Itinerary Details
Upon arrival at the São Paulo Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and you will be transferred to your hotel.
Welcome dinner at the Skye Restaurant or similar.
Accommodation: L’ Hotel Porto Bay or similar, São Paulo.
After breakfast, you will embark into a full-day exploration of Sao Polo (around 7-8 hours).
Your tour begins with a visit at the Ibirapuera Park, the main green area of the city, where you will see the Obelisk of São Paulo, the Monumento às Bandeiras (Monument to the Flags) and several art-woks made by Oscar Niemeyer, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) and the Oca. The route takes you through the fancy streets of the Jardins neighborhood, adorned by the Unique Hotel and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Brasil, until you reach the Vila Madalena neighborhood, with its unusual and colorful Batman Alley and its graffiti-covered murals. You will then continue to the famous Paulista Avenue to see the imposing Copan and Italia buildings, the Anhangabaú Valley, the Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theatre), the Pateo do Collegio (the place where the city was founded), the São Bento Monastery and the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral located at Praça da Sé (Sé Square). You will also pass by the Pinacoteca Museum, the Luz Station, the Holy Art Museum and the famous Municipal Market of São Paulo (food market).
Visiting stops: Ibirapuera Park (Monument to the Flags and Museum of Contemporary Art - MAC), Batman Alley and Municipal Market of São Paulo.
Accommodation: L’ Hotel Porto Bay or similar, São Paulo.
One single day in São Paulo does not do justice to the city. Enjoy a free day exploring its various attractions and alleys at your own pace and breath in the essence of one of the most glorious cities of Brazil.
Accommodation: L’ Hotel Porto Bay or similar, São Paulo.
After breakfast, you will leave São Paulo and head to Paraty: the second city of your trip (a 4-6-hour drive). In the afternoon, at around 4PM, you will meet your new local guide at your hotel and will depart on a private walking tour in the historical center.
Historical Walking Tour (1.5-2 hours): You will explore the historic old town of Paraty, a UNESCO-nominated World Heritage site. Beautiful colonial architecture, advanced street design, exiled Portuguese royalty and the dark past of the slave trade: these are just some of the ingredients that make Paraty’s history rich and colorful to the present day.
Accommodation: Pousada do Ouro or similar, Paraty.
After breakfast, you will head to the pier to board a schooner for a private tour around Paraty’s Bay.
Schooner Tour (5h): Paraty is surrounded by lush rainforest vegetation and crystal-clear waters. During the tour, you will stop at islands or remote beaches to relax, swim or snorkel.
Please note: Wear your swimsuit under your clothes; bring a towel, sunscreen, hat and bottled water. Fruits, and an individual snorkel kit will be available on the schooner.
Accommodation: Pousada do Ouro or similar, Paraty.
In the morning, after breakfast, you will head to the beach for a sea kayaking activity.
Sea Kayaking (3-4 hours): Kayaking offers you the opportunity to get closer to nature without the noise of a motorboat. You will be able to see the local wildlife and visit places like the mangroves, the islands and the nearby beaches (tide permitting). The views of the old town and the coastal mountain range behind Paraty are spectacular. There are various routes you can follow and no previous experience is required.
Included: Fruits and water; Kayak and safety equipment rental; Dry bags for electronic equipment.
In the evening, prepare to delve deeper into the Brazilian culture with an exciting cooking class.
Cooking Class (3h-4h) (without guide): Join Richard Roberts and Yara Castro Roberts, renowned Brazilian chefs, Emmy winning PBS cooking show hosts and authors, who will help you prepare a refined Brazilian dinner. The menus are from six regional and historical cuisines such as Minas Gerais, Bahia, Amazonas, and Cerrado. At the end of the course, you will enjoy the four-course dinner prepared by yourselves, ending with coffee or mint tea and a tasting of aged cachaça. While cooking, Yara will recount stories that will help you connect the different ingredients and snapshots of Brazilian history so that you can understand even better Brazil’s rich culture.
