Royal Roads
3 Days/2 nights w/ breakfast
This is a drive from Rio to Ouro Preto, MG,
with a stop in Petrópolis to visit the Imperial Museum there.
After a quick lunch we proceed to Ouro Preto, the former capital of Minas Gerais and once - during the gold-rush of the 18th century - the largest city of the Americas. Here we overnight in the Pousada (Inn) "Archango" (depending on availability).
The following day has a walking tour (with a local guide) of Ouro Preto, visiting at least 3 jewel-like churches; the former government building, which is now a minerals-and-gems-museum; and, following that, we see a gem-lapidating workshop, where we can purchase the unique Imperial Topaz (only found in this region), for "peanuts" in relation to elsewhere. Other gems can also be had here, but you're well advised to follow your guide's counsel, as there are a lot of fake stones and jewelry offered on the streets. Lunch and dinner in suggested establishments. Overnight in the Pousada (Inn) "Archango" (depending on availability).
Today we drive to the mine of Mariana, where we descend 150m into the bowels of Mother Earth. Then we return to Rio.
The price for this trip includes transport, guide-service, entrance-fees, and overnights in dbl-rooms
(meals, drinks, tips, etc. are NOT included):
U$649,50 p/ passenger in a limousine (minimum 3 passengers in Std-Dbl rooms, single room add U$ 89,50),
U$799,50 p/ passenger in a van (minimum 5 passengers in Std-Double rooms, single room add U$ 89,50),
Other tariffs available. The trip is booked and paid for in advance. We have a VERY restricted partial refund policy.
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