Sao Paulo, Paraty & Rio de Janeiro Tour

Day 1: Sao Paulo (-/-/-)

Welcome reception at the airport and transfer to a charming pousada (traditional Brazilian Inn) in a well-located area of the city. Free afternoon and evening to relax.

Day 2: Sao Paulo City Tour (B/-/-)

After breakfast, a private half day tour will take you on a walk to learn more about how São Paulo became the incredibly diverse city that it is! Each wave of different nationalities into the city changed the composition of São Paulo, and we will show you how. We also invite refugees who have previously worked in tourism and hospitality, and want to get back in to their fields in their new home – São Paulo – to accompany these tours, learn from the guides, and teach visitors a little about their own background, culture, and their immigrant experience. Free afternoon and evening.

Day 3: Sao Paulo to Paraty (B/L/-)

After breakfast, private transfer to Paraty and its wonderful beaches (approx. 4 hours). On the way, stop for lunch in a Caiçara beach kiosk in Ubatuba (1 hour before Paraty). Once in Paraty, check-in at your hotel and enjoy a private 2-hour city tour. Free evening.

Day 4: Paraty (B/L/-)

In the morning you will visit the Quilombo do Campinho (a quilombo is a Brazilian backcountry settlement founded by people of African origin). You’ll meet several community leaders who will tell you more about the region and the community and you’ll take a walk around the quilombo. Lunch is served at the community restaurant: traditional dishes, including the famous Brazilian feijoada. Optional: take part in a cultural workshop organised by community members, including Jongo (dance which originated in Africa, with percussions) and crafts workshops. Then back to Paraty and the rest of the afternoon and evening are free.

Day 5: Paraty (B/-/-)

Enjoy a small-group day trip to Praia do Sono. Departure by car from Paraty to Vila do Oratório, close to the Laranjeiras condominium entrance, the largest private real state initiative in the region. There are two ways to access the community, transfer on a van to the deck (15-20 minutes) plus 10 more minutes on a boat transfer, or take a wonderful trail in the middle of Mata Atlântica (1.5 hours by foot at medium level), your choose. Arrive at a paradisiac place, with transparent green water and with pleasant temperature. Visit the Caiçara community, traditional inhabitants of the coast of the South-eastern and Southern regions of Brazil and who live from artisanal fishing, agriculture, handicrafts and, recently, ecotourism. Explore the community on foot, have a typical lunch and have time enough to enjoy the community, the people, handcrafts shopping and the beach. At the end of the day, return to Paraty. Free evening.

Day 6: Paraty to Rio de Janeiro (B/-/-)

Free morning in Paraty. After time for lunch, shared shuttle transfer to Rio de Janeiro (approx. 3.5 hours) and check-in at your pousada in the famous neighbourhood of Ipanema. Free evening.

Day 7: Rio de Janeiro - Corcovado & Sugarloaf Mountain (B/L/-)

After breakfast, set off on a private day trip tour to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain. We will embark on a 30-minute tram ride from Corcovado Station to the top of Corcovado Mountain. The summit offers the best views of the entire city and features the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is known as the guardian of the city. We will then take a train back to Corcovado Station and move on to Tijuca National Park, where we will visit the park’s waterfall and travel deeper into its forest to discover the region’s fauna. After these visits we head to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car. The first stop, Morro da Urca, provides spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and Rio’s surrounding mountains. The rest of the way up to the top of the mountain offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding areas. Enjoy the sunset from the top. Free evening back in Ipanema.

Day 8: Rio de Janeiro (B/-/-)

After breakfast, half-day private guided tour to visit Morro da Babilônia, one of the pacified slums in Rio. It is a very interesting place where sustainable and social technologies are emerging to solve local problems like waste, energy and income generation. We’ll be guided in a walk (approx. 1.5 hours) led by one of the main leaders of the community in order to get to know the daily challenges of the people who live in the favela, what they do to protect the forest and the dynamics of the local occupation. Furthermore, we will also get to know how the community has embraced a more sustainable life through renewable energies and organic community gardens. At the end of the walk we will arrive at the lookout point Rio Sul to watch the stunning view of Rio de Janeiro. After that, we’re going to visit the Favela Orgânica Project and meet their team. Their objective is to teach residents from the area how to cook with leftover food, making sure that as little as possible goes to waste. We’re going to enjoy a very healthy and interesting food cooked by them in a very special place with a wonderful view. Free afternoon and evening to enjoy Ipanema or Copacabana.

Day 9: Rio de Janeiro (B/-/-)

Free time to enjoy the beach. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of the tour.

You will be greeted at the airport on arrival by a local guide who will take you to your hotel and will be able to answer any questions, make any additional arrangements and generally ensure everything goes smoothly.

No minimum number of passengers required and you will not be travelling with a group of people you do not know. Prices quoted are per person and based on at least 2 people travelling. You should expect a cheaper price for bigger groups.

For information on visa requirements and health formalities you can visit the FCO travel advice website or the US Travel Advice Website (direct link to Brazil page).

This Brazil tour, like most of our adventures through South America, has a low level of physical difficulty and participants can choose to do as much or as little as they like.

What to bring: Travel insurance, passport, binoculars, alarm clock, walking shoes, water bottle, daypack, sun protection, insect repellent, sun glasses and hat, swimwear, flip-flops, torch with extra batteries, comfortable light cotton shirts with long and short sleeves, comfortable trousers made of cotton or a light synthetic material (bring at least two sets of light clothes which can be washed and dried easily), shorts, rain coat.