Botanical Garden

The Rio Botanical Garden covers an area of 137 hectares, where 54 hectares are cultivated, and the other 83 hectares are still of native vegetation. The cultivated area is divided into 24 rows, 40 sections and 40 garden beds, totaling almost 6.000 species.

The history of the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro begins with the arrival of the Portuguese Royal Family to the country in 1808. Shortly after arriving, the Prince João VI founded the Botanical Garden ordering the construction of an acclimatization garden for growing species brought from the East Indies.

The Garden also houses monuments of historical, artistic and archaeological significance. The Botanical Garden has an important research institute, which develops a wide range of botanical studies in Brazil.

Frequency: Tuesdays – Saturdays, in the morning (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Approximate duration: 4hr

Corcovado Mountain & Christ The Redeemer Statue

Reach the top of "Corcovado" by rail. A modern Swiss-made cogwheel rail climbs through "Tijuca" Rain Forest to the top of the mountain (710 meters). The cogwheel takes about 17 minutes, at a maximum speed of 15km/h on its way up, and 22 minutes, at 12km/h, on its way down.

One of the most amazing views during this trip is the one of "Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas". At the very top of the mountain, carved in soapstone mosaic in the finest art nouveau style, stands the Christ the Redeemer, a 38 meters tall statue with arms outstretched as if it were blessing the city. The above view of nearly the entire city is nothing but breathtaking.

Frequency: Daily departures in the afternoon (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Approximate duration: 4hr

Historical Rio - Walking Tour

Our expert guide will lead you through the colonial avenues, squares and narrow streets of Rio, explaining the important historical, political and social events that shaped Rio into South America's most exciting city.

The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, such as the São Bento Monastery, Candelaria (the candle-makers), Praça XV, the "Travessa do Mercado", Imperial Court, the cultural centre located in the beautifully-restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa França-Brasil, Ouvidor (the listeners) Street and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop.

The walk continues on down Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square up to the Metropolitan Cathedral where passengers will meet the transportation that will take them back to their hotels.

Frequency: Tuesdays – Thursdays – Fridays, in the afternoon (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Approximate duration: 4hr

Jeep Tour in Tijuca Forest

Just a few steps from the streets of Rio lies the thriving oasis of Tijuca, the world’s largest urban rainforest. Contained within the city limits, this lush jungle is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife. You will nter the Tijuca Rainforest in an open jeep, truly emphasizing the contrast between the stone jungle of Rio and the lush green backdrop of Tijuca.

Feel the refreshing spray of the Monkey’s and Taunay Waterfalls, pausing to soak in impressive views of Rio and its surroundings at Vista Chinesa. No visit to the rainforest would be complete without actually hiking the trails under the canopy and interacting with this amazing ecosystem. Enjoy an approximately 20 to 30 minute hike along a pleasant trail as you see the plants, animals, butterflies and birds of the Rain Forest.

Frequency: Daily departures in the morning and afternoon (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Duration: 4hr

Petrópolis - The Imperial City

Located about 800 meters above sea level, the city of Petropolis is located 60 km away from Rio and has been called the Imperial City since the times of the Emperor Pedro II. Settled by the Germans, Petropolis keeps the memory of Brazilian history alive with its buildings and charming streets.

This tour starts with the visit to the Imperial Museum, which has been the summer residence of the Emperor D. Pedro II, and keeps furniture and objects such as the crown of gold, pearls and diamonds used by D. Pedro I and D. Pedro II.

The tour will continue on to the Gothic Cathedral where Princess Isabel was buried along with the tombstones of D. Pedro II and his wife. From there you will see the Crystal Palace, built in France and mounted in Brazil, destined to shelter exhibitions and great parties promoted by Princess Isabel.

Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, in the morning (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Duration: 8hr

Sugar Loaf

Ride through Rio’s beautiful architectonic monuments, passing by the Sambodrome, where Rio’s famous Carnival Parade takes place and visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral, located in Downtown area.

Familiarize yourself with traditional Cinelândia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

After the panoramic tour, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf.

You’ll travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for which already grants beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain.

From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the second Hill, called “Pão de Açúcar” (Sugar Loaf). At 395 meters we’ll enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niterói. You will for sure be amazed by the awesome views.

Frequency: Daily departures in the morning (exact pick up time to be informed upon booking confirmation)
Approximate duration: 4hr.

Amazon Rain Forest

The term Rainforest was coined to describe forests that grows in constantly wet conditions.

