Brazil ~ Walking the Historic Gold Trail to Paraty, with Iguassu Falls

Brazil ~ Walking the Historic Gold Trail

to Paraty, with Iguassu Falls

More than three centuries ago, the discovery of vast gold reserves in the interior of Brazil led the Portuguese Crown to establish the ‘Estrada Real’, the Gold Trail, a cobbled trail over the mountains linking the colonial cities to the safe anchorage of Paraty (now a World Heritage site) on the coast.

We explore this historic route, seeing the 17C architecture of the gold mining towns; encountering orchids, butterflies, macaws and cascading waterfalls on walks in forested National Parks; enjoy a private schooner trip along the idyllic Costa Verde and, as a particular highlight, visit Iguassu Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

L, D included

After meeting at Sao Paulo airport in the morning we have a two hour road transfer 1,200 m up into the sierras to our peaceful historic hotel, a member of the Roteiros de Charme and part of a working coffee farm. We have a refreshing swim in the pool before lunch then an afternoon walk to a marvellous viewpoint. This evening we try a chilled caiprinha (the national drink of sugar cane spirit and fresh lime juice) before a dinner of typical rural Brazilian dishes made with organic farm produce.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

We follow walking trails on the sierra to view waterfalls, remnant Atlantic rainforest, banana and coffee plantations in the morning. After lunch we have a tour of the coffee production area - the family produce first quality coffee using purely ecologically sustainable methods. For the energetic, the pool, tennis courts and mountain bikes are available, or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the calm rural setting.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

We drive down the escarpment to Sao Paulo airport for a domestic flight to the magnificent Iguassu Falls, where we stay for 2 nights in the luxury Hotel das Cataratas, part of the Orient-Express collection - as this is the only hotel located inside the National Park, just a 2 minute stroll from the Falls, guests enjoy the privilege of exclusive access to the Falls before the Park opens each day. In the afternoon we explore the 225 interlinked cataracts of the Falls by boat, electric jeep and on foot, following forest trails vivid with butterflies and toucans, seeing permanent rainbows in the mist and spray, and inevitably, getting drenched!

DAY 4

B, L, D included

Crossing to the Argentinian side of the Falls, we explore more extensively on foot, taking boardwalks which lead across the top of individual cataracts and looking out for wildlife such as brown capuchin monkeys, southern river otters and coatis, plus over 100 species of butterflies, including the giant electric blue Morpho. Returning to our hotel we have time to swim and enjoy the extensive tropical gardens before dinner in the elegant restaurant.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

2 linked internal flights take us via Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais, where gold was first found in 1693. We visit Oscar Niemeyer's blue and white tiled church of St Francis of Assisi before driving on to the most celebrated of the colonial gold towns, Ouro Preto. A walk through the cobbled lanes and squares brings us to our 5 star hotel for the next three nights, a wonderfully restored historic building.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

We spend the day in the Itacolomi State Park, seeing the ‘Bandeirista’s’ house and the Tea Museum before walking a 12 km stretch of the Estrada Real, passing the ‘Three Nuggets’ waterfall en route to the delightful village of Lavras Novas. Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Ouro Preto features the hearty dishes favoured by the gold miners such as ‘Tuta á Mineira’, refried beans with roast pork, local greens, egg and rice, accompanied by very drinkable Brazilian wines and live Brazilian music.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

Ouro Preto preserves some of the most important colonial architecture in Brazil and we spend today exploring it thoroughly on foot, seeing the fascinating mineral collections in the Museum of Mineralogy, the unusual Museum of Oratories, the church of Santa Efigenia (said to have been decorated with gold dust washed out of slaves' hair) and the magnificent church of Sáo Francisco, considered to be one of the masterpieces of Brazilian Baroque.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

The road we follow this morning is the Estrada Real and although this section is now paved, the old bridges built by slaves can still be seen. In Congonhas do Campo we see the great 18C pilgrimage basilica, O Santuário de Bom Jesus de Matosinhos and walk round the associated statues of the Via Sacra. Continuing to Sáo Joáo del Rei we have lunch and then choose between a visit to the excellent Railway Museum or time to wander the historic town centre. A short drive then brings us to Tiradentes and our country house hotel, a restored colonial mansion set in lovely gardens (a member of the Roteiros de Charme).

