Cross part of the Aparados da Serra National Park, an area of huge canyons. Unlike the Grand Canyon of Arizona or the Fish River Canyon of Namibia, Brazil's canyon country is in a lush green area of rich grassland and huge araucaria forests.

Our ride is a journey from the state of Rio Grande do Sul to the state of Santa Catarina following a huge escarpment which separates them. You ride on the high plateau through quite stunning scenery of open pasture which is grazed by cattle. From time to time, the landscape is suddenly interrupted by canyons up to 700m deep on the escarpment edge from where you can see for miles almost all the way to the coast. The land is crisscrossed with rivers which sometimes create sparkling rapids and then disappear off the cliffs in magical waterfalls.

You ride on Mangalarga Marchador and Brazilian Criollo horses which are forward going and fit. On the first part of the ride you will use Mangalarga Marchador horses from Cambará do Sul. This is a national breed which descends from the Andalucian and Barb horses of Spain and Portugal. . Criollo horses are used for the second part of the ride. These are the traditional horses of ‘gaúcho’, famed for their steady characters and sure-footedness.

Your local guides are colourful characters who will greet you in the morning with their "chimarrão", a gourd of hot mate tea.

It isn't only the landscape which is different in the south of Brazil, but also the climate. Here there are four distinct seasons including a winter between July and August when the daytime temperatures can drop to zero. The Santa Catarina mountain region is the only place in Brazil where it might snow.

This is the region responsible for Brazil's fine wines and most of the country's outstanding beef. You are sure to have the chance to enjoy a traditional ‘gaúcho’ barbecue and some excellent food.

The accommodation on this ride ranges from rural farm-stays and authentic guesthouses to the very comfortable Rio do Rastro Eco Resort (where you spend the last two nights).