Brazil Highlands Tours & Trips
Ever heard of Brazil's highland plateau? The Brazilian Highlands (Planalto) cover much of the interior, so you’re exploring Chapada dos Veadeiros with waterfalls and cerrado savanna, Chapada Diamantina's caves and peaks, and Serra da Canastra. The region's cooler than the coast, and landscapes shift from savanna to mountains to canyons. The Brazilian Highlands are criminally undervisited; when will you go?
Excellent
- Choose from 50+ Brazilian Highlands tours
- 50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- R
Richard • traveled in May
An incredible experience, I hope to return soon
4 days Discovery the Best of Rio de Janeiro - Y
Yasmin • traveled in December, 2025
It was an amazing trip. I managed to enjoy a lot of what I wanted to see in Rio, and it was a lot of fun.
Wonderful Rio - A
anthony • traveled in February
Ok you need to go and see
Brazil Carnival Essential Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)
Table of contents
- The best Brazilian Highlands tour packages
- 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$2,541
Rio Carnival Experience
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Carnaval experience was incredible the floats are out of this world and the block parties were so much fun.”
Sherry, traveled in April
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$5,560
Wonderful Rio
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great balance of sightseeing, free time and local insights. I really loved it.”
Bianca, traveled in December
Brazilian Highlands unfold dramatically from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain. Sugarloaf Mountain's cable car ascent rewards with coastal vistas, while Santa Teresa's hilltop community offers views of surrounding peaks.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator ETours Brazil DMC From
- NZ$794
Salvador Afro-Cultural Experience
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The free time was amazing and allows you to pursue Salvador based on your interests.”
James, traveled in July
Lacerda Elevator offers panoramic views of Salvador's elevated districts. Historic churches dot the highland Pelourinho district, while traditional performances celebrate the Brazilian Highlands' cultural heritage.
Duration 5 days Destinations Salvador Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Nattrip From
- NZ$2,244
4 days Discovery the Best of Rio de Janeiro
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Rio is an impressive destination that you must know without fail.”
Ernest, traveled in January
The Brazilian Highlands unfold from Windsor California Hotel. A historic train winds through mountain forests to Christ the Redeemer, cable cars ascend to Sugarloaf Mountain's summit, and Jeeps traverse Tijuca's highland rainforest.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Signature DMC From
- NZ$2,002
Rio Essentials: Samba, Sun & Sugarloaf
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It is magical. Everything was well organize.”
Mark, traveled in March
Rio's dramatic setting unfolds from Windsor Leme Hotel. Cable cars climb Sugar Loaf Mountain's granite peak for breathtaking Highland views, while a historic train ascends Corcovado to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator People Travel and Experience From
- NZ$1,545
Petrópolis x Teresópolis Trekking - The Most Beautiful Crossing in Brazil
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt like I have now friends for life. They took such good care of me on the other hand giving me the much needed space.”
Ksenia, traveled in March
A challenging 32km trek awaits in Serra dos Órgãos National Park, reaching 2,275m at Pedra do Sino peak. Technical sections include The Elevator and 'Cavalinho' passage, with camping at Açu Castles and Pedra do Sino shelters. Suitable for ages 15+, this costs around $800 including guided expertise, all meals, and Rio de Janeiro transfers.
Duration 3 days Destinations Petropolis, Teresopolis Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Nattrip From
- NZ$1,122
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
- NZ$7,415+$1,310 upfront costs
Duration 5 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range Ages 20-54 Operated in English, Portuguese Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,237
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro - 4 days
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Rio was a good time. The agents all took good care.”
Donald, traveled in April
Rio rises from the Brazilian Highlands, visible during panoramic city tours of the Sambadrome and Maracanã Stadium. The Metropolitan Cathedral and artistic Selarón Steps showcase the region's unique topography. Strategic hotel placement enables highland exploration.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $1,032
15% Off- NZ$878You save $155
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
Who are you traveling with?
Top Brazilian Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers44 tours- Couples43 tours
- Seniors (50+)28 tours
Best time to visit Brazilian Highlands
- 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.
- 30 tours
- 27 tours
- popular 35 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 28 tours
- 28 tours
- 28 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 28 tours
- 27 tours
- 27 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
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 26 tours
- 25 tours
- 20 tours
Contact our Brazilian Highlands travel experts
Evan
Expert in Brazilian Highlands at TourRadar
Evan is one of our seasoned Brazilian Highlands Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Brazilian Highlands tours answered!
- Choose from 60+ Brazilian Highlands tours
- 72 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+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.