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RESERVA DO IBITIPOCA The Fazenda  Fazendo do Engenho Lima Duarte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Accommodations Spa Activities Reserva do Ibitipoca

ABOUT RESERVA IBITIPOCA'S LODGE ACTIVITIES - in their own words:

ENGENHO WATERFALL
Engenho Waterfall delights everyone who sees it. It is a magical place with natural pools and white sands, equipped with comfortable sun loungers and a special bar serving delicious appetizers and caipirinha, the famous Brazilian cocktail. This is an ideal place for a refreshing dip in the ‘coca cola’ colored waters, the result of natural decomposition of organic materials.

STABLES
At our main house we have stables, equipped with saddles and a living room where our guests can comfortably wait for their horses to be prepared, or to enjoy a nice cup of natural tea after coming back from a ride. Our Mangalarga and Anglo-Arabian horses are specifically trained for horse-riding trips around the Reserve.

CORRAL
A small pen accommodates our three Jersey cows that produce all the milk consumed at Ibitipoca Reserve. We also make Minas and mozzarella cheese with the milk, as well as mozzarella, curd and milk puddings that we serve to our guests. Our guests are welcome to help milk the cows!

AIRSTRIP
Our airstrip for small aircraft allows easy access to Ibitipoca Reserve. It is approved by the DAC (Department of Civil Aviation in Brazil) and only suitable for certain aircraft.

EXCURSIONS
Local guides from the Reserve accompany guests on excursions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Bilingual guides are available and must be requested at the time of booking. The activities we offer enable our guests to get closer to nature and local culture.

Circuito Pedra do Gavião (Hawk Stone Circuit)
This adventure along steep, stoned paths takes us across streams and through dense forest leads to Pedra do Gavião (hawk stone), located approximately 1500m above sea level. From the top there is a privileged view that includes Ibitipoca State Park, waterfalls, the main farmhouse, the villages Mogol, Lima Duarte and Bias Fortes, valleys and mountains. The path continues to the Tree of Seven Knights – ancient buttressed roots with a huge, hollow tree trunk which we can walk in to. It is said that seven people can hug the tree trunk. During the descent we come across a beautiful Bromeliad garden, with species of all sizes, shapes and colors. The Grotto of the Rising Sun is other attraction, with a very small entrance and an area that shelters wild animals. Difficulty level: high. Duration: between 3 and 4 hours (depending on the guest’s physical condition). Tour can be done on foot or horseback.

Gruta das Andorinhas (Swallows’ Cave)
Gruta das Andorinhas is a beautiful cave, approximately 30 meters long. There is a huge skylight in it, which allows the sun rays to get in and guides the visitors to the end of the cave, where they can see a beautiful 6 meter high waterfall. Difficulty level: medium. Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes on foot. It also can be done by bike, car or on horseback.

Circuito das Águas (Tour of the Waters)
Some of the main attractions of Engenho’s Farm are the waterfalls and natural pools, formed by the dark, ‘coca-cola colored’ waters. The reddish, transparent water is due to the decomposition of organic material of the plants and the presence of iron compounds. These waterfalls are formed by waters that penetrate the woodland, leak through rocks and crevices and form the Black Lake, Engenho’s Waterfall, Gritador Waterfall, Laje Waterfall and the pools, which are perfect for bathing. Difficulty level: medium. Duration: 2 hours. On foot or horseback.

Arraial Mogol (Mogol’s Village)
This tour leads through a small and traditional local village which has preserved its original appearance. It is a beautiful trip for those who enjoy longer horseback rides, with its superb views of valleys and mountains, amazing waterfalls and proximity to local culture.
Difficulty level: high. This is a horseback tour. Duration: 5 hours.

Ibitipoca State Park
Ibitipoca State Park is located in the Atlantic Rainforest area, at the top of Ibitipoca mountain range, which is an extension of the Mantiqueira mountains. It is a conservation area that was created to preserve native fauna and flora, water resources and geological formations, as well as to perform scientific research, activities of environmental education and eco tourism. Because the park is located in a region that is rich in quartz, it is characterized by a landscape of cliffs, rocks, natural bridges, caves, grottoes, waterfalls, Brazilian spider-flowers, orchids, bromeliads, cactus and lichens. This delightful tour is an intense encounter with nature. Some of the Park’s attractions are Monkeys Waterfall, Rabbit Grotto, Mirage Lake, Mirror Lake, Stone Bridge, Heaven’s Window and Piao Peak.

Birdwatching
Within the Reserva do Ibitipoca there are around 350 species of birds that can be seen while on the tours. Equipped with binoculars and trained guides, visitors can come across different birds like Saíra, Tucano-do-Bico-Verde, Siriema, Tangará-da-Serra, Tiê-Sangue, Pintassilgo, Curió e Surucuá