Bespoke Trips

Custom Treks, Pack Rides, Runs & overlanding tours in Brazil’s Majestic, Little-visited Serra do Espinhaço

New in 2025! Bespoke Trips with Gift of Go

All of our trips are dedicated to sharing the Story of Brazil, and the mountainous backcountry around Diamantina provides us with the most enchanting setting possible—a gorgeous backdrop of high savannah, Atlantic Rainforest, and towering peaks, against which many of the country’s diverse ecological & cultural elements coalesce and the defining themes of brasileiridade (Brazilianness) reveal themselves.

In 2025, we’ll be guiding private bespoke treks, packing trips, trail runs & rides, and overlanding tours of the Serra do Espinhaço. In our minds, there is no more enriching way to experience a place than to travel slowly through it, and the Espinhaço’s labyrinth of historic trails, bucolic dirt roads, and remote mountain communities lend themselves perfectly to that endeavor.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling with us as part of a Bespoke Trip. We look forward to answering any questions you may have, and to guiding you in this majestic & unheralded part of the planet in 2025.

Até!

Eddie & Elisa

Contents

Bespoke Trips: At A Glance

  • The Espinhaço is about much more than the labyrinth of little-used historic trails & bucolic backroads that tie the its exuberant vegetation, charming colonial-era mountain hamlets, and gorgeous high savannah landscapes together… but it’s certainly a big part of the draw.

    Trekking, trail & pack riding, running, bikepacking, and overlanding are all incredibly rewarding ways to explore the region, with trekking being our default method of travel and most sought out guided activity.

    Below, in our Circuits section, you’ll find plenty of information regarding places & sites of interest in the Espinhaço. Please keep in mind that, while the information on those pages focuses largely on trekking, much of it is germane to trail running, riding & packing, as well as overlanding & cycling.

    If you have any specific questions about these activities (or others, such as canoeing), please don’t hesitate to contact us.

  • Each & every one of our Bespoke Trips is custom-built for the travelers who come with us, based on your unique goals & preferences, our own recommendations, and the scope of options that the Espinhaço has to offer.

    To learn more about specific route possibilities, including communities, landscapes, ecosystems, trails, water attractions, and more, please see the Our Circuits section of this page.

    To learn more about the food possibilities on our trips, click here.

    To learn about our standard accommodations during trips, click here.

  • All of our standard Bespoke Trips include two (2) full-time Guides/Translators; as well as one (1) full-time Support & Rescue Driver per every 2 travelers (i.e. solo travelers will have 1 Driver, a group of 3 travelers will have 2 Drivers, a group of 5 travelers will have 3 Drivers, etc.).

    Additional Crew Members, including Naturalists / Regional Guides, Porters, Cooks, Local Guides, Horsemen, Boatmen, and additional Support & Rescue Drivers are all available upon request, and may be beneficial or even necessary depending on the details of your itinerary.

  • Our Bespoke Trips are 100% built-to-suit, meaning inclusions & pricing will depend on the key details of your unique itinerary.

    That said, our Starting Prices include two full-time Guides/Translators and one Support & Rescue Driver (as well as one additional Driver per every 2 additional travelers), as well as all accommodations, meals, ground transportation, trekking & camping equipment, fees & permits, and more.

    Our Starting Prices do not include horses, pack mules, bicycles, water transportation (e.g. boats, canoes, etc.), Naturalists/Regional Guides, Local Guides, Horsemen, Boatmen, Cooks, or Porters, although each of these is available upon request, and may be mandatory depending on your itinerary.

    None of our trips include airfare, travel insurance (mandatory for all of our trips), souvenirs, or tips (if any).

    For more information about what is & isn’t included on our trips, please see our Inclusions section on this page.

  • The fitness & activity level of your Bespoke Trip will depend greatly on your preferences & goals. From shorter, culturally-focused overland trips to multi-month long-distance crossings, our Crew can craft & guide compelling itineraries that are as light or as challenging as you and/or your group would like.

    With regards to trekking (our most requested guided activity), specifically: you don’t have to be a seasoned pro or highly conditioned athlete to enjoy trekking in the Espinhaço, nor is trekking the only way to enjoy the region.

    If you’re new to trekking or riding but are up to task, we’ll be sure to take that into account while crafting your itinerary. While we recommend beginning your training as soon as possible, we’d like to stress that the most important qualities that new trekkers & riders can possess (aside from being in good overall cardiovascular health, which is critical) are determination, optimism, level-headedness, and trust in their guides.

