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Brazil Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Rio / Amazon / Pantanal / Iguassu / Salvador / Chapada Diamantina / Ilha Grande / Buzios
Paraty / Natal / Brasilia / Bonito / Fernando de Noronha / Florianopolis / Itacare / Chapada dos Veadeiros / Praia do Forte
Northeast 4x4 / Rio Grande do Sul / Ouro Preto/ Lencois Marenhenses / Curitiba Area / Morro de Sao Paulo / Group Suggestions

Rio Grande do Sul Brazil Tours

Rio Grande do Sul reserves adventures of all kinds and degrees. Its concentration is located in the canyons of Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza, two marvels of nature of the south of the country. Huge geological gaps up to 800 meters deep, are filled with waterfalls, atlantic forest, prime forests, and surrounded by the top fields of the mountain ridge. So beautiful and significant that two national parks were created to protect them, Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra and Parque Nacional da Serra Geral. The canyons offer most beautiful spectacles: walking around them we feel tempted to lie down at the edge and look down. The sight is dazzling down there - the cliffs of the rivers look like pebbles and the trees remind one of the shapes of a Japanese garden. The countless rivers of the region drop into. the gorge of the canyons and many of them arrive down there as moist mist: there is not enough water to reach the ground.

But the adventures offered by the south of Brazil are not only formed by canyons: ecotourism, gastronomy, culture... there is everything. For example, rafting on Rio Parana, one of the most beautitul in the country in a clean river and-surrounded by much green vegetation. Or then canyoning, which can be performed at Trilha das Tres Forquilhas, on a thick and high wall 40 meters high and a waterfall of 20. Aren't you tired yet? How about Vale da- Ferradura, a park leaning out over a valley where the Rio Santa Cruz is in the shape of a horeshoe? The trail leading down to the river takes an hour to go on and the reward is a delicious bath. To end a full. day, the night offers varied gastronomical programs: pampa food, colonial coffee1 rodizio of fondues and pizzas, tempered with much music and dancing. Aparados da Serra is a destination- to be revealed, replete with unforgettable scenery.

Aparados da Serra Canyons

An active 4 days tour of the "Grand Canyons" of Brazil, trekking through the canyons and highlands of Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral National Parks. Here you will find green, lush canyons, some up to 7km long and 800m high. They have a unique biodiversity: Atlantic rainforest at the bottom, cloud forest in the steep escarpments and Araucaria Forest on the tablelands known as Campos de Cima da Serra. The canyons are within the Aparados da Serra and the Serra Geral National Parks and from our base in the coastal plains we will explore the Itaimbezinho, the Malacara and Índios Coroados canyons.

Day 1: Transfer from Porto Alegre (3 hours 30 min) or Florianópolis ( 4 to 5 hours) to Refúgio Pedra Afiada. Rest of the day free. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 2: Optional trek or day trip of your choice.

Day 3: Optional trek or day trip of your choice.

Day 4: After breakfast transfer back to Florianópolis or Porto Alegre.

Some optional trips and treks:

Malacara Canyon viewpoint
After breakfast we drive up the “Serra do Faxinal “ to reach the tablelands of the Campos de Cima da Serra. After an hour´s drive, we will start a 8 miles trek through a typical catlle ranch that will take us to the border of the Malacara canyon, the lushest of the canyons in the National Park. The scenery up here is of immense fields cut by small rivers, waterfalls and pockets of Araucaria forest. When we reach the viewpoint we will have, in a clear day, views all the way to the coast. After a snack lunch, we make our way back to the car. In sunny or warm days we can enjoy bathing in one of the pristine rivers near the canyon.
Return to the lodge mid-afternoon.

Itaimbezinho and Índios Coroados Canyons
We drive up the Serra to visit the most famous of the Brazilian canyons, the Itaimbezinho, inside the Aparados da Serra National Park. Here we will do some light walking to the best viewpoints of the canyon. As Itaimbezinho was the first canyon to be under protection of the National Park, there is more abundance of Araucaria woods here. On the way back, a light walk will take us to the viewpoint of the Índio Coroado canyon, with its 70m waterfall. Return to the lodge mid afternoon.

Rio do Boi trail
You will enter the Itaimbezinho Canyon through the river that cuts through the canyon, the Rio do Boi. At the start of the trail the river runs through a valley forming small waterfalls and natural pools. At the end of the trail we will be inside the canyon, underneath its magnificent 800 m-high basalt escarpments. Snack lunch on the trail.

Please note: this trail can be demanding as you need to cross the river many times and most of the walk is done on its rocky bed.

Pedra Branca summit.
Today, you will trek inside the Atlantic Rainforest climbing 500m to the top of the Pedra Branca rock, an excellent viewpoint to the whole Mampituba River Valley. Here you can best understand the different geological formations of this area. At the top, you will have a snack lunch and hopefully clear views to the coast. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner.

Price per person in US$ (Jan.-Feb. & July-Aug. 2010))

Price per person in US$ (March-June. & Sept.-Nov.2010))

Price Includes:
Return transfers from Porto Alegre or Florianopolis (Portuguese-speaking driver)
English-speaking specialist guide for the activities
3 nights accommodation in half-board basis ( breakfast and dinner)
Price does not include Flights, insurance, activities.

ACCOMODATION: Refúgio Ecológico Pedra Afiada
It is located on the border of Serra Geral National Park with impressive view of the gigantic walls with more than 1kim high of Malacara Canyon. The pousada offers 09 rooms, and one bungalow. All rooms fully equipped with shower, fen and a balcony. Large living room with a fireplace, souvenirs store, bar and bistro are also at disposal. Maps and satellite images are available for guests. Pousada also offers outside area belvedere, hammocks, sauna and swimming pool. Trails, rivers and waterfalls are easy to find following the trails close to the pousada.

Recommended gear:
Comfortable "non-slip" shoes (two pairs), light clothing, long pants, jacket for the night; trekking back packer; heat, swimming clothes, rain colt, sun block, extra towel, mosquito repellent, trash plastic bag, camera, snacks and mineral water.

Important:
Itinerary may vary to take full advantage of unfolding natural and cultural events or due to changes in the climate and weather, logistics and other local conditions.