In the Mountain's Heart

18/06/2020

Um belo lugar para tomar aquele cafezinho

23/04/2020

For lovers of a good story set in the most breathtaking and rudimentary landscapes.
*About the Paths* >>> were officially created to officiate a gold and gemstone outflow route to the coast to travel across the sea to their destination, Portugal.

There are 04 Paths:
1- Old Path, from Ouro Preto-MG until Paraty-RJ
2- New Path, from Ouro Preto-MG until Rio de Janeiro-RJ
3- Diamond Path, from Diamatina-MG until Ouro Preto-MG
4- Sabarabuçu Path, from Cocais-MG until Glaura-MG

Explanation of Paths: Old and Diamond

1- Old Path

With 710 km of extension, the Old Road of the Royal Road was the first route taken to take the precious stones to the sea: it begins in Ouro Preto and passes through Tiradentes, São João del-Rei and Caxambu, culminating in Paraty, in the state of Rio of January. It can be completed in 15 days by bike, 48 days on foot, 8 days by car and 24 days on horseback.

There are main 32 traditional cities:

1- Ouro Preto
2- São Bartolomeu (a very hard level trail by foot)
3- Cachoeira do Campo
4- Santo Antonio do Leite
5- Engenheiro Correa
6- Miguel Burnier
7- Lobo Leite
8- Congonhas (church with art made of soapstone)
9- Alto Maranhão
10- Pequiri
11- São Braz do Suaçuí
12- Entre Rios de Minas
13- Lagora Dourada (the best roulade in Brazil)
14- Prados
15- Tiradentes (rich gastronomy)
16- São João Del Rey (rich church)
17- São Sebastião da Vitória
18- Caquende (where a Brazilian saint was born – Nhá Chica)
19- Carrancas (many waterfalls)
20- Cruzilia (vey appreciate cheese)
21- Baependi
22- Caxambu (hidromineral spots)
23- São Lourenço
24- Pouso Alto
25- Santana do Capivari
26- Itamonte
27- Itanhandu (the biggest egg producer in Brazil)
28- Passa Quatro (tours of train ‘Maria Fumaça’)
29- Vila do Embaú
30- Guaratinguetá (where the first Brazilian saint was born – Frei Galvão)
31- Cunha (home of beautiful landscapes, there is a strong culture in the production of ceramics)
32- Paraty (excepcional art e gastronomy)

Tiradentes
Its ancient name was Arraial Velho de Santo Antonio. It is one of the most preserved historical centers of baroque art in Brazil. Tiradentes was proclaimed as historical patrimony and promotes annually the Film Festival, that encourages and diffuses Brazilian productions.
Very interesting place and with great touristic support.
São João del-Rei
Its was known as the land where the bells talk, due to its churchs with the spectacularly harmonious bells. It was founded by São Paulo’s bandeirantes with the intention of become one connection between Paraty town and the other towns in the central region of the State of Minas Gerais.
Caxambu
Also known as Princess of Minas, is located in a very beautiful mountain, called Serra da Mantiqueira and hosts the biggest hydromineral complex of the world, with 12 sources of mineral water that are famous for its healing properties.
Paraty
This town hosted the biggest port of gold in Brazil, during colonial period. It is located almost in the sea level, then many of its streets get flooded by the tide during some periods of the year. It is a very interesting phenomenon.
With many impressive histories and legends, the Old Path was the first way officially opened by the Portuguese Crown for the traffic between Rio de Janeiro’s coast and the mineral exploration region.
There was a synergy among Indian, African and European roots. This riches is responsible for many attractives, as the unique architecture of Ouro Preto, the internationally recognized gastronomy of Tiradentes, the big hydromineral spots of Water Circuits and the latent culture of Paraty.

3- Diamond Path

Diamond Path
Located in the Serra do Espinhaço, it is made up of cities considered Historic and Cultural Heritage, with architectural ensemble listed by IPHAN.
The region of the Diamonds has numerous cultural, natural and historical riches distributed throughout its cities.
To visit this region is like to travel in time, to feel as a part of the patrimony. It is to be enchanted with the flavor of the regional cuisine, the creativity of the arts and the amazing manifestations of faith and religiosity. It is possible to practice ecotourism and adventure sports, as a hiking or cycling MTB. It relives a glorious history, sharing the preserved nature and with the traditional hospitality of Minas Gerais.

There are 19 main traditional cities:

1- Diamantina (place of great Diamond and precious stones exploration)
2- São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras
3- Serro (famous because of its ‘mineiro cheese’)
4- Milho Verde
5- Alvorada de Minas
6- Itapanhoacanga (there is a mountain called ‘Serra da Escadinha’, where is very difficult climb by bike)
7- Santo Antonio do Norte
8- Conceição do Mato Dentro (there is the Tubuleiro Waterfall, with a heart shape)
9- Morro do Pilar
10- Itambé do Mato Dentro
11- Ipoema
12- Bom Jesus do Amparo
13- Cocais (very good food and a sigular place where the alchemist lives)
14- Santa Bárbara
15- Catas Altas (there is a stone arqueduct)
16- Santa Rita Durão
17- Camargos
18- Mariana (century baroque churches)
19- Ouro Preto (gold and baroque art exploration)

A very interest history started in 1729, when precious stones from Diamantina town have gained prominence in Brazilian and abroad economy. Besides the history of its towns and typical culture, the Diamond Path stands out for its natural beauty and singularities.
The trips through Diamonds Path are full of adventure, nature, history and culture, because almost 300 years ago, tons of precious stones were extracted and sent to the sea (Paraty – State of Rio de Janeiro). The adventurers went through fantastic places, crossing about 19 magical and charming villages in the colonial style. So, we consider about 395km being watched for Biosphere Reserve of Serra do Espinhaço and its exuberant landscapes.
Diamantina.
Its inicial name was Arraial do Tijuco (in Tupy Guarani language it means river of rotten water). The town, listed by UNESCO earned its name thanks to the big quantity of diamonds found there, and it is a very rich cultural patrimony.

