
“Here and there, between the stern peaks, lie patches of snow-white sand or a narrow bit of green plain, confused and orderless, a fibre in the core of rockmountain. The land… is illiterate, and it is wild.”
- Sir Richard Burton, Explorations of the Highlands of the Brazil (1869)
At a Glance
An ambitious, action-packed crossing of the high savannah, deep into the Story of Brazil.
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An immersive, motion-filled adventure across the winding trails, rivers, and backroads of the majestic, little-visited Serra do Espinhaço that will leave you rejuvenated, and with a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and nature of Brazil than you ever imagined.
We crafted this itinerary based on our exclusive expedition with Financial Times in 2024, whose writer, Paul Richardson, declared that “… there were moments of exhaustion, but also of exhilaration, such as I had never known in a lifetime of travel.”
Over the course of 14 days, 4 (min) - 8 (max) travelers will join our full-time Crew of 5 and part-time Crew of 10+ as we trek, ride, canoe, and overland across 514 km of lost historic trails, dusty backroads, and pristine rivers, gaining & losing 13,711 m of elevation on the trail, and traversing 8 conservation units, 3 UNESCO sites, 18+ waterfalls, and 20 communities in the process.
Come for the untold Story of Brazil, to experience life in Brazil—or elsewhere—as few have, and for the camaraderie, memories, and stories that you’ll create along the way.
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We’d advise you not to expect too much downtime on this trip. While some days are certainly less eventful than others, long, highly active days on the trail and/or road are par for the course throughout our crossing, as are festive evenings in both Diamantina and the tiny backcountry communities of the Espinhaço.
Other things we’d advise not to expect: famous landmarks; proper City Tours; souvenir shops; opulent accommodations (with a few noteworthy exceptions here and there); fancy food (same); wine tastings; modern 4×4 vehicles (we prefer the field reparability of vintage Brazilian Land Cruisers); omnipresent digital connectivity (Wi-Fi will be available during 8 nights & mornings of the trip); access to TV; hotel-issued shampoos, conditioners, and hand lotions; folks on the trail; any other international visitors at all.
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14 days / 13 nights
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4 (min) - 8 (max) travelers; 5 full-time crew members; 10+ part-time crew members
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5/5. With 6-9 days of trekking (depending on your preferences), 4 days of optional trail riding, 5-6 days of overlanding, and an afternoon of canoeing thrown in for good measure, this is about as active of a trip as a traveler could hope for, and an incredibly rewarding way to spend our days between culturally-enriching evenings & mornings in the small communities of the Espinhaço.
Trail days during the Expedition average approximately 20 km and 1,200+ m of cumulative gain/loss over varied mountain terrain. Water crossings are frequent, and there is always potential for long (30+ km) days depending on weather & the situation on the ground.
Bushwhacking & insects are realities of the trail here (particularly during Chapter II of our itinerary); the natural consequences of intimate contact with pristine wilderness areas in this part of the country.
Homestays (4 of our 13 nights) in remote communities that lack the basic comforts of the developed world are an enriching, unmissable experience, but don’t always guarantee the best night’s sleep. Ditto for our camping overnights (3 of 13 nights) in the untamed wilderness of Sempre Vivas.
While being in outstanding physical condition is always advisable—and particularly helpful during Chapter One of this Expedition—our experience is that most resilient, reasonably-fit travelers will be able to complete & enjoy this Expedition, as it tends to get slightly easier as we progress.
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Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rainforest)
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Sept 8 - Sept 21, 2025 (14 days)
March 30 - April 12, 2026 (14 days)*
Please note that 2026 dates are subject to change
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This is a highly active, culturally enlightening trip, and most travelers will find at least some portions of it challenging.
That said, while being in good physical condition is important (we require a signed bill of good health from your medical provider as part of our Application process), it’s only part of the equation, as we’ve completed similar Expeditions with enthusiastic first-time trekkers who have performed exceedingly well, and veteran mountaineer types who have struggled greatly.
Ultimately, like all of our trips in the Serra do Espinhaço, the individuals who will enjoy this Expedition the most are hearty travelers who possess a genuine curiosity to explore the planet; who are excited to meet & interact with new folks (locals, crew members, fellow travelers); and who enjoy stretching their limits.
If you possess these qualities and are reasonably fit, we think you’ll love it. However, due to the lack of developed tourism infrastructure in the region, we do not recommend it for first-time international travelers, nor do we accept solo applicants below the age of 25.
Highlights (→)

Inclusions
13 accommodations. 41 meals. 15+ crew members. 3+ years of exploration & development. One adventure of a lifetime.
