Rio, Tropical Island & the Historical Port of Paraty

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your beachfront hotel. Embrace the vivacious carioca lifestyle and go for a stroll or relax on the beach and people watch.

Today’s tour takes you to the iconic "Christ the Redeemer" statue, which stands on top of Corcovado Mountain, looking out with outstretched arms over Guanabara Bay. Board the trenzinho (cogwheel railway) along the lush Tijuca Forest to the summit. Take in panoramic views of the city as well as close-up views of the incredible statue.

Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You can visit the popular Copacabana Beach, or Ipanema, famous for the classic bossa nova song ‘A garota de Ipanema.’

Explore the ‘marvelous city’ on a guided city tour. First visit the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak that towers over Guanabara Bay, right in the midst of Rio de Janeiro. Take the cable car ride to the top of Urca Mountain, the nearby peak and continue towards Sugarloaf. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of the city, forests, hills, beaches, and islands dotting the bay.

The tour continues with a historical twist - learn about how the prince of Portugal broke away from the crown, declared himself Emperor of Brazil, and succeeded in securing Brazil's independence from Portugal.

In the afternoon, relax and explore the beaches or go on another Rio de Janeiro tour.

After breakfast, transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis where you will catch a ferry to Vila do Abraão in Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande is an island located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The island features pristine Atlantic Rainforest vegetation, 150 km (93 mi) of walking trails, waterfalls, tranquil villages and secluded beaches.  There are no cars or roads on the island, making Ilha Grande even more unique. The whole island is a protected area in the Ilha Grande State Park.

Check into your tropical pousada and relax. You're in paradise!

Have breakfast at the pousada and choose what tour you would like to take in Ilha Grande. Choose between visiting Lopes Mendes Beach or Lagoa Azul.

Lopes Mendes Beach: This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Lopes Mendes, located in the southeastern part of the island. Take a boat ride and a short trek through the forest and arrive at a relaxing beach filled with white sand and crystal-clear water.

Lagoa Azul: On the northernmost region of Ilha Grande you will find Lagoa Azul, Portuguese for ‘Blue Lagoon.’ Here you can take a schooner cruise to Ilha Comprida and from there you can enjoy this enthralling lagoon and swim among its colorful fish.

Afterwards, return to the pousada for your last night on the island.

After breakfast in the pousada, transfer to Paraty, a beautiful colonial town in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Take a boat ride to the shores of Angra dos Reis, then transfer to Paraty. Located on Brazil’s lush Costa Verde, Paraty allows visitors to learn about the history of the country as they explore its quaint cobblestone streets and take in mesmerizing ocean views.

Go on a walking tour through Paraty and admire the colonial architecture from the 19th century, when the Brazilian Imperial era started. Your guide will tell you the peculiar story of Brazil’s independence, which varies in many aspects from those of its Hispanic neighbors.

The cobblestone streets and the lampposts create fantastic scenery that is ideal for taking pictures.

Paraty has remote islands and beautiful beaches. This area is surrounded by Mata Atlantica, you can see the green foliage of the mountains reflecting in the water, giving it a striking green hue. This morning, choose between snorkeling or hiking along the beach.  Capture the adventure by taking lots photos of the spectacular scenery.

After the tour, you may also want to explore the surrounding Serra do Mar Mountains. There are several natural preserves, including Serra da Bocaina National Park, Serra do Mar State Park (of São Paulo), the Park Reserve of Joatinga and the Environmental Protection Area of Cairuçu.

In the evening, return to Paraty and relax. There are often music and dance shows going on in the town, so get out and enjoy some Brazilian music.

Note: Entrance fees to the churches are not included.

Admire the alluring views of Paraty one last time before taking a 4-hour transfer back to Rio de Janeiro. Your tour finishes here, so you can choose to spend some additional time in Rio or continue to your next destination in South America.