1
Day -
Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto
Meet at Belo Horizonte’s airport and transfer to Ouro Preto with a stop in Congonhas which contains works from the Golden Age of Brazil: Aleijadinho’s sculptural masterpieces of the twelve prophets and his sculptural representation of the Via Crucis(The Stations of the Cross).Continue to Ouro Preto, the former capital of Minas Gerais.
There will be time to explore this lovely colonial town.
Lunch included.
Overnight at the inn
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2
Day -
Ouro Preto
A Full day to enjoy Ouro Preto and its surroundings. Founded in 1711, Ouro Preto’s name means "Black Gold", in reference to the coloring of the gold mined in the area caused by the iron oxide in the soil. Today we explore this historical town with charming old buildings and cobblestone streets. Ouro Preto is known for precious topaz. In fact all the pink topaz and most of the precious topaz mined in Brazil comes from an area one hundred kilometers around Ouro Preto. After breakfast we will drive a short distance to the Antonio Pereira Imperial Topaz Mine. We will also stop at the Passagem Gold Mine, the oldest gold mine in Brazil. It will be one of the most thrilling experiences of the trip. In the afternoon there is time to visit the Mineral Museum and some of the artistic treasures of the town, like the Opera House-the oldest in South America-and the beautiful church of San Francisco. Lunch in town. Visits in the city.
Overnight at the inn
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3
Day -
Ouro Preto - Gov. Valadares
After breakfast we board the motorcoach for our drive to Governador Valadares. Located in the heart of Minas Gerais mining district,Valadares is used as a distribuition point of wholesalers. We will have an opportunity to visit their warehouses and the mines nearby.Weather permiting,we will stop at an emerald mine on the way to pay a visit to the Capoerana Emerald Mine. This is a very exciting part of the trip. We will see the miners or "garimpeiros" working the shafts and there is a possibility to visit the inside of one of them. On arrival at the hotel in Valadares you will get the first sampling of the abundance of gemstones in the area: young vendors will approach you to sell you their parcels.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel
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4
Day -
Governador Valadares
After breakfast we will visit a carving studio where rough precious materials are turned into exquisite carvings of minerals and birds. We will also visit several gem and mineral dealers. After lunch we will visit Moselite. In this factory we will see minerals like sodalite, jasper,and dolimite turned into intarsia masterpieces to be used as counter tops, flooring and tables.
Overnight at the Hotel
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5
Day -
Teófilo Otoni
This morning we depart for a full day excursion to Teófilo Otoni, one of the most interesting town of Minas Gerais. We will visit gem and mineral dealers and take time to deal with the street vendors in the central square. Here is where these merchants, many of them not older than fourteen or fifteen, peddle their goods. After lunch, return to Valadares.
Overnight at the hotel
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6
Day -
Belo Horizonte
After Breakfast we return to Belo Horizonte (335km) where we check in at the Hotel.
Time at leisure for shopping.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
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7
Day -
Belo Horizonte
Visit of the trade show, personal contacts or at leisure.
Check out and transfer to Airport.
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