Leave the familiar behind. Enter the working diamond fields of Brazil, search for gold by hand, and experience river life alongside the people who know it best.
Join our exclusive Discovery Evening to learn about the diamond fields of Brazil, meet the expedition organiser and ask your questions. Attendance is free; details will follow.
09 Days in Brazil07 Full expedition days04 Guests maximum
An invitation to the real Brazil
Not a tour. A true expedition.
Guara Expeditions offers a rare opportunity to discover the working diamond and gold fields of Minas Gerais. Travel in an intimate group, meet local miners, learn how gravel is processed, and take part in traditional hands-on prospecting.
Over nine days in Brazil—including seven full days in the field—you will discover river mining rafts, ground mining, gold prospecting, fishing, Brazilian hospitality and the landscapes beyond the tourist trail.
Our exact field locations are shared privately with confirmed guests. Authenticity, discretion and respect for the people who welcome us are central to the experience.
Arrival and departure days are separate. Between them, enjoy seven full expedition days—with a flexible final field day tailored to the group and local conditions. This is an active, authentic field experience. Participation in miners’ routines, washing and sorting is supervised and depends on site access, the operator’s approval and safe conditions. Expect heat, rough terrain and long days; no discoveries or earnings are promised.
Day 01 · Arrival
Welcome to Brazil
Meet your Guara representative at the agreed airport. After your arrival transfer, enjoy a welcome dinner and expedition briefing.
Spend the day alongside working alluvial diamond miners at their river rafts. Observe their real work routines and, where the operator permits and supervision is available, help wash and sort selected gravel by hand. Share a locally prepared meal and learn how the team works, eats and lives in the field.
River rafts · Alluvial mining · Local expertiseDay 03 · Expedition 2
Diamonds on land
Work alongside the local team at a ground-mining site, following gravel from excavation to washing and sorting. Under the miners’ direction, try suitable hands-on tasks and learn how material is assessed. Activities depend on site permissions, equipment and safety conditions.
Practice traditional hand prospecting with miners who know the local deposits: washing gravel, separating heavier material and examining promising stones. Any discovery remains subject to the mining operator’s ownership rules. An optional supervised dive may be possible for suitably qualified divers, subject to conditions and safety approval. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Brazilian churrasco, with local beers and non-alcoholic drinks, while sharing stories from the day.
Return to hands-on prospecting alongside local workers and experience their daily rhythm, from preparing equipment to field meals and the end of the working day. An optional night in tents at or near the mining site may be arranged with permission, depending on safety and local conditions. Field meals and relaxed evenings with Brazilian barbecue and local beers are part of the experience, whether staying near the camp or returning to the guest house.
A flexible final field day: return to work alongside the diamond miners, practise more gravel washing and sorting, or explore another suitable site, according to conditions and the group. Farewell dinner together.
Group interests · Final field day · FarewellDay 09 · Departure
Until next time
Breakfast, packing and the agreed return transfer. Leave with a deeper understanding of a Brazil few travelers get to experience.
Breakfast · Return transfer
Field activities and their sequence may change due to weather, river conditions, operational access or safety considerations. Diamond and gold discoveries are never guaranteed.
Hands-on discovery
Get closer to the story.
This is a journey of participation, not passive observation. Learn from the people who work the fields and understand the landscapes that hold their secrets.
River diamond mining
Step into the world of alluvial mining on working river rafts. See how gravel is recovered and searched for diamonds.
Ground diamond mining
Discover ancient gravel deposits and learn the difference between river and land-based diamond operations.
Search by hand
Try washing and examining diamond-bearing gravel with guidance from experienced field staff.
Optional diving
Qualified divers may be considered for a supervised experience, only when suitable equipment, personnel and conditions allow.
Two gold days
Spend two days learning traditional prospecting techniques, working material and examining concentrates.
Fishing & riding
Enjoy the slower rhythm of the Brazilian countryside, with optional horse riding where available.
