Brazil Highlands Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(8,997 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Brazilian Highlands tours
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Table of contents
- The best Brazilian Highlands tour packages
- Brazilian Highlands Holiday and Vacation Packages Reviews
- 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
- What our customers ask about Brazil Highlands Tours & Trips
The best Brazilian Highlands tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBrazilian Highlands travel expert at TourRadar
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
- NZ$2,462
Rio Carnival Experience
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The destinations were great but, we also had our share of issues come up (travel delays).”
Carnival meets mountain majesty at Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado's 710-meter peak and Sugarloaf Mountain's summit. Mountain vistas complement Sambadrome spectacles and authentic bloco celebrations across Rio.
Duration 6 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$5,090
4 days Experience @ Salvador de Bahia, Savour the cultural fusion - Brasil - New
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a completely different journey than what I am used to doing. It was really fun and interesting, I think everyone should do it at some point.”
Brian, traveled in March
Salvador's UNESCO-listed Pelourinho district reveals its highland charm from Wish Hotel Da Bahia. The golden interior of São Francisco Church and sacred Bonfim Church stand testament to history, while Capoeira shows at Miguel Santana Theatre and local markets pulse with authentic culture.
Duration 4 days Destinations Salvador Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Signature DMC From
- NZ$1,388
Impressions of South America
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was fantastic in Brazil, every little thing was well catered for.”
katherine, traveled in August
Duration 9 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $7,415
12% Off- NZ$6,525+$1,310 upfront costsYou save $890
Brazilian Highlands reveal their beauty from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain. A cog-wheel train cuts through Tijuca Forest, showcasing Rio's elevated landmarks with optional visits to historic mountain resort Petropolis.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
12% Off- NZ$1,789
Brazilian Highlands Holiday and Vacation Packages Reviews
- Brazil Carnival Full Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)
Airport transfers were as arranged. Accommodation and tours all were as good as possible due the very wet weather. The guide did his best under the circumstances. Only thing was that I was picked up for my tour 3/4 hour early .,. Luckily I was at the hotel as had thought of going for a walk!
- Rio Carnival Experience
Our tour guide Guilerme was super knowledgable and helpful during our tour. At first I was a bit hesistant going to a country where I dont speak the languauge, but with intrepid I felt confident in exploring the city. I really appreciated intrepid being able to schedule pickups and dropoffs as needed. The experience was amazing and hope to come back to Brazil soon!
- Rio Essentials: Samba, Sun & Sugarloaf
We loved Rio!. It is magical. Looking forward to go back one day. Everything was well organize. People Travel and Experience did a good job. Thank you very much!
Travel Brazilian Highlands your way
This Rio adventure combines the city's carnival energy with solid mountain hiking over 6 days. Starting in Lapa, travelers join real samba classes before heading into the mountains - you'll actually dance at the Sambadrome one night and find yourself on mountain trails the next morning. What makes this a true adventure is moving between such different worlds: from lively street festivals straight to quiet mountain paths, plus meeting locals in the favelas who'll tell you all about Rio's famous samba schools. The boat ride around Guanabara Bay gives you great angles to see Sugarloaf Mountain from the water. Our groups really enjoy how this mixes city experiences with wilderness walks.
Select from our extensive range of 28 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Brazilian Highlands with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Brazilian Highlands. We have 25 adventures that vary from 3 days to 12 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Rio's carnival culture and mountain experiences come together beautifully in tours that start with local samba classes in Lapa's spirited streets. Many guests join during carnival season, participating in actual Sambadrome parades before hitting the trails at dawn. Along the mountain paths of Pedra do Sino, you'll connect with highland communities as guides share stories about Brazilian hiking traditions and culture. Our travelers often mention how meaningful it is to visit favela neighborhoods, where they meet the founders of samba schools who paint a rich picture of carnival's deep cultural roots. The journey flows through Santa Teresa's colonial streets, and wraps up with evening meals where mountain guides prepare traditional dishes from their regions. A particular highlight comes from taking a boat around Guanabara Bay, which gives you fresh angles of the coastal mountains, while learning about their historical significance in shaping Rio's growth.
Best tour companies for Brazilian Highlands tours
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Discover Brazilian Highlands tours for every budget
The Brazilian highlands have solid budget-friendly options that deliver real experiences without the big price tag. Rio starter packages handle the practical stuff like airport pickups and include guided walks through Tijuca Forest where you'll follow actual rainforest trails and watch hang gliders take off from São Conrado. There's a nice tour that combines Santa Teresa's artsy streets with a visit to Christ the Redeemer - our guests often mention how they love getting both city culture and mountain scenery in one go. If you've got 5 days, you can add beach time at Copacabana or Ipanema plus cable car rides up Sugarloaf Mountain. During carnival season, the longer tours mix mountain hiking with proper samba parades and lively street festivals.