DAY 9

B, L, D included

4WDs take us up onto the ridge of the Serra de Sáo José for a full morning’s walk in the scenic State Wildlife Refuge, a biosphere ‘hotspot’ especially important for orchids and dragonflies. After a picnic with far reaching views we return to Tiradentes and spend the afternoon on a walking tour of the colonial centre, full of fine Baroque churches with splendid gilded woodcarvings, 18C public fountains and whitewashed cottages with characteristic blue and yellow trim.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

After a morning's drive (with a coffee stop en route) we reach the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil’s oldest, with 30,000 hectares of pristine mountain forest protecting rare species such as jaguar, puma, brown capuchin and black-faces titi monkeys. A short walk leads to the Lago Azul where we sample Brazilian snack food for lunch before driving on to our next hotel, comfortable wooden cabins set in tropical gardens deep within the park. We walk in the forest before watching for the animals which come close to the hotel at dusk.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

A specialist local guide takes us walking in the National Park today, searching for orchids, bromeliads, mammals and the endangered endemic bird species of the cloud forest - toucans, spot-billed and saffron toucanets, the black and gold cotinga and a fine array of hummingbirds. We have time for a swim in the hotel's heated indoor pool before dinner, perhaps fondue and grilled mountain trout followed by a digestif of fruit-flavoured cachaça.

DAY 12

B, L, D included

We make our way south to Paraty, the end of the Estrada Real and port of embarkation for the gold from Ouro Preto. A World Heritage site, Paraty is one the most charming 17C colonial towns in Brazil and we explore it in detail, seeing the defensive fort, the interesting Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions (wooden canoes, musical instruments) and the elegant Brazilian Baroque churches. Our hotel for the final three nights is an exclusive retreat on an utterly secluded part of the coast, with an outstanding restaurant.

DAY 13

B, L, D included

The hotel’s 40 foot schooner takes us for a day’s exploration of the completely unspoilt little islands and beaches in the bay, looking for dolphins, snorkelling in crystal clear water and enjoying a fresh seafood lunch at an isolated beach restaurant. Returning to our hotel we can read in the hammock on our private balconies or walk in the tropical gardens before a dinner based on local organic produce, accompanied by select South American wines.

DAY 14

B, L, D included

A day to relax by the freshwater swimming pool with its amazing views over the bay, indulge in a massage and sauna, go surfing or swimming with turtles, walk in the surrounding forest, go fishing or borrow one of the hotel's kayaks, birdwatch or just amble along one of the twenty pristine beaches in the immediate area - only the breeze in the palm trees disturbs the silence.

DAY 15

B, L, D included

After a final morning enjoying the hotel we drive the scenic coast road west back to Sao Paulo airport for late evening flights home.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 15 on a double shared basis

All meals with wine or beer as preferred at lunches and dinners as listed

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

Internal flights from Sao Paulo to Iguassu Falls and from Iguassu Falls via Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

All activities as described ie. walks with specialist cultural, botanical and ornithological guides

Schooner trip as described

Boat and jeep trips at Iguassu Falls

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the UK and most of the EU currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Brazil. If you are a national of any other country (including the USA, Canada and Australia), please check visa regulations with your nearest Brazil Embassy as you are required to obtain a Visa before travelling to Brazil.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Brazil, except vaccination against Yellow fever if entering from other South American countries. However, you should see your doctor in good time (at least 2 months before you travel) for advice on updating your protection against typhoid, polio, tetanus, Hepatitis A and any other immunisations etc that they may recommend. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for information on a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.