Rio de Janeiro Culture and Sightseeing Package (5N)

Travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and experience its culture and heritage, with this 6 Day / 5 Night Travel Vacation Package and Tour in Rio de Janeiro City and Paraty.

Destinations Visited

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When one thinks of Rio de Janeiro, the images that instantly spring to mind are of beautiful beaches with gorgeous suntanned bodies, carnival and soccer (Brazilian football), to list but a few. These are all an integral part of Rio's exuberant culture and help to make this state one of the most exciting and interesting places to visit in Brazil. Rio has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is blessed with stunning natural aspects and a year-round pleasant climate. Uniquely situated on a narrow strip of land between the green mountains and the deep blue sea it is surrounded by granite based mountains, coves and white sand beaches. The most famous landmark is the Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), which has wonderful views of the city, the bay, and the Corcovado (the statue of Christ).

Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This colonial jewel in the State of Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1660, and in the 18th century gained fame and wealth as a result of the discovery of gold and diamonds in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais. The precious stones were transported by land to Paraty and from there either on to Rio or by ship to Portugal. For more than a century, Paraty flourished and its citizens prospered. Opulent mansions and large estates attested to the wealth of its residents. After Brazil declared independence in 1822, the export of gold to Portugal ceased and Paraty lost its strategic position and was forgotten. Its colonial heritage was consequently preserved and this beautiful colonial city was declared a national monument by UNESCO in 1966. Today Paratys architectural charm combined with an array of fine restaurants, bars, handicraft shops, boutiques and art galleries attract visitors from all over the world. In addition to its cultural marvels, Paraty has many natural beauties including beaches with pirate coves, waterfalls, national parks and numerous islands dotted along the coast.

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1

You will arrive in Rio de Janeiro and be met at the airport by a private driver who will take you to the elegant oceanfront Miramar Palace Hotel. After checking in, you may want to relax and have some lunch. We suggest lunch at Porcão, a barbecue buffet restaurant. In the afternoon you might like to take a wander around Copacabana and visit the famous beaches near your hotel.

Day 2

Today you will be taken on a city tour in your own private air-conditioned Land Rover Defender 110 to visit some of the most famous sites of Rio. Driving on the scenic Castorina Road towards the Corcovado (the Christ statue) you will stop to see the Mesa do Imperador (the Emperor's Table) and the Vista Chinesa (Chinese Lookout point) before entering the Tijuca National Park. In the park you will visit the principal hotspots: the Taunay Waterfall, the Mayrink Chapel and not to mention the view of the beautiful flora and fauna of the forest and the sounds of the Atlantic Forest birds. Still driving through tranquil scenic roads in the Tijuca National Park, the tour will take you across the top of the mountain in the direction of Corcovado. After experiencing the panoramic 360º views from the top of the Corcovado, you next stop will be the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, a historical district of old Rio, where artisans and artists live and work. You will be able to visit authentic local artisan stores and have lunch in one of the local restaurants, where you will experience the flavors of Brazilian cuisine. After lunch you will visit the Chacara do Céu Museum, a special place where nature, panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay and art are in total harmony with the landscape. Ending your tour at the Sugar Loaf, where you will be able to watch the magnificent sunset over the city and the bay, you will no doubt have fallen in love with this enchanted city. We suggest dinner at Da Brambini (Italian seafood) in Praia do Leme.

Day 3

After breakfast you will check out of the Miramar Palace hotel and be driven in an air-conditioned vehicle to Paraty (approximately a 3 hour drive). After checking in and perhaps grabbing a bite to eat, you will be taken on a private city tour by an English-speaking guide. Your tour will take you to the principal churches, museums, old colonial houses and other points of cultural historical interest. Your expert guide will recount stories and legends of centuries past while showing you great opportunities to record this beautiful colonial Portuguese town on film. The city tour has a duration of 2 hours.

Day 4

On your second day, the Gold Trail awaits you after breakfast. This tour leaves at 11am and begins by taking you to the panoramic points of the town. Followed by a visit to the different cachaca (sugar cane spirits) distilleries of Paraty, with a detailed explanation of the distillation and bottling process. Your tour then leads to the Serra da Bocaina National Park where you will see different waterfalls, including the well known Tabogan and Amizade waterfalls. Arriving at the Murycana Farm you will have the option of a trek to Pedra Branca waterfall, reputedly the most beautiful of the region. This tour takes you along part of the legendary Gold Trail. During your tour, lunch is included at the Restaurant Murycana . (Water and insect repellent are included.) The tour has a duration of 6 hours.

Day 5

Today your tour will be to some of the islands and beaches in the Bay of Paraty. The beaches here are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with calm, crystalline waters and Atlantic forest vegetation. Your tour will make 3 stops to visit the beaches of Lulas, Vermelha, Ilha do Algodao, Saco da Velha and some others. Lunch is included during one of the stops. A selection of tropical fruits is also included. Tour duration is 5 hours.

Day 6

On the last day of your package you will check out of your hotel at midday and say goodbye to Paraty. A private air-conditioned vehicle will take you to the airport in Rio de Janeiro. We are certain that you will have enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again in Brazil.If you happen to be in Rio on a Sunday the hippie fair (open-air handcrafts market) at Praça Gen Osório in Ipanema is worth a visit.
There is an evening dinner show (Samba show and dinner) available, if you are interested, which is not included in the above package. Please let us know if you would like us to book this for you.