Luxury highland tours use Rio's Arena Ipanema as a sophisticated starting point with private transfers and knowledgeable guides leading small groups into the mountains. These run 4-5 days and balance premium hotels with active exploration of Serra dos Órgãos peaks. Our clients really appreciate being able to modify daily plans - whether it's spending extra time at specific viewpoints or adding special photo stops. Evenings often feature authentic Brazilian churrascarias where they slow-grill the meat for 10 hours. Our customers regularly mention the top-notch service at Arena Ipanema and single out guides like Paolo for their deep local insights.
Brazilian Highlands budget tours
Brazilian Highlands tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
42 tours in Brazilian HighlandsExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Brazilian Highlands. We have 42 adventures that vary from 3 days to 12 days. With the greatest number of departures in February, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
22 tours in Brazilian HighlandsThese 6-day tours from Rio's Lapa district thoughtfully combine carnival energy with mountain discovery. Our travelers tell us how much they enjoy the blend of authentic samba instruction, local street celebrations, and guided nature excursions. The team, led by guides like Jorge, consistently delivers with their deep local connections and careful attention to detail, particularly when navigating groups through diverse activities - from dance workshops with samba school performers to mountain trail expeditions. Boat trips around Guanabara Bay showcase the mountains from fresh perspectives, while naturally fostering connections among group members. The small group format allows more flexibility when visiting favelas with community guides and experiencing carnival at the Sambadrome. Past participants often mention the organic social bonds that develop between travelers, whether they're wandering through Santa Teresa's artistic neighborhoods, taking in mountain panoramas at sunset or sharing stories over dinner. Guides Thallis and Jorge adjust the pacing and activities to suit each group's preferences, making sure everyone gets the most from their time in Rio.
Private / Personalized
18 tours in Brazilian HighlandsPrivate tours really come into their own when exploring the Valley of Gods and Three Peaks areas. These custom 3-day experiences take you to spots like Dragon Head mountain with its complete 360-degree views and the distinctive 'Matchbox Peak.' You'll stay at mountain shelters where guides cook fresh meals on wood stoves. What makes these private tours work so well is the freedom to explore lesser-known trails based on what interests you and how you're feeling. Our travelers often tell us about the special moments around the evening campfires (all properly permitted) and helping their guides prepare traditional Brazilian mountain dishes.
Top Brazilian Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
Week-long mountain tours often sync up with Rio's Carnival, blending culture with serious hiking. Starting in Rio's Santa Teresa and Lapa neighborhoods, groups head into Tijuca National Forest spotting sloths and tropical birds along the way. Mid-week brings something special - you'll join an actual samba school parade at the Sambódrome, then hit the trails early next morning through the botanical gardens. Some routes include Chinese Vista Point above Copacabana, and also guided walks past the garden's historic avenue lined with 128 palm trees. Our travelers tell us they love switching between lively carnival nights and peaceful morning hikes.
The 10-day routes push into Bahia's highlands where limestone caves and crystal pools create a different kind of mountain scene. From Salvador, you'll head inland to Igatu - an old mining town built completely from stone blocks. The trek to Buracão Waterfall has you swimming through canyons to reach the falls, while at Poço Encantado cave, sunlight cuts 60 meters down through crystal-clear water. Trails connect Iraquara's cave network and also the car-free island Morro de São Paulo, where our groups enjoy wrapping up their mountain experience with some beach days.
See all toursDemographics
The Rio discovery tours really click with solo travelers, especially the 4-day programs that kick off at Sugarloaf Mountain and wind through Tijuca Forest's trails. Having free afternoons lets you explore Copacabana and Ipanema beaches exactly how you want. The evening activities create natural connections - you'll pick up samba moves with locals and end up right in the middle of authentic carnival shows. Our solo guests keep mentioning guide Warley, whose local knowledge and humor make exploring Rio's diverse areas feel natural, from artistic Santa Teresa down to the buzzing streets of Lapa.
Our active Rio packages hit the sweet spot for young adults by mixing proper hiking with real carnival culture. The 6-day carnival tour starts right in Lapa where you'll learn actual samba moves before joining local street parties. You might find yourself at the Sambadrome one night and up in the mountains the next morning. Guides Jorge and Thallis know how to show both sides of Rio - they'll take you into favelas to meet samba school founders and then lead you up Pedra do Sino for some killer views. The boat parties around Guanabara Bay add that extra social touch that younger travelers love.
