Mangalarga Marchador

Introduction
Rio/Sao Paulo Brazil
On this riding trip we take you to the South-Eastern State of Minas Gerais traveling back to the colonial times and to the origin of Brazil’s national pride; the Mangalarga Marchador horse.  This journey is entirely devoted to this very special Brazilian horse.

During our trail ride we will overnight at the colonial stud farm of the Junqueira family where the first Mangalarga horse was registered and we will visit and stay at other important breeding farms from the 17th and 18th  century. Beside learning all about this very special horse breed, we will spend our hours in the saddle along beautiful bridle paths and the Estrada Real, visiting colonial towns. You will also meet the great local people and taste the best food and cachaça of the country. 

Accomodation


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

Description
We overnight in authentic colonial Farms. Some farms have shared bathrooms. Several of the farms have a nice swimming pool.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Fazenda Roseta 
Night 3 & 4: Fazenda São Sebastião
Night 5: Fazenda Sáo Pedro
Night 6: Fazenda Angaí
Night 7: Fazenda Haras Norremose
Night 8: Fazenda Favacho



Fazenda Roseta 
This historic fazenda offers simple but comfortable rooms surrounded by horses and nature. Each room is equipped with a fan and a private bathroom (located outside the bedroom). There is free Wi-Fi available in common areas.

Fazenda São Sebastião
This beautiful colonial farmhouse dating from the 19th century was recently restored. Each of the 5 bedrooms feature antique furniture and ensuite facilities. Guests are welcome to relax in the common room, the garden or take a dip in the pool.

Fazenda Sáo Pedro
This fazenda was built in 1830 in the typical colonial style of the time. It started welcoming guest in 1995 after some renovations. The cozy bedrooms all include Wi-Fi access, a fan and a private bathroom. The fazenda is surrounded by nature and even has its own small private reserve with a waterfall. There is also a pool where guests can cool off after a long day in the saddle. 

Fazenda Favacho
The hacienda saw the development of the Magalarga Marchardor horse breed during the 19th century. Since, then, the farmhouse continued to keep its original charm, and now, guests can sleep in the beautifully preserved rooms, furnished and decorated with many antiques.


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



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

Brazil has a rich cuisine. The country is a mixture of European, Indian, African and Asian cultures and this is reflected in the way the Brazilians cook. Especially the Italian and African cuisines have great influence on Brazilian cuisine. Fusion cuisine is big in Brazil. Brazilians also like to serve dishes from different countries on one table.

The Brazilian cuisine is delicious, varied and uses many natural ingredients. The main dishes are mostly served with rice, beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. Each region has its own traditional dishes. One of the most popular local dish is the Churrasco  = Brazilian BBQ. Minas Gerais, where the trail ride is taking place, is known for serving some of the best cuisine 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.

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
On this trail, we use purebred Mangalarga Marchador, beautiful and responsive horses, easy to ride. They have four gaits: the walk, the canter, and two ambling gaits, the marcha batida and the marcha picada; it does not trot.
Francisco Gabriel Junqueira, Baron of Alfenas, began breeding his imported Lusitano to the mares on his farm (primarily Barbs, along with other breeds brought to Brazil). The result was a smooth-gaited, attractive horse which the baron called Sublime. Junqueira sold some of the Sublimes to a friend who had a farm in Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro. The farm's name was Mangalarga, and the owner rode Sublimes to and from Rio de Janeiro. In Rio, people noticed the smooth-gaited, attractive Sublimes and began calling them Mangalargas. Later they added the word “Marchador” , what means walker, because of its smooth gait.