Accommodation: Pousada do Ouro or similar, Paraty.
Enjoy a free day exploring the town at your own pace.
Accommodation: Pousada do Ouro or similar, Paraty.
After breakfast, you will head to Rio de Janeiro (a 4-6-hour drive). Upon arrival and after checking-in in the hotel, you can enjoy the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the neighborhood at your own pace.
Accommodation: Arena Ipanema – Luxury Apartment, Rio de Janeiro.
In the morning, you will meet your new guide and you will embark on a full-day city tour around Rio de Janeiro. As expected, you will start with the Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain.
Christ the Redeemer: Christ the Redeemer (38 m high) is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and is located at the Corcovado Mountain (710 meters). To reach the top, you will board a centenarian eco-friendly electric train, which does not pollute and cuts through the well-preserved Atlantic Forest – part of Tijuca's National Park. The ride takes about 20min (one way). Upon reaching the top, at the foot of Cristo Redentor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Then, you will head downtown to walk around the historical and modern buildings of the city.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sugarloaf (396m/1299ft): The Sugar Loaf Mountain (a trademark of Rio de Janeiro) enjoys a privileged location in the city. In the first part of the cable-car ride, you will be able to see the entire Guanabara Bay, Corcovado and Rio-Niteroi Bridge, while in the second part you can enjoy panoramic views of the Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz Fortress and some beaches of Niterói.
Optional (no extra cost): Hiking towards Urca Hill (220m/721ft). You will walk on the Cláudio Coutinho path and take the trail to reach the Urca Hill.
Hiking details: the hike is of a moderate-level difficulty; the trail is short but steep rising going uphill on rough terrain. It takes about 40 minutes (one way).
Accommodation: Arena Ipanema – Luxury Apartment, Rio de Janeiro.
Enjoy a free day exploring Rio De Janeiro at your own pace.
Accommodation: Arena Ipanema – Luxury Apartment, Rio de Janeiro.
Today you will enjoy a half-day hiking tour in the Tijuca forest.
Tijuca Express Hike (4–5 hours): Hile to the top of Pedra Bonita for about 3,5km/2.2 miles (approx. 2h). From there, you will enjoy majestic views of Pedra da Gavea, the highest monolith (844m/2762 ft high) in the world close to the sea. The trail goes through the Atlantic Rainforest inside the Tijuca National Park: one of the largest urban forests globally. On the way up, you will learn more on the history of Rio and Tijuca Forest and the coffee farms that used to exist there.
Hiking details: it is a short and easy trail with height exposure and cliffs at the summit. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring water and snacks.
Accommodation: Arena Ipanema – Luxury Apartment, Rio de Janeiro.
After breakfast and depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. Alternatively, you may extend your trip to visit the Iguassu Falls.
Optional Extension: Iguassu Falls (4 days)
After breakfast, you will head to the airport for a domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu (cost of flight not included).
Upon arrival at the airport of Foz do Iguaçu, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and you will be transferred to your hotel. There, you will leave your luggage (early check-in is not guaranteed) and change clothes before departing for the Iguazu Expedition Tour.
Important: In order to do the Iguazu Expedition Tour on arrival day (and stop at the hotel first), it is important to book flights arriving at IGU until 12 pm max. (the tour starts at 2 pm).
Iguazu Expedition (3 hours) (shared): This is a thrilling tour into the woods and on the banks of the Iguazu River Canyon (at Remanso Grande), a place of unique beauty, 14km below the falls. You will start the tour on a trail of moderate level (450m – approx. 20min) through the Indigenous Ecological Trail that leads to the Canoeing Base, located on the riverbanks.
From the Canoeing Base, instructions will be given, and the necessary safety equipment will be supplied. You will paddle the kayaks or SUP (Stand Up Paddle) on the Iguazu River (1,800-meters roundtrip of approx. 1h duration - easy to moderate level): a light and relaxing activity that will allow you to enjoy the surrounding nature, the waterfalls, the rivers and the streams. Once this water-based activity ends, you will continue on a trail of moderate difficulty, walking downhill (450m – approx. 20min) towards Arroio Feliz (Happy Stream), where you will enjoy a waterfall bath.
