Fun, Educational, and Professional...

Brazil Geo Mine Tour
25 Bridgeport Rd. E.
Waterloo, ON N2J2J4
Canada
ph: 519-579-1747
fax: 519-579-6504
alt: 1-877-859-4367
info@geominetour.com

"Gem Storm"

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe”. ~Anatole France

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Thank you to all 2009 participants.

NEW in 2010!

December 3rd to 14th, 2010

"Gemstorm" 12 day tour

December 03 to 14, 2010

August 20 to 31, 2010

12 days / 11 nights

Price: CAN$3,000.00

Description
The French geologist Henry Gorceix summed up Minas Gerais 150 years ago, when he wrote that the state had "a breast of iron and a heart of gold". Its hills and mountains contain the richest mineral deposits in Brazil, which led to the area being christened "General Mines". Mineral wealth still flows from Minas' hills: We’ll tour the famous imperial topaz, tourmaline, aquamarine and kunzite mines of Minas Gerais, and you will experience their greatest Gem Crystals.

The tour is divided into 2 stages. The first 8 days explores the treasures of The Gem Storm area and the extended 4 days will take you to the greatest gem crystal mines. Both stages include a visit to FIPP, the largest gem fair in South America where you will have an opportunity to meet and purchase at the source from both the humblest "garimpeiro" and the largest producers in Brazil.
Maps
Itinerary

Day 1: Start with a tour of Belo Horizonte. Drive to Ouro Preto. If time permits, en route visit the world's largest iron ore mine. Visit and lecture at the Mineralogy Museum of the Mining School. Overnight in Ouro Preto.
Day 2: Drive to Rodrigo Silva to explore Imperial Topaz Capão Mine and see processing and washing of minerals. Visit cutters and dealers in the afternoon. Overnight back in Ouro Preto.
Day 3: Drive to Antonio Pereira (Mariana county) for a tour of the public imperial topaz mines. Continue travelling to Itabira to explore the shafts of the largest private emerald mine in the world. Overnight in Itabira.

Day 4: .Drive close to Nova Era for a tour of public emerald mine. Drive to Governador Valadares and visit the Tourmaline mine of “Escondido”. Overnight in Governador Valadares.
Day 5: Visit the tourmaline mine of “Sapo” in Governador Valadares and relax in the afternoon visiting & purchasing at large wholesale dealers. Overnight in Governador Valadares.
Day 6: Drive to Teófilo Otoni (“World’s Gemstone Capital”). Stop at the tourmaline mine Fernando Onofri and visit FIPP (International Precious Stones Fair). Overnight in Teófilo Otoni.

Day 7: Full day of visiting producers, cutters & dealers as well as a return visit to FIPP. Farewell dinner party for 8 day tour travelers. Overnight in Teófilo Otoni.
Day 8: For 8 day tour travelers, drive back to Belo Horizonte for departure...if time permits, visit to "Gruta do Maquiné (Maquine Cave)" en route to Belo Horizonte and fly back to São Paulo and Canada.
For extended 12 day tour group, drive to Padre Paraíso county (Marambaia) to visit alluvium and underground Aquamarine mines. Reception at Orlando Tavares ranch. Drive and overnight in Araçuaí.

Day 9: In Araçuaí, visit famous tourmaline/kunzite mines and dealers. Drive to Diamantina for city tour and dealers visit. Overnight in Diamantina.

Day 10: Drive to Corinto. Visit Gem Crystal mine en route to Corinto. Overnight in Corinto.

Day 11: Full day visit to producers and dealers in Corinto.

Day 12: Drive to Cordisburgo. En route visit the Maquiné cave (Brazil’s paleontology nest). Drive to airport in Belo Horizonte, farewell and fly back to São Paulo and Canada.

Click here for complete dossier (coming soon).
Group Size & Accommodation Type
Group size: min. 6, max. 10 people, plus leader and specialized local guide.
Accommodation: hotel double occupancy. Single occupancy by request.
Comments
The state of Minas Gerais (Portuguese for "general mines") is one of 26 Brazilian states, located on the western side of Brazil's Southeastern Subdivision. Belo Horizonte is the state's capital, located near the center of Minas Gerais.

The gem-bearing pegmatite's of the Minas Gerais region are some of the most significant deposits in Brazil and the world. The topography consists of hilly country defined by mounds called inselbergs which are pegmatites that eroded more slowly than the surrounding schists and metamorphic rock.
As the pegmatites began to erode after prolonged exposure, tougher material such as beryl, topaz, tourmaline and quartz were transported to secondary eluvial and alluvial deposits located in downstream drainage basins.
Activities:
· Mine exploration

· Mineral collecting

· City tours

· Gem fair admission & attendance

· Dealer warehouse purchasing visits
· Visit FIPP (International Precious Stones Fair)
Accommodations: All nights at the best hotels available.

Meals: All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners included in the partial 8 day tour; all breakfasts, 11 lunches & 11 dinners on the extended 12 day tour.
General Information

Trip fee includes:

· Shared accommodation (two persons in twin-bedded room w/ private bathroom) in the best hotels available (additional rates apply for single room occupancy).

· All meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (exception is breakfast and lunch only on arrival date & dinner on departure date).

· Ground transportation provided by van or bus while on tour. (Special vehicles may be required to access some mines.)

· Mines and other sites entrance fees as specified in the itinerary

· Gratuities - all except your Geo Tour Leader and guides

· Services of specialized guide assistance and English speaking tour leader

· Arrival / Departure transfer (if you arrive & depart on the scheduled tour dates)

Arrangements: The tour price includes planning, handling, and operating charges. The final cost of the trip may vary moderately depending on the final number of participants, foreign currencies and/or tariff rates. The cost is subject to revision.

Charitable Donation: The tour cost includes a 5% tax-deductible donation to the Creche MeMe in Teófilo Otoni. A letter of acknowledgement for tax purposes will be provided at the conclusion of the tour.

Trip fee excludes:

· Air fare to & from Brazil including all airfare within Brazil

· Airport departure taxes and/or user fees

· Domestic air taxes and fees

· Passport, Visa and permit fees

· Transfers arriving/departing on different days than our published dates, or to leave or join the group after it has started

· Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

· Excess medical insurance

· Tour Leader and guides gratuities

· Personal Travel insurance

· Optional excursion or deviations from the scheduled tour

· Overweight baggage

· All items of a personal nature (i.e. laundry, beverages, telephone calls, and gratuities for extra services)

· Special order meal items and any item not specifically mentioned as included

· Breakfast and lunch on arrival day & dinner on departure day.
Dates & Prices
12 DAY TOUR:
Start Date           End Date            Price           Availability
August 20th to 27th, 2010    CAN$3,000.00    YES
December 03rd to 14th, 2010        CAN$3,000.00    YES
Request space on this tour: click here!
Travel Reviews & Stories

Our successful first tour: "Gemstorm 2009"
Recorded pictures:
Click Here for Album 01
Click Here for Album 02
Recorded videos: click here
Click here or on the picture below to read our trip blog: