Here you will find some great trips outside of the city, spending at least one night in a different place. Most of the places mentioned below are located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, not more than a 3 or 4 hours drive away from the city!
1 - Ilha Grande "The Big Island" - 2 or 3 days trip
“Ilha Grande (Big Island) has dazzled visitors for centuries. Some 150km southwest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s third‐largest island has tropical scenery and gorgeous beaches. Its hillsides are covered in lush forests, important remnants of the rapidly disappearing Mata Atlântica ecosystem. There are no banks and no cars on Ilha Grande, so get cash before you relax. .” (Lonely Planet website)
After a 2 hours drive we will get the boat to Ilha Grande. We arrive at the Island main village of Abraão in the morning and head to our guest-house. At this point we are free to start a 2:30 hour hike to the amazing beach of Lopes Mendes. On our way through the local Atlantic rain forest we will cross 3 other beaches. Arriving in Lopes Mendes we’ll have a few hours to relax in the sun, swimming and surfing (rental is available), before going back to the village in a 40 minutes boat ride.
You have a free night in the village where you'll find different options of bars and restaurants. On the second day at the island there are many other hikes and activities available. All hiking activities are included in the price. Kayaking, waterfall abseiling, snorkeling and boat rides are some of the optional activities that are also available.
Late in the afternoon we will take the boat back to the continent and then drive back to Rio.
For the 3 days trip we will be available to take you on an optional hike to the summit of Parrot Peak (hard), where you will have an amazing overview of the whole island. But if you still want to relax we will take you to an easier hike to nearby beaches.
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days. Departure on Day 1: 6am. Arrival in Rio on Day 2 or Day 3: 9pm.
Difficulty Level: Moderate (depending on how fit you are).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, boat tickets, beach hikes, waterfall hike, Parrot Peak hike (3 days tour) and English or French speaking guide.
Opitionals: Boat trips & snorkling, Scooba Diving and kaiak trips.
Recommendations: Bring water, snacks, light clothes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit and money for food and drinks.
Click here to see more pictures!
After a 2 hours drive we will get the boat to Ilha Grande. We arrive at the Island main village of Abraão in the morning and head to our guest-house. At this point we are free to start a 2:30 hour hike to the amazing beach of Lopes Mendes. On our way through the local Atlantic rain forest we will cross 3 other beaches. Arriving in Lopes Mendes we’ll have a few hours to relax in the sun, swimming and surfing (rental is available), before going back to the village in a 40 minutes boat ride.
You have a free night in the village where you'll find different options of bars and restaurants. On the second day at the island there are many other hikes and activities available. All hiking activities are included in the price. Kayaking, waterfall abseiling, snorkeling and boat rides are some of the optional activities that are also available.
Late in the afternoon we will take the boat back to the continent and then drive back to Rio.
For the 3 days trip we will be available to take you on an optional hike to the summit of Parrot Peak (hard), where you will have an amazing overview of the whole island. But if you still want to relax we will take you to an easier hike to nearby beaches.
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days. Departure on Day 1: 6am. Arrival in Rio on Day 2 or Day 3: 9pm.
Difficulty Level: Moderate (depending on how fit you are).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, boat tickets, beach hikes, waterfall hike, Parrot Peak hike (3 days tour) and English or French speaking guide.
Opitionals: Boat trips & snorkling, Scooba Diving and kaiak trips.
Recommendations: Bring water, snacks, light clothes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit and money for food and drinks.
Click here to see more pictures!
2- Serra dos Orgãos - Petrópolis - 2 or 3 days trip
"Created in 1939, this national park covers 118 sq km of mountainous terrain between Teresópolis and Petrópolis. A distinctive feature of the park is the strangely shaped peaks of the Pedra do Sino (2263m), Pedra do Açu (2230m), Agulha do Diabo (2020m), Nariz do Frade (1919m), Dedo de Deus (1651m), Pedra da Ermitage (1485m) and Dedo de Nossa Senhora (1320m). With so many peaks, it’s no wonder that this is the mountain‐climbing, rock climbing and trekking center of Brazil. The region has extensive trails, the most famous of which is the 42km, three‐day traverse over the mountains from Teresópolis to Petrópolis. Most of the trails are unmarked and off the available maps. The best time for walks is from May to October." (Lonely Planet website)
The highlight is the Trilha Pedra do Sino. On the 2 days expedition we will take you there in a 4 to 5 hours hike to the summit. The trail passes by Véu da Noiva waterfall. The vegetation changes from rain forest to grassland and the reward is a panoramic view stretching all the way to Rio de Janeiro and the Baía de Guanabara. We spend the night in a park mountain hut equipped with a kitchen, mattress and bathroom where our guide will cook a nice dinner and you can even have a hot shower.
