RIO´S GREEN COAST

Day 1 : Arrival in Rio (- / - / -)

On landing in Rio de Janeiro airport, a guide and vehicle will be ready and waiting to assist. From here, it is onward to your hotel, located in the heart of the famous Copacabana neighbourhood. The rest of the day is best spent at leisure to regain some strength and acclimatise, building up energy for the coming days’ travel.

Day 2 : Full day tour of Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado (B / L / -)

The tour begins in the Cosme Velho district to board a cog and pinion railway cart. This carriage climbs the steep, forested hillside leading to the peak of Corcovado, and the famous Christ the Redeemer monument.

As iconic as the monument itself is; the breathtaking views of Copacabana, Ipanema and Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon are just as memorable and well worth taking the time to appreciate fully. Having digested the city from above, a gentle descent back down comes courtesy of the same shuttle train. The carriages will pass through the lush vegetation, streams and waterfalls of Tijuca Forest Reserve, and once at ground level; there is time for a quick photo stop at the famous Mário Filho or ‘Maracanã’ stadium and the Sambódromo, known as the centrepiece of Rio’s Carnival parade.

Lunch will be at a typical Brazilian churrascaria (all you can eat barbeque), before moving on to the Urca neighbourhood, one of Rio’s older districts located in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain. Here, a cable car ascends Morro da Urca, and then proceeds all the way up to the summit of Sugarloaf, some 400 metres above sea level. Dramatic views of Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay and the previously visited Christ the Redeemer are enjoyed from the cable car on the way up, with the vistas from the Summit being a real highlight of the day, even more so during sun set.

Day 3 : Walking tour of Rio’s historic centre (B / - / -)

Rio’s city centre is filled with lovely historic buildings, where Portuguese colonial and Renaissance-style buildings rub shoulders with modern skyscrapers in an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The best way to get to know the secrets of the old city centre is on foot. Your guide will also show you how to find your way around in Rio’s public transportation system, just like a real carioca.

The tour will take in some of the city’s most impressive monuments, such as: Cinelândia Square, where the Opera House, Museum of Fine Arts, Town Hall and National Library are all located, the modern cathedral of São Sebastião, the colonial churches of São Antônio and São Francisco da Penitência, with a short stop at the charming Colombo patisserie. You’ll also visit the interior of the Royal Portuguese Reading Chamber, the popular market of Uruguaiana, the square of Praça XV de Novembro, the former Imperial Palace, the State of Rio Parliament, the old cathedral of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the historic alleyway of Travessa do Comércio, to finish by the impressive church of Nossa Senhora da Candelária.

Day 4 : Explore Rio by bike (B / - / -)

This morning, make your way to the meeting point on Copacabana’s Avenida Atlântica for a fun bike tour to further explore Rio’s beautiful South Zone. You will visit several of city’s famous sights, but also some of its traditional neighbourhoods. Starting on Copacabana beach, an important location for the locals’ social life, you will cycle to Praia Vermelha, an oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of the city that offers stunning views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Leaving Praia Vermelha behind, you will pedal through the lively neighbourhood of Botafogo, where you will be able to catch a glimpse of the city’s everyday life. The tour finally finishes at Lagoa, the big city lagoon, surrounded by green hillsides and fancy neighbourhoods.

The rest of the day is spent at leisure. In the afternoon, you can take the famous yellow tram up to Santa Teresa, Rio’s most bohemian neighbourhood, where you will discover yet another side of this fascinating city. If you want to get a taste of Rio’s nightlife, Lapa is the place to be; enjoy spontaneous live music and try to keep up with some samba steps.

Day 5 : From modern day Rio to colonial Paraty (B / - / -)

With the main sights, sounds, and smells of Rio covered, the next stop is Paraty; a colonial town of small churches and cobblestone streets.

This morning will involve a shared transfer of approximately 5 hours to this gem on the so called Green Coast. Set against a backdrop of lush forested hills, and surrounded by tranquil beaches, Paraty is the perfect antidote having just come from Brazil’s second biggest city. After checking in to the hotel, the rest of the day is best spent exploring the historic alleyways of Paraty, finding the perfect place to eat and relax this evening.

Journey time from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty: approx. 5 h (250 km).

Day 6 : Wandering colonial cobblestone in Paraty (Optional Tour) (B / - / -)

After a leisurely breakfast, taking a guided walking tour of the city is an excellent way to become familiar with Paraty’s fascinating past. Formerly a port town for shipments of gold and diamonds during the late 17th century, its taverns and side streets were forgotten in time when the new road from Minas to Rio took over as the primary transport route. The knowledgeable guide will explore some of the noteworthy parts of town and also provide some historical context on the region during the walk.

For the rest of the day, enjoy some of the boutiques and galleries of the town, or relax with a coffee in one of the colourful central squares.

Day 7 : Relaxation on the island of Ilha Grande (B / - / -)

Last but most certainly not least, the final couple of nights in this tour are spent on Ilha Grande, a breath-taking tropical Island. Pictures just cannot do the peaceful, pristine shores and jungle covered sanctuary the justice it deserves.

From Paraty, the island is a 2-hour drive away, followed by a speedy 30-minute boat ride from the mainland. Arrival on the island will be just in time for lunch, allowing plenty of time in the afternoon to become familiar with the wealth of activities available. From hiking trails through the humid jungles to diving the crystal clear waters, it’s easy to fill time. Of course, the most popular activity on Ilha Grande though is to do simply not very much at all.

Journey time from Paraty to Ilha Grande: approx. 2 h (100 km) by car from Paraty to Angra dos Reis + 30 min. by speedboat from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande.

Day 8 : Enjoy the Island’s tropical beaches (B / - / -)

After a leisurely breakfast, take a boat from Abraão village to Praia do Pouso. From there, it’s an easy 1 km hike to Lopes Mendes beach, an idyllic three kilometer stretch of powdery white sand and regularly voted as one of Brazil’s top ten beaches. Enjoy yourself swimming in the bay’s crystal-clear water and relax in the shade of the lush vegetation. At the end of the day, take the boat back to Abraão.

Day 9 : Boat tour to the Blue Lagoon (B / - / -)

Today’s schooner tour to the Blue Lagoon is a great way to finish your stay on the Island. Lagoa Azul is a calm bay with crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkelling. On the way back, there will be stops at Freguesia de Santana Beach and Japariz. The latter offers a variety of regional restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch right on the beach.

Day 10 : Homeward bound (B / - / -)

On the last day of the tour, take the boat from Ilha Grande to Angra dos Reis, where a vehicle will be on hand for your shared transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport, in preparation for onward flights.

Journey time from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro: 30 min. by boat + approx. 3.5 h by car (170 km)

End of the Tour