They can occur wherever the annual rainfall is more than 2,000 mm (80 inches) and evenly spread throughout the year. The Amazon Rainforest contains the largest area of tropical forest in the world, covering 6 million sq. kilometers in 9 different countries (60% in Brazil).

At the heart of this region lies the huge Amazon River, the second longest in the world, which has at least 1,000 tributaries and holds more than 20% of the planet's fresh water, being the Rio Negro its larger tributary. The jungle hotels provide comfort and safety for the discovery and exploration of the vast flora and fauna of the region. The Amazonian folklore and cuisine with its regional products also offer special attractions.

Angra dos Reis

Angra dos Reis is the principal town along the aptly named Costa Verde (Green Coast) that runs two hundred miles south of Rio to the border with the state of Sao Paulo.

This lush, mountainous region receives more rain than the Mediterranean region of Búzios north of Rio, and as a result is verdant and tropical. The beaches are fantastic, not only for their white sand and swaying palm trees, but for their dramatic view of the great bay of Angra which is dotted with hundreds of islands, some inhabited some not.

Buzios

Only 105 miles from Rio De Janeiro, a pleasant 2-hour trip takes you to the Peninsula of Búzios, whose more than 20 magnificent beaches and crystal-clear water contrast with the exuberantly sculptured landscape and exotic vegetation, which a prodigal "Mother Nature" has privileged with a wonderful year-round summer. Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this happy mixture of many bloods prospered and became a picturesque fishing village.

Elected as one of the 10 most beautiful areas in the world, famous for it's unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty, sophisticated boutiques and restaurants frequented by visitors who come from all over the world to savor its magic. Approximately 5 miles long, the Búzios peninsula is bathed by the Brazilian and Antarctic maritime currents.

Inhotim

Located in Brumadinho, 60 Km from the state capital Belo Horizonte, Inhotim has attractive contemporary art and plants, currently the great destination of Minas Gerais.

Instituto Inhotim began to be conceived in the mid-1980s by Minas Gerais businessman Bernardo de Mello Paz. With time, this parcel of private land was transformed into a unique place, with one of the most significant collections of contemporary art in the world and a botanical collection containing rare species from every continent. The collections are used as tools for the development of educational and social activities involving various age groups. Inhotim, a Public Interest Civil Society Organization (OSCIP) has also constructed various areas for interaction with the surrounding communities. Through its multidisciplinary activities, Inhotim has continuously consolidated its role as a driving force for sustainable human development.

Ouro Preto

Located in the State of Minas Gerais, founded in the early eighteenth century, Ouro Preto is a masterpiece of colonial Brazilian architecture and art and UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.

Here the intricate details of the building and art works clearly reflect the originality and autonomy of the craftsmen and artists who created this monument of Brazilian baroque style.

The painting of Manuel da Costa Athaíde and the sculptures of Antônio Francisco Lisboa – Aleijadinho, are living examples of this period of enormous creative inspiration.

The town has thirteen churches and numerous public monuments and buildings.

The most popular churches are Saint Francis, Our Lady of Carmo, Our Lady of the Rosary, Pilar and Antônio Dias. Other important sites include the Casa dos Contos (the former minting house), the Inconfidência Museum (which documents Brazil’s earliest independence movement), the Mineralogical Museum and the world class Museu do Oratório (with its magnificent collection old sacred art, especially oratories).

Pantanal

A long with the Amazon Basis, the Pantanal is one of the last virgin areas on the face of earth. A huge lowland plain, it is entirely overgrown by luxuriant vegetation dotted by thousands of rainbow colored flowers, which bloom during the rainy season (January - June). It shelters innumerable rivers and crystal clear lakes.

Along their shores are rare species of animals such as jaguars, peccaries, bob-cats, wild boards not to mention flocks of ducks, Gray Teals, pigeons, partridges and herons who live in total and undisturbed freedom protected by the laws that created the National Parks. No experience is more rewarding than a "safari" into this privileged wilderness to photograph the countless birds and animals silhouetted against the brilliant backdrop of foliage and blue skies.

Paraty

A significant advantage to visiting this region is the ability to spend a couple of days at a delightful beach resort and then hop down the coast to spend time in the beautifully-preserved colonial city of Parati.

Once the richest port city in Brazil (the mineral wealth of Ouro Preto passed through here en route to Portugal) this sleepy village has become a Mecca for artisans and refugees from big cites who enjoy the combination of gracious colonial architecture and a funky bohemian café scene.