The tour
was founded in 1995 at the Ranch Cabeceira do Prata, formerly a traditional
cattle ranch. The guidelines for sustainable and organized tourist visitation
were established from the very beginning, becoming the foundation of the
operation ever since. Following these guidelines, in 1999 a Private Reserve of
the Natural Heritage – RPPN - was established at the Ranch to protect the
headsprings of Olho d’Água River and its surrounding forests. This area
accounts for 21.5% of the ranch’s total area. The RPPN is a category of
conservation unit in Brazil created entirely by the owner’s will, which enables
perpetual protection of a natural area.
Our Mission
Provide visitors a unique experience of intense interaction with nature through ecotourism tours focused on innovation, environmental conservation and regional, sustainable development in a setting of stunning natural beauty.
Our Guidelines for sustainability:
- Creation of a RPPN - Private Reserve of Natural Heritage, to protect relevant areas and biodiversity;
- Adoption of minimal-impact practices during tourism activities, as well as established practices of safety in adventure tourism;
- Responsible use of natural resources and constant efforts to minimize the possible negative environmental and social impacts arising from tourism activities;
- Monitor the environmental quality of areas of tourist activities;
- Using ecotourism as a tool for environmental education;
- Priority for hiring local workmanship;
- Valorization of cultural and social aspects of the region;
- Sell local crafts in order to encourage local culture;
- Supporting scientific research projects and technical visits;
- Provide sustainable food to visitors, such as handmade sweets, cheeses, organic vegetables, breads, milk and eggs;
- Equip farms with earthworms for better composting and to improve the quality of the natural soil;
- Ecological management of rural production;
- Maintain a native tree arboretum;
- Hunting, fishing, lumber exploration and raise of domestic or wild animals are extremely forbidden;
- Adequate disposal of solid and water waste;
- Support for NGOs, regional social projects and class associations;
- Collaboration with other tourist sites to improve the regional destination as a whole;
- Continuous improvement of the quality of service and the safety of the tour;
- Authenticity in commercial relations and institutional growth.