Brazil Highlands Tours & Trips
Ever heard of Brazil's highland plateau? The Brazilian Highlands (Planalto) cover much of the interior, so you’re exploring Chapada dos Veadeiros with waterfalls and cerrado savanna, Chapada Diamantina's caves and peaks, and Serra da Canastra. The region's cooler than the coast, and landscapes shift from savanna to mountains to canyons. The Brazilian Highlands are criminally undervisited; when will you go?
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Yasmin • traveled in December, 2025
It was an amazing trip. I managed to enjoy a lot of what I wanted to see in Rio, and it was a lot of fun.
Wonderful Rio - N
Nga • traveled in February, 2026
It was an amazing experience. It’s something you have to do once in your life. The agency Bamba did take care of our security seriously and made sure everyone has fun with respect to their different preferences in the activities.
Brazil Carnival Full Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro) - S
Suzanna • traveled in March, 2025
I had an amazing experience on the Carnavals tour! All the tourguides were very nice and helpful and I loved the activities we did. It didn't matter which activity you wanted to do, there was always a guide with you. It was a really really great tour, I would definately recommend this to others!
Brazil Carnival Essential Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)
Table of contents
- The best Brazilian Highlands tour packages
- Travel Brazilian Highlands your way
- Best tour companies for Brazilian Highlands tours
- Discover Brazilian Highlands tours for every budget
- Brazilian Highlands tours for every type of group
- Top Brazilian Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Brazilian Highlands
- Contact our Brazilian Highlands travel experts
The best Brazilian Highlands tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBrazilian Highlands travel expert at TourRadar
Wonderful Rio
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great balance of sightseeing, free time and local insights. I really loved it.”
Bianca, traveled in December
Brazilian Highlands unfold dramatically from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain. Sugarloaf Mountain's cable car ascent rewards with coastal vistas, while Santa Teresa's hilltop community offers views of surrounding peaks.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator ETours Brazil DMC From
- US$535
Salvador Afro-Cultural Experience
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The free time was amazing and allows you to pursue Salvador based on your interests.”
James, traveled in July
Lacerda Elevator offers panoramic views of Salvador's elevated districts. Historic churches dot the highland Pelourinho district, while traditional performances celebrate the Brazilian Highlands' cultural heritage.
Duration 5 days Destinations Salvador Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Nattrip From
- US$1,300
Brazil Carnival Full Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing tour. I made new friends from all around the world.”
Yoan, traveled in February
Brazilian Highlands showcase their grandeur with Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, thrilling cable car rides to Sugarloaf Mountain, and sweeping views of Guanabara Bay. Hotel Granada serves as your base for carnival festivities and guided tours.
Duration 6 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- US$2,402
Brazil’s Iconic Petropolis-Teresopolis Crossing – Private Guided Expedition
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt like I have now friends for life. They took such good care of me on the other hand giving me the much needed space.”
Ksenia, traveled in March
A challenging 32km trek awaits in Serra dos Órgãos National Park, reaching 2,275m at Pedra do Sino peak. Technical sections include The Elevator and 'Cavalinho' passage, with camping at Açu Castles and Pedra do Sino shelters. Suitable for ages 15+, this costs around $800 including guided expertise, all meals, and Rio de Janeiro transfers.
Duration 3 days Destinations Petropolis, Teresopolis Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Nattrip From
- US$650
Walk through UNESCO-listed Valongo Wharf and Pretos Novos Institute to learn about Brazil's African diaspora heritage, then head to Rocinha, Brazil's largest favela with 150,000 residents, touring by open jeep through São Conrado and along Avenida Niemeyer. See colonial-era coffee farms in the Paraíba River Valley's Voussouras region.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Signature DMC From
- US$1,509
Brazil Carnival Essential Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very good value for money. I would highly recommend this experience.”
Therese, traveled in February
Carnival transforms the Brazilian Highlands, with Hotel Granada near Lapa's historic district as your base. A Guanabara Bay cruise offers panoramic views of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, while blocos enliven Rio's diverse neighborhoods.
Duration 6 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- US$1,972
Rio Essentials: Samba, Sun & Sugarloaf
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It is magical. Everything was well organize.”
Mark, traveled in March
Rio's dramatic setting unfolds from Windsor Leme Hotel. Cable cars climb Sugar Loaf Mountain's granite peak for breathtaking Highland views, while a historic train ascends Corcovado to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator People Travel and Experience From
- US$895
Travel Brazilian Highlands your way
Best tour companies for Brazilian Highlands tours
Discover Brazilian Highlands tours for every budget
Brazilian Highlands tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Brazilian Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers43 tours- Couples41 tours
- Seniors (50+)23 tours
Best time to visit Brazilian Highlands
- Summer 2026
Summer in the highlands needs a different approach, and we've developed routes that work well with the warmer temperatures. Our 5-day Rio tour balances time between Copacabana, Ipanema and mountain trails - you'll take the Corcovado train during the cool morning hours. The 4-day option includes a fantastic Jeep ride through the Botanical Garden where you'll see over 900 different palm species, while our 3-night starter package is perfect for first visits, mixing easier mountain paths with South Rio beach exploration. What makes these summer routes work so well is how the guides pace the hiking during hot spells and know the perfect spots for cooling off in natural pools. The schedule flows nicely too, with active mountain mornings and relaxed waterside afternoons.
- popular 33 tours
- 33 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Jorge leads TourRadar's Full Experience Carnival package in Rio - our travelers keep telling us how well his team handles all the details and really looks after everyone. If you're keen on getting into the real Carnival spirit, this one's solid. For something totally different in the region, there's a good trekking route between Petrópolis and Teresópolis run by Nattrip. Their guides Thallis and Guilherme know every inch of those mountain trails and share lots of local knowledge along the way. Just know that while the trek itself is excellent, you'll be staying in basic mountain shelters that could do with some updates - our past trekkers have mentioned this, but most say the overall experience more than makes up for it.
- 33 tours
- popular 35 tours
- 34 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
The winter highlands tours really shine in Brazil, with several well-designed options that take advantage of the cool, clear weather. Our most complete package runs 6 days starting in Rio's Lapa quarter, where you'll mix samba lessons and local street parties with solid mountain hiking. There's also a practical 4-day option combining Sugarloaf cable car rides with guided Tijuca Forest walks, plus a neat 3-night route where you'll spot hang gliders at São Conrado Beach and explore genuine rainforest trails. The guides know exactly how to work with winter conditions - they'll get you to Christ the Redeemer early before clouds move in and time your forest walks when you're most likely to see active wildlife.
- popular 33 tours
- 17 tours
- 21 tours
Contact our Brazilian Highlands travel experts
George
Expert in Brazilian Highlands at TourRadar
George is one of our seasoned Brazilian Highlands Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Brazilian Highlands tours answered!
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