Ibiti - The Gem of Minas Gerais

This Sample Itinerary involves a private customized exploration to some of Brazil's most hidden gems. It's perfect for anyone who would like to visit Ibiti by arriving in Sao Paulo or ending in Rio de Janeiro. This curated route allows guests to do a quick week-long journey discovery of Brazil, or you can tack this onto any Brazil itinerary, as you can fly from Rio to just about anywhere in Brazil. Opening up a world of authentic adventure travel experiences in Brazil, this journey will show you why Ibiti is such a magical place.

Something important to know about Ibiti is 96% of the property is preserved for "re-wilding." This massive piece of land with beautiful forests and waterfalls was once mowed down for agricultural farming and logging. Now, you'll see more trees than cows and you'll notice that wildlife is returning to this area thanks to these efforts through ecotourism. Ibiti Projecto hosts 10 environmental projects, including the re-faunation of Muriqui-do-Norte - the biggest primate in the Americas.

Quick Summary

Day	Description	Accommodation
Day 1	São Paulo to Ibiti	Engenho Lodge at Ibiti Projecto
Day 2	Experience Engenho Lodge	Engenho Lodge at Ibiti Projecto
Day 3	Engenho to Mogol Village	Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto
Day 4	Experience Mogol Village	Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto
Day 5	Ibiti to Rio

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: São Paulo to Ibiti

Private Transfer from Juiz de Fora to Ibiti Projecto

Daily Summary

Domestic Flights: Flight from São Paulo to Juiz de Fora
Transfer: Private Transfer from Juiz de Fora to Ibiti Projecto
Accommodation: Engenho Lodge at Ibiti Projecto
Meals: B, D

Flight from São Paulo to Juiz de Fora

After breakfast, we will return to the airport via private transfer and take a direct flight to Juiz de Fora (IZA).

The flight from São Paulo Domestic Airport (CGH) to Juiz de Fora is about 1 hour. From Juiz de Fora to Ibiti Projecto in Lima Duarte, it is a little less than a 2 hour (yet scenic) drive. Now Ibiti offers flights twice a week (or via private charter) from São Paulo to Ibiti Projecto since they recently opened an airstrip.

If you are arriving from Rio, the only option is by driving or taking a private helicopter.

Arrival at Ibiti Projecto - Check Into Engenho Lodge

For the first two nights at Ibiti Projecto, we recommend staying at Engenho Lodge. This is a major highlight for many guests, as it is a rural farmhouse built in 1715 that was meticulously restored in 2006 to retain its history and charm while incorporating modern luxuries. There are only 8 guest rooms in Engenho Lodge and a separate three bedroom villa. Magic emanates from this place and draws guests back, year after year, for longer and longer stays. Four additional remote cottages are spread across the reserve, allowing guests to complete lodge to lodge circuits via horseback or e-mountain biking and fully immerse themselves in the beauty and remoteness of the region.

Can't forget to mention the amazing spa/yoga studio where yoga classes are offered daily, and spa treatments can be arranged for an extra charge. Behind the lodge you'll find a gym, jacuzzi (amazing for stargazing), and a farmhouse that has been restored into a sauna.

If you arrive at the hotel in the early afternoon, we recommend having lunch followed by a half-day excursion, or you can opt-out for time to relax.

Day 2: Experience Engenho Lodge

Daily Summary

Tour: Full Day to Explore Ibiti Projecto
Accommodation: Engenho Lodge at Ibiti Projecto
Meals: B, L, D

Full Day to Explore Ibiti Projecto

There are many ways to explore the magical landscape of Ibiti Projeto from Engenho lodge by day either on foot, atop mangalara horses, via a modern fleet of electric assisted mountain bikes, stand up paddle boards, or jeeps. Surprises await at every turn in this paradise, which include a sculpture garden of 30 foot tall steel figures by Californian artist Karen Cusolito, originally displayed at the Burning Man festival, remote vista points where freshly squeezed juices and snacks are left mysteriously by the staff in advance of your arrival, at the base of thundering waterfalls exotic swimming holes ringed by crystalline quartz beaches, where again, fluffy white towels are left for you, just in case you want to cool off.

On the conservation side - there is a fully staffed rehabilitation center for the northern Muriqui monkey, the most critically endangered primate species on earth which is being rescued from extinction. On the cultural side, you will come across small mountain communities and farms populated by jovial and welcoming locals who are growing organic produce, distilling cachaca, and creating incredible handicrafts.

The Ibiti Team, or your preferred DMC, can carefully craft an itinerary where you will see the best of everything – from the burning man statues, to caves, to waterfalls. But of course, we will include downtime to catch up on emails (starlink is available at each lodge, even the remote houses), and room to relax at the jacuzzi/sauna. The world is yours at Ibiti!

