Plantation Ride

Introduction
Rio/Sao Paulo Brazil
São Paulo may be the economic, industrial and financial powerhouse of Brazil, and indeed of South America, but it also offers some of the finest rural experiences of the region. Thanks to its cultural diversity and its vast and multifaceted territory, the interior of São Paulo State includes some interesting riding experiences.

Riding in the coffee highlands takes you through the coffee-growing region of the northeast of the State of Sao Paulo, visiting some of the great historic plantation homes, and passing through the surprisingly well-preserved natural wealth of the region. The diversified terrain takes you from plains to mountains; up and down escarpments and on plateaus that offer an ever-changing scenery punctuated by springs and waterfalls. This variety also accounts for the wealth of arts and crafts that are produced in the region: in leather, ceramics, embroidery, jams and other preserves, honey, coffee, cheese and of course the local firewater, cachaça.

Since the mid-nineteenth century some of the finest coffee in all of Brazil has come from this region. The altitude (800-1,300 metres), the dry winters, rainy summers and fertile soil make for perfect coffee growing conditions. Visit some of the great historic plantation homes, pass through rolling meadows, along woodland paths and splash through clear streams.

But there are still areas of Sao Paulo state that have not given way to coffee growing. In these pockets of land the Atlantic Rainforest still remains and here you can often find the Jequitiba tree, a giant of the forest, this species can grow to over 40 meters tall and 3 meters in diameter. The oldest known specimen is estimated at around 3,000 years old.

Our ride begins at Fazenda Nova which is close to the city of Mococa. The homestead is one of the oldest plantation homes in the region and the ranch used to be twenty times the size it is today before it was shared amongst family members over the years. Horses have been bred and trained here for seven generations.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride where nights are spent in 5 different locations.

Description
The overnights are at several historic fazendas (farms/ranches) and coffee plantations. There is access to laundry facilities during this trip for a small fee. Wi-Fi is only available at Fazenda Nova Sede.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Fazenda Nova Sede
Night 3: Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza
Night 4: Fazenda Santo Antonio
Night 5: Fazenda Santa Rita
Night 6: Fazenda Nova Sede

Fazenda Nova Sede
The headquarters of this Fazenda was built around 1840. It was named like that because the old headquarters caught fire, and they had to build a new one a few kilometers away.
Guests stay in the apartments inside the headquarters or in the walled garden full of jabuticabeiras that perfume the air when they are blooming. Many birds make the sounds of dusk and dawn unforgettable.
There are a mixture of double and twin rooms, each with their own en-suite shower room. The guest rooms are simple (they were formerly where the slaves slept) but with their antique furniture and tiled floors, have a great deal of charm. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza
The farm has been in the Barretto Family since 1850. It used to be a traditional farm using conventional farming methods until Silvia Barretto decided to transform it into an organic farm. Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza can accommodate up to 30 guests, in 6 independent cottages (some private other dormitory-style). The rooms have preserved their original charm and provide simple but comfortable accommodation.

Fazenda Santo Antonio
This organic farm has been managed by the Pereira family since 1822. This fazenda gives much importance to the respect of the environment and the preservation of its historical buildings, while making sure to provide a comfortable experience for guests. The Hotel Fazenda is located high on the hill surrounded by beautiful gardens, a part of the Atlantic Forest. The Hotel has 5 rooms and 2 chalets, all decorated with good taste, helping you feel at home. Some of the rooms have shared bathroom facilities, but we usually use the rooms that have ensuite bathroom.

Fazenda Santa Rita
This beautiful fazenda dates back to 1897. It offers mixture of double and twin rooms, each with their own en-suite shower room.

Room Occupancy
Single rooms might be available on request at no extra fee.


Meals
All meals are included with this trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7.
Breakfasts and dinners are eaten at the accommodations and lunches are eaten on the trail.

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. Each region has its own traditional dishes. Very popular is the Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ).

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

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Horses
The horses are bred and trained at Fazenda Nova. They are mainly Arab and Mangalarga crosses. All are very comfortable, well mannered and easy to handle, standing between 14.2hh and 15.3hh, they are happy in either English or Western saddles. Your horse will be tacked up for you, but you may assist with tacking up and un-tacking your horse if you wish.

Guide
Your guide on this trip is Laura. Laura trained for her British Horse Society Assistant Instructors examination in England and is also an FEI judge and steward. She teaches dressage and jumping at Fazenda Nova and also gives clinics at other riding centers all over the country. She has encyclopedic knowledge of the entire farm and knows the surrounding area, neighboring fazendas and local families very well.