Serro
Known before as Prince Village. Its history starts in 1701, in Jequitinhonha River. Its biggest treasure is the Serro cheese, that has its recipe registered as Immaterial Patrimony by IEPHA.
Mariana
The old and imposing Nossa Senhora do Ribeirão do Carmo town, as it was called some centuries ago.
Mariana was the first village, town and capital of Minas Gerais. It was one of the biggest gold producers for the Portuguese Crown.

13/04/2020

Even a normal birth! Rock paintings located at the Archaeological Site of Pedra Pintada in the city of Barão de Cocais-MG are a particular charm to make us travel about 8,000 years ago in our brain.

Até um parto! Pinturas rupestres localizadas no Sítio Arqueológico da Pedra Pintada na cidade de Barão de Cocais-MG são um encanto particular para fazer com que viajemos para cerca de 8.000 anos atrás em nosso cérebro.

09/04/2020

This was the 2015 Estrada Real bike expedition along the Diamantes and Velho paths (I've already done the Caminho Velho 4 times), with 1,260 km, 23 days, 17km of altitude, 11kg of lost weight, more than 30 cities and districts and countless friends and stories:
MINAS GERAIS
Diamantina
São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras
Datas
Milho Verde
Serro
Congonhas do Norte
Conceição do Mato Dentro
Tabuleiro
Morro do Pilar
Tapera ou Santo Antônio do Norte
Ipoema
Itambé do Mato Dentro
Itabira
São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
Cocais
Sta Bárbara
Catas Altas
Sta Rita Durão
Mariana
Ouro Preto
Cachoeira do Campo
Glaura
Sto Antônio do Leite
Lobo Leite
Pequeri
Eng Corrêa
Congonhas
São Brás do Suaçuí
Entre Rios de Minas
Casa Grande
Lagoa Dourada
Prados
Tiradentes
São João del Rey
Capela do S**o
Caquende
Carrancas
Cruzília
Traituba
Baependi
Caxambu
Soledade
São Lourenço
Pouso Alto
Itamonte
Itanhandu
Passa Quatro
SÃO PAULO
Vila do Embaú
Guaratinguetá
Cunha
RIO DE JANEIRO
Parati

Essa foi a expedição Estrada Real de bike de 2015 pelos caminhos dos Diamantes e Velho (O Caminho Velho já fiz 4 vezes), com 1.260 km, 23 dias, 17km de altimetria, 11kg de peso perdido, mais de 30 cidades e distritos e inúmeros amigos e histórias :

MINAS GERAIS
Diamantina
São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras
Datas
Milho Verde
Serro
Congonhas do Norte
Conceição do Mato Dentro
Tabuleiro
Morro do Pilar
Tapera ou Santo Antônio do Norte
Ipoema
Itambé do Mato Dentro
Itabira
São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo
Cocais
Sta Bárbara
Catas Altas
Sta Rita Durão
Mariana
Ouro Preto
Cachoeira do Campo
Glaura
Sto Antônio do Leite
Lobo Leite
Pequeri
Eng Corrêa
Congonhas
São Brás do Suaçuí
Entre Rios de Minas
Casa Grande
Lagoa Dourada
Prados
Tiradentes
São João del Rey
Capela do S**o
Caquende
Carrancas
Cruzília
Traituba
Baependi
Caxambu
Soledade
São Lourenço
Pouso Alto
Itamonte
Itanhandu
Passa Quatro
SÃO PAULO
Vila do Embaú
Guaratinguetá
Cunha
RIO DE JANEIRO
Parati

20/08/2019

Touching the sky in Mantiqueira mountain, Gomeral. 1.854m above the sea level

19/08/2019

Somewhere watching the sunrise

18/03/2018

Sao Francisco de Assis Church and it's traditional local artesans just beside in Largo do Coimbra fair

17/02/2018

Cachoeira do Tabuleiro - Tabuleiro waterfall @ Conceição do Mato Dentro

17/02/2018

This waterfall is amazing!

13/02/2018

13/02/2018

WELCOME!

In The Mountain’s Heart is an invitation for you to discover the wonders from the sea crossing the mountains in direction to the countryside of Minas Gerais State in Brazil. With us you will enjoy the real adventure in your life, awakening all your senses:
Vision: to appreciate the landscapes, magnitude from the sea until the mountains and the lush of the nature, old paths that were used to carry gold and precious stones, baroque architecture of the centenarians churches and museums, showing part of the history and mineralogy
Taste: to taste the traditional countryside unique flavors from the inland cooking
Hearing: to listen to the music coming from Brazilian country guitar, birds singing dawn and the strong sound from the big and charming waterfalls
Touch: to feel the fresh air from the morning and the river water during an unforgettable dive
Smell: to appreciate from the smell of the coffee made in the wood burning stove, until the flowering honey and also the amazing perfume of the flowers in the fields


Our Mission
To provide information for an unforgettable adventure, history, gastronomy and culture. To offer hosting and activities for the participants that will fell as real adventurous through the paths of these wonderful places.

Our Vision
To be the reference in tourism information source in the region, reaching your expectations.

Region
In The Mountain’s Heart offers you ecologic guides information, historic, gastronomic and cultural guides in Minas Gerais State of Brazil and its surroundings. This region has the rich biodiversity, distributed into beaches and mainly mountains which form a set of beautiful landscapes and also the largest quantity of history to teach us.

31/12/2017