Riding
On average we ride 6 hours per day. 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 São Paulo
Pick up at the International airport of Guarulhos in São Paulo and transfer (3hrs drive) to Fazenda Roseta in the state of Minas Gerais. Arrival at the impressive farm built by Baron Maciel in 1738. Welcome drink, meet & greet with the guides and assistance team, check into the rooms and visit of the stables and horses.
Dinner & overnight at the farm.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Roseta

Day 2: Ride to Caixambú
After a typical Minas Gerais breakfast, we take the old Baron bridle path towards the city of Caxambú, known for its mineral waters. Caixambú is also home to some very high standard breeding stables of Mangalarga Marchador horses. We will visit one of these breeders, where we will have the opportunity to see the best specimens of the breed. We return through a beautiful countryside back to Fazenda da Roseta.
Riding approx. 25 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Roseta

Day 3: Fazenda da Roseta to Fazenda São Sebastião 
After a delicious breakfast we set off towards the cradle of the Mangalarga Marchador horse, Cruzília, one of the towns along the Estrada Real / Royal Road. We will ride over mountains and beautiful valleys. In the afternoon we will visit the National Museum of the Mangalarga Marchador horse. After this interesting visit we will taste some the county’s best cheese at the Cruzilia cheese factory. We will reach the beautiful colonial São Sebastião farm where we will be welcomed by Dona Maria Isabel. A dive in the swimming pool, a drink … and dinner await us at the Fazenda São Sebastião.
Riding approx. 23 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda São Sebastião 

Day 4: Ride to Fazenda Morro Grande
We start early today and ride throught fantastic countryside following parts of the Estrada Real and bridle paths to Fazenda Morro Grande, home of several top stallions registered in the elite studbook of the Mangalarga breed. The genetics of the horses of this farm are present at the main breeding farms of Mangalarga horses throughout Brazil. The grooms of the farm will show us the exceptional horses and we might even get a chance to ride them!
We will return by taking a trail with spectacular views over the mountains of Minas Gerais and its coffee plantations, reaching Fazenda São Sebastião in time to relax before dinner.
Riding approx. 18 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda São Sebastião 

Day 5: Fazenda São Sebastião to Fazenda São Pedro
After saying farewell to the owner of Fazenda São Sebastião, we leave for another splendid location; Fazenda Sáo Pedro. Through ancient trails and royal roads, we appreciate the stunning countryside of southern Minas Gerais on our beautiful gaited horses. After a great ride we arrive at Fazenda São Pedro. The colonial farm is now transformed in a splendid and comfortable pousada and has been In the same family for centuries. 
Riding approx. 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Sáo Pedro

Day 6: Fazenda São Pedro to Fazenda Angaí 
We leave Fazenda São Pedro behind us and ride through a splendid countryside all the way to one of the most important breeding farms of the Mangalarga horse. The 300 year old Fazenda Angaí, where we will spend the night, is the place where the first Mangalarga Marchador horse has been registered in the books of the association. 
Riding approx. 20 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Angaí 

Day 7: Fazenda Angaí to Fazenda Norremose 
From Fazenda Angaí we set of through the mountains following ancient bridle paths and dirt roads crossing farms where the history of the Mangalarga Marchador horse is still present. Our destination for the night is an important studfarm called Fazenda Haras Norremose.
Riding approx. 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Haras Norremose 

Day 8: Fazenda Norremose to Fazenda Favacho 
Riding our purebred Mangalarga Marchador horses we will travel stretches of the Estrada Real and continue experiencing the history and culture of Minas Gerais. We will ride towards the Traituba farm, which was built to receive the Emperor of Brazil. After visiting the imperial farm, we continue our ride until we arrive at the beautiful colonial farm Fazenda Favacho, built in 1761.
Aperitif and farewell dinner at the farm and a last night sleeping in a historic farm along the Royal Road.
Riding approx. 15 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fazenda Favacho  

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, we leave with our private shuttle bus to the airport of Guarulhos in São Paulo.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Mangalarga Marchador

Dates Note: Custom dates possible year round depending on availability

Other Info
Meeting: Guarulhos International Airport of São Paulo (GRU)
Airport: Guarulhos International Airport of São Paulo (GRU)
Transfer: --

Climate:
                                                Lorena area