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Comuna do Ibitipoca

  • Comuna de Ibitipoca
  • Comuna de Ibitipoca
  • Comuna do Ibitopoca
  • Comuna do Ibitopoca
  • Comuna de Ibitipoca
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Stay at a luxury Portuguese-style farmhouse on a natural reserve in the wildlife-rich mountains of Brazil's Minas Gerais state.

The mountainous state of Minas Gerais yawns over a rugged territory inland from Rio de Janeiro. It’s a fecund region of savannah grassland, coffee plantations on sun-stroked slopes, soils rich in semi-precious stones, cliffs and river valleys groaning with forests, waterfalls and rose-tinted pools.  As you can imagine this landscape is home to an extraordinary biodiversity. The gorgeous Reserva de Ibitipoca was established to conserve this captivating environment.

Travel by scenic road from Rio (4hrs) to the Fazenda do Engenho, an attractive 18th century Portuguese farmhouse, or its outlying accommodation, all situated in the heart of the reserve with its 200km of trails you can explore on foot, by mountain bike or on horse-back. Bird-watching is especially rewarding here. The handful of romantic suites are huge, decorated in rustic style with wood-burning stoves, leather sofas, wooden floors and Victorian-style bathtubs, well provided with contemporary amenities such as underfloor heating and Wifi. To complement your outdoor activities – which can be guided, or you can go off on your own – there’s a spa, fitness room, yoga classes. That’s not to mention the home-cooked food, which you can eat in the company of your fellow guests, at an outdoor picnic or lake-side barbecue, or at a simple eaterie at a local community.  

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Highlight: Walking on the trails through the rainforest on Ilha Grande.

    CB, Leeds Oct 2016
  • Highlights?: The sighting of Fera the jaguar, and the giant otter sighting at Rio Mutum.

    MM, Ascot Sep 2017
  • Too many highlights - standing at the base of Christ the Redeemer, canoeing in the Amazon rainforest and sitting at the Cococabana Palace beach club on Cococabana beach........A fantastic holiday…

    AL, London Feb 2017
  • Expert help in tailoring a holiday that took in the nature of the country (the Amazon), the cities (Manaus, Rio and Salvador) and the idyllic beaches of Bahia - all…

    DA, West Norwood Jun 2013
  • Highlights?: Getting wet at Iguazu on the boat trip. Cooking in Stella's home on Flavours of Bahia tour.

    JM, Glasgow Nov 2017
  • Most memorable experience: "Hard to say it was all wonderful. Looking for alligators in a minute boat in the dark with eyes peering at you from out of the reeds,…

    VM, Shoreham-by-Sea May 2015
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Our Expert's Opinion

Hannah
Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

Papagaio

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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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