“The most memorable journeys are the ones that let you become part of the place.”
Guara Expeditions · Go where ordinary tourism ends
Comfort meets authenticity
Long days. Warm evenings.
After a day in the field, share stories over traditional Brazilian food. During field days, taste dishes prepared locally. Evenings may include a churrasco and regional beers, with non-alcoholic alternatives available.
For guests who want to experience the miners’ routines more closely, one or two optional nights may be arranged in tents at or near a working mining site, including shared field meals where possible, subject to operator permission, conditions and safety approval.
Imagine a Brazilian churrasco, the sound of the river and an evening spent with the people who know these fields. Guests who prefer to sleep at the guest house can do so.
Traditional Brazilian hospitality and cuisineBrazilian meals & drinksOptional field campingChurrasco nights
Enjoy authentic Brazilian hospitality and regional cuisine throughout the expedition. Guests who wish to experience life beside the mining rafts may also choose one or two optional nights camping in the field, subject to arrangements and conditions. Accommodation arrangements and full inclusions will be confirmed in the written proposal before booking.
The people behind the journey
Local roots. International perspective.
Guara brings together Brazilian team members who know the rivers, roads, mining communities and working realities of Minas Gerais with European guides who understand the country and its culture.
Our guides can communicate in English, Dutch, French and Portuguese, helping guests connect with the people and places they encounter.
Members of the team have military backgrounds—experience that informs their approach to preparation, teamwork, discipline and adaptability. The expedition itself is a civilian travel experience.
With just four guests, there is room for questions, individual attention and genuine conversation.
Before each expedition we organize a personal meeting in Belgium so you know what to expect, what to bring and who will welcome you in Brazil.
Packing & equipment
We explain suitable clothing, shoes, weather protection, field items, what is available locally and what you can leave at home.
Airport & arrival
We confirm the recommended arrival airport, meeting point, transfer arrangements, guide identity and contact numbers before departure.
Food & preferences
We discuss vegetarian diets, food allergies, intolerances and other requirements in advance so arrangements can be assessed.
Health preparation
We point guests toward current official vaccination and travel-health guidance and suggest discussing personal medication and first-aid items with a doctor or travel clinic.
Optional activities
Discuss diving qualifications, interest in camping, fishing or horse riding, and any physical limitations relevant to field activities.
Local respect
We explain appropriate behaviour among miners and local communities, including asking before photographs, respecting workplaces and not removing finds without permission.
Our commitments
Explore. Respect. Protect.
Authentic access brings responsibility. Our approach to mining visits and expedition activities is founded on respect for nature, local communities and the people who work these fields.
Respect the rivers
Protect waterways and riverbanks, avoid unnecessary disturbance and never intentionally leave waste behind.
Travel lightly
Our small-group format helps limit disturbance. We aim to keep camps clean, collect waste and minimize our footprint.
Honor local life
Ask before taking photographs, respect property and restricted mining areas, and follow the guidance of local operators.
Field safety
Working mining sites and rivers are dynamic environments. Instructions, protective equipment and conditions determine what activities can proceed.
Nature & wildlife
Observe animals responsibly, avoid unnecessary damage to vegetation and respect local fishing and environmental rules.
Adapt when needed
Rain, currents, access and operational changes may alter the program. Safety and responsible conduct come before the itinerary.
These statements describe Guara's intended operating principles; they are not claims of zero impact, independent environmental certification or guaranteed safety outcomes.
The essentials
What your expedition includes.
Included in the program
Nine-day programme with seven days alongside working diamond miners
Agreed local arrival and departure transfers
Private accommodation near the diamond fields, with optional supervised camping at or near the mining site, subject to conditions
Fishing and optional camping opportunities, subject to conditions
Pre-expedition meeting in Belgium
Arranged separately or subject to conditions
International flights to and from Brazil are excluded
Travel and activity-specific insurance
Personal expenses and personal medication
Optional horse riding, subject to availability and any applicable additional cost
Optional diving for suitably qualified guests, subject to separate safety and operational approval
Any items or services specifically excluded in your final proposal
Indicative expedition price: from €4,000 per person. Final pricing, inclusions, payment terms and availability are confirmed in your written proposal before booking.
