Lawn of yellow mansion in Petropolis, Brazil

View of Christ the Redeemer from the base upward

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Brazil Tours

Maria Fumaca Brazil Train Tour

Brazil by Rail Aboard the Maria Fumaça

10 Days / 9 Nights per person*

from 4158

*Example by 4 travelers in 4★ accommodation, low season. Flights priced separately. Get a quote for 1 to 99+ below

Maria Fumaca Brazil Train Tour

Summary

10 Days / 9 Nights

This Brazil Train Tour will stir the blood of every railway enthusiast. Traveling by train is an exciting alternative to flying directly to Belo Horizonte and other Brazilian cities. Witness tropical rainforest of the Brazilian countryside, small remote towns, and vast lakes while passing over awe-inspiring bridges. The train’s air-conditioned, comfortable interior and obligatory snack bar and restaurant are sure to keep passengers happy along the way.

FROM 3361 Per Person

This tour includes:

All trains, tours, transfers, and entrance fees
All breakfasts
9-Nights accommodations
English-speaking guides

Highlights

Train ride on meter gauge of Vitória to Belo Horizonte
Mariana steam engine ride
Steam Engine Tiradentes to São Jão del Rey
Steam engine railway museum
Rio de Janeiro city tour

Itinerary

Aerial view of bridge in Vitoria, Brazil

Day 1 - 2Arrive in Vitória, Brazil

Fly into São Paulo or Rio to start your Brazil train tour. Then transfer to Vitória, the sister city of Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Vitória. Check into the hotel and relax.

Day 3Intercity Train Rail from Vitória to Belo Horizonte

Today is one of the highlights of the entire tour. Embark on an 11 hour and 582 km long railway trip along the Rio Doce valley from Vitória to Belo Horizonte through the unique landscape of Minas Gerais. The longest and heaviest trains in the whole of South America also operate here.

Day 4Belo Horizonte City Tour & Transfer to Ouro Preto

Today, explore Belo Horizonte on a guided city tour. Visit all of the city’s highlights including the bold architecture in Pampulha, the Chapel of Sao Francisco designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Mineirão Stadium, the Municipal Park, the Afonso Pena Avenue and the Liberdade Palacio. Later, enter the massive Mercado Central where an abundance of Brazilian goodies are sold and enjoyed. Shop the market’s decadent chocolate shops, cheese booths, fruit and vegetable stands and more!

Day 5Ouro Preto Walking Tour & Mariana Steam Railway

Sightseeing in the morning. You walk along small cobbled streets where you can admire the neat gables, magnificent baroque buildings and with gold decorated churches. Ouro Preto (Black Gold), is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in whole Brazil. In the afternoon you will go on a train ride with the historic narrow gauge steam railway from Ouro Preto to Mariana in the mountains of Minas Gerais. Return to Ouro Preto.

Day 6Transfer from Ouro Preto to Tiradentes

This morning, transfer from Ouro Preto to Tiradentes. Travel along the Brazilian countryside full of lush green hills dotted with native animals. There will be one stop along the way at a local restaurant for a bite to eat.

Upon arrival in Tiradentes, check into the hotel and relax.

Day 7Maria Fumaça Train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei

In the morning you will drive to Tiradentes, a jewel of Baroque architecture. From the station, you will continue with Maria Fumaça, an old steam locomotive on 76 cm track width, to São João del Rei, 13 km away, an extraordinary experience. In São Jão del Rei visit the station and the railway museum with the largest collection of steam engines throughout Brazil.

Day 8São João del Rei - Petrópolis - Rio de Janeiro

Embark on a full day bus trip from São João del Rei to Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the “Cidade Maravilhosa.” En route, stop in Petrópolis, the town where Dom Pedro kept his summer palace during the imperial era. Once in Rio de Janeiro, check into your beachfront hotel on Copacabana Beach.

Day 9Rio de Janeiro & Sugarloaf Cable Car

Today you will visit the old city of Rio, as well as one of the two famous local mountains of the city, the Sugarloaf. With the cable car, you will reach the summit (396m) of Rio’s landmark from where you can enjoy a gorgeous view of Guanabara Bay. Ride to the center, where you will get on The Bonde, a very old tram, to the artist’s quarter Santa Teresa. For all transfers between today’s visiting points, you will use the Metro of Rio de Janeiro. The afternoon is free. Enjoy free hours at the Copacabana.

