GOLD AND COFFEE ROUTE

 

Departures:  Year-round
Places Visited: Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas, São João Del Rei, Tiradentes, Barra do Piraí – Valença & Parati

Highlights
Tour the state capital of Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s first planned city and important industrial center. Visit the best preserved colonial towns in Brazil, admire spectacular 18th century baroque churches and meticulously restored houses in Ouro Preto and Mariana. See the enormous soapstone sculptures masterfully carved by Brazil’s famous baroque artist, Aleijadinho, in Congonhas, savor outstanding Mineiro cuisine in charming Tiradentes and spend a night on a historic coffee plantation in the hills of Rio de Janeiro state. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 2 nights of accommodation in Ouro Preto
  • Daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed in the itinerary) and local taxes
  • Half Day City Tour Belo Horizonte
  • Full Day City Tour Mariana & Ouro Preto
  • Full Day tour to Congonhas, São João Del Rei & Tiradentes
  • 1 night of accommodation in Tiradentes
  • Daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed in the itinerary) and local taxes
  • 1 night of accommodation in Barra do Piraí
  • Daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed in the itinerary) and local taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

  • Meals and drinks, except as mentioned above
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional tours and experiences
  • Any items not mentioned

Day 01: Belo Horizonte / Ouro Preto.
Transfer from Confins Airport to Belo Horizonte. Traditional mineiro lunch at Dona Lucinha Restaurant.

Half day City Tour Belo Horizonte
Built in 1897, Belo Horizonte was Brazil’s first planned city. At present, the city has 2.5 million inhabitants. Belo Horizonte is the country's second most important industrial center, producing steel, cement and automobiles. It also exports iron ore, manganese, nickel, uranium and precious stones. The city tour will include downtown’s main attractions and the Pampulha Complex with its striking modernist design by Brazil’s most renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer. Transfer to Ouro Preto. Dinner at Casa dos Contos Restaurant. Accommodation in Ouro Preto at Selected Hotel

Day 02: Mariana / Ouro Preto.

Full Day City Tour Mariana & Ouro Preto

The center of the 18th century gold rush, Ouro Preto is home to the largest collection of Baroque architecture and art in Brazil. Many of Ouro Preto’s churches are adorned by Aleijadinho, one of the best known 18th century Baroque sculptors and painters. Although much smaller than Ouro Preto, the nearby town of Mariana also features an impressive collection of baroque architecture decorated with many beautiful soapstone carvings. Lunch in the Chafariz restaurant in Ouro Preto. In the afternoon, visit the exquisite stone collection of the Mineralogy Museum, São Francisco de Assis Church and Casa dos Contos. Dinner at Deguste Restaurant.

Day 03: Ouro Preto / Congonhas / São João Del Rei / Tiradentes.

Full day tour from Congonhas to Tiradentes with lunch
Congonhas contains some of Brazil’s greatest Baroque treasures with Aleijadinho’s sculptural soapstone masterpieces of the twelve Prophets and wooden sculptures of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Then continue to São João del Rei (100 km/60 mi).

São João del Rei was founded in 1703, during the gold rush. Located at the junction of various important roads, São João served as an important political center and commercial hub. Today, the town still boasts a number of beautiful 18th century churches, including the churches of Pilar (1721), Carmo (1733) and São Francisco de Assis (1749). On weekends, visitors may board a 19th century steam train for a romantic ride to nearby Tiradentes. Lunch at Villeiros Restaurant

Tiradentes was the first settlement in the Rio das Mortes region when gold was found in 1702. The town was later named after Tiradentes, a well-known Brazilian hero who played a leading role in the Inconfidência Mineira (1789), a republican liberation movement in Minas Gerais against the Portuguese crown. Stroll the quaint cobblestone streets of Tiradentes and visit the Church of Santo Antonio (1710), the Museum of Padre Toledo and the Fountain of São José das Botas (1749). Dinner at Empório Santo Antonio Restaurant. Accommodation in Tiradentes at Selected Hotel

Day 04: Tiradentes / Barra do Piraí.
Transfer to Barra do Piraí. Stop for lunch at Graal Restaurant in Juiz de Fora. Scheduled arrival in Barra do Piraí at Fazenda Ponte Alta around 4 p.m. This historic ranch is a former coffee plantation in the heart of Rio’s coffee growing region.

Day 05: Barra do Piraí / Parati.
Free morning to explore the ranch; visit the original chapel and slave quarters, walk the trails around the property and learn more about the golden era of the coffee cycle. Lunch at Ponte Alta. Transfer to Parati. Scheduled arrival at 5 p.m.


Tour descriptions and approximate times are for informational purposes only.
Some places described may be substituted and/or approximate times may be subject to change, due to unexpected circumstances.