The next morning after watching the sunrise from the summit and having our breakfast, we go down the trail and get the car for a drive at the Guapimirim sector of the Park. In this area you'll find the Soberbo River with its many waterfalls and pleasant swimming areas, the scenic beauty of the landscapes and the exuberant rainforest, as well as many options of trails, camping and picnic sites. At Guapimirim, we can also visit the Von Martius Museum and historic ruins from the times when the area was a coffee farm.
For those in very good shape and looking for adventure we offer a 3 day trek crossing the mountain range of Serra dos Órgãos from Teresópolis to the Imperial historical town of Petrópolis.
After a refreshing swim in the Soberbo river and visiting the museum we drive back to Rio.
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days
Difficulty Level: Hard (depending on how fit you are).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, equipment, national park tickets, snacks, dinner, breakfast and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, hiking shoes, sunscreen swimming suit, raincoat, warm clothes (it’s cold up there at night), sleeping bags (we can arrange that if you don’t have it) and a lot of energy.
Click here to see more pictures!
The highlight is the Trilha Pedra do Sino. On the 2 days expedition we will take you there in a 4 to 5 hours hike to the summit. The trail passes by Véu da Noiva waterfall. The vegetation changes from rain forest to grassland and the reward is a panoramic view stretching all the way to Rio de Janeiro and the Baía de Guanabara. We spend the night in a park mountain hut equipped with a kitchen, mattress and bathroom where our guide will cook a nice dinner and you can even have a hot shower.
The next morning after watching the sunrise from the summit and having our breakfast, we go down the trail and get the car for a drive at the Guapimirim sector of the Park. In this area you'll find the Soberbo River with its many waterfalls and pleasant swimming areas, the scenic beauty of the landscapes and the exuberant rainforest, as well as many options of trails, camping and picnic sites. At Guapimirim, we can also visit the Von Martius Museum and historic ruins from the times when the area was a coffee farm.
For those in very good shape and looking for adventure we offer a 3 day trek crossing the mountain range of Serra dos Órgãos from Teresópolis to the Imperial historical town of Petrópolis.
After a refreshing swim in the Soberbo river and visiting the museum we drive back to Rio.
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days
Difficulty Level: Hard (depending on how fit you are).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, equipment, national park tickets, snacks, dinner, breakfast and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, hiking shoes, sunscreen swimming suit, raincoat, warm clothes (it’s cold up there at night), sleeping bags (we can arrange that if you don’t have it) and a lot of energy.
Click here to see more pictures!
3 - Paraty - Historical Colonial Town, Fishing Villages and Wild Beaches - 2, 3 or 4 days trip
"Set amid jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches, with a backdrop of steep, jungled mountains plunging into an island‐studded bay, Paraty is one of Brazil’s most appealing and exquisitely preserved historical gems. Paraty’s colonial center is remarkable not only for its centuries‐old architecture, but also for its lack of automobile traffic. The irregular cobblestone streets are closed to motor vehicles, making it a delightful place to stroll about. Elegant white buildings adorned with fanciful multi‐hued borders and latticed windows blend harmoniously with the natural beauty that envelops the town. " (Lonely Planet)
Dozens of pristine beaches are within a couple of hours of Paraty by boat or hike. For an unforgettable 2 or 3 days hike we will take you through Sono Beach and Ponta Negra, some of the fishing villages that remain untouched due to the creation of the Environmental Protected Area of Ponta da Joatinga. For those in very good shape and looking for adventure we offer a 3 day trek crossing all the peninsula of Ponta da Joatinga.
After enjoying the natural beauty of these wild beaches we'll head to Paraty where we'll enjoy the evening and the next morning exploring this charming colonial town. After lunch it is time to go back to Rio or to head to Ilha Grande (# 1 above) for 2 or 3 more days in another amazing place.
Tour Duration: 2, 3 or 4 days.
Difficulty Level: Moderate or Hard (If you pick the 3 days Trek).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, boat tickets, beach hikes, waterfall hike and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, snacks, light clothes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit and money for food and drinks.
Click here to see more pictures!
Dozens of pristine beaches are within a couple of hours of Paraty by boat or hike. For an unforgettable 2 or 3 days hike we will take you through Sono Beach and Ponta Negra, some of the fishing villages that remain untouched due to the creation of the Environmental Protected Area of Ponta da Joatinga. For those in very good shape and looking for adventure we offer a 3 day trek crossing all the peninsula of Ponta da Joatinga.
After enjoying the natural beauty of these wild beaches we'll head to Paraty where we'll enjoy the evening and the next morning exploring this charming colonial town. After lunch it is time to go back to Rio or to head to Ilha Grande (# 1 above) for 2 or 3 more days in another amazing place.
Tour Duration: 2, 3 or 4 days.
Difficulty Level: Moderate or Hard (If you pick the 3 days Trek).
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, boat tickets, beach hikes, waterfall hike and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, snacks, light clothes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit and money for food and drinks.
Click here to see more pictures!
