Brazil with James Jackson

Let's raise a glass together to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place at a local restaurant, just a brief 15-minute transfer from the hotel. Your meal will be a 2-course set menu offering a taste of the most authentic Brazilian flavors with 1 non-alcoholic beverage included. Additional beverages are not included and can be purchased at the venue. Keep in mind that the menu is subject to change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

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

A packed lunch will be provided to enjoy during the hike. The lunch box includes a baguette-style sandwich (turkey breast, gouda cheese, lettuce, and tomato), two pieces of fruit, and a local sweet or cereal bar, subject to change.

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.

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.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

Take a private transfer to Guaratiba Beach.

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

A packed lunch will be provided to enjoy during the hike. The lunch box includes a baguette-style sandwich (turkey breast, gouda cheese, lettuce, and tomato), two pieces of fruit, and a local sweet or cereal bar.

Take a private transfer back to Rio de Janeiro.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the coastal neighborhood of Urca, located at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. Upon arrival, your guide will provide a safety briefing and fit you with the necessary equipment before beginning the ocean kayaking experience. This private kayaking excursion offers a unique way to experience Rio de Janeiro from the water. You will paddle through calm coastal waters, with the impressive granite peak of Sugarloaf Mountain rising beside you and panoramic views of the city skyline in the background. During the outing, there will be time to pause, swim, relax, and enjoy a snack while taking in the surrounding scenery. For guests who prefer to paddle together, Hawaiian canoes are also available. The activity concludes at Urca Beach, where your vehicle will be waiting for the return transfer to the hotel. The total duration of the experience is approximately 4 hours, including around 2 hours of paddling. All necessary kayaking equipment is provided. Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for water activities and bring extra dry clothes, beach sandals, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and snacks in a small backpack. The route is suitable for beginners and does not require prior kayaking experience, although confident swimming skills are mandatory. Life jackets are included.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

Take a private transfer 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

Take a private transfer back to Rio de Janeiro.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

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

Tonight's gathering will take place at a local restaurant, just a brief 15-minute transfer from the hotel. Your meal will be a 2-course set menu offering a taste of the most authentic Brazilian flavors with 1 non-alcoholic beverage included. Additional beverages are not included and can be purchased at the venue. Keep in mind that the menu is subject to change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.