When the Bandeirantes found gold in the region of Itacolomi (the mountain that dominates Ouro Preto) at the end of the 17th century, they unleashed a veritable multitude of immigrants in search of the legendary Eldorado. Paulistas (the people from São Paulo State), Northeasterners and recently-arrived Portuguese all founded small mining camps, with accompanying small chapels, in various parts of the region. These camps were united in 1711, under the name of Vila Rica de Albuquerque, today Ouro Preto (black gold). At the time, Vila Rica was divided in two parishes. The piety of settlers caused them to form lay brotherhoods, which, with their own recourses, sponsored the religious festivals and the priests. Divided in associations of white, mulattoes and blacks, in accordance with their statutes, they constructed an impressive number of Baroque and Rococo churches in Minas Gerais.

Full day Ouro Preto:
This tour mainly takes you inside the many churches and museums existing in this historical city. Our tour guide will show you the important points and landmarks in the city, as well as where the mines were located. In some streets, there were mines under each house. Many other curious things can be discovered about Ouro Preto. Lunch will be at a typical restaurant serving regional food.

Two days package from Belo Horizonte
(including Congonhas do Campo and Mariana):
1st day:
08:00am- Departure from Belo Horizonte to Congonhas (65 miles).
09:30am- Arrival in Congonhas and visit to the Aleijadinho's masterpiece: the twelve prophets in soapstone and the representation of the Via Crucis in polychrome woodwork.
11:00am- Departure for Ouro Preto.
12:40pm- Arrival at Ouro Preto and lunch at Casa dos Contos restaurant.
02:30pm- Sightseeing tour visiting the Mineralogy Museum, which gives a mineralogical view of Brazil. Visit to the churches of São Francisco de Assis and Pilar, that marked the climax of the gold cycle with carved works painted entirely in gold. Overnight at the Hotel Luxor Ouro Preto or at the Grande Hotel Ouro Preto.
2nd day:
09:00pm- Departure for Mariana to visit the Cathedral and Sacred Art Museum.
12:30pm- Lunch at Casa dos Contos restaurant and return to Belo Horizonte.

Three days package from Belo Horizonte
(including Congonhas do Campo, Mariana, São João Del Rey and Tiradentes):
1st day:
08:00am- Departure from Belo Horizonte to Congonhas (65 miles).
09:30am- Arrival in Congonhas and visit to the Aleijadinho's masterpiece: the twelve prophets in soapstone and the representation of the Via Cruces in polychrome woodwork.
11:00am- Departure for São João Del Rey.
12:40pm- Arrival and lunch at Quinto do Ouro restaurant.
01:30pm- Visit to the churches of Saint Francis de Assis, Nossa Senhora de Carmel Rosario. Departure to Tiradentes at 03:00pm.
03:30pm- Visit to the St Antônio church and Father Toledo's house. Overnight at Porto Real hotel or Pousada Casarão.
2nd day:
09:00am- Departure to Ouro Preto (170 miles). Visit to the Minearology Museum, churches of São Francisco de Assis and Pilar. Lunch at Casa do Conto restaurant. Overnight at Luxor Ouro Preto or Grande Hotel Ouro Preto.
3rd day:
09:00am- Departure for Mariana to visit the Cathedral and Sacred Art Museum.
12:30pm- Lunch at Casa dos Contos restaurant and return to Belo Horizonte.