4 - Búzios & Scuba Diving in Arraial do Cabo - 2 or 3 days trip
"Beautiful Búzios sits on a jutting peninsula scalloped by 17 beaches. A simple fishing village until the early ’60s, when it was ‘discovered’ by Brigitte Bardot and her Brazilian boyfriend, Búzios is now one of Brazil’s most animated seaside resorts, littered with boutiques, fine restaurants, villas, bars and posh pousadas. The Mediterranean touch introduced by the Portuguese has not been lost – indeed, the narrow cobblestone streets and picturesque waterfront add to Búzios’ appeal, and contribute to its image as Brazil’s St Tropez." (Lonely Planet)
Not far from Búzios is Arraial do Cabo. According to Lonely Planet, Arraial "is surrounded by gleaming white sand dunes and offers all the beauty of Búzios with half the fuss." It's also one of the best spots for Scooba Diving in Brazil, where divers can offen observe humpback whales and other marine species.
Our suggested trip starts by Scooba diving at Arraial do Cabo after a 2 hours drive from Rio. In the afternoon we head to Búzios where we you be able to explore the streets, restaurants and shops of this charming town.
On the next day we will take you to visit some of the prettiest beaches of the peninsula, before our late lunch and our trip back to Rio. It's not hard to fall in love for Búzios. So an extra day in the town can also be booked in advance!
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days.
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, sccoba diving, beach hikes and english or french speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring light clothes, sunscreen and swimming suit.
Click here to see more pictures!
Not far from Búzios is Arraial do Cabo. According to Lonely Planet, Arraial "is surrounded by gleaming white sand dunes and offers all the beauty of Búzios with half the fuss." It's also one of the best spots for Scooba Diving in Brazil, where divers can offen observe humpback whales and other marine species.
Our suggested trip starts by Scooba diving at Arraial do Cabo after a 2 hours drive from Rio. In the afternoon we head to Búzios where we you be able to explore the streets, restaurants and shops of this charming town.
On the next day we will take you to visit some of the prettiest beaches of the peninsula, before our late lunch and our trip back to Rio. It's not hard to fall in love for Búzios. So an extra day in the town can also be booked in advance!
Tour Duration: 2 or 3 days.
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, sccoba diving, beach hikes and english or french speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring light clothes, sunscreen and swimming suit.
Click here to see more pictures!
5 - Bocaina Mountains - Into the Luxurious Atlantic Rain Forest - 3 or 4 days trip
At the top of the Bocaina's Mountains starts a singular trail going in direction to the sea. Part of this path is covered by secular stones placed by slaves more than 200 years ago to take inland products to the old Port of Paraty. Initially just used by the Guaianazes indians, the trail later became one of the routes for the portuguese colonial troops loaded with gold and coffee. Today people from all around the world are attracted to this place by the amazing green beauty of one of the most preserved areas of the brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and for its beautiful waterfalls. Wellcome to the National Park of the Bocaina Mountain!
On the first morning we will pick you up and drive to the little town of São José do Barreiro. From there an off-road will take us to our guest house in the top of the Bocaina mountains. After lunch we'll go for a warm-up hike to get ready for the 3 next days. On the next morning we start our 3 days and 53 kilometer of the Gold Trail that will take you all the way down to the coast through the most exuberant Atlantic Rainforest with its rare bromelias and powerfull waterfalls! A real adventure in a very remote area!
We'll finish our trip close to Paraty! From there we will drive you back to Rio. But if you want to spend a few days in Paraty, we can drop you off in town or continue our trip together on the Paraty and Fishing Villages Tour mentioned above (#3)!
Tour Duration: 4 days
Difficulty Level: Hard
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, national park tickets, lunch (first day), dinner, breakfast and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit, raincoat, warm clothes (it’s cold up there at night) and a lot of energy.
Click here to see more pictures!
On the first morning we will pick you up and drive to the little town of São José do Barreiro. From there an off-road will take us to our guest house in the top of the Bocaina mountains. After lunch we'll go for a warm-up hike to get ready for the 3 next days. On the next morning we start our 3 days and 53 kilometer of the Gold Trail that will take you all the way down to the coast through the most exuberant Atlantic Rainforest with its rare bromelias and powerfull waterfalls! A real adventure in a very remote area!
We'll finish our trip close to Paraty! From there we will drive you back to Rio. But if you want to spend a few days in Paraty, we can drop you off in town or continue our trip together on the Paraty and Fishing Villages Tour mentioned above (#3)!
Tour Duration: 4 days
Difficulty Level: Hard
Group size: Maximum 12 people
Included: Transportation, accommodation, national park tickets, lunch (first day), dinner, breakfast and English or French speaking guide.
Recommendations: Bring water, hiking shoes, sunscreen, swimming suit, raincoat, warm clothes (it’s cold up there at night) and a lot of energy.
Click here to see more pictures!