Rio, Green Coast & Sao Paulo - 9 Days

On arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to our hotel in the city. Hotel check-in is from 14:00. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore the vibrant city.

Tour Style: This tour includes selected excursions, transportation, and a choice of standard or superior accommodation, with bilingual guides for each activity. Although this is a private tour, some included sightseeing and transfers are shared, meaning you will be joined by other travellers.

Today, you will enjoy a full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro’s highlights, starting with pick-up at 08:00. You will visit the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You will travel by train through Tijuca Forest to the summit for panoramic views of the city.

Next, you will pass by Maracana Stadium and the Sambadrome, and visit the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, inspired by Central American pyramids. Explore the vibrant Selaron Steps and take photos of this colourful landmark.

After a traditional Brazilian churrascaria lunch, you will ride two cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain’s summit, stopping at Urca Hill for stunning views. Then it's back to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

You have a choice today. You can spend the day independently exploring, or you can opt to join a hike to Petra Bonita, a Carnival experience or join a boat tour of Guanabara Bay.

Hiking to Pedra Bonita Embark on a 3.2km hike (approximately 2 hours) to one of Rio’s best viewpoints! Pedra Bonita, located in the Tijuca Forest National Park, is a popular spot for hang gliders, with a takeoff ramp at 517 meters. Your easy hike will take you to the summit at 695 meters, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Pedra da Gavea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Rocinha Favela, and the Sierra dos Dois Irmãos. To the west, you’ll also see Barra da Tijuca, a modern and rapidly developing neighbourhood. On the way back, stop at the hang gliding ramp to watch adventurers soar through the sky.

Carnival Experience Experience the vibrant world of Rio Carnival with a behind-the-scenes tour of the City of Samba and the Rio Grande Samba School Factory. Discover how floats and costumes are crafted, meet the people behind the spectacle, and learn about samba’s rich history. Try on authentic costumes, join a samba class, and finish with a traditional Brazilian cocktail.

Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay Enjoy a 2-hour tour showcasing Rio's natural beauty, stories, and modern architecture. Discover the stunning views of Guanabara Bay, with its sparkling waters and surrounding mountains, offering a unique perspective of the city. This tour is perfect for all ages, allowing you to experience Rio from its famous beaches to its vibrant urban landscapes.

Rio de Janeiro - Angra dos Reis - Ilha Grande. Today after breakfast, you will be transferred (approximately 2.5 hours) from the hotel in Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis. Once you have arrived in Angra dos Reis, you will then be transferred by boat to Ilha Grande (approximately 45 minutes). The rest of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy Ilha Grande.

Ilha Grande - Angra dos Reis - Ilha Grande. Today, you will enjoy a 6-hour tour to Lopes Mendes Beach, considered one of the most beautiful in Brazil. Located on Ilha Grande, it boasts 3 km of fine white sand, clear blue waters, and plenty of shade. A popular surf spot, it offers a pristine, wild setting. You’ll depart by boat from Vila do Abraao for a 45-minute ride to Praia do Pouso, followed by a 30-minute walk to Lopes Mendes. At the end of the day, you'll be taken back to your hotel in Ilha Grande.

Ilha Grande - Angra dos Reis - Paraty. This morning you will be transferred back to Angra dos Reis, and onwards to Paraty (approximately 1.5 hours).

You will then enjoy a 2-hour city tour of Paraty, exploring its historical and cultural treasures. Stroll through the charming streets of the Historic Centre, home to impressive colonial architecture. Your guide will take you through art studios, churches, and mansions, with an optional cachaca and liqueur tasting at a local Cachacaria to end the tour. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Today, you will join a 4x4 Jeep tour (approximately 6 hours) through the Serra da Bocaina National Park, starting with the cascading Pedra Branca Waterfall and the nearby Pedra Branca Stills. You'll continue to the Gold Path Landmark and then stop for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). You'll also pass the Marco do Caminho do Ouro, visit the Toboga Waterfall, and explore Tarzan’s Well.

The tour also includes a visit to a local cachaca distillery to learn about the production of Paraty’s famous cachaca, with an optional tasting of various liquors and aged cachacas. The tour concludes with a stop at the Manioc Flour House. All the waterfalls visited have easy-access trails, led by your local guide.

Paraty - Sao Paulo. Today, you will transfer from Paraty to Sao Paulo, where you will enjoy an included city tour after night has fallen. The city transforms into a glowing metropolis at night, with illuminated monuments and less of the famous Sao Paulo traffic to deal with. You will take in sites including the bohemian Vila Madalena, the Light Station near the Pinacoteca, and Liberdade Japan Town, home to the city’s eastern community.

You’ll also walk through the Historic Centre, the Anhangabau Valley, and see iconic Neoclassical architecture such as the City Hall, Opera House, and Cultural Centre. Stroll down Paulista Avenue to admire Modernist buildings like the MASP Museum and Fiesp Building. Explore Ibirapuera Park and its Monument to the City, and finish with a walk through São Paulo’s New Commercial District. Our tour will end back at the hotel.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.