University Group Experience in Brazil

Eco Caminhos is an eco farm that strives to become self-sustaining in food, energy and building materials. We build natural (bioconstruction) houses. Eco Caminhos is situated in the beautiful mountains of the Atlantic Forest on the outskirts of the national reserve “Três Picos” (Three Peaks), close to the city of Nova Friburgo. These beautiful green mountains are rich in flora and fauna.

We offer students an interesting theoretical and practical experience at a Brazilian Eco Farm.
Following many specialists, we have built one of the best bio-constructed houses in South America, which perfectly combines both natural and recycled materials with advanced technology. We are now starting to apply agroforestry as well, a system of food-producing trees, bushes, and plants which copy the natural structure, cycles and equilibrium of natural forests. This system has the potential to solve the world food crisis, produce large quantities of wood which could stop the unnecessary cut-down and destruction of the Amazon Rainforest and so many other biomes around the world. This system is completely organic and produces its own compost, self-fertilizing its own soil, excluding the need to use any sort of polluting agrochemicals.

Eco Caminhos is experienced receiving groups from around the world, offering customised programmes that allow students to understand the theoretical concept of a self-sustaining eco farm combined with practical hands-on experience. We also organize activities that include hikes, horseback riding trips, night walks to the city and campfires and many cultural ones to experience typical Brazilian customs, food and music.

Eco Caminhos also organises “Caminhos in Action”, an initiative aimed to contribute to the local community. We have formed a partnership with an impoverished public school nearby to set up an organic farm with the children, in order to stimulate a healthier diet and familiarise them with sustainable farming and practices. We also refurbish the houses of people and organisations in need with natural sustainable building materials and techniques.

Our team consists of a wide range of specialists. We have an architect, a master of business, 3 engineers, an agronomist, a graphic and industrial designer, a veterinarian, and a few bioconstructors and farmers.

An example of a typical University group experience week

Where will you be staying?

Eco Caminhos offers 2 types of group accommodation facilities: luxury and basic.

Select one of these two tabs below to read more!

Housing Options

• Luxury
• Basic

Luxury

Luxury accommodation

Included in the Luxury Price:

• Luxury accommodation
• Swimming pool & sauna
• Event or sports area
• Restaurant
• Food: Full Board or access to kitchen facilities
• Eco-sports: Beautiful hikes, horseback riding, waterfall tour
• Workshops: Bioconstruction, Organic farming, Permaculture, Renewable Energy, Eco-Social Entrepreneurship, Yoga and Meditation
• Campfire: We enjoy organising campfires and meals under the stars, which can be part of an overnight stay in the mountains.
• Caminhos In Action: We organise social actions in the region for people who need our help. For example, we built a vertical farm for an impoverished school and refurbished the house of a poor rural family.
• Customise your programme: It is possible to use our facilities while organising your own programme, workshops, or courses.

Not included in the Luxury Price: 

• Medical care: Groups are expected to come with health insurance.
• We do not charge for any of our listed activities, however in case there are costs for transport, food, accommodation or administration, you are expected to cover these costs.
• Transport: We organise transportation for groups, including airport pickup and drop-off. Because this needs to be customised, we do not include it in the price.

Basic

Basic accommodation

Included in the Basic Price:

• Basic accommodation
• Food: Full Board
• Eco-sports: Beautiful hikes, horseback riding, waterfall tour, camping.
• Workshops: Bioconstruction, Organic farming, Permaculture, Renewable Energy, Eco-Social Entrepreneurship, Yoga and Meditation.
• Campfire: We enjoy organising campfires and meals under the stars, which can be part of an overnight stay in the mountains.
• Caminhos In Action: We organise social actions in the region for people who need our help. For example, we built a vertical farm for an impoverished school and refurbished the house of a poor rural family.
• Customize your programme: It is possible to use our facilities to do your own programme, workshops or courses.

 

Not included in the Basic Price: 

• Medical care. Groups are expected to come with health insurance
• Cleaning: You are responsible for cleaning your room and the things you use during your stay.
• We do not charge for any of the listed activities, however, in case there are costs for transport, food, accommodation, or administration, you are expected to cover these costs.
• Transport: We organise transportation for groups, including airport pickup and drop-off. Because this needs to be customised, we do not include it in the price.