilian cuisine. Not only is the population mixed, but also its habits and customs. Long before Europe was talking about fusion cuisine, Brazil was combining ingredients from different continents to form a new, typically Brazilian cuisine. They also often serve dishes from different countries on the same table. Brazilian cuisine is very good, varied and offers many dishes prepared naturally. Main dishes are mainly rice and beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. From region to region, we have our own traditional dishes. Along the coast you will find more fish and shrimp dishes, while to the south the tasty meat grills (Churrasco) will surprise you. In Santa Catarina, real healthy country meals are often prepared on wood stoves, which gives a special extra flavor.
During your horse riding vacation you eat delicious home-cooked meals in the fazendas.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are not included in the price but can be purchased on site for a small additional fee.
Open Bar - Unlimited Drinks: Every day you spend the night at a different farm where drinks will be offered to you. To make things easier and not have to take notes every day for drinks or confusing bills at the end of the week, we offer an "Open Bar" service:
- 110 USD per person for all alcoholic and soft drinks all week. To be paid on the first day. (Beer, Caipirinha, Cachaça, Guarana, Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Coffee, Tea, Milk, Water, etc.)
*Wine not included, but you can purchase wine at each farm. The price of a bottle depends on the brand and quality!
-$60 per person for all soft drinks throughout the week. To be paid on the first day. (Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Guarana, Coffee, Tea, Milk, Water, etc.)
2025 PRICE / PER PERSON:
Price for minimum 5 riders. Ask for the number of riders registered on the dates you would like to book.
In double bedroom: 3400 €
Booking fees: 15€
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse rental, guide, accommodation, meals, transfers at set times from/to Florianopolis airport at set times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel agency deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, tips, personal expenses, drinks, possible visits, booking fees, flights to Brazil, all that is not indicated in "prices include".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
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