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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

  • Iguazu Falls, both sides spectacular, getting a flavour of Rio and being taken such good care of as a single traveller.

    MB, Thatcham Jun 2013
  • Highlight?: Diversity of wildlife in Brazil. The Iguacu Falls. Swimming in the Rio Negro. Seeing a Sloth. The whole journey was a trip of a lifetime.

    JW, Isle of Islay Oct 2016
  • Highlight: Walking on the trails through the rainforest on Ilha Grande.

    CB, Leeds Oct 2016
  • Every day was special and we have many happy memories but probably the highlights were the views from the top of Sugar Loaf, getting up close to waterfalls, swimming in…

    LL, Tonbridge Aug 2019
  • All of it was memorable, the Hotel were the perfect choice and the guides were knowledgeable and very helpful. The Falls were breath-taking and listening to the falls and bird…

    BS, Harrow Dec 2014
  • Most memorable experience: "The contrast between city, wildlife and the beach."

    JB, Leicester Apr 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.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • 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.

  • Rosie profile
    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

  • 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.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • 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!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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