Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
You'll be picked up on arrival and driven to your Rio de Janeiro hotel, checking in from 14:00 onward. The rest of the afternoon and evening are open for you to get oriented at your own pace, whether that's resting at the hotel or taking a walk around the neighborhood.
Optional Activities
- Explore Rio de Janeiro independently
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Start early at 08:00 for a full-day city tour. The train takes you through Tijuca Forest up to Christ the Redeemer for the classic views, then you'll see the Sambadrome and Cathedral of Saint Sebastian before heading to the colorful Selaron Steps. After a traditional Brazilian churrascaria lunch, two cable car rides bring you to Sugarloaf Mountain with a stop at Urca Hill in between for more perspectives across the city.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Brazilian churrascaria lunch)
Included Activities
- Train to Corcovado to visit Christ the Redeemer statue
- Panoramic views from Corcovado summit
- Pass by Maracana Stadium
- Pass by Sambadrome
- Visit Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
- Explore Selaron Steps
- Cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain
- Stop at Urca Hill
- Traditional Brazilian churrascaria lunch
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 completely yours to shape. Either wander around Rio independently or pick one of three optional activities: hike up to Pedra Bonita for viewpoints, go behind the scenes at a samba school to see Carnival preparations firsthand, or take a boat tour through Guanabara Bay. You decide what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Explore independently
- Hiking to Pedra Bonita (3.2km hike, approximately 2 hours) with views of Pedra da Gavea, Atlantic Ocean, Rocinha Favela, and Sierra dos Dois Irmaos
- Watch hang gliders at Pedra Bonita takeoff ramp
- 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 at samba school
- Boat tour of Guanabara Bay (2 hours)
Landmarks Pedra Bonita Tijuca Forest National Park Pedra da Gavea Rocinha Favela Sierra dos Dois Irmaos Barra da Tijuca City of Samba Guanabara Bay - Day 4
Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande
After breakfast, you're transferred from Rio to Angra dos Reis, which takes about 2.5 hours by road. From there, a boat takes you to Ilha Grande in roughly 45 minutes. Once you arrive, the rest of the day is free to settle in and explore the island at your leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Ilha Grande independently
Landmarks Angra dos Reis Ilha Grande - Day 5
Ilha Grande
Join a 6-hour boat and hiking tour to Lopes Mendes Beach. You'll leave Vila do Abraao by boat in the morning, traveling 45 minutes to Praia do Pouso, then hike for about 30 minutes to reach the 3km stretch of white sand. The water is clear, shade is available, and this is considered one of Brazil's best beaches for good reason.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Lopes Mendes Beach
- Visit Lopes Mendes Beach
- Beach time at Lopes Mendes
Landmarks Lopes Mendes Beach Vila do Abraao Praia do Pouso - Day 6
Ilha Grande to Paraty
You're transferred back to Angra dos Reis and then head to Paraty, roughly 1.5 hours away. Once there, take a 2-hour walking tour through the Historic Centre to see colonial buildings, art studios, churches, and old mansions. The tour ends with an optional tasting session at a local cachacaria if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 2-hour city tour of Paraty
- Explore Historic Centre
- View colonial architecture
- Visit art studios
- Visit churches
- Visit mansions
Optional Activities
- Cachaca and liqueur tasting at a local Cachacaria
Landmarks Paraty Historic Centre 
- Day 7
Paraty
A 4x4 Jeep tour lasting around 6 hours takes you through Serra da Bocaina National Park to see Pedra Branca Waterfall, the Pedra Branca Stills, Gold Path Landmark, Marco do Caminho do Ouro, Toboga Waterfall, and Tarzan's Well. The waterfall trails are easy to walk, and you'll also visit a local distillery to learn about cachaca production with optional tastings, plus stop at the Manioc Flour House.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 4x4 Jeep tour through Serra da Bocaina National Park
- 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
- Local guide-led easy-access waterfall trails
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Tasting of various liquors and aged cachacas at distillery
Landmarks Serra da Bocaina National Park Pedra Branca Waterfall Toboga Waterfall Tarzan's Well - Day 8
Paraty to Sao Paulo
You're driven from Paraty to Sao Paulo for the evening. Once you arrive, an included city tour shows you the transformed nighttime landscape, passing through Vila Madalena, Light Station, Liberdade Japan Town, the Historic Centre, Anhangabau Valley, neoclassical landmarks, Paulista Avenue with its modernist buildings, Ibirapuera Park, and the New Commercial District as the city lights come alive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Evening city tour of Sao Paulo
- Explore bohemian Vila Madalena
- Visit Light Station near Pinacoteca
- Explore Liberdade Japan Town
- Walk through Historic Centre
- View Anhangabau Valley
- View neoclassical City Hall
- View Opera House
- View Cultural Centre
- Stroll down Paulista Avenue
- View MASP Museum
- View Fiesp Building
- Explore Ibirapuera Park
- View Monument to the City
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 
- Day 9
Sao Paulo
Have your final breakfast at the hotel, then head to the airport for your departure flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
