Hiking Rio's Hidden Gems

Welcome to Brazil! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. for your welcome meeting. Afterward a transfer will pick you up to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Aeropuerto Internacional de Galeão (GIG).

Today, experience the best of Rio de Janeiro through an unforgettable blend of nature and iconic sights. After breakfast, you’ll head out to hike through the lush Tijuca Forest to breathtaking viewpoints. Enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by nature, then visit the world-famous Christ the Redeemer for sweeping panoramic views of the city. The day wraps up with time to explore Santa Teresa and the colorful Selarón Steps, capturing the vibrant spirit of Rio before returning to the hotel. Today you’ll want to wear athletic shoes or hiking boots, bring water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

• Tijuca Forest - Pedra Bonita Hike

  Early in the morning, transfer 30 minutes from the hotel into Tijuca National Park. The experience begins in the Tijuca Forest, where you’ll hike to the summit of Pedra Bonita, following scenic trails through the Atlantic Rainforest and enjoying panoramic views over the city, coastline, and mountains. Distance: 2 miles / Elevation Gain: 650 ft / Duration: 1.5–2 hours / Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

  07:30· 180 min· Rio de Janeiro
• Corcovado Mountain & Christ Redeemer

  After the hike, you’ll transfer 30 minutes to the Christ Redeemer statue. Enroute you’ll stop to explore the forest with short walks to natural highlights such as Cascatinha Taunay waterfall (0.4 miles) and the Vista Chinesa viewpoint (0.6 miles), offering beautiful forest and city views. The day then continues to Corcovado Mountain to visit the legendary Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, with unforgettable panoramic views over Rio de Janeiro.

  12:00· 180 min
• Santa Teresa & Selarón Steps

  In the afternoon, continue to Santa Teresa, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most charming and artistic neighborhoods. Enjoy relaxed walks and scenic stops at Largo dos Guimarães, the historic Parque das Ruínas with its panoramic views, and the colorful Selarón Steps, one of the city’s most iconic photo spots. This portion of the day offers a slower pace and a cultural contrast to the morning’s nature-focused activities. Expect to walk around 1.5 miles. The day concludes with a return to the hotel in the late afternoon or early evening.

  15:30· 180 min· Rio de Janeiro

Escape the crowds and discover Rio’s hidden side on a hike to the wild beaches of Barra de Guaratiba. In the morning, transfer out of the city to begin your hike to the hidden beaches. Accessible only by trail or boat, these untouched beaches offer dramatic coastal scenery, crystal-clear waters, and a true off-the-beaten-path experience. You’ll hike to Perigoso and Búzios beaches where you’ll be able to swim and relax in the calm clear waters. Then you’ll hike back out and transfer back to the city. Today you’ll want to wear athletic shoes or hiking boots, bring water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a towel.

• Wild Beaches of Guaratiba Hike

  Hidden on the western edge of the “Marvelous City,” the wild beaches of Barra de Guaratiba remain one of Rio’s best-kept secrets. Far from the city’s busy beaches, this remote stretch of coastline is accessible only by trail or boat, rewarding visitors with pristine landscapes and a strong sense of seclusion. The experience begins at Guaratiba Beach, where we start a gentle hike of approximately 45 minutes along a scenic coastal trail. The walk leads us to two of the region’s most beautiful and unspoiled beaches: Perigoso and Búzios, known for their raw beauty, clear waters, and peaceful atmosphere. Along the way, there is the option to climb Tartaruga Stone, an impressive 100-meter (330 ft) rock formation that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Rio’s wild coastline—an unforgettable photo opportunity for those who choose to take it. Upon reaching Perigoso Beach, enjoy free time to relax, swim, or simply take in the natural surroundings before beginning the hike back to Guaratiba. Distance: 3.1 miles | Hiking time: approx. 2 hours | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Elevation Gain: approx. 330 ft

  08:30· 300 min· Rio de Janeiro
• Transfer to Guaratiba Beach

  Take a private transfer to Guaratiba Beach.

  75 min
• Return Transfer to Rio de Janeiro

  Take a private transfer back to Rio de Janeiro.

  75 min

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Rio de Janeiro at your own pace. Take the opportunity to unwind or explore the city on your own, whether strolling along the beach, enjoying the ocean views, or spending time at a café. Your guide will be available to suggest optional activities or provide recommendations based on your interests. For those looking to add a gentle adventure to the day, an optional Ocean Kayaking experience is available. This private excursion offers a unique perspective of Rio’s coastline as you paddle through calm waters with Sugarloaf Mountain rising beside you and the city skyline stretching into the distance.

Escape the city for a full-day nature experience in Serra dos Órgãos National Park. Enjoy scenic mountain views, an iconic hike to Cartão Postal viewpoint overlooking Dedo de Deus, walks through lush tropical forest, and time to swim in refreshing natural river pools. Today you’ll want to wear athletic shoes or hiking boots, bring water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a towel.

• Full-Day Tour to Serra dos Órgãos National Park

  Upon arrival at the park headquarters in Teresópolis, the day begins with a gentle walk along the Suspended Bridge Trail, a one-hour stroll through the treetops that provides an excellent introduction to the park’s lush Atlantic Forest ecosystem. You will also visit the small Von Marius Natural History Museum, offering insight into the region’s flora and fauna. Continue to the highlight of the day, the Cartão Postal Viewpoint, taking approximately another 2 hours of hiking. This well-maintained trail leads to one of the park’s most iconic viewpoints, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of jagged peaks, including the famous Dedo de Deus (God’s Finger). The trail reaches a highest point of approximately 1,280 meters (4,200 ft). After the hike, there is time to stop for lunch (not included). The afternoon continues with a short 30-minute round-trip hike to the Soberbo River, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in natural pools and waterfalls, also known as Poço Verde. Following a relaxing afternoon in nature, return to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Distance: 3.1 miles / Elevation Gain: 985 ft / Duration: 3-4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate

  09:30· 360 min· Rio de Janeiro
• Transfer to Serra dos Órgãos National Park

  Take a private transfer to Serra dos Órgãos National Park.

  90 min
• Return Transfer to Rio de Janeiro

  Take a private transfer back to Rio de Janeiro.

  60 min

After breakfast today you will transfer to Urca where you will begin your hike. Upon reaching the first and lower hill of Sugarloaf mountain, you will board a cable car to ascend the rest of the way. After enjoying views at the top, you’ll take the cable car back down to Morro da Urca and then hike the same trail back down. Then you’ll transfer back to the hotel with the rest of the day at your leisure. Today you’ll want to wear athletic shoes or hiking boots, bring water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

• Half-Day Sugar Loaf Hike

  At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Urca neighborhood, home to the famous Sugarloaf Natural Monument. The experience begins with a guided hike along a short but steep trail that winds through preserved Atlantic Forest, leading to the summit of Morro da Urca, the first and lower hill of the Sugarloaf complex. From Morro da Urca, you will board the historic Sugarloaf cable car and ascend to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. From the top, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views where the ocean, city skyline, bays, and surrounding hills merge into one of the most celebrated landscapes in the world. Along the way, your guide will share insights into Rio’s history, including fascinating facts about Sugarloaf and its cable car system—one of the oldest in the world, inaugurated in 1912. After ample time at the summit to take photos and enjoy the scenery, you will descend by cable car back to Morro da Urca. From there, the hike continues downhill along the same trail, returning to the starting point. This area holds great historical significance, as it marks the location where Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1565, following Portuguese military action against French forces. Distance: 2 miles / Elevation Gain: 720 ft / Duration: 4–5 hours / Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

  15:00· 300 min· Rio de Janeiro

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Aeropuerto Internacional de Galeão (GIG).