    Being in outstanding physical condition certainly helps—especially during the first few days of the trip—but our experience is that that most determined, optimistic, and reasonably fit travelers will be able to complete & enjoy the itineraries we create, in part because they are crafted specifically with your experience & fitness level in mind, and in part because (somewhat counter-intuitively) walking long distances tends to get easier as the trip progress.

    If you’re looking for a culturally immersive overland tour of the region (with light hiking thrown in daily), know that waterfalls & swimming holes abound, often just minutes away from the charming towns & villages where we stay, and the region’s adventurous & bucolic roads offer plenty of rewarding alternatives to backcountry trails.

    All of which is to say: if you’re looking for a highly active & challenging trek, you’re in the right place, but if you’re more interested in taking in the warm culture, open landscapes, and good life in the Espinhaço than in pushing your physical limits, we have you covered there, too.

  • Gear is always a hot topic prior to trips—we’ll dedicate an entire pre-expedition meeting to discussing it prior to your trip—and rightfully so. Having the right footwear, clothing, and equipment on any extended trek or ride is critical, and the Espinhaço’s terrain & weather can be uniquely challenging.

    We’ll provide you with a comprehensive pack list prior to your trip, and are more than happy to provide you with any/all of the high-quality trekking equipment you’d like, upon request.

    If you have questions about gear now, please feel free to contact us.

  • Bespoke Trips are built to suit, with final pricing ultimately determined by the specific details of your itinerary, including (but not limited to) trip duration, group size, activities, routes, and accommodations & meal preferences, among other items.

    Our Starting Prices include 2 full-time Guides/Translators; Support & Rescue Drivers (1 for solo travelers, and an additional Driver per each 2 travelers following the first); and all standard Accommodations, Meals, Support Vehicles, Transfers, Trekking Equipment, and Entrance Fees & Permits, as outlined in our Inclusions section, below, are as follows:

    • Solo Travelers: $1,795 per person / day

    • 2 Travelers: $995 per person / day

    • 3 Travelers: $795 per person / day

    • 4 Travelers: $675 per person / day

    • 5+ Travelers: Contact Us

    Please note that our Starting Prices do not include dedicated overland vehicles, horses, pack mules, river transportation (boats, canoes, etc.), Naturalists/Regional Guides, Horsemen, Boatmen, Porters, Cooks, or any additional Crew Members, nor do they include flights, travel insurance (mandatory for all of our trips), souvenirs, or tips (if any).

    For more information about Bespoke Trips pricing, please see the Pricing section at the bottom of this page. If you’re planning to travel as part of a group of more than 4 travelers, please contact us.

  • We expect questions, and there are few things we enjoy talking about more than the Espinhaço or our trips. If you’re interested in doing a Bespoke Trip with us and have any questions for us, we’ll be happy to hear from you.

    Contact Us.

Highlights (All Circuits) →

Our Circuits (→)

WHere We Sleep

From heartwarming homestays to chic centuries-old inns; savannah-enshrouded caves to oasis-like resorts, our trips feature an incredibly diverse array of accommodations, each with the potential to enrich our understanding of Brazil, the Serra do Espinhaço, and ourselves…

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!

Inclusions

World-class guiding. Dedicated support & rescue personnel. All accommodations, meals & equipment. One incredible, undiscovered setting.

  • Our standard Bespoke Trips include stays in a diverse array of accommodations, including homestays, pousadas, historic inns, established campsites, wilderness campsites, wilderness refuges, local homes, Park lodges, and family-owned & -operated hotels.

    If you’d like to explore options for upgrading the accommodations during your trip, we’re more than happy to do so. Depending on your itinerary, additional options can include higher end pousadas, chalets, resorts, and more.

  • Our standard Bespoke Trips include all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as daily trail snacks.

    The vast majority of the meals we eat during our standard Bespoke Trips consist of hearty portions of rustic, homemade comida mineira, with more sophisticated offerings available in higher end establishments and historic Diamantina.

    If you’d like to make special requests regarding meals during your trip, we’re happy to explore the possibilities.

    For more information about the cuisine of Brazil, Minas Gerais, and the Serra do Espinhaço, click here.

  • Our standard Bespoke Trips include round-trip transfers to/from Confins International Airport (the rendezvous point for all of our trips in the Espinhaço), as well as support 4×4s and emergency ground transportation, as necessary.

    Our standard Bespoke Trips do not include dedicated overland vehicles, horses, pack mules, bicycles, or river transportation (jon boats, canoes, etc.), although we are more than happy to arrange for those items upon request.

  • Included on All Bespoke Trips:

    • Two (2) full-time Guides / Translators

    • One (1) Support & Rescue Driver, and one (1) additional Driver per each 2 travelers thereafter (e.g. solo travelers will be accompanied by 1 Driver, groups of 3 travelers will have 2 Drivers, groups of 5 travelers will have 3 Drivers, etc.)

