Gift of Go is a new expedition operator offering limited numbers of journeys in little-known parts of the world through a series of curated “Collections.” The inaugural Collection, entitled “Diamonds/Wild Tales + Lost Trails,” is set in Brazil’s Serra do Espinhaço region. The company will be leading 14-, 21- and 28-day trips in the region between March and September 2024. Gift of Go’s founders will also craft and guide a limited number of bespoke itineraries in the region upon request.
A “GOGO trip” comprises no more than eight travelers (and 10-plus crew members). With weeks on end of trekking, bushwhacking, horseback-riding and off-roading, the expeditions are as demanding as they are rewarding, the company says. Throughout each expedition, travelers will experience constant immersion, candid conversation and heart-felt interactions with local people as they traverse remote regions of Brazil.
The expeditions in “Diamonds/Wild Tales + Lost Trails” will cover distances equal to that from Paris to Budapest (28 days) and Barcelona to Rome (21 days) over varied terrain, with homestays in unique communities, including a little-visited UNESCO World Heritage City (Diamantina) and colonial-era mining towns, festive agricultural communities, historic villas, railway towns and quilombos (backcountry settlements founded by former slaves).
Co-founder Eddie Lott said, “We are living in the Golden Age of picture-perfect places, carefully crafted ‘authenticity,’ and readily-collectible ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experiences. GOGO trips are different—in our minds, there is simply nothing more compelling, profound or enriching than experiencing real life in a world far from our own.” The company’s trips are touted as more purposeful than recreational, more exhilarating than relaxing and more enlightening than simply educational.
Gift of Go divides its expedition itineraries into Chapters, including:
- “The Serra” (The Mountains) – A trek across a land of white-sand-beach waterfalls and rivers; a labyrinth of trails winding across Dr. Seussian-landscapes; soaring peaks, colonial villages and lush mountain vistas.
- “The Garden” (The Hinterland) – A pack mule and jon boat-supported traverse of a land of big cats, sharp plants and disappearing trails; beaches and peaks; disputed lands; ranches; residents; and the most biodiverse ecoregion of the most biodiverse country on earth.
- “The Sertão” (The Lowlands) – Horseback riding, 4x4 overlanding and hiking across a land of festive cow towns, railway settlements and far-flung single-family villages; ice-cold cervejas and hot spring resorts; legendary waterfalls; legendary hospitality; and miles of open road.
- “The Berço” (The Cradle) – An enriching trek through a forgotten land of landscapes and waterfalls; wilderness campsites, intimate homestays and wood-fired meals over tales of hardship and glory; culminating in a descent down a slave-built highway that cascades into the City of Diamonds.
The team at Gift of Go works alongside locals from all walks of life; 10-plus full- and part-time crew members will accompany travelers during each journey to assist with trail navigation, driving, boating, carrying packs and revealing the deeper essence of the region. There are a minimum of two guests per trip and a maximum of eight and travelers must be ages 25 and above to apply.
Related Articles
Extraordinary Journeys Expands Family Experiences in Africa
Private Tour Industry Could Experience Boom in 2024: Arival