Day 10Corcovado Mountain & Depart Rio de Janeiro

Tour through the lush rain forest of Tijuca National Park with the cog railroad onto the second famous mountain in Rio de Janeiro, the Corcovado (710 m above the city). The 38-meter high statue of Christ the Redeemer stands at the top and offers breathtaking views over the southern districts. Afterward, drive to Ipanema and stroll along this posh beachfront neighborhood. In the afternoon, depart from the Rio de Janeiro airport for your flight home or to your next destination.

Summary

Tour Highlights

Train ride on meter gauge of Vitória to Belo Horizonte
Mariana steam engine ride
Steam Engine Tiradentes to São Jão del Rey
Steam engine railway museum
Rio de Janeiro city tour

Included

All trains, tours, transfers, and entrance fees
All breakfasts
9-Nights accommodations
English-speaking guides

Customize Tour to
Your Schedule & Style

Advanced Customization

Contact a Travel Expert

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - 2Arrive in Vitória, Brazil

Fly into São Paulo or Rio to start your Brazil train tour. Then transfer to Vitória, the sister city of Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Vitória. Check into the hotel and relax.

Day 3Intercity Train Rail from Vitória to Belo Horizonte

Day 4Belo Horizonte City Tour & Transfer to Ouro Preto

Day 5Ouro Preto Walking Tour & Mariana Steam Railway

Day 6Transfer from Ouro Preto to Tiradentes

Day 7Maria Fumaça Train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei

Day 8São João del Rei - Petrópolis - Rio de Janeiro

Day 9Rio de Janeiro & Sugarloaf Cable Car

Day 10Corcovado Mountain & Depart Rio de Janeiro

Customize This Trip

Estimated Tour Price Without Flights

Prices vary according to several factors including: season, number of people traveling, shared vs private excursions, when you book and rooming arrangements. These are from prices based on low season.

We can customize anything for any time of year! Contact us for an exact quote for your trip.

2 People 4 People 6 People

⭐⭐⭐

Budget

From 4576 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Classica
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Martinique
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Standard

From 4890 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Minas Gerais
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Leme Hotel
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo
Vitória Hotel Golden Tulip Porto Vitoria

⭐⭐⭐⭐➕ (Recommended)

Superior

From 5280 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Clarion Lourdes
Ouro Preto Hotel Luxor Ouro Preto
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Excelsior Copacabana
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Deluxe

From 6448 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Bourbon Belo Horizonte Business
Ouro Preto Pousada do Mondego
Rio de Janeiro Hilton Copacabana
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐

Standard

From 3861 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Classica
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Martinique
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior

From 4158 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Minas Gerais
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Leme Hotel
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo
Vitória Hotel Golden Tulip Porto Vitoria

⭐⭐⭐⭐➕ (Recommended)

Superior+

From 4505 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Clarion Lourdes
Ouro Preto Hotel Luxor Ouro Preto
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Excelsior Copacabana
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Luxury

From 5671 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Bourbon Belo Horizonte Business
Ouro Preto Pousada do Mondego
Rio de Janeiro Hilton Copacabana
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐

Standard

From 3361 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Classica
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Martinique
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior

From 3641 Per Person

Flights quoted separately

Belo Horizonte Othon Palace
Ouro Preto Pousada Minas Gerais
Rio de Janeiro Windsor Leme Hotel
São João del Rei Pousada Beco do Bispo
Vitória Hotel Golden Tulip Porto Vitoria

Download itinerary

Maria Fumaca Brazil Train Tour

Maria Fumaca Brazil Train Tour

This tour includes:

Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 - 2Arrive in Vitória, Brazil

Day 3Intercity Train Rail from Vitória to Belo Horizonte

Day 4Belo Horizonte City Tour & Transfer to Ouro Preto

Day 5Ouro Preto Walking Tour & Mariana Steam Railway

Day 6Transfer from Ouro Preto to Tiradentes

Day 7Maria Fumaça Train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei

Day 8São João del Rei - Petrópolis - Rio de Janeiro

Day 9Rio de Janeiro & Sugarloaf Cable Car

Day 10Corcovado Mountain & Depart Rio de Janeiro

Summary

Tour Highlights

Included

Customize Tour to Your Schedule & Style