Mantiqueira Highlands: A complete 5-day road trip itinerary through São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro

Between São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro lies a region that produces internationally awarded olive oil, cheese that rivals Italian Parmesan, and boasts some of Brazil's most beautiful landscapes, yet remains largely unknown to most.

The Mantiqueira Highlands form a tourist circuit nestled among the country's highest peaks, essentially rural, where Araucaria forests, immense valleys, and a gastronomic culture built over generations coexist with isolated roads that few dare to travel.

The Dakar Overland Club gathered members from São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro to undertake this 5-day road trip, and this video is the complete itinerary for you to do the same.

──────────────────
📍 DAILY ITINERARY
──────────────────

00:00 ▸ Introduction

01:36 ▸ DAY 1: São Paulo → Delfim Moreira/MG
Departure from São Paulo with meeting point in Pindamonhangaba. Off-road section along the Trilha das Pedrinhas trail to Campos do Jordão. Lunch at Tao do Gomeral. Stop at the São José dos Alpes viewpoint. An unexpected adventure on a 4x4 trail between São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Arrival at the Off-Road Inn A Casa da Montanha in Delfim Moreira at 2:00 AM.

1:16 PM ▸ DAY 2: Delfim Moreira → Caxambu/MG
Breakfast at the Inn A Casa da Montanha, at 1,700m altitude. Stop at the Piquete Free Flight Ramp viewpoint. Lunch at the Kraemerfass Brewery, with German cuisine in Delfim Moreira. Arrival in Caxambu and dinner in the sumptuous games room of the Hotel Glória, inaugurated in 1933.

9:18 PM ▸ DAY 3: Caxambu → Aiuruoca/MG
Visit to the Caxambu Water Park — the largest hydromineral complex in the world and the historic Hydrotherapy Spa from 1879. Visit to the Olibi Olive Grove, at 1,300m altitude, where one of the best extra virgin olive oils in Brazil is produced. Lunch at Restaurante Casal Garcia, with a mountain menu overseen by a renowned chef. Accommodation at Pousada Paraíso dos Tucanos, with suites overlooking the lagoon and an outdoor hot tub.

32:02 ▸ DAY 4: Aiuruoca → Alagoa → Visconde de Mauá/RJ
Visit to the Alagoa/MG cheese factory, producer of the famous artisanal cheese. Lunch in the historic village of Mirantão, a district of Bocaina de Minas, founded by Italian and Swiss immigrants in 1908. Arrival at Idílicos Mauá in Visconde de Mauá: 100m² chalet with fireplace, private sauna, whirlpool, and panoramic mountain views.

39:12 ▸ DAY 5: Visconde de Mauá → end of expedition
Breakfast at Idílicos Mauá and farewell to the group. Lunch in the center of Visconde de Mauá before returning to São Paulo.

──────────────────
🏨 WHERE WE STAYED
──────────────────

Off-Road Inn A Casa da Montanha — Delfim Moreira/MG
Hotel Glória — Caxambu/MG
Paraíso dos Tucanos Inn — Aiuruoca/MG
Idílicos Mauá — Visconde de Mauá/RJ

──────────────────
🍽️ WHERE WE ATE
──────────────────

Tao do Gomeral — Gomeral neighborhood/SP
Kraemerfass Brewery — Delfim Moreira/MG
Casal Garcia Restaurant — Aiuruoca/MG
Paraíso dos Tucanos Inn — Aiuruoca/MG
Mirantão Village — Bocaina de Minas Gerais/MG

──────────────────
🫒 PRODUCTS FROM MANTIQUEIRA
──────────────────

Olibi Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Aiuruoca/MG
Alagoa Artisanal Cheese — Alagoa/MG

──────────────────
🚗 SUPPORT AND PARTNERS
──────────────────

T-Line Toyota Dealership
Print Master Graphics
Vasten Tecnologia Overland

Dakar Overland dakaroverland.com.br facebook.com/DakarOverland instagram.com/DakarOverland

#serradamantiqueira #mantiqueira #terrasaltasdamantiqueira #viscondedemaua #camposdojordao #roadtrip