São Joaquim Adventure Trail
Program / Itinerary
The Santa Barbara valley
The rodeos in Urubici are among the most important in Santa Catarina
Day 01
Arrival at airport Florianópolis to catch our regular transfer to Urubici at 11am. Three hours scenic drive from sea leveled island of Santa Catarina takes you to the high sierra of Santa Catarina. Check-in at Urubici Park Hotel. Lunch is at a nearby churrasco grill restaurant. Usually our clients wish to visit a leather and handicraft shop, where they can buy anything related to the horse and riding, at very reasonable prices. We recommend waterproof leather boots with rubber sole, beautiful gaúcho ponchos and hats, horsewhips and lassos from raw hide and much more... Dinner and overnight.
Day 02
The colonial style breakfast includes everything from rolls to pizza, from tarts to sausages and creams to juices. Departure on horse back is set for 8:30am. Riding right through town, soon the trail leads along the lush green Canoas river valley surrounded by high canyons walls. A steep uphill ride, a few breaks, and the group arrives at the high fields that are characteristic for the region around Urubici. Here we may see, but hopefully not hear the sounds of the huge siriema bird, Cariama cristata, as its trumpeted cry advises bad weather ahead. They are also otherwise useful animals, since their preferred diet is snakes! The quero-quero Vanellus chilensis will watch us all the way and shy us off from its nest by raising hell if we get to close. A typical southern Brazilian bird gralha azul, Azure jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus), plays a significant role to prevent the extinction of the Paraná pine Araucaria angustifolha. More difficult to watch is the highly endangered red-tail amazon Amazona pretrei.
Wildflowers of the subtropical rainforest
The Cascata do Funil waterfall
Our cozy chalet at the Vale do Neblina Inn
The mountain village Urubici in the Rio Canoas valley
▲ to the top
Having passed a small river called Rio Capoeira and the Morro Azul or Blue Mountain, the riders will lunch aside a little rapid that, a few meters ahead, forms into a beautiful waterfall, which, because of the fine spray, is called Cascata do Funil. After an appropriate relax for horses and riders, the trail goes on through highland forest, covered mainly with shadowy Paraná Pines, the recently introduced Pinus americanos and the ever present vassourinha bushes that are used for firewood, broom, brushes, but also produces pollen for a delicious honey. Further ahead another stop to appreciate the Avencal waterfall, a 100m high cascade, one of Urubicis main attractions.
The group reaches its first destination for overnight, the Vale da Neblina Inn, around 5pm. Comfortable and cozy little lodges with a hot shower and private bath will be appreciated after a long riding day. Total riding time today 6½ - 7 hs.
A well earned days end
The morning sun welcomes us for another great riding day
Breathtaking mountain scenery of the Santa Barbara highlands
Day 03
After a solid breakfast, served to the chalets, the riders get on their horses to face a steep uphill trail, negotiated without problems by our tough mounts. On the way to the Fazenda Casa Velha ranch, today’s destination, we pass a small family owned property known as Novo Mundo "New World". Arriving on top of the elevation a flat section not only provides magnificent views but also invites for canters and gallops. We have now reached the boundary of the São Joaquim National Park. In the shadow of trees and near to a creek that supplies water for our coffee we unsaddle and prepare our saddlebag lunch, consisting of a generous chunk of beef, lamb, or pork, grilled over the open fire. There, also our brave horses find their share of delicacies. As more riding for the day lies ahead, the siesta however may not be too extensive. The terrain changes often now, with steep up-and downhill riding. Very occasionally the riders may encounter a man or two who are collecting Herba Mate leafs, a plant that grows here naturally. Towards the end of the day and after great riding, the Fazenda Casa Velha, located at Santa Barbara High Fields, is finally reached. Both, riders and horses feel to have done a great job. The latter find rich pasture nearby. Rosi, has arrived here in the meantime by other means with all the equipment to guarantee simple but adequate stay. After a refreshing swim in the nearby Uruguay River, everybody is ready to enjoy her outstanding cooking skills, despite her claiming that she is at her best when working at her own oven. Casa Velha is a very rustic mountain shelter. There is no electricity and showers are improvised. Depending on the weather there is also the option to camp near the river. Overnight. Total riding time 6 hs.
A winters day in the Cayambora mountains
The Cayambora Canyons
Day 04
Provided the weather co-operates, one of the most beautiful riding days awaits the group today. The destination is the Cayamborá Canyons. Heading first for the Chapada da Macela or Macela high sierra, a region named after an herbal plant, used in therapeutic teas and recommended as treatment for gastritis, stomach and other related diseases. So, if there are stress-plagued riders with one or all of the above problems, remember, that our prices are all in. During October and November when the plant is in flower, the green of the high fields contrast with the bright yellow of Macela.
On our way to the Cayamborá Canyon we pass the Fazenda Salgado, the former home of our host Zorro Elvio. This day is dedicated to fun riding. We will canter over the rolling hills, and ride out the ridges at the canyons, breathtaking views, on clear days as far as to the coastline, distant some 150 kms to the southwest, are offered to the riders. A churrasco, the Brazilian BBQ, lunch out of the saddle bag and coffee from the Polaca tin will be enjoyed near a crystal clear freshwater creek, what would become some 200km to the west, the great Rio Uruguay. Shadowy araucarias invite for a nap, with the rich food and the murmuring stream doing the rest. The group will ride back to the camp or the Fazenda Velha shelter, over high mountain ridges, where our horses proof that they are at home here. The region is also home of the mountain lion or puma, Felis concolor. In contrast to this environment the trail continues through dense jungle of Dicksonia, giant ferns, here called xaxim, and bracatinga Mimosa scabrella forest, another tree producing bloom for superb wild honey, consumed locally and exported to Europe. Another bath in the Uruguay river, some trout fishing before dinner, or maybe both, are the difficult choices to be made, before dinner is served. This was a long and amazing riding day, with 7 hs in the saddle.
For lunch in the open we have home grown and home butchered beef
Magical ride through cloud forest
Crossing the Rio Pelotas
Conta Dinheiro Farm: early departure in bright sunlight
Old graveyard in the mountains
▲ to the top
Day 05
And the ride goes on... being todays destination Santa Barbara, Elvios and Rosies new Farm. On our way to Jararaca and further to Santa Barbara, we stop at an old, wind worn cemetery. Stories about people who got lost in the mountains and were buried here will be making the round in the evenings. Riding on top of the Morro Careca or Bald Mountain, 1700m, the riders enjoy magnificent views of 360º degrees. The riders cross open fields again with possibilities for great canters and gallops. Then the high fields change into Ombrophile and Mixed Ombrophile forest, mostly Araucaria or Paraná Pine but also Ilex paraguayensis, widely known as Mate. Wild rasberries, blackberries and delicious wild guavas can be collected on route. Arrival at Santa Barbara is expected for late afternoon. There is time for a rest, before Caipirinhas and dinner is served. Tonight we welcome friends bringing along gaita and violão, delighting us with country music from the gaucho lands. While the flames blaze in the fireplace, Zorro Elvio will tell us how and why he looses frequently newborn calves and pigs to the puma or wild dogs. Overnight. Total riding time today is 8 hs.
Day 06
The Jararaca community is named after a snake Bothrops jararaca, a venomous pitviper, quiete common in Southern Brazil. No reason to worry however. The snakes did not survive the transformation of the region into cattle country. Changing of horses. Our ride today is rather short but nevertheless great fun because of the everchanging landscape. Destination today is a region called Cadet, where we will stay at the historical and beautifully restored Fazenda da Mena. This Fazenda is a property belonging to a member of our hosts, Elvio and Rosi's , huge family. On route we visit the Salto do Rio Lavatudo waterfall. The Lavatudo River and the Rio Pelotas join here to form the Rio Uruguay. Several apple orchards will cross our way before we arrive at Fazenda da Mena around lunchtime. We have planned to explore the property in the afternoon on horseback. Dinner and overnight at Fazenda da Mena. The riding time today will be 5½ hs.
At the Salto do Rio Lavatudo waterfall
Day 07
Easy riding from Fazenda da Mena to back to Santa Barbara Farm on a different trail. Arriving at Jararaca we will unsaddle and leave the horses to graze on the rich pastures of our trail leader Elvio's property. Lunch with delicacies from Rosie's own oven. Since the Santa Barbara Farm is presently being restored, we will either stay at the Guesthouse or transfer a couple of minutes by car to Fazenda Vale dos Rios. This family farm is a simple but clean and cozy place, where you will feel right at home. Our hosts are Rogerio and Salete. Todays estimate is about 4 hs in the saddle.
Unexpected but friendly encounters on route
Pay attention: slippery descend no problem for our reliable mounts
How do you do?
On top of the Monte Alegre mountain: Great views - great scenery
Day 08
As we did some tough riding the last couple of days, we thought to explore today the wider area around the property of Elvio and Rosi's new home, like the Morro do Cará, with dense mixed ombrophile forest, swamps and mountains requiring steep up und downhill riding. All negociated easily by our sturdy mounts and our thrustworthy guide Zorro Elvio. On the top of the mountain, a beautiful spot offers great 360º degrees views, as far as to the village of Urubici down below. Here, a spring rises right out from between the stones. Extraordinarily delicious mineral water, that beats Perrier, Evian and other sofisticated brands hands down. Barbecue lunch on the fields. We have chosen the place for our panoramic siesta. During the ride several opportunites for nice canters and straight gallops. The riding today will not exceed 6 hs.
▲ to the top
Day 09
The last full day of riding fun will take us to the Monte Alegre mountain, claimed to be even higher than the Morro da Igreja , which is 1822m above sea level. To get to the Monte Alegre and back, the riders will face again dense forest, swamps, steep and rocky ascents and high camps with grassy hills, accessible on hidden trails that only a trained scout as Elvio can identify as such. A long days ride, worthwile the effort. Great adventure riding and an overwhelming mix of outstanding landscapes and views. Back at the fazenda, Salete has prepared some decent caipirinhas for apéritif and a fare well dinner for the last evening, with delicacies from the local cuisine. Elvio and Rosi of course will also be with us. After dinner everybody will join in on the large terrasse for some story telling and reflecting on the São Joaquim Adventure Trail that is coming to an end now. Todays estimate is 7 hs riding time.
Pre-historic stone wall carvings
Day 10
As an option we have left open the activities for this morning. There is packing to be done and getting ready for transfer to Florinaópolis airport for afternoon departure to São Paulo or connections. On route, near Urubici, we will visit a pre-historic site with mysterious stone wall carvings, unexplored and unidentified by science until today.
To best finalize your magic stay in Brazil we recommend to book one of our extensions:
- Rio de Janeiro
- Iguaçu Falls
- Whale watching at Brazil Nature Adventures or Riding Brazil
- Amazon Tours & Expeditions