The Last Frontier of Mesoamerica, Mexico

day 1: Arrival in Maceió ( Capital City of the State Alagoas )

Late afternoon Meet & Greet at the hotel in Maceió to brief the riding group about the coming days. Dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel in Maceió.

 

day 2: Maceió – Entremontes - Remanso

(3 hours in the saddle)  

We will depart from the hotel right after breakfast, leave the coastal city of Maceió, and head to the region where our horseback riding tour will start. The road will take us from the Atlantic coast to the backcountry full of crazy stories and legends. Through the windows of the car, we will be able to witness the dramatic change in vegetation and topography.

 

We will know we are on the right track as soon as we see the San Francisco River. Lunch will be at the place where we will meet the horses. We will start our journey under the afternoon sun, follow ancient tracks till reaching the Village of Entremontes and the bank of the San Francisco River, where we will be lodged in a cozy farmhouse. Breathtaking views await us. (Farmhouse - Remanso)  (Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). 

 
day 3: Entremontes Remanso Farm – Piranhas

(3,1/2 hours in the saddle)

The São Francisco river will greet us when we wake up for a new day of horseback riding. Throughout the trail ride, we will have the mighty river within sight. A hearty breakfast will precede our boat ride to Angicos, in the state of Sergipe, where Lampião and part of his gang were ambushed, captured, and killed and beheaded (1938).

 

We will return to the farmhouse, go for a refreshing swim in the river and have lunch. The ride to Piranhas will be full of magnificent views and charm. Tropeiros used to drive herds along this path, sell animals and food, and peddle other goods. The pearl of the Outback will come into view with its remarkably well-preserved old houses and historic government buildings.

 

Just like in the early days, we will tie up our horses in front of the old station, where today stands the Cangaço Museum, and dive into the history of the place. After a drink, we will find our Pousada, where we will spend the night. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner), but before going to bed, we should enjoy a bit of the lively night scene downtown.

day 4: Rancho Bernalejo - Santa Bárbara

After a rich breakfast at the ranch, we prepare for a day through the Sierra de Santa Barbara. The territory where the community of Santa Barbara is located- municipality of Ocampo -is located in the marginal area of ​​Mesoamerica, this culturally rich area has had difficulties developing proper towns due to its aridity and semi-desert that is only populated by native nomadic groups dedicated to hunting and gathering, these communities are called “Chichimecas”- brave indigenous warriors.

In the region of the northern border of Mesoamerica, what is now known as the community of Santa Barbara, the predominant Chichimeca people were characterized as being the most belligerent, they hung around the entire Mesoamerican border, maintaining El Coporo as their center of operations. The large tunnel- which apart from serving as shelter, was also a huge source of food. The Chichemec name “guachichil” means “heads painted red”, this name was given to the warriors who dyed their heads and bodies with red dye.

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