Pace
The pace on the Coffee Trail is normally at a walk, with some trots and canters. Private groups of mixed ability may be accepted on the trail.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Progressive Option - subject to changes
 
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer to Fazenda Nova and ride within the farm to get to know the horses. Fazenda Nova (New Farm - so called because the Old one burned down in 1830) is a 200-hectare property with 50 hectares of primal forest, 60 hectares of reforestation, and the remainder of pastures and sugar cane. The horses are currently on their seventh generation at this farm, choosing the best foals with desirable traits and temperament for future breedings. Riders will become familiar with their horse and riding equipment. Typical Paulista dinner (including a tasting of Mogiana coffees-among the best gourmet coffees in Brazil).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Nova
 
Day 2: Ride through the Atlantic Rain Forest
The owners of the Fazenda train their own horses and will guide you on this journey.
After breakfast, we will have the first contact with the Atlantic Rain Forest in the 120-acre forest preserve of the Fazenda. During this day, we ride through sugar cane fields, pastures with beef and dairy cattle, and coffee plantations in the higher areas. We will stop for lunch at Fazenda Belo Monte, which has a well preserved-house from the beginning of the 20th century. Horses sleep in a ranch specializing in Team Penning events.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Nova

Day 3: Ride to Fazenda Fortaleza
We ride through irrigated coffee plantations and arrive at Fazenda Bocaina for lunch. We continue riding for 12 km through hilly terrain with a reforestation project containing native species. We reach Fazenda Fortaleza, which produces organic coffee exported throughout the world. The owners will be proud to show the organic vegetable garden and after a trail in the woods that take us to a thousand year old jequitiba tree. This area is a great opportunity for bird watching. We enjoy a delicious organic dinner and we spend the night at their cozy house.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Fortaleza

Day 4: Fazenda Fortaleza to Fazenda Santo Antonio
Today will be a short ride, but there is a lot to see on the way. We cross Fortaleza and then the small village of Igaraí. Lunch can be at Fazenda São Bento, a posh Victorian house, or at Fazenda Morro Azul, which produces a very special cachaça, the famous Brazilian drink. Fazenda Santo Antonio, where we will sleep, has a beautiful house and swimming pool. The owners plant coffee in a natural way that will be explained by the owner. We will drink coffee grown in the shade of the rainforest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Santo Antonio

Day 5: Fazenda Santo Antonio to Fazenda Santa Rita
We ride across the largest coffee plantation in Brazil (more than 1 million coffee trees) and stop for a picnic in Minas Gerais State. Lunch is at a bakery while horses graze on the square in front. We proceed to Fazenda Santa Rita, with a nice house and pool, and its own church dedicated to the same saint.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Santa Rita

Day 6: Fazenda Santa Rita to Fazenda Nova
We cross the little village of Canoas and then fazenda Limeira, where the cows are milked in an old train station. Through hills and around lakes we arrive in the city of Mococa, which the experienced horses are used to cross. We arrive in Fazenda Nova for a late lunch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Nova

Day 7: Departure
Breakfast at Fazenda Nova and transfer to São Pauloto catch onward flights.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Stationary Ride
A centre based option is also possible for novice or rusty riders. Ride for approximately 4 hours a day in and around Fazenda Nova. You may choose to have lessons if you wish. Arrive/depart on any day and stay as long as you like. Open all year.

If you don't have the time for the trail or would rather stay in one place every night, then you can book a centre based stay at Fazenda Nova. Suitable for all abilities and single riders as well as groups, this is the perfect ride for those wanting to discover the Coffee growing regions of Brazil on horseback. Follow trails through the rainforest, up and down hills and through coffee plantations and sugar cane plantations, returning each night to your comfortable accommodation. There may even be an opportunity to try your hand at working cattle on one day. Sample the delicious coffee of the region and meet local people and learn about how coffee is produced. There are c. 30 coffee farms in this area and so the itinerary is varied and flexible to include as much or as little riding as you wish.
You can arrive/depart on any day and stay for as long as you like, so this itinerary fits neatly before/after any of our other Brazilian rides to extend your riding holiday in Brazil.

Rates and Dates for Plantation Ride

Dates Note:
Additional dates are available on request all year.
A centre based option is also possible for more novice riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Sao Paulo
Airport: Sao Paulo
Transfer: Sao Paulo

Climate:
                                            Poços de Caldas area