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4 pousadas
3 wilderness campsites
2 homestays
2 private homes
1 wilderness refuge
1 resort
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13 breakfasts
14 lunches
13 dinners
Daily Trail Snacks
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We provide all ground & river transportation within Brazil, from touchdown to take-off. This Includes:
Round-trip transfer to/from Belo Horizonte - Diamantina
All regional overland transportation
Horses & Pack Mules
Canoes and/or Jon Boats (depending on river conditions)
Two (2) support 4x4s & one (1) support motor bike
Emergency ground transportation as necessary
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Five (5) full-time Crew Members:
Two (2) full-time Expedition Leaders / Country Guides / Translators
One (1) full-time Regional Guide / Naturalist
Two (2) full-time Drivers
15+ part-time Crew Members, including Local Guides, Mule Drivers, Horsemen, Boatmen, Cooks, Porters, Transfer Drivers, and other Support Personnel as needed
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Camping + Trail
Tents, sleeping bags + sleeping pads
Camp kitchen + tableware
Trekking poles and/or walking sticks
Water filters + purification
Communications + Safety Equipment
2-Way radios (crew-use only)
Satellite communications devices (crew-use only)
Emergency beacons (crew-use only)
First-Aid supplies (crew-use only)
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All Documentation & Fees (if any) pertaining to our visits to:
Sempre Vivas National Park
Rio Preto State Park
Biribiri State Park
Itambé State Park
Vila de Santa Bárbara
Vesperata (Diamantina)
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Multiple certified Wilderness Advanced First-Aid personnel (including both Expedition Leaders)
Three (3) full-time support / rescue vehicles
Multiple satellite communications devices (crew-use only)
Multiple first-aid kits (both on the trail & inside of vehicles)
Daily communication with local authorities
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Pre-Expedition Meeting (30 days prior to your departure)
Pre-Expedition Group Chat (WhatsApp; to be created immediately following the acceptance of your application)
Post Expedition Follow-Up (approximately 30 days following your return)
Any other Meetings as requested
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Expedition Dossier (including itinerary, maps, routes, basic language guide, etc.; provided pre-trip)
GOGO journal & pens (because there will be nights without WiFi;; provided upon arrival)
Travel plug adapter (for charging devices during the Expedition; provided upon arrival)
Emergency whistle (provided upon arrival)
Memory Card with photos & videos taken by crew during the Expedition (provided post-trip)
GoGo Tee Shirt (provided post-trip)
GoGo patch / sticker (provided post-trip)
Itinerary: 14 Days (→)

Setting
Once the epicenter of the global diamond trade, Brazil’s Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (the geomorphological name for the rocky mountains surrounding Diamantina, in the state of Minas Gerais) was abandoned and largely forgotten by the outside world for nearly two centuries.
Today, it’s on the cusp of being recognized as one of the most spectacular places on earth.
3 UNESCO Designations
2 Biodiversity Hotspots
19 Conservation Units
3,000+ species of plants (estimated)
7% of Brazil’s total biodiversity*
0.8% of Brazil’s national territory
* Brazil is the most biodiverse country on earth
Route
Total Days: 14
Trekking Days: 6-9*
Riding Days: 0-4*
Overlanding Days: 5-6*
River Days: 1
Transfer Days: 2
Trail Distance (km): 224*
Overland Distance (km): 290**
Transfer Distance (km): 570**
Trail Elev. Gain/Loss/Total (m): 13,711
*Travelers will have the option of trekking, riding, and/or overlanding between destinations during certain days of the Expedition. Travelers who opt to trek during Riding Days will have the option of using mules to carry their packs.
**Trail Distance includes both Trekking & Riding.
Accommodations (→)

WHat We Eat
Tropeiro. Torresmo. Frango com quiabo. If you’re unfamiliar with comida mineira, you will be by the end of the trip—and Brazilians everywhere will be jealous. From piping hot, highly caloric homemade meals—prepared by skilled hands & well-seasoned cast-iron pots over wood-fired stoves—to sophisticated offerings in Diamantina, well, let’s just say we rarely meet our weight-loss goals during trips. It’s worth it. Bom apetit!
Themes
Diamonds & flowers. Slavery & fires. Wilderness, water & an identity crises 30 years in the making.
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The Amazon (rightfully) grabs most of the headlines, but Brazil wouldn’t be the most biologically diverse country on earth were it not for its plethora of other terrestrial ecoregions, including a pair of particularly prolific—and critically endangered—“biomes” found in the Espinhaço: the Cerrado & the Mata Atlântica.
Trailing only the Amazon in terms of size in South America, the Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah) is the richest grasslands on earth, with more than 800 species of birds, 10,400 species of plants, 120 reptiles, 150 amphibians, 1,200 fish, 90,000 insects and 200 mammals, accounting for approximately 5% of the species on earth and nearly a third of Brazil's total biodiversity.
The lush Atlantic Rainforest, meanwhile, harbors more than 1,000 species of birds, 20,000 species of plants, 2,000 vertebrate species, and 300 mammals.
The prolific levels of endemism witnessed in both biomes (particularly with regards to flora in the Cerrado, and trees & fauna in the Mata Atlântica), and the existential threats faced by each, has led to their respective designations as global “hot spots”.
Biogeographically speaking, the Espinhaço is the tale of these two biomes. Due to its relatively high altitude (especially uncommon in the Cerrado), the range represents a unique & fascinating transitionary zone, with markedly elevated levels of endemism. The Cerrado’s campo rupestre ecosystem, for example, located nearly exclusively within the Espinhaço, is thought to be the single most biodiverse ecosystem in Brazil.
You’ll be able to witness the transformation and interplay between biomes & ecosystems throughout our Expedition, particularly during Chapter I. It’s a glorious thing to experience.
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Getting from Point A to Point B has always required a journey in the Serra do Espinhaço. 3 types of trails predominate the backcountry here: remarkable, colonial-era stone pathways built by slaves to facilitate the diamond trade along the estrada real; an extensive network of bush trails pioneered by mule-driving tropeiros to facilitate regional commerce; and centuries-old descaminhos blazed by contraband smugglers & later revisited by 18th century naturalists (such as Richard Francis Burton & Augustin Saint-Hilaire) during prolific expeditions across the cerrado.
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Don’t expect to read much about it on the interwebs, but the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (the geomorphological name for the mountainous region surrounding Diamantina) now harbors a remarkable 19 Conservation Units, encompassing approximately 5,000,000 acres of protected area—an area similar in size to the state of New Jersey.
Collectively, the areas are known as the Mosaico do Espinhaço, and feature one of the highest concentrations of species endemism on earth.
We’ll traverse 8 Units during our expedition, including Sempre Vivas National Park, the State Parks of Biribiri, Rio Preto, and Itambé; the Águas Vertentes State Environmental Protection Area; the Rio Manso and Serra de Minas Municipal Environmental Protection Areas; and the Várzea do Lajeado e Serra do Raio State Natural Moument.
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There’s a saying among garimpeiros in the Espinhaço that “all stones look like diamonds, but diamonds don’t look like any other stone”. The same might be said about Sempre Vivas National Park, a vast expanse of pristine high-altitude savannah that certainly doesn’t feel like any other stretch of cerrado in the region.
Spanning 1,241 km2 (roughly the size of Los Angeles), but with just a dozen full-time inhabitants, Sempre Vivas is the deep outback of a region that could itself justifiably be described as the outback. Untamed, spectacular, and controversial, the Park is a true undiscovered gem—it’s genuinely shocking how few tourists from Brazil & abroad make their way here.
We’ll spend 8 days in & around the Park on our Expedition, including a 4-day westward crossing in Chapter II, and a glorious traverse of the Rio Preto River Valley, recently named one of the 5 most beautiful treks in Brazil by Go Outside magazine, in Chapter IV. We don’t expect to see anyone else.
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The gypsy woman who convinced an unsuspecting miner to leave his purse of “cursed” diamonds in her capable hands for the evening. The mysterious “captain” who came by river, made an unscrupulous fortune, and spent the rest of his days as a Robin Hood-type backcountry fugitive. The rancher who was hugged to death by a giant anteater near Inhai. The orphan girl who was raised in a cave near Biribiri.
Welcome to the Serra do Espinhaço, where miners, mule-drivers, and other mestres of the backcountry recount the colorful history of the (not-so-distant) “good ol’ days” to barkeeps, house guests, and any of the rest of us who take interest. We, for one, love to listen.
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According to the UN, a staggering 89% of Brazilians now reside within urban areas (typically defined as population centers with 2,000+ inhabitants; compared to 56% of people worldwide). Our Expedition will cast a light on life for the forgotten 11%.
We’ll pass through 22 communities during our trek, overnighting in 16 of them. From UNESCO World Heritage city Diamantina (pop. 50,000), to far-flung Santa Rita (pop. < 10), each & every community on our itinerary has its own compelling character, setting, and reason for being.
Among the communities we’ll visit: the quilombos of Capivari, Bica d’Agua, and Quarteis do Indaiá; the historic communities of Mendanha, Curralinho, São João da Chapada, Macacos, Santo Antônio do Itambé, and São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras; the historic villas of Biribiri and Santa Bárbara; the remote mountain hamlets of Pinheiros and Abóboras; and the sertanejo town of Curimataí.
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Serra is a word you’ll hear often—in a dizzying array of contexts—throughout the Expedition. The most ubiquitous use of the word is “saw” (as in the serrated blade), but in the Espinhaço the usage skews towards the word’s many other literal meanings: “mountain range”, “mountain”, “ridge”, “highlands”, etc. Our trip may be set in the Serra do Espinhaço, but we’ll technically be leaving the serra (lowercase, as in “mountains”) temporarily at the end of Chapter II in order to descend to the lowlands.
About those lowlands: throughout most of Brazil, the word sertão refers to the inhospitable hinterlands of the Brazilian northeast, an almost-mythical landscape famous for unbearable heat, tortured trees, poverty, and hardened folks.
In the Espinhaço, however, even the “sertão“ manages to be green, lined by waterfalls, punctuated by riparian forests and bursting with fresh water.
Word play aside, you’ll have a week to see (and enjoy) it for yourself in Chapter III.
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UNESCO World Heritage City. Terminus of the fabled Estrada Real. Living testament to Portuguese Baroque & Rococo architecture. Former diamond capital of the world.
Diamantina somehow manages to be all of this & more: the cultural capital of the Espinhaco; a vibrant college town at the crossroads of the past & present; the spiritual, economic, and logistical center of the region.
Even UNESCO couldn’t resist the (truly) inevitable cliché, describing the city as “a colonial village set like a jewel in a necklace of inhospitable rocky mountains.”
And yet, Diamantina (pop. 49,500) remains largely unvisited even by mineiros, known to current generations primarily as a former Carnaval town & provincial backwater.
When people ask us what we like so much about Diamantina, we tell them “It’s a tourist Mecca without tourists.” Which makes it a traveler’s Mecca.
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Tropeiro. Tutu. Torresmo. Frango com molho pardo. If you’re unfamiliar with the hearty regional cuisine of Minas Gerais, you will be by the end of the trip—and Brazilians everywhere will be jealous.
While the Serra do Espinhaço doesn’t enjoy the same claims to culinary fame as wealthier parts of the state (especially the Campos dos Vertentes region), you can still expect generous portions of savory comfort foods cooked in rustic cast-iron pots over wood-fired stoves.
Treats unique to the region include angu, quitanda, samambaia, carne de sol (ubiqitous throughout the sertão, but less so south of the Espinhaço), frango caipira, and queijo do Serro, a locally-produced semi-cured cheese that’s won international awards & generated a promising amount of culinary hype around the Serro microregion in the process.
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We’re fond of saying that the difference between arriving in a small community by foot and by vehicle is the difference between arriving in a ghost town & a metropolis.
Exaggeration or not, there’s nothing quite like being received graciously by kind souls in “the middle of nowhere” after a full day (& sometimes night) of trekking through the harsh elements.
Having the opportunity to experience how folks truly live in this part of the world is a privilege few will ever know. Being able to enjoy a home-cooked meal and (where possible) a hot bath is even better.
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Before diamonds, flowers, and tourism (or the lack thereof), the Serra do Espinhaço was a story about water. And ultimately it is water—not natural beauty—that has protected the region once again.
The birthplace of several of Brazil’s most economically-vital waterways (including the Jequitinhonha, Doce, and San Francisco Rivers), the Espinhaço is bursting with tributaries, creeks, streams, marshes, and peatbogs. Voluminous waterfalls cascade down its escarpments on all sides, creating fertile farmlands to the east, and breathing life into the sertão to the west.
The region can be difficult to explore by foot and even vehicle during the summer months, from December to February, due to the constant presence (or at least threat) of rain and lightning, rapid rivers, and muddy terrain—although this is when the vegetation is at its most verdant, and waterfalls at their fullest.
The daily storms typically taper off by early March, making fall (March - May) one of the most beautiful times of year to explore the region: gushing waterfalls, exuberant vegetation, plentiful springs, and crossable rivers.
Winters (June - August) are extremely mild & dry, making for near-perfect hiking conditions (certain pests aside), although water levels continue to drop (in rivers, waterfalls, etc.) as the year goes on.
The long dry season finally breaks in the Spring (September - November), making September another wonderful month to travel the region: the savannah landscape is parched, dotted by colorful bouquets of flowers & cactus fruit, with gently-flowing waterfalls and easily crossable rivers.
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The Mosaic (colloquially referred to as simply os Parques, or “the Parks”) represents perhaps the single largest challenge facing the Serra do Espinhaço today.
While most of the its residents are quick to recognize the inherent beauty of the region, and the importance of the waters that flow from it, the persistent creation of conservation units on previously privately-held lands is viewed by many as the overreach of an inept government at best, and the encroachment of an indifferent & destructive force at worst.
The issue at stake is largely economic: the mountains harbor an abundance of rare & precious minerals in one of the historically most-impoverished places in Brazil. The trenches are the tiny impoverished communities located along the outskirts of the Parks who have, within the span of a few short decades, found themselves divided by a proxy-war showdown much larger than themselves.
Some point to tourism as the way forward, with the beauty of the region supplanting diamonds & flowers. Others point to the abject lack of tourism in the region today as a sign of the government’s inability to supplant the resources, and the need for the region to make money now.
With environmentalists & mining industry lobbyists both making fervent pleas to local government officials, the future of the region’s resources remains murky. We’ll hear different perspectives on the Parks throughout our Expedition. Let’s see what conclusion you arrive at.
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What comes next is anyone’s guess. The new mayor of Diamantina, by all accounts a likable man and one of action, has done well to balance the interests of the mining industry with those of environmentalists. It’s a tight rope to walk, and one that may not be able to walked sustainably. Whether there is an actual vision for Diamantina beyond the present is less certain.
It’s our view that the Espinhaco should begin on the path to becoming the next epicenter of ecotourism & in Brazil (a title currently held by its equally stunning sister region, Chapada Diamantina), with Diamantina as the logical hub, but that seems unlikely to happen in the next decade (if ever). With districts lacking basic civil infrastructure, Parks lacking basic visitor infrastructure, and no visible push to market tourism beyond its historic center (principally, the Vesperata & Carnaval), Diamantina seems content to fade further in the background, even as the global community champions its immediate environs.
The vision necessary to drive that kind of change may simply not be in place yet. Or maybe its just dormant, and this Expedition is about to wake it.
Crew (→)
Odds & Ends
Prerequisites
prior trekking and/or outdoor experience is strongly recommended, but not required.
all applicants must undergo a complete physical examination & receive their physician’s approval in writing no more than 3 months prior to the commencement of the expedition.
Additional Reading
A Flower & A Way of Life in Peril, Scientific American
Life on the rocks in Brazil’s Campo Rupestre, the guardian
Explorations of the highlands of Brazil, Sir richard burton
Brazilian Diamonds: A Historical & Recent Perspective. Gems & Gemology, Spring 2017 Vol. LIII
The Espinhaço Range Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO
Globally important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) Proposal, CODECEX
getting there & away
We are more than happy to offer recommendations regarding travel arrangements to & from our rendezvous point in belo horizonte, Brazil. please be aware, however, that Gift of Go does not make airfare reservations or book flights on behalf of clients.
What’s Not Included
Airfare
Minimum medical & emergency evacuation insurance
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Visas
Any meal or activity not detailed in our itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities (Tips & Donations)
Travel Insurance
A minimum level of medical & emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with us. Details are outlined in our Terms & Conditions, and you will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have pertaining to insurance.
CONNECTIVITY NOTES
3G, 4G & 5G signals (in that order) are widely available across the Espinhaço frontcountry, where we will spend the majority of our evenings & mornings. Those signals are sporadic in the backcountry, however, where will spend the majority of our days. Your connectivity will depend largely on your carrier & plan; if you’d like, we can provide you with a Brazilian SIM card upon your arrival. WiFi is available at many of our accommodations during the mornings & evenings of the Expedition.

Recap
An exhilarating, motion-filled crossing of the Serra do Espinhaço, deep into the Story of Brazil.
14 days
8 conservation units
20 communities
3 UNESCO sites
224 km of trails
290 km of backroads
20 crew members
8 travelers (max)
18+ waterfalls
3 peaks
3,000+ species of plants
Sept 8 - Sept 21, 2025
March 30 - April 12, 2026*
Calendar & Pricing
$16,995 / pp
Price includes all crew members, lodging, meals, equipment, permits, river & ground transportation, pack animals & support vehicles.
*2026 dates subject to change
4+ Travelers? Contact Us
Gallery (→)
FAQs
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We have done similar expeditions alongside enthusiastic travelers with little trekking experience who have done extraordinarily well, and with grizzled mountaineer types who have struggled greatly.
Objectively speaking, you’ll need to be physically fit enough to carry a 5-10 kg (about 10-20 lb) backpack for 6-9 days over an average of 20 km (and 1,200 m of cumulative gain/loss) across varied mountainous terrain, in warm, sunny weather.
The Serra do Espinhaço is a relatively low-altitude range (avg. elevation 1,042 m; max. elev. 2,002 m), but the little-used nature of many the trails themselves and constant presence of streams, rivers, insects, and overgrown flora can turn otherwise easy hikes into challenges.
While our experience is that this Expedition gets easier as the trip goes along—particularly during Chapter III—each individual is different, and personal variables like sleep schedule, food intake, alcohol consumption, and hygiene, as well as external factors like rain, cloud cover (or lack thereof), and terrain can drastically impact the overall trekking experience.
If you are at all concerned that your fitness level may present a challenge, we encourage you to speak with your trusted medical advisor or physical trainer & assess whether this trip is right for you.
If you’d like to speak more with us about the physical nature of the trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us. While we’ve detailed many of the key numbers behind the Expedition on our itinerary, we think it’s possible that some folks will overestimate the physical nature of it, while others will underestimate it.
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Authenticity is at the absolute core of everything we do on our trips, and this philosophy extends to the food that we eat, from the meals that we share in the mornings & evenings to the smallest of snacks on the trail.
We’ll be breaking bread together 40 times over the course of our Expedition (and snacking together in between), and the vast majority of those meals will be set inside of local homes, small restaurants, and pousadas. In practical terms, this means you’ll be eating lots of genuine, homemade, unsophisticated comida mineira—and, good news: the regional cuisine of Minas Gerais is diverse, hearty, and delicious.
While relatively unknown abroad, its fair to say that comida mineira is near-universally beloved in Brazil, where the cuisine is celebrated for both its methodology (traditionally employing wood-fired stoves & cast-iron cookware) and ingredients, including a diverse array of locally-sourced fruits & vegetables, high-quality dairy products, and pork & chicken—with beef & seafood being notably less common in Minas than in neighboring states.
In the Serra do Espinhaço, specifically, dairy plays an outsized role in the economy & kitchen, with local cheeses having attained significant national and even international acclaim in recent years. At the breakfast table, cakes, breads, and pastries like quitandas and pãodequeijo (ubiquitous across Brazil, but decidedly more famous in Minas) often make appearances alongside local fruits & yogurt, while lunches & dinners tend to feature any number of starches (potatoes, pasta, farofa, and angu—similar to polenta), stewed or sautéed vegetables (collared greens are particularly common, but also okra, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin, and cabbage), torresmo (pork cracklings; ubiquitous across Minas), and a home-raised protein (usually chicken or pork, but sometimes stewed or salted beef), along with the ever-present arroze feijão (rice & beans).
When it comes to home-cooked meals, we rarely make special requests—we want our hosts to serve us the food that they feel comfortable preparing, and that they would eat were we not at the table to join them—although we do occasionally ask for beefed up quantities (no pun intended; this is a multi-week, 450-km Expedition after all). That said, we cannot emphasize enough how hearty the portions tend to be at the homes & restaurants where we’ll dine, and travelers on past expeditions regularly site meals as being among the highlights of their trip.
As a final note about home-cooking and restaurants: many of the folks preparing our do so with great humility & gratitude. With the possible exception of Diamantina (where we’ll enjoy a more sophisticated meal on the final evening of the Expedition), the Espinhaço is not a wealthy region by any stretch of the imagination, nor does it receive much in the way of international tourism. For many of our hosts & hostesses, cooking for a group of famished foreigners is both a rare treat & an event to be taken seriously. We consider it a privilege to break bread with them.
While we’ll have plenty of home-cooked meals during the Expedition, we’ll also enjoy a variety of meals in other settings—particularly during Chapters II & III. During our 2-day traverse of Sempre Vivas National Park (in Chapter II) we’ll eat rustic tropeiro-style camp grub: hearty portions of rice, beans, farinha, and salted or grilled meats. In Chapter III, we’ll have the opportunity to dine at both an excellent pousada and a resort (with gourmet burgers & Brazilian-style pizzas).
Our goal when it comes to food is to portray the many culinary realities of the region, while making sure that we always have enough sustenance to make it to the next town. If you’ve read this far, we think you’ll love it.
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One of the most compelling & enriching aspects of all of our trips is the diverse array of places where we lay our heads, and this Expedition is exemplary in this regard. Of the many accommodations we’ll have the privilege of staying in as we make our way across the Espinhaço, 3 will be homestays.
We’re dedicated to bringing travelers into the wide range of realities that exist in this part of the planet, and spending time with local families is an essential part of that. Given that each of the 3 homes we’ll be staying in during this trip differ significantly in terms of their location, appearance, hygiene, privacy, connectivity, and comfort, as well as the nature and number of folks living in the household, however, it’s tricky to generalize about the experiences as a whole.
That said, all of the homes we’ll be staying in are welcoming and safe, with beds, kitchens, restrooms, furniture, and varying degrees of creature comforts (refrigerators, couches, porches, etc.) to accommodate their respective dwellers. All of the homes we’ll be staying in on this Expedition have electricity; 2 of the 3 have Wi-Fi; and (delightfully) all have hot water showers (2 electric, 1 wood-fired heater). 2 of the homes are made of brick & mortar, while the 3rd is handmade (by the owner) out of local wood, white clay, and palm leaves.
Bathrooms in these homes range from rustic (in the clay home) to simple and pleasant to (how should we put this) “modern but less-than-well-thought-out”, and beds vary greatly in their stiffness (from “wow, that’s stiff” to “wow, that’s not stiff at all”). If you have a dialed-in mattress at home, it won’t be anything like that, but it also beats a sleeping pad & sleeping bag (you’ll have plenty of experience with both to compare afterwards).
None of the homes that we’ll be staying in during this Expedition belong to folks in abject poverty, nor are there any belonging to the rich & famous. One of the families we’ll be staying with had never received travelers prior to our initial research trips, and just one had ever received a foreigner.
Of course, the real magic of homestays happens within the homes: during meals, loose conversation, and while simply enjoying the presence of one another. There’s nothing in the world like being warmly received and well fed after a long day on the trail, especially when it’s by folks as gracious & humble as these.
If you’ve read this far, we think you’ll love it, and we guarantee it will be one of the most memorable & enriching experiences of your time here.
For more information about specific homestays, please feel free to contact us or see our full itinerary, here.
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3G, 4G, and (to a lesser extent) 5G signals are widely available across the Espinhaço frontcountry (where we’ll be spending the majority of our evenings & mornings), but are generally non-existent in the backcountry (where we’ll spend the majority of our days, as well as 5 mornings & evenings). Your connectivity will depend largely on your carrier & plan; if you’d like, we can provide you with a Brazilian SIM card upon your arrival.
Wi-Fi is available at our accommodations during 8 of the mornings & evenings during the Expedition. A more in-depth look at connectivity during the trip can be found in our full itinerary.
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Walking along uneven trails, pot-holed dirt roads, and large (& small) rocks for weeks on end can take a toll on any of us (and frankly, riding along the bumpy backroads of the Espinhaço in a leaf-sprung 4x4 doesn’t offer much reprieve either).
To that end, we’ll be employing three (3) full-time support vehicles to accompany our Expedition during each day of the trip: two 4x4 vehicles and one dirt bike (a motorcycle built for trails). These vehicles will run routes parallel to our Expedition, maintaining contact with our group via radio and, when necessary, satellite communications devices.
In the event of a non-life-threatening injury, travelers will have the option of returning home or (hopefully) remaining on the Expedition. Should a tired or injured traveler elect to continue with the Expedition, they’ll be able to do so in one of our support vehicles, with a separate itinerary that will keep them close by while allowing them to experience the region by vehicle as opposed to foot.
On days when horses or pack mules are available, injured or tired travelers may opt to use those animals as transportation until reaching our destination.
Life-threatening injuries will be treated as such, with travelers being escorted to the appropriate local facilities, where further determinations will be made.
It is imperative that you have purchased travel insurance prior to your trip with us. For more information, please see our Application or feel free to contact us.
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First & foremost: if you have any dietary restrictions, we ask that you communicate them to us as early on in the process as possible (our Application covers this, as well), so that we have adequate time to prepare a solution together. This is especially important with regards to food allergies & intolerances.
Generally speaking, veganism, vegetarianism, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, kosher, keto, dairy-free, diabetic, and low carb diets will not pose a problem on this Expedition, but it’s imperative that we a) understand the nature of the restriction(s); and b) have ample time (60 days absolute minimum) to prepare a meal plan for you, given the complex nature of the trip.
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We do! Our Serra Circuit Small Group Expedition is 12 days long. Alternatively, for private trips of 3+ days, please visit our Bespoke Trips page, or contact us.
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We do! If you’d like to explore the possibility of traveling with us on this Expedition as part of a larger private group, please visit our Bespoke Trips page or contact us.