Senior travelers tend to like our more laid-back Rio programs with comfortable transport options like the cog-wheel train up Corcovado Mountain and easy walks through the botanical gardens. These 3-5 day tours move at just the right pace so you can properly take in each spot. Our guides know exactly when to visit Christ the Redeemer to dodge the crowds and catch the best views. Many of our older guests tell us they love how we mix cultural visits to places like the Metropolitan Cathedral and Teatro Municipal with gentle nature walks in Tijuca Forest. The cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain gives you amazing photo chances without any tough climbing.
- Solo Travelers47 tours
- Couples45 tours
- Seniors (50+)30 tours
Best time to visit Brazilian Highlands
- Fall / Autumn 2025
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.
- popular 36 tours
- 36 tours
- 35 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
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 35 tours
- 23 tours
- 34 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring gives you perfect timing to explore Brazil's highlands, with a handful of tours making the most of mild weather and crisp visibility. A comprehensive 4-day option starts in Rio, where cable car rides up Sugarloaf Mountain in the morning lead into guided walks through Tijuca Forest's verdant paths. Our guide Warley gets constant praise from visitors who appreciate his deep local knowledge and engaging style. Cultural heritage blends nicely with outdoor exploration at the Botanical Garden, where you'll find over 900 palm species and follow mountain trails to sweeping city viewpoints. The multi-day route between Petrópolis and Teresópolis, led by guides Thallis and also Guilherme, winds through granite peaks and secluded waterfalls that shine especially bright in spring. Our travelers often mention how these spring tours let them photograph Christ the Redeemer without cloud cover and explore mountain paths before summer temperatures rise. Evening activities round things out perfectly - from traditional churrascarias to lively carnival performances that maintain high spirits after full days of exploration.
- popular 23 tours
- 23 tours
- 22 tours
- 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 22 tours
- 21 tours
- 21 tours
Contact our Brazilian Highlands travel experts
Isabeau
Expert in Brazilian Highlands at TourRadar
Isabeau 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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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Brazil Highlands Tours & Trips
What Makes Mountain Tours in the Brazilian Highlands So Special?
You'll find these incredible ancient sandstone tepuis reaching up about 2400 meters in the Serra da Mantiqueira and they're just amazing. These formations have been around for millions of years creating these unique little microclimates where you might spot rare wildlife like the woolly spider monkey or red-billed curassow. There's this stunning cave system called Poço Encantado with crystal-clear waters and wait till you see the Cachoeira da Fumaça waterfall dropping a dramatic 400 meters.
Where Can You Find the Best Guided Mountain Tours?
If you're up for technical climbing head to Serra da Mantiqueira's Pedra da Mina it tops out at 2797m with some really great panoramic hiking trails. Over at Itatiaia National Park you've got the Agulhas Negras peak at 2791m perfect for different skill levels with well-marked paths. The Serra dos Órgãos range is home to this fantastic 3-day trek called the Petropolis-Teresopolis crossing taking you through Atlantic Rainforest where you'll see the famous Dedo de Deus formation it's pretty incredible.
What Kind of Local Cultural Experiences Can You Join?
Beyond just walking through favelas in Rio you can actually join these amazing feijoada gatherings in Santa Teresa's historic mansions get into some capoeira sessions at Lapa's cultural centers and experience real samba school rehearsals in Madureira. Local guides have put together these cool urban hiking experiences that mix historical spots like the colorful Selarón Steps with insider visits to community gardens and local markets.
What If I'm Not Much of a Hiker?
Don't worry there are plenty of ways to experience the region's beauty. You can hop on 4x4 tours through Tijuca National Park which is actually the world's largest urban forest and see gorgeous spots like Cascatinha Taunay waterfall. Over at Chapada Diamantina you'll find easy walks to amazing places like the crystal pools at Poço Azul. For something really accessible jump on a regular bus to Petrópolis where you can explore the Imperial Museum and crystal palace with beautiful mountains as your backdrop.
When's the Best Time to Visit Weather-Wise?
Winter's your best bet that's June through August with clear skies temps around 15-20°C and hardly any rain. Spring and fall September-November and March-May are really nice too with comfortable temperatures and just occasional afternoon showers perfect for checking out waterfalls. You'll want to skip December through February though because daily thunderstorms can make trails pretty dangerous and you won't get those amazing views you're hoping for.