Details on the activities: They are easy to moderate level. Recommended to be in good physical condition (not recommended for those with limited mobility), up to 60 years old (unless the person is active).
Recommendation: bring a bottle of drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen, light snack and wear appropriate clothing for the activity - trousers to walk in the rainforest, walking shoes and bathing suit.
Accommodation: Samna Hotel – Superior Room or similar, Foz do Iguaçu.
In the morning, you will head to the Bird Park to enjoy an exclusive Backstage Experience.
Bird Park Backstage Experience (2.5 hours – shared activity): The backstage experience offers you the opportunity to look inside the Bird Park with access to restricted areas and privileged contact with some birds. With the help of the Bird Park’s qualified guides, you will get a better understand of the conservation and rescue programs available in the region.
At the end of the experience, you will be taken to an outdoor deck to enjoying refreshing seasonal juices and snacks.
Note: The Backstage Experience is available from Tuesday to Sunday at 09am or 2pm (subject to changes). It is important to arrive 30min earlier. The Bird Park is closed on Mondays. The tour is limited to 8-10 pax per tour.
Important: Since animal welfare is an absolute priority, the content and schedule of the tours can vary without prior notice.
Afterwards, you will head to the Brazilian National Park to visit the Brazilian side of the falls.
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls (1.5-2.5 hours): Enjoy the best panoramic views of the Brazilian side of the falls. You will arrive at the visitor’s center, located 12 km from the heart of the park, and you will be transferred on specially-conditioned vehicles to the beginning of the trail. From there, you will follow the path on a walking tour of approximately 1 km long, admiring on the way the falls from different viewpoints. At the end of the catwalk, you will encounter and feel the magnitude of some of the main falls (80 meters high e 2780 meters wide) right next to you, beneath your feet, and in the surrounding landscape.
Note: Please note that the proximity of the falls can get your clothes wet.
Finally, you will head to the Macuco Safari station to embark on a thrilling boat tour near the falls.
Macuco Safari as a Brazilian Falls Extension (1.5-2 hours) (shared): This tour takes place inside the Iguaçu National Park (Brazil), about seven kilometers from the Visitors’ Center. The first part begins with a jeep ride through the rainforest, and then, a walk for about 600 meters up to the specially prepared boats that will get you to the bottom of Iguaçu Falls. From there, you will have the unique opportunity to admire the Falls from up close. Whirlpools, waves and currents provoked by the falls add adrenaline and lots of emotions to this unforgettable tour.
Note: This tour is not recommended for those with heart and back problems. No children restriction.
Accommodation: Samna Hotel – Superior Room or similar, Foz do Iguaçu.
Enjoy a free day exploring Iguaçu at your own pace or consult us for optional tours (not included).
Optional (not included) Argentinian Side of Iguazu Falls (6h – 7h)
The Argentinian side of the Falls offers the visitors the opportunity to get close to several waterfalls via catwalks surrounded by nature. You will start the tour at the Lower Circuit and then enjoy a higher view from the Upper Circuit. Return to the trail and board on a train (also possible to continue on foot) at the Cataratas Station to follow a long flat catwalk (1100 meters) built over the Upper Iguazu River that leads visitors to a fantastic close-up encounter with the magnificent Devil's Throat. You can enjoy lunch at the park (cost not included).
Note 1: The Argentinian side has longer trails, so we recommend comfortable shoes. Please note that proximity to the falls can get yours clothes wet.
Note 2: To visit the Argentinian side you will have to cross the border so remember to keep your passport handy, as well as visa documents or any other documents that may be necessary at the time of the excursion (if requested) – visa costs not included.
Accommodation: Samna Hotel – Superior Room or similar, Foz do Iguaçu.
After breakfast, and depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
