Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
You'll meet your driver when you land in Rio de Janeiro and head straight to your hotel for check-in starting at 14:00. From there, the rest of your day is yours to walk around and get familiar with the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Rio de Janeiro independently
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Your day kicks off with hotel pickup at 08:00 for a comprehensive tour of Rio's most recognizable spots. You'll ride a train through Tijuca Forest up to Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, where you get sweeping views across the city. From there, you'll pass by Maracana Stadium and the Sambadrome before stopping at the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian. The colorful Selaron Steps are next, and you'll have time to walk around that neighborhood. Lunch involves a traditional Brazilian churrascaria, so expect plenty of grilled meats and sides. Afterward, cable cars take you up Sugarloaf Mountain with a stop at Urca Hill along the way. Your evening is completely free once you're back at the hotel to rest up or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Brazilian churrascaria)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour with expert bi-lingual local guide
- Train journey through Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer statue
- Visit Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain
- Pass by Maracana Stadium
- Pass by the Sambadrome
- Visit Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
- Explore Selaron Steps
- Traditional Brazilian churrascaria lunch
- Cable car rides to Sugarloaf Mountain's summit
- Stop at Urca Hill
Landmarks Christ the Redeemer Corcovado Mountain Tijuca Forest Maracana Stadium Sambadrome Cathedral of Saint Sebastian Selaron Steps Sugarloaf Mountain Urca Hill 
- Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
This day is yours to shape however you'd like. If hiking appeals to you, there's a 3.2km trail to Pedra Bonita (about 2 hours) where you can see hang gliding launches and get nice viewpoints over the landscape. Alternatively, you could dive into the Carnival experience with a behind-the-scenes samba school tour and costume try-ons if you're interested in Rio's famous culture. A third option is a 2-hour boat tour around Guanabara Bay, which shows off the city's natural features and architecture from the water. You choose what fits your energy level and interests.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Pedra Bonita (3.2km, approximately 2 hours) in Tijuca Forest National Park to viewpoint at 695 meters with views of Pedra da Gavea, Atlantic Ocean, Rocinha Favela, Sierra dos Dois Irmãos, and Barra da Tijuca
- Stop at hang gliding ramp on return from Pedra Bonita hike
- Carnival Experience - behind-the-scenes tour of City of Samba and Rio Grande Samba School Factory
- Try on authentic Carnival costumes
- Join a samba class
- Traditional Brazilian cocktail (with Carnival Experience)
- Boat tour of Guanabara Bay (2-hour tour)
Landmarks Pedra Bonita Tijuca Forest National Park Pedra da Gavea Rocinha Favela Sierra dos Dois Irmãos Barra da Tijuca City of Samba Rio Grande Samba School Factory Guanabara Bay 
- Day 4
Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande
After breakfast, you'll transfer out of Rio toward Angra dos Reis, which takes about 2.5 hours. From there, hop on a boat for another 45 minutes to reach Ilha Grande. Once you arrive, the afternoon and evening are open for you to explore the island at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Ilha Grande
Landmarks Angra dos Reis Ilha Grande - Day 5
Illa Grande
You're heading out for a full day at Lopes Mendes Beach, which ranks among Brazil's best stretches of sand. A boat leaves Vila do Abraao for Praia do Pouso in 45 minutes, then you walk for about 30 minutes to reach Lopes Mendes proper. The beach itself offers 3 km of white sand and clear water with shaded spots and breaks for surfers. You can relax, swim, or just take in the relatively undisturbed setting. The boat ride back gets you to your hotel in Illa Grande by evening.
Included Activities
- 6-hour tour to Lopes Mendes Beach
- Boat transfer from Vila do Abraao to Praia do Pouso
- Walk to Lopes Mendes Beach
Landmarks Lopes Mendes Beach Illa Grande Vila do Abraao Praia do Pouso - Day 6
Ilha Grande to Paraty
Transfer back to Angra dos Reis this morning, then continue on to Paraty about 1.5 hours away. A guided tour takes you through the historic colonial center for 2 hours, showing you the architecture, local art studios, churches, and old mansions. If you're interested, there's an optional cachaca and liqueur tasting at a local distillery. The rest of your day is free to wander.
Included Activities
- 2-hour guided city tour of Paraty exploring Historical Centre, colonial architecture, art studios, churches, and mansions
Optional Activities
- Cachaca and liqueur tasting at a local Cachacaria
Landmarks Paraty Historic Centre 
- Day 7
Paraty
A 4x4 jeep tour takes you through Serra da Bocaina National Park for roughly 6 hours of exploring. You'll see Pedra Branca Waterfall and the nearby Pedra Branca Stills, stop at the Gold Path Landmark, then continue to Marco do Caminho do Ouro, Toboga Waterfall, and Tarzan's Well. A local guide handles the waterfall trails, which are all straightforward to walk. You'll grab lunch at a local restaurant (your cost), then learn about cachaca production at a local distillery with optional tastings included. The tour wraps up at the Manioc Flour House.
Included Activities
- 4x4 Jeep tour through Serra da Bocaina National Park (approximately 6 hours)
- Visit Pedra Branca Waterfall
- Visit Pedra Branca Stills
- Visit Gold Path Landmark
- Visit Marco do Caminho do Ouro
- Visit Toboga Waterfall
- Visit Tarzan's Well
- Visit local cachaca distillery
- Visit Manioc Flour House
Optional Activities
- Tasting of various liquors and aged cachacas at local distillery
Landmarks Serra da Bocaina National Park Pedra Branca Waterfall Toboga Waterfall Tarzan's Well Gold Path Landmark Marco do Caminho do Ouro - Day 8
Paraty to São Paulo
A transfer takes you from Paraty to São Paulo, where your evening city tour starts after nightfall. The city looks different when lit up and traffic dies down. You'll check out bohemian Vila Madalena, the Light Station near the Pinacoteca, and Liberdade Japan Town. The Historic Centre comes next with its Anhangabau Valley and Neoclassical buildings like City Hall, the Opera House, and the Cultural Centre. You'll walk down Paulista Avenue to see Modernist structures including the MASP Museum and Fiesp Building, then move through Ibirapuera Park and its Monument to the City. The evening concludes with a stroll through São Paulo's New Commercial District before heading back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Paraty to São Paulo
- Included evening city tour
- Visit Vila Madalena
- Visit Light Station near Pinacoteca
- Visit Liberdade Japan Town
- Walk through Historic Centre
- Walk through Anhangabau Valley
- View City Hall
- View Opera House
- View Cultural Centre
- Stroll Paulista Avenue
- View MASP Museum
- View Fiesp Building
- Visit Ibirapuera Park
- Visit Monument to the City
Optional Activities
- Walk through São Paulo's New Commercial District
Landmarks Vila Madalena Light Station Pinacoteca Liberdade Japan Town Historic Centre Anhangabau Valley City Hall Opera House Cultural Centre Paulista Avenue MASP Museum Fiesp Building Ibirapuera Park Monument to the City New Commercial District 
- Day 9
São Paulo Departure
Have breakfast at the hotel one last time before your driver transfers you to the airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
