Rio Grande do Norte has one of the most spectacular coastlines in Brazil, with around 500 km of tropical climate and paradisiacal beaches, many of them with reefs with natural pools and high dunes or cliffs in the background.
The locals, known as potiguares, are very friendly and welcoming. Pipa beach is one of Brazil's top beach destinations with dramatic scenery.

The capital, Natal, is on the eastern edge of the state and the beaches you visit on this ride - Tibau do Sol and Pipa - are located to the south of Natal.

You will stay all nights in the same comfortable beachside hotel, ride wonderful gaited Mangalarga Marchador horses through the varied landscapes, including sugar cane plantations, Atlantic rainforest, sand dunes and, of course, the fabulous beaches. The horses you ride are provided by an award-winning breeder who has been in the top three of the country for the last ten years.

Travel Information

Aility description: Trail Ride level 2-3

Included in the price: 6 nights, 5 days riding, half board (excl. beverages), transfer

Not included: Flight, drinks, one meal per day, tips, personal insurance and any extras not mentioned.

Travel: Fly to Natal.

Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore.
The airport is approximately 90 km from the resort but transfers from the airport on arrival and departure are included in the cost of the trip.

Single room: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will apply.

Group size: Min. 5 Max 10

Weight limit: Max 100 kg

Age limit: Min. 8 years.

Season/dates: This ride is booked on request if you have a group of at least 5 people.

Beach: Yes

Pool: Yes

Kredit card: Yes

Currency: Brazilian real. Change to US$

Tips: Are commonly paid in Brazil. Tipping is not essential, but if you are happy with the service, then it would be grately recieved. Around US$10 /night/guest.

Misc.: There is no helmets to borrow.
Special diet: Inform when booking.

Accommodation & Food

All nights are spent in the 3* Marinas hotel in Tibau do Sol in double room ensuite. The hotel is on the cliffs overlooking the sea and has a great view of the sunsets. It's just a few minutes walk from the beaches and town centre of Tibau do Sol, where there are markets, a pharmacy, restaurants and bars to explore. The hotel itself has a swimming pool, a cafe bar, a sunset terrace and a creperie.

Meals are taken either at the hotel restaurant or other local restaurants - during the rides these are often beachside restaurants.

There is a wide range of quality gastronomy on offer, with an obvious emphasis on fresh seafood, but there are options for all palates. It is possible to choose different dishes each day with a host of incredible flavours. One night includes a barbecue at the stables.

Either lunch or dinner is included each day, with the other being payable locally, so you can choose to eat as much or as little as you like.

Program

Preliminary day-by-day program

Day 1 - Transfer from Natal airport to your beach hotel, the Marinas in Tibau do Sul. Settle into your room. Dinner time you meet your guide and owner of the stud farm. He will give you information about his award winning breeding programme - this stud is one of the top in the country, with approximately 280 horses on-site and 50-60 foals born each year.

Day 2 – Tibau do Sul - Lagoa do Carcara
You will be introduced to your Mangalarga horse and after a riding orientation you set off on your first day of ride that starts with the horses crossing the ferry at Lagoa de Guaraíras, a few meters from your hotel. On the other side you will find the beautiful beach of Malembá: a deserted beach with open sea, with reefs, weak waves, clear and soft sand. The route on this day includes the beach, dunes, Atlantic Forest and lagoons. During the trail you will have the opportunity to glimpse one of the most beautiful views of the Potiguar coast. You lunch should be on the edge of the Lagoon, with the option of authentic potiguar shrimp in a typical beach restaurant in the region. After lunch you head towards Lagoa do Carcará, passing through the Mata Redonda ecological reserve where you will make a strategic stop. On the way you will also visit the store at Fazenda Brasileira Augusta, producer of the famous Papary and Vila Imperial de Papary, cachaças (Brazilian most typical drink made of sugar cane) that were born in the slave quarters of colonial Brazil, crossed centuries of history and remain in the region of Nísia Floresta. Famous throughout the northeast of Brazil, for its sugar cane mills and the artisanal production of good cachaça. End of the ride at Lagoa do Carcará The horses return by truck to the Haras and you return by car to the hotel (approx 40 min. drive).

Day 3 - Praia de Baia Formosa - Praia da Pipa
You leave by car towards Baía Formosa beach where you start the ride towards Sibaúna and southern beaches, crossing rivers, coconut trees, natural viewpoints, imposing cliffs, stretches of Atlantic Forest, dunes and coves. In Barra do Cunhau, another picturesque ferry crossing with the horses. At the end of the ride, you will enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the cliffs, a mandatory stop before arriving in Pipa with the best view of the entire region.

Day 4 - Haras - Tibau do Sul - Haras
You leave for the Haras and start riding through Atlantic Forest trails to the beaches of Tibau do Sul, Cacimbinhas and Madeiro. Another day of excellent ride that includes beaches with incredible scenery.

Day 5 - Praia do Giz - Pipa
You leave the Hotel towards Praia do Giz, where you ride along the seafront with the sea on your left and the cliffs on the right, crossing the fishing boats close by. In Pipa you enter the city and follow the streets until you reach the chapadão, where you stop to drink coconut water, with a beautiful view of Praia do Amor and a general panorama of the sea and other beaches. You head towards Praia das Minas and through there the horses gait and gallop until reach Sibaúna. There you stop for a snack and head to the canal that you cross with the horses. End of another especial day. The horses return by truck and you spend some time in the water before return by car to the hotel.

Day 6
You leave the hotel for the Stables where you will get to know a little about the history of the Stables and its award-winning stud. Then you set off for the last ride, going through the pastures where the mares and foals are and sugarcane fields.

Day 7.
After breakfast, transfer to airport.

Horses

You ride Mangalarga Marchador horses which originate from cross-breeding between Portuguese Alter-Real Lusitano horses and Berber horses. Mangalarga Marchadors are gaited - they have a normal walk and canter but then two ambling gaits instead of the trot - the marcha batida and marcha picada - both are very comfortable. They are fit, forward going, well mannered and a pleasure to ride.

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