For exceptional teams
A reward they will never forget.
Guara can be considered for executive retreats, leadership experiences, top-performer recognition and premium corporate incentives.
Four guests. Seven expedition days. A rare opportunity to connect beyond the boardroom in the diamond and gold fields of Brazil.
Corporate groups can request a tailored proposal, with activities and logistics discussed individually.
It is a nine-day stay: Day 1 is arrival and settling in, Days 2–8 are seven full expedition days, and Day 9 is the return transfer and departure.
Do I need previous mining experience?
No previous mining experience is required, but this is a physically active field expedition, not a conventional sightseeing tour. Participants should be comfortable with heat, uneven or muddy ground, early starts and long days outdoors. Hands-on work is always subject to instruction, local permission and safety decisions.
Can I keep a diamond or gold that I find?
Ownership of any finds remains governed by the mining operator’s rules and Brazilian law. A participant who personally discovers a diamond may be eligible for a commission only if the operator expressly agrees to the terms in advance and the arrangement is lawful. There is no automatic entitlement to a stone, commission or payment. Any lawful purchase or export arrangements must be agreed separately.
Will I definitely find a diamond or gold?
No. These are real working prospecting environments. Discoveries, commissions and earnings are never guaranteed. The purpose of the expedition is the experience and learning, not financial return.
Is diving included for everyone?
No. Diving is optional, for appropriately qualified participants only, and may be unavailable due to river conditions, equipment, permits or safety decisions. Non-divers can search gravel by hand.
Must I sleep in a tent?
No. Camping for one or two nights is an optional experience, dependent on field conditions and arrangements. Accommodation arrangements will be confirmed in the written proposal.
What about vaccinations and medication?
We discuss travel-health preparation during the Belgium meeting and direct you to official advice. Your own doctor or travel clinic should advise you about vaccines, medication and personal fitness to travel.
Where exactly are the mines?
We operate in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Exact working locations are shared privately when appropriate to protect operations, privacy and local communities.
Can I book alone?
Yes, you can enquire as an individual. Departure arrangements and any minimum group requirements will be confirmed in the proposal.
How do bookings and cancellations work?
After your enquiry, we provide availability, a detailed proposal and the applicable booking, payment and cancellation conditions for review before any commitment.
Begin your journey
Your place in the field awaits.
Tell us a little about your interests and preferred travel dates. We will respond personally to discuss the next steps and provide a tailored proposal.
Private journeys · Small groups · Corporate incentives
Photographs from the field
The real world behind the expedition
Actual photographs of mining, river work, gravel and stones shared by our team. These are not staged holiday scenes.
Brazilian river landscapeWashing gravel by handWorking river mining raftGravel lifted from the riverbedGround mining operationStones from the fieldA selection of rough stonesAlluvial gravel up close
Photographs of stones are not a promise of finds or a laboratory identification.
A glimpse into the expedition
Experience the Real Brazil.
Beyond the familiar paths, discover the landscapes, working diamond fields and people that make every Guara expedition unforgettable.
Watch a glimpse of life in the field, then imagine being there yourself.
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Important: This page explains the intended expedition arrangements. It is not a complete set of contractual booking conditions. Before accepting payments or confirming reservations, PME BV will provide the applicable written booking agreement, mandatory pre-contract information and any required package-travel protections.
1. Organiser and contact
Guara Expeditions is operated by PME BV, Hertstraat 50, 8670 Koksijde, Belgium. Enterprise number 1020.392.884 · VAT BE1020.392.884. Questions: info@guaraexpeditions.com.
2. Expedition outline
The proposed programme includes nine days in Brazil, with seven full expedition days, in groups of no more than four guests. Activities may include visits to working river and land mining sites, supervised gravel washing, gold prospecting, fishing and optional horseback riding. Activities are subject to local conditions, permissions and safety assessments. No diamond or gold discovery is guaranteed.
3. Price and inclusions
Indicative price: from €4,000 per person. International flights are not included. The programme is intended to include local ground transport, accommodation arrangements as specified in the written proposal, meals and guided activities as described in the confirmed itinerary. The individual quotation and written agreement will specify all inclusions, exclusions and any additional charges before booking.
4. Booking, payments and cancellation
Availability, payment schedule, any deposit, cancellation charges, refund conditions and changes to dates will be set out in the written offer and booking agreement before you commit or pay. Please do not send payment solely on the basis of this website.
5. Safety, suitability and optional activities
Mining environments, river operations, uneven ground, travel in rural areas and water activities involve risks. Guests must follow staff safety instructions. Optional diving is only considered for appropriately qualified guests and is subject to site conditions, staff approval and applicable rules. Optional field camping, fishing and horseback riding depend on availability, conditions and safety.
6. Insurance and travel documents
Guests should check passport and entry requirements for their nationality, recommended health precautions, and insurance that expressly covers their intended activities. The booking documents will state any mandatory insurance requirements and responsibilities.
7. Changes to the programme
Weather, river conditions, access to active mining sites and other local circumstances can affect the itinerary. Any permitted changes and travellers' rights will be governed by the final contract and applicable law.
8. Belgian package-travel requirements
Depending on the services sold together, the trip may qualify as a package under Belgian and EU package-travel rules. Before sales begin, the organiser must determine the correct classification, provide the required standard information and contract terms, and arrange any legally required insolvency protection. This page does not claim those requirements are already fulfilled.
Guara Expeditions is operated by PME BV, Hertstraat 50, 8670 Koksijde, Belgium, Belgian enterprise number 1020.392.884, VAT BE1020.392.884. PME BV is the data controller for personal information handled through this website and expedition enquiries. Contact us at info@guaraexpeditions.com or +32 496 83 99 81.
2. What information we process
When you email us or enquire about an expedition, we may process your name, email address, phone number if provided, group size, proposed travel dates, language preferences and the information you include in your message. The website's current enquiry process opens your email application rather than sending form entries to a website database.
Our web-hosting and email providers may process technical data needed to deliver and protect the service, such as IP addresses, request times, device or browser information and security logs. Exact technical processing depends on the hosting and email providers used after publication.
For confirmed travel arrangements, we may separately request information needed to organise your trip. Any passport details, medical or dietary information, or other sensitive data will be requested only when necessary, with an appropriate legal basis and safeguards, and explained at the point of collection.
3. Why we process information and the legal bases
Answering enquiries and preparing offers: steps taken at your request before entering into a contract (GDPR Article 6(1)(b)).
Organising a booked expedition: performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)).
Accounting and legally required records: compliance with legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c)).
Website security, preventing abuse and handling legitimate business disputes: legitimate interests, balanced against your rights (Article 6(1)(f)).
Optional marketing: only where a valid legal basis applies, including consent where required; you can unsubscribe or object as applicable.
4. Who receives your information
Information may be accessed by authorised PME BV personnel and necessary service providers, such as website hosting, email, IT and accounting providers. Where you request or book an expedition, relevant details may be shared with local guides, accommodation providers, transport providers and other operational partners in Brazil to the extent necessary to arrange your travel. We do not sell personal information.
5. International transfers
Some expedition partners are based in Brazil, outside the European Economic Area. Before transferring personal information to them, we will assess the transfer and use a lawful GDPR transfer mechanism where required, such as an applicable adequacy decision or appropriate safeguards, or a narrowly applicable legal derogation. You may contact us for information about the mechanism relevant to your data.
6. How long we keep information
We keep personal information no longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Unsuccessful enquiries are reviewed and deleted or anonymised when no longer needed; records relating to bookings, invoices or disputes may be retained longer when required by law or justified by applicable limitation periods. Specific periods depend on the type of record and applicable Belgian requirements. You may ask about the period applying to your information.
7. Your GDPR rights
Subject to the conditions of the GDPR, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or object to processing based on legitimate interests. Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw consent at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing. Send requests to info@guaraexpeditions.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request.
You can lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit / Autorité de protection des données), www.dataprotectionauthority.be.
8. Security
We use reasonable organisational and technical safeguards appropriate to the information processed, and require relevant service providers to protect personal data. No online transmission can be guaranteed completely secure.
9. Cookies and external websites
Read our Cookie Policy · Cookie settings for details of browser technologies. Our website links to Instagram; when you follow that link, Instagram's own privacy practices apply. The website currently references Google Fonts, which can result in a request to Google's servers; this should be reviewed before publication.
10. Updates
We may revise this policy if our website, booking processes, suppliers or legal obligations change. The current version will be available here with its updated date.
Guara Expeditions · Legal information
Cookie Policy
Last updated: 8 October 2026
1. Who operates this website?
Guara Expeditions is operated by PME BV, Hertstraat 50, 8670 Koksijde, Belgium, enterprise number 1020.392.884, VAT BE1020.392.884. Questions about cookies can be sent to info@guaraexpeditions.com.
2. What are cookies?
Cookies are small files stored on your device by websites. Similar technologies, such as local storage and tracking pixels, may also fall under Belgian rules governing access to information on your device. Cookies may support essential website functions or, with appropriate consent, analytics and marketing.
3. Technologies in the supplied website
In the current standalone website files, Guara Expeditions does not intentionally set advertising, analytics or behavioural tracking cookies. The expedition video is embedded directly in the website rather than streamed from YouTube or Vimeo. The enquiry link uses your email application. The Instagram link directs you to Instagram only when clicked.
The website currently requests fonts from Google Fonts. Your browser may contact Google's servers when retrieving these fonts. The hosting provider may also set necessary technical cookies or keep server logs. Those provider-specific details must be checked once the site is deployed.
4. Strictly necessary cookies
Cookies strictly necessary to deliver a service you request or to transmit communications do not require advance consent under Belgian rules, but their purpose must still be explained. No specific first-party necessary cookie has been identified in the supplied standalone HTML. Any hosting-provider cookies must be documented after deployment with their names, providers, purposes and expiry periods.
5. Optional analytics and advertising
The current supplied site does not intentionally use analytics or advertising cookies. If we introduce them, we will identify each category and provider, explain the purpose and duration, and request your prior opt-in consent before activating them. The website provides equally accessible choices to accept or reject optional technologies, as well as category settings that can be changed later.
A consent banner and preference controls are now provided. Google Analytics 4 (Google LLC) is used to measure website visits and interactions only if you consent to analytics cookies. It may set first-party cookies such as _ga (typically up to 2 years) and _ga_* (typically up to 2 years). You can reject analytics or withdraw consent using Cookie settings; no Google Analytics script is loaded before analytics consent. No advertising tracking is enabled by this integration.
6. How to manage cookies
You can view or delete stored cookies using your browser's privacy settings. You can use the “Cookie settings” link in the website footer to change or withdraw your preferences at any time. Choices are stored locally in your browser; this storage is used to remember your privacy selection. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect website functionality.
7. Third-party services
Following the Instagram link takes you to a third-party website governed by its own cookie and privacy policies. Google Fonts and any services added by the eventual hosting platform should be assessed for data protection and transparency requirements before launch.
Expedition descriptions on this website are informational and are not a substitute for the final written booking conditions. Before accepting bookings, Guara Expeditions must publish applicable booking and cancellation terms, identify the contracting organiser, and verify any travel-organiser, package-travel, insolvency-protection and insurance obligations relevant to the itinerary.
