Active Rio Tours

This suggested itinerary allows you to see all of the famous landmarks of Rio, in a way different from riding on a tour bus. On this tour you get to walk, ride, climb and kayak and you have the option to also horseback ride, raft, rapel

Day 1- Arrive Rio. After getting your luggage and going through customs, walk out the exit and look for a person holding a sign with your name on it. He will transfer you to your selcted hotel. In the afternoon you will be picked up to take a bike ride along the famous beaches for (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) 2 to 3 hours.

Day 2- breakfast, then you will be picked up for a drive to Pedra Bonita. Hike to the summit (one hour roundtrip). Optional hang-gliding is available. Drive to the Park's main gate and visit Taunay Cascade. Optional cycling on paved paths in the Tijuca Park - known as the largest urban forest on earth. Its huge mountains covered with tropical vegetation contrast with dramatic granite rocks forming an unique background for Rio's beaches and constructions. Drive to Corcovado, then on to Santa Teresa, with its cobblestone hilly streets, old homes, interesting museums and Rio's last surviving tram line. Lunch at 3pm, at Sobrenatural, a seafood bistro. Finally take a Streetcar ride downtown and back (atop the old acqueduct in Lapa) Hotel drop-off at 7pm

Day 3 - breakfast, then you will be transferred to Praia Vermelha, where you will start Sea Kayaking to Cotunduba island, a few miles off-shore. Time for swimming and snorkeling and great views of the city.. Kayak back to the Sugar Loaf area. Lunch at restaurant Bella Praia. Then we hike to Sugarloaf. This dramatic granite rock is a well-known Rio landmark, and also an over-explored tