Comuna do Ibitipoca
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.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
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.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
