History, Gastronomy and Modern Art of Brazil: Minas Gerais for 8 Days

Ouro Preto, Brazil

What to expect on this itinerary

Explore the modern cityscapes that boast captivating contemporary museums and art, colonial communities that share authentic Mineiran cuisine, and lush forest reserves that present the breathtaking wilderness on your 8-day Brazil tour with excursions to Minas Gerais. Uncover the cultural treasures of Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Congonhas, and Tiradentes en route to the illustrious natural paradise of Ibitipoca as you indulge natural wonder and tropical charm.

Countries Visited

Brazil

Places Visited

Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Congonhas, Tiradentes, Ibitipoca

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Belo Horizonte - Make Way for Minas Gerais

The capital city of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, Belo Horizonte, will invite you to discover scintillating South America and its magnificent mix of cultural influences, culinary highlights, and art. You will transfer from the airport to your accommodation and then to the city center where your architectural tour of the surrounding buildings, museums, and neighborhoods will begin. The colorful murals of Igreja Sao Francisco De Assis and regal 1920s design of Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil will impress on your exploration of the city’s charming districts. Later, you will transfer to a chic restaurant with views of the olive-green mountains.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Belo Horizonte - Brazilian Breakfasts and the Inhotim Museum

Day 3

Tiradentes - Cultural Tour of Three Colonial Cities

Day 4

Tiradentes - Culinary Exploration of Minas Gerais Cuisine

Day 5

Ibitipoca - Escape to the Brazilian Forest

Day 6

Ibitipoca - Wade in the Monkey’s Waterfall

Day 7

Ibitipoca - Snapshot the Window of the Sky

Day 8

Ibitipoca - One Last Brazilian Bite to Eat

Trip Highlights

  • Admire the magnificent historic and contemporary architecture of Belo Horizonte on a tour to visit Igreja Sao Francisco De Assis and Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
  • Indulge in a quintessential Brazilian breakfast and then head to the modern exhibits and lush Botanical Garden of the coveted Inhotim Museum
  • Enjoy a fascinating and inspiring history and culture tour of three colonial cities including Ouro Preto, Congonhas, and Tiradentes
  • Delve into the culinary traditions of Minas Gerais on a gastronomic exploration of typical Tiradentes cuisine including a cooking class and cheese-making tour
  • Step foot on the soft soils of the Ibitipoca Reserve and spend your days admiring the serene natural paradise from accommodation in and amongst the wilderness activity
  • Hike the forest-flanked trails that weave through the Ibitipoca Reserve to the Cachoeira dos Macacos, or Monkey’s Waterfall, for a swim in the beautiful natural rock pool
  • Wander beneath the emerald canopy of the forest to the Janela do Céu, or the Window of the Sky, for memorable moments and stunning snapshots atop the cinematic waterfall
  • Swim in the temperate waters of the Pico do Pião and the Lago dos Espelhos, or Lake of Mirrors after a wonderful hike through the wilderness where you will spot the local wildlife

Starting Price

$10,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.8

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 10 reviews

Brazil Vacation Review: Iguazu Falls, Fortaleza, Beaches, 10 Nights

We had a great travel experience with Zicasso's travel company. Brazil is a wonderful country to visit. The people we encountered were very courteous, helpful, and happy.

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Brazil Vacation Review: Amazon, Iguazu, Rio de Janeiro, 10-Night Trip

Overall, we had a very good experience. The flights were well spaced out and timed, so we enjoyed each of the three places.

The Amazon experience was by far the most immersive and authentic. The food, three meals a day, was a bit too much, but kept us full. The guide there was phenomenal.

The other two guides in Iguazú and Rio de Janeiro were subpar. They felt more like babysitters rather than guides. They barely gave us any information, socioeconomic, historical, fun facts, etc. The lunch they took us to in Rio was absolutely terrible, at a very touristic, all-you-can-eat place in Ipanema that we would never have dined in. We would have liked to be given the option of spending more on food if possible. Food in Rio was cheap, so we would have chosen a much better place and paid on our own for it otherwise.

The hotels were good. The one in Rio was a bit old. If I had a do-over, I would have stayed in Ipanema, which felt safer and busier than Copacabana. The hotel in Iguazú was awesome, but had very small twin beds. The spa was below average.

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Brazil Vacation Review: Copacabana Beach, Iguazu Falls, Carnival, Cooking Class, 9 Nights

Zicasso's travel agent was a delight to work with. He was responsive in helping us plan an interesting itinerary.

We enjoyed our trip to Brazil.

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Brazil Tour Review: Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Private Tour, Private Boat Ride, 8 Nights

It was a fantastic trip! Zicasso's travel specialist provided guidance on visiting not just Rio de Janeiro, but Paraty, a fishing village four hours away, and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip.

She scheduled a private boat tour of the bay and it was absolutely stunning; swimming on empty beaches and having a great lunch right over the water.

Additionally she booked a beautiful and relaxing hotel that had some of the best food of the trip. I would not have planned this without her help.

I recommend our travel company unreservedly; totally worth it!

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Argentina, Brazil Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Tango Shows, Vineyard Tours, Boat Ride, Wine, Local Cuisine, 11-Night Trip

My wife and I recently embarked on a breathtaking journey through South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls in Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We entrusted Zicasso's tour agency with planning our trip and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we've ever made.

From the very beginning, the team at the tour company was attentive and responsive, taking the time to understand our preferences and interests. They crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Buenos Aires: Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The agency arranged for a knowledgeable local guide who took us through the historic neighborhoods, tango shows, and culinary delights. The accommodations were centrally located, allowing us to explore the city with ease.

Mendoza: Next, we traveled to Mendoza, where we were immersed in the world of wine. The tour agency organized exclusive vineyard tours and tastings, providing us with a unique insight into the region's winemaking traditions. The picturesque landscapes and charming boutique hotel made our stay unforgettable.

Iguazú Falls: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The agency ensured we had the best vantage points and arranged for a thrilling boat ride that brought us up close to the cascading waters. Their attention to detail and seamless logistics made this experience truly magical.

Rio de Janeiro: Our journey concluded in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The travel company curated a perfect blend of iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with hidden gems that showcased the city's unique culture. The beachfront hotel provided stunning views and a relaxing end to our adventure.

Throughout the trip, the tour company was always available to assist with any questions or adjustments, ensuring a stress-free experience. Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of our journey.

We wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone seeking a well-organized and memorable travel experience. We look forward to planning our next adventure with them!

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Brazil Trip Review: Manaus, Amazon, Boat Ride, Wildlife, Nature, Local Cuisine, 12-Day Tour

It was a totally unique travel experience, with wonderful flora and fauna sights in the Amazon area near Manaus, first by boat and then in an eco lodge two hours from Manaus in the jungle. We could look out from our balcony at birds and monkeys in the trees. The food and juices were delicious and healthy for every meal, and all the people we met were friendly and fun.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews