Ibitipoca Yoga Retreat

The Ibitipoca Yoga Retreat is a 8-day wellness program organized deep in the historic countryside of Brazil, among beautiful valleys and mountains of Minas Gerais. The program includes daily Hatha yoga sessions, full board based on an organic vegetarian menu and reviving experiences in the middle of splendid preserved nature. Take a deep immersion and connect with yourself, combining the four elements of earth, water, fire and air, worked through meditation, yoga, healthy food and outdoor activities. Enjoy the recharging energy of remote villages, go horse-riding or e-biking, swim, hike and experience the slow lifestyle of the Brazilian countryside. Discover the former farmlands which have been carefully converted into shabby luxury boutique lodges and lofts. Admire the picturesque hills, the preserved rainforest, black-water lakes, sacred waterfalls and mesmerizing top-hill views. The program includes accommodation at some of the best small country hotels in South America, with a lot of comfort and charm. It is an excellent choice for a group of friends, couples or families who like active trips, good organic food and luxury design hotels. You can start either in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte or Juiz de Fora, and we will adjust the trip depending where you arrive. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

08 Days – From £2,800 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Mogol Village, Areiao, Ibitipoca

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room. For a group of 4 or more people, the per person price will be lower.
Luxury accommodation with full board (more hotels HERE)
Daily yoga sessions with a professional trainer
Bike rental and guide
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Belo Horizonte (CNF) or Juiz de Fora (JDF).

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal, the culture of Bahia or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

Best time to visit: year round. It is good to know that during September to April is it usually hot and one can using the outdoor bathtubs, however this is also a time with more chances of rain, especially from December to February. This is also the time when waterfalls are fuller. During the other months it is colder at night, but the skies are blue and there is normally a dry climate.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weathe r Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Fire

Today you will be met at the nearest airport and escorted to Mogol Village in Ibitipoca. After refreshing, take a walk to admire the beautiful landscape. This small traditional village is set between spectacular valleys and mountains. Savor the delicious home-made meals at the local restaurant which offers a vegetarian based organic cuisine. The kitchen is integrated with the dining room, providing a more intimate ambiance and experience. The ingredients are produced here by the local community. In the afternoon, you will have free time for massage, followed by an active meditation with fire and a beautiful view. In the evening, enjoy a beautiful sunset view from the Mirante viewpoint. Overnight at Freud Loft.

Day 2 - Water

After a refreshing morning yoga session and breakfast, discover the lovely waterfalls of Engenho, Gritador, Lage and the other natural black pools, ideal for bathing. The water has a reddish transparent tone due to its composition which is made of iron and decomposed organic leaves and plants. After swimming, return to the village for a vegetarian lunch at Yucca restaurant. In the evening enjoy a spectacular sunset open-air cinema, watching the movie “Ibitipoca, Droba pra Lá”. The small square in Mogol village gives the feeling of Quadrado in Trancoso, with a social area, live piano music, a balcony with spectacular views and fire place. Overnight at Humboldt Loft.

Day 3 - Earth

After breakfast, take a walking guided tour to Lago Negro to have a yoga session and a guided meditation on the small beach. Then, walk for about 5km (2h) through beautiful nature to reach Andorinhas Cave which is hiding a beautiful, 6-meter high waterfall at the end of it. Continue to Muriqui House to learn about the preservation of the endangered largest primate in the Americas. Currently there are less than 900 individuals in the wild. This is really a fantastic project. After a delicious organic lunch you will have a cooking class, where you will learn some of the best recipes from Minas Gerais. Overnight at Casa Wangari.

Day 4 - Cycling

After breakfast, take a guided cycling tour to the area of Areião, high up in the mountains (20km). The route is along pleasant trails surrounded by beautiful scenery, passing small villages. Stop for a home-made lunch at Boa Vista farm, the oldest farm in the region, surrounded by mountains and araucaria trees. After lunch, relax in the hammocks or take a deep into the Patua waterfall. Continue to the bird sanctuary where purple-breasted parrots, wolverines, scarlet macaws and carindé are cared for before being introduced to the forest. Stop at Garnet viewpoint to have a conscious contemplation and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Overnight at Spinoza Loft.

Day 5 - Air

In the morning return to Mogol village. After breakfast at Rancho do Sol, depart to Engenho (2h). Check-in, relax a bit and then hike through the stony forest to the top of the Pedra do Gavião (20 km, 3-4h). On the way up, you will see Árvore dos Sete Cavaleiros, an ancient sapopema tree, with a huge hollow trunk. At the top, enjoy beautiful views over the valleys & mountains hosting the villages of Mogol, Lima Duarte and Bias Fortes. On the way down, pass by the colourful bromelia garden and Gruta do Sol Nascente. Upon your return, enjoy a relaxing sauna & well deserved massage. In the evening you will have a spectacular sunset yoga. Overnight at Engenho Lodge.

Day 6 - Birds, Horses & Art

Early morning go on a guided bird-watching tour. Broaden your knowledge of different species, as there are around 300 species which are best seen at sunrise. This is a worthwhile experience of introspection, discovery and surprises. After breakfast and the refreshing yoga session, meet the lovely horses at the stables. At lunchtime, take a delicious organic lunch at Prainha Grill with local vegetables. In the afternoon, visit the Burning Man statues at Pedra do Tatu Sentado, which overlook the beautiful valley and mountains (6-8km, 2h). Upon your return, spend the evening at leisure or relaxing. The jacuzzi, sauna & massage is always a good idea. Overnight at Casa Carlinhos.

Day 7 - Ibitipoca State Park

After breakfast and the refreshing yoga session, take a transfer to the small village where the entrance of Ibitipoca State park is (20 min away). Take a self-guided half-day tour of the park. The area hides many beautiful sites such as cliffs, natural bridges, caves, waterfalls, orchids and bromeliads. This tour provides moments of enchantment and well-being in the midst of nature. Lago das Miragens, Lago dos Espelhos, Ponte da Pedra, Janela do Ceu and Pico do Peão. Upon your return you will be transferred back to the farm. After lunch you will have free time for leisure and contemplation. In the evening you will have a sensational dinner inside the cave. Overnight at Casa Carlinhos.

Day 8 - Departure

Early after a delicious breakfast set under the beautiful jabuticabeira trees, you will have the last yoga session and then you will be taken back to the airport. If you would like to combine this wellness program with discovering the colonial towns of Minas Gerais, check our cultural itinerary History & Food. Alternatively, you can continue the second week of a rejuvenating yoga holiday in Chapada dos Veadeiros, in the state of Goias, with waterfalls and pristine nature. Everyday yoga sessions with a professional instructor can be organized. Brazil is an amazing place to refill your batteries. If you wish to practice yoga on the beach, we invite you to Serra Grande or Pipa. Talk to us about your preferences.

More Holiday Inspiration

In Brazil Other Destinations