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Since the massive privatization efforts in the 1990s, there is now only one long distance train in Brazil. This is the train from Vitoria to Belo Horizonte operated by the Estrada de Fero Vitoria a Minas (Vitoria to Minas Railway).
I took the train in 2003, and it was a decent cultural experience to try once. To do this trip, you have to get up very early in the morning. The train departs about 7:30 in the morning, and gets into Belo Horizonte well after dark. The trip time is about 14 hours, depending on the other traffic on the line (which is extremely busy). However, Belo Horizonte is a fairly big city and as far as I am concerned there really isn't much to see once the train leaves the Rio Doce river valley, so the darkness doesn't hut much on the trip going from Vitoria to Belo Horizonte.
The Rio Doce and the railroad that runs beside it is not a forested land of huge rain forest trees. It is actually quite dry in most places, but that also means you can watch the scenery go past rather than have your view obstructed by forests right next to the railway.
The train has quite a number of station stops between the two main cities of its namesake owner, and at each station food vendors climb aboard and try to sell their wares aboard the train in the two or three minutes that the train spends stopped in each station.
It may not be the most beautiful landscape in the world, but at the same time despite the occasional heavy industrial location most of this river valley does not have road access, and thus there wasn't much suburban or even village sprawl along the line.
One safety precaution however: do not open the windows in the vestibules once it gets dark and the train starts to go through suburban Belo Horizonte. People next to the line hate the fact that a train goes through there (though the line predates their lives by quite a bit), and will throw rocks or broken bottles at anyone they see that looks like a potential victim of such an act.
This is strictly speaking a local transportation option, so do not expect to encounter many people that have any English skills at all, and almost all of those with English skills you do encounter will have very limited ability in this area.
A Page in English about the Railway is Available on the Company's web site here:
http://www.vale.com/en-us/o-que-fazemos/logistica/ferrovias/estrada-de-ferro-vitoria-a-minas/pages/default.aspx
Written Oct 23, 2011
Website: http://www.vale.com/pt-br/o-que-fazemos/logistica/trens-de-passageiros/estrada-de-ferro-vitoria-a-minas/Paginas/default.aspx
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There is a little train running between the twe towns Ouro Preto and Mariana.
It´s an old train with wooden decor and it is just a sightseeing train but there is really something to see.
It winds itself through the mountains and takes quite a while to cover the short distance between the two towns, but this is because it takes you up real high and i gotta say bthat it´s one of the most scenic train rides i have ever done anywhere in the world.
The train is hanging right on the cliff and you have dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls and brazilian villages passing by at a very slow speed that gives you time enough to have a look at it.
If you are in Ouro preto then don´t forget to take that train.
Written Aug 13, 2010
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There are several places around Minas Gerais where you have the chance to visit a mine.
Most of them are mines that are no longer in use but where they have guided tours these days where you hear about that interesting part of the Minas history.
I have been on two tours in two different locations and likkes them both.
Written Aug 12, 2010
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Ouro preto is the most famous town in Minas and a gorgeous place.
It´s an old mining town that is UNESCO world heritage and is extremely well preserved.
It´s a town build on hills which makes it even more scenic cause you can see the main main churches from most places in town as they are often build on hills.
There is also a university in Ouro Preto and that means that the town never sleeps and there is a fantastic young vibe in this town.
Ouro preto is mabye the prettiest town in Brazil and an absolute must in my opinion.
Written Aug 12, 2010
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Tiradentes is a small town about 200 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro with about 7000 inhabitants and the place has become a favorite hangout in recent years for people from Rio who like the cool weather and the tranquil atmosphere of the mountains.
That also means that you can eat rather well in Tiradentes and you have quite a few good cafes too and a bit more going on than in your average brazilian provincial brazilian town.
Written Aug 12, 2010
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Bichinho is a tiny little village in Minas close to the town called Tiradentes.
It has in recent years become a place of artisants and today it´s like the whole village has become one big art gallery.
It´s really intersting to see how this small village in the middle of nowhere has become such an intellectual hangout and i would really recommend a visit.
Updated Aug 12, 2010
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Sao Joao del Rei is one of the real nice towns in Minas and not that touristy at all.
It has several churces worth visiting and many other colonial style buildings.
It is also the birth place place of Tancredo Neves, the man who was elected president of Brazil but never got to serve as president cause he fell ill the day before his inaguration and dies shortly after.
There is also a museum for him in town.
Written Aug 12, 2010
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FIRST DAY was only to get there and acomodations,in the 'POUSADA DA GRANDE PEDREIRA'(the big quarry inn'..)
SECOND DAY:hard walking among the 'RIO DO GAVIAO'(hawk's river)till the 'SERRA DO GAVIAO'(hawk's canyon..),with the national park around us!
we reached the water falls,and than walking to the top of it,than we could reach the natural pool on the rocks!
we spent there most of the day,lunch and fun!
you can see it's unique!
Written Sep 15, 2002
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FIRST DAY was only to get there and acomodations,in the 'POUSADA DA GRANDE PEDREIRA'(the big quarry inn'..)
SECOND DAY:hard walking among the 'RIO DO GAVIAO'(hawk's river)till the 'SERRA DO GAVIAO'(hawk's canyon..),with the national park around us!
we reached the water falls,and than walking to the top of it,than we could reach the natural pool on the rocks!
we spent there most of the day,lunch and fun!
you can see it's unique!
Written Sep 7, 2002
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THIRD DAY:a gain a walk thru the national park and from there to the 'BANDEIRINHAS' CANYON(no cars aloud!)-12km each direction!
Written Sep 15, 2002
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