    Available Upon Request:

    • Regional Guide / Naturalist

    • Porters

    • Cooks

    • Local Guides

    • Boatmen, Horsemen, and/or Mule Drivers

    • Additional Support & Rescue Personnel

  • Vehicles

    • One (1) 4x4 support vehicle

    • One (1) support motorcycle

    Camping + Trail

    • Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads

    • Camp Kitchen & Tableware

    • Water filter & Purification

    Communications + Safety Equipment

    • 2-Way Radios (crew-use only)

    • Satellite communications device (crew-use only)

    • Emergency beacons (crew-use only)

    • First-Aid Supplies (crew-use only)

  • All of our Bespoke Trips include all documentation & fees (if any) pertaining to our visits to National Parks, State Parks, community events, and any/all other entities and/or events featured on your itinerary.

    • Multiple Certified Wilderness Advanced First-Aid personnel (including both Guides)

    • One (1) Full-time Support / Rescue Vehicle

    • Two (2) Satellite Communications Devices

    • Multiple First-aid Kits (on both the trail & inside of vehicles)

    • Written Wilderness Risk Management Plan, including emergency contacts & Protocols

    • Daily communication with local authorities

    • Expedition Dossier (including itinerary, maps, routes, basic language guide, etc.; provided pre-trip)

    • GoGo journal & pens (provided upon arrival; because there will be nights without WiFi!)

    • 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)

    • Emergency Whistle (provided upon arrival)

    • Travel plug adapter (for charging devices during the expedition; provided upon arrival)

Crew: All Trips (→)

Crew: Upon Request (→)

Odds & Ends

Prerequisites

  • prior trekking, Riding, and/or outdoor experience is 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.

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

5G, 4G & 3G signals are widely available across the Espinhaço frontcountry (where we will spend the majority of our evenings & mornings), but are sporadic in the backcountry (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 our accommodations during the majority of the mornings & evenings of the Expedition.

Road + Trail conditions, July

Weather / When To Go

The daily storms in the Serra do Espinhaço typically taper off in March, making April & May some of the most beautiful months to explore the region: gushing waterfalls, exuberant vegetation, plentiful springs, and crossable rivers.

June & July are mild & dry, with near-perfect hiking conditions: warm, sunny days and crisp, cool mountain weather in the evenings, with hardly a cloud in the sky.

The dry season reaches its zenith in August & September, making both wonderful for exploring the region by foot: the savannah landscape is parched, dotted by colorful bouquets of flowers & cactus fruit, with gently-flowing waterfalls & easily crossable rivers.

The long dry season finally breaks in late September, making October & November unpredictable, but beautiful: the Cerrado is in full bloom, with daily storms creating wet & wild trail conditions and turning the landscape a thousand shades of green.

January

April

August

Pricing / Calendar (2025-26)

Bespoke Trips

3+ Days, 1+ Travelers

Select Dates from April 1 - September 30, 2025

Solo Travelers: Starting @ $1,795 person / day

2 Travelers: Starting @ $995 person / day

3 Travelers: Starting @ $795 person / day

4 Travelers: $695 person / day

5+ Travelers: Contact Us

Please note that all prices listed are Starting Prices for our standard Bespoke Trips. They include two Full-Time Guides/Translators; one Full-Time Support & Rescue Driver; and one additional Driver per each 2 additional travelers (e.g. 1 Driver for solo travelers, 2 Drivers for 3 travelers, 3 Drivers for 5 travelers, etc.); as well as all of our standard Bespoke Trip Accommodations, Meals, Support & Rescue Vehicle(s), Trekking Equipment, Fees & Permits, and more.

Prices do not include dedicated (non-support) Overland Vehicles, Horses, Pack Mules, River Transportation (Boats, Canoes, etc.), Porters, Cooks, or any additional Crew Members, although each of those items & personnel are available upon request.

Actual pricing will depend on the specific details of your itinerary, including Trip Duration, Group Size, Crew Size, Activities, Routes, Destinations, Accommodations & Meal Preferences, and more.

Gallery (→)

 FAQs

  • Our Bespoke Trips are 100% built-to-suit, crafted specifically to meet the goals & demands of each traveler that comes with us. Itineraries are informed by our experience & knowledge as guides, as well as by the scope of options & services available to us in the Serra do Espinhaço, but the critical details of each trip—group size, trip duration, routes, destinations, activities, accommodations, meals, and personnel—are bespoke.

    Our Journeys, meanwhile, are curated entirely by our Founders & Crew in order to share the Story of Brazil in the most immersive, enlightening, and unforgettable way possible. Intended for solo & duo travelers only, they are staffed by our full Expedition Crew (5 full-time Members & 10-20 part-time Members), allowing us to engage with travelers & the region around us in ways we would otherwise not be able to.

    We like to think of our Journeys as omakase or chef’s table experiences, in which our Founders & Crew is free to use the diverse settings, personnel, destinations, accommodations, and meals as tools with which to convey the Story of Brazil that we want to share with you. While they are informed by each traveler’s respective goals, health, fitness, and experience level (as conveyed to us during both the application process and pre-expedition meetings), the itineraries themselves tend to remain undisclosed (and therefore malleable) throughout the trip. In this way, we think Journeys are best viewed as true adventures into the unknown.

  • All of our trips seek to share the Story of Brazil via active and culturally-enriching experiences, but they vary greatly in terms of their duration, routes, crew size, activities, degrees of difficulty, destinations, accommodations, meals, and ultimately, impact.

    The fact that our Bespoke Trips are meant strictly for private groups, while our Small Group Expeditions (max 8 travelers) are open to all travelers, tends to make our Bespoke Trips—especially those undertaken by smaller groups of friends and/or family—a bit more comfortable than our Small Group Expeditions, which tend to foster a sense of camaraderie between like-minded strangers.

    Crew size presents a big difference between these two types of trips, as we use full Crews (5 full-time Members and 10-20 part-time Members, depending on the trip) during our Small Group Expeditions, while our standard Bespoke Trips employ 2 full-time Guides/Translators, 1 full-time support & rescue Driver, and 1 additional Driver per each 2 travelers after the first (e.g. 1 Driver for solo travelers, 2 Drivers for 3 travelers, 3 Drivers, for 5 travelers, etc.). Larger Crews, which often include a Naturalist, Local Guides, Mule Drivers, Horsemen, Boatmen, and additional Support & Rescue personnel, allow us to engage with our surroundings in ways that our standard Bespoke Trip Crew cannot, and affords an incredibly high degree of attention to each traveler present.

    Crew sizes during Bespoke Trips depend on the goals of our travelers, and larger groups may find it beneficial to request additional Crew Members to enhance their experience.

    As far as itineraries go, each Bespoke Trip we guide is completely unique, crafted using input from pre-expedition interviews with participants, as well as our own preferences as a Crew and logistical considerations (such as trip length, season, weather forecasts, local events, etc.).

    Meanwhile, similar to our Journeys, our Small Group Expedition itineraries are entirely curated by our Crew, with the goal of sharing the Story of Brazil in the most immersive, enriching, and unforgettable ways possible; the result of years of testing & operating multi-week crossings in the region. At 12, 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively, our 4 Small Group Expeditions in 2025 tend to cover quite a bit more geographic & cultural territory than the average Bespoke Trip (which requires a minimum of 7 days, but has no maximum).

    In terms of modalities of travel, two of our Small Group Expeditions in 2025, A Diamantine Tale (21 days) and The Serra Circuit (12 days) are pure treks, while another two, D/WT+LT (28 days) and The Highlands of Brazil (14 days), are mixed trips, leaning heavily on trekking, but also utilizing horses, canoes, and overland vehicles at times during our crossings. All of these modalities of travel are available during Bespoke Trips upon request.

    Geographically speaking, because of their respective durations, several of our Small Group Expeditions allow time to explore Sempre Vivas National Park (Our “Garden” Circuit), one of the most remote & pristine stretches of high savannah in the country. Some of our Small Group Expeditions also feature more nights of wilderness camping than our average Bespoke Trip, although (again) this can always be requested.

    In terms of physical exertion, the projected average daily trail distances vary greatly by trip, both in regards to our Small Group Expeditions and our Bespoke Trips.

    All of our trips are immersive, objectively challenging, and deeply rewarding, and all showcase the beauty, culture, and history of both Brazil and the Serra do Espinhaço.

    At the end of the day, we believe it is helpful to think of our Journeys & Small Group Expeditions as actual (immersive, challenging, potentially transformative) journeys, and our Bespoke Trips as private, built-to-suit adventures. We believe that our Small Group Expeditions are some of the most compelling & enriching organized small group trip on earth.

    If you’d like to dig deeper into the differences between the two options, please feel free to contact us and/or learn more by visiting the respective pages of our 2025 Small Group Expeditions.

  • We do. If you’d like to explore the possibility of traveling with us as part of a larger group, please contact us.

  • Booking is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to limited availability for all of our trips, we recommend that you attempt to book your travel dates with us at least 120 days in advance.