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Unless otherwise agreed to during the Application process, the rendezvous point for this Expedition is Tancredo Neves International Airport in Confins, Minas Gerais (Brazil).
Your travel information is required as part of our Application, and it’s imperative that you provide us with any/all updates or changes to that information so that we can rendezvous at your terminal by noon on Day 1.
While we do not handle any airfare involved with getting to/from the rendezvous point, we are more than happy to refer you to an agent who does. We’re also happy to recommend routes, accommodations (whether in Confins, nearby Belo Horizonte, or elsewhere), ground transportation options, and anything else you might need to help you arrive comfortably at our rendezvous point by the time our Expedition starts.
We’ll discuss how your travel plans and how to get to/from our rendezvous point in detail during our pre-expedition meetings. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns about getting to/from Brazil, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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All of our trips are intended to be as all-inclusive as possible, and this Expedition is no exception. Unless otherwise noted, all personnel; accommodations; meals & snacks; ground & river transportation; and permits, permissions & entrance fees are included in our pricing, as well as all “big ticket” trail & camping items (including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cookware, tableware, etc.—although you are certainly welcome to bring your own if you prefer); multiple pre-expedition meetings; expedition dossier; and select GOGO merch.
Our prices do not include airfare, travel insurance, personal trekking equipment (including clothing, footwear, headlamp, etc.; although we may be able provide these items upon request), alcoholic beverages, or discretionary expenses (e.g. for souvenirs, additional snacks, etc.), or gratuities.
For more info about what is included in our trips, please see the “Inclusions” sections of this page, or feel free to contact us.
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Having the right clothing & gear is a vital component of this Expedition. We’ll cover the topic in detail during our exploratory and (especially) pre-Expedition meetings, and send you a comprehensive packing list (including the items that our Expedition Leaders use) during the Application process.
If you’d like to set up an exploratory meeting, please feel free to contact us.
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With all accommodations, meals, personnel, transportation, and other significant travel expenses already paid for—and with the vast majority of establishments in Brazil accepting credit card—how much cash should you exchange/bring for this Expedition?
The answer is: it depends… but probably not as much as you’d think. Over the course of our Expedition, your best opportunities to spend cash will likely be on alcoholic beverages, an extra snack here & there, and local souvenirs. If you plan on tipping, that may be a consideration, as well (please see our policy about tipping, below).
Ultimately, if your time in Brazil will be limited to your time with GOGO, and you are bringing a credit card (which we strongly recommend), we think $250-500 total cash should be plenty. If you plan to travel around the country before and/or after your trip, however, you’ll want to factor that in separately.
Regardless of how much spending cash you’d like to have on hand during your trip, you’ll want to do all of your currency exchanging either prior to leaving your country of residence or at Tancredo Neves International Airport upon your arrival, as there are no currency exchange houses in the Serra do Espinhaço, and foreign currency is not (usually) accepted.
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Tips are unexpected, but always welcome. They are also 100% discretionary.
We only ask that if you do decide to tip, that you do so at the end of our Expedition, to the Expedition Leaders, who can then distribute those tips on your behalf and per your direction.
If you’d like to tip specific amounts to specific individuals (or make donations to specific communities), we are more than happy to deliver those contributions on your behalf following the conclusion of your trip. Otherwise, any/all tips received by GOGO during the Expedition will be split equally among all Crew Members, including both full-time & part-time Members.
If, during the Expedition, you’d like to tip someone outside of our Crew (for example, a host/hostess or local cook), you may do so either during your interaction with that individual (e.g. after your meal, after your stay, etc.), or at the end of the trip (by specifying to the Expedition Leaders the individual whom you’d like to tip and the amount that you’d like to contribute).
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By and large, Brazilians enjoy partaking in a good drink or two, as does our Crew.
During the evenings of our Expedition, ice-cold beer and/or locally-distilled cachaça will usually be available either on the premises or nearby (in town, for example). Cachaça may be available during our camping nights in the bush, as well.
Our policy on alcohol is that it should be consumed responsibly only after our arrival at that evening’s destination, and that it not interfere with your—or our Crew’s—ability to respectfully immerse in our surroundings and achieve our goals each day.
At the end of the day—literally and figuratively—we want nothing more than for everyone to enjoy themselves, and alcoholic beverages can certainly play a part in that.
If the behavior becomes a problem, however, we have an obligation to remove that traveler from the trip as per Section #12 of our Terms & Conditions policy.
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Booking is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Given the limited number of spaces available on this Expedition (max. 8 travelers), we recommend that you book as early on in the process as you feel comfortable.