Day 3: Engenho to Mogol Village

Daily Summary

Tour: Explore Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto
Accommodation: Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto
Meals: B, L, D

Explore Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto

After yoga followed by breakfast at Engenho head over to the other side of the property to stay in Mogol, a charming village with just over 20 residents and 11 houses available for accommodation. To truly understand Ibiti Projeto, it's important for guests to stay at both Engenho and Mogol because they are quite different experiences (in the best way). Engenho is more of a traditional luxury eco lodge with adventures around every corner, while Mogol is a more cultural immersive experience into the community. The best way to explain Mogol is that the owner of Ibiti Projeto did not want to kick out the members of the community when he purchased the land. In fact, he asked them to stay and carry-on with their lives and Ibiti Projeto will support them. So that's what has happened. Mogol functions as a small community where kids are going to school, people are going to church, and working on other socio-economic projects. It is one of the most fascinating hotel concepts in the entire world, and experiencing it is truly amazing. They are taking the concept of sustainable travel to the next level.

Aside from the community visit, there are so many amazing adventures to do from Mogol as well. They have a bike shop with e-bikes, e-dirt bikes, and other off road equipment. By foot or bike, you can explore many waterfalls and nature trails from Mogol, along with an entire list of excursions. The accommodations here at Mogol are original houses in the village that have been restored into some amazing hotel-type accommodations, still showing all of their original charm. Most of them have a balcony looking out towards the mountains, making it a spectacular place to simply read a book and get away from the world for a bit. All in all, Ibiti Projeto is one heck of a place to "escape it all!" With a little inspiration of restored hope in humanity after leaving...

Day 4: Experience Mogol Village

Daily Summary

Tour: Experience Mogol Village
Accommodation: Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto

Experience Mogol Village

Spend another day exploring the many things to do from Mogol village such as chasing waterfalls, catching sunsets, listening to piano recitals, stargazing, spa and wellness experiences, and more!

Day 5: Ibiti to Rio

Private Transfer from Ibiti Projeto to Rio de Janeiro

Daily Summary

Meals: B, L

Private Transfer from Ibiti Projeto to Rio de Janeiro

Early this morning, head back to Rio for your international return flight, or continue your journey through Rio and Brazil (as we recommend). If you're an adventurous person who loves history, we absolutely recommend the 4-hour private transfer from Ibiti Projeto to Rio de Janeiro with a stop at Petropolis. Which is a historic city located in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, about 68 kilometers (42 miles) north of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It’s known for its cooler climate, imperial history, and well-preserved 19th-century architecture.

However, if you're in a hurry and don't feel like taking the long private transfer, a private charter helicopter can be arranged.

Accommodation

Engenho Lodge at Ibiti Projecto

Lima Duarte, Brazil

Ibiti Projeto, formerly known as Comuna do Ibitipoca, ultimately defies description and has been a well guarded secret of the global jetset who seek meaning, connection and transformation in their travels. Created by one of the wealthiest families in Brazil starting in the early 1980s, their private reserve now totals 13,000 acres (20+ square miles). Ibiti Projeto is equal parts luxury lodge, sustainability initiative, art gallery, conservation project, wellness retreat, rewilding initiative, wildlife sanctuary, adventure center, rural regeneration project, organic farm, historic preservation site and model community. All these aspects are interconnected. In their own words; “We aim to create a fertile environment for happiness to flourish, and we believe that this must be done holistically, involving the fauna, flora and local communities.”

Ibiti Projeto is a great destination alone for a small gathering of friends or family, can be turned into a simple beach and highlands combination with Rio de Janeiro, or included in a fascinating itinerary traversing the colonial gold mining towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes in Minas Gerais State. Ibiti Projeto is a 3.5 hour drive from Rio de Janeiro, but also has its own airstrip and helicopter pad should guests choose to fly in.

Mogol Village at Ibiti Projeto

Lima Duarte, Brazil

Mogol Village blends authentic community life with carefully restored heritage homes, immersive hikes, farm‑fresh gastronomy, and a spirit of cultural renewal. It’s the heart of Ibiti’s village concept—quietly regenerative, yet vibrantly alive. Houses are restored traditional homes—converted into unique lodgings named after notable figures (like Guimarães Rosa, Freud, Humboldt, Sowell).

For food at Mogol, there is The Yucca vegetarian/vegan restaurant is integrated with an open kitchen, offering plant-based cuisine sourced from Ibiti’s organic farm. Along with Gaia Café, housed in a restored village shop, serves “farm‑to‑table” fare, fresh juices (like juçara palm “açaí”), jams, and local delicacies.

Mogol acts as a “capital in the making” within the Ibiti Project, preserving local culture, arts, and traditions—such as local carnival cortejos and viola circles. It’s a center for sustainable living: restored homes, spa and cinema in former buildings, all underpinned by Ibiti’s broader regeneration mission (rewilding, organic farming, environmental education).

About Clark Kotula Representation

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Luxury boutique hotels that share common characteristics and philosophies. They are individually owned and reflect their owners visions and passions for sharing the magic of the destinations in which they are located. The luxury they provide visitors is not expressed by opulence, ostentation and overwhelming infrastructure, but rather a firm sense of place created by a fusion of personalized service and design elements in harmony with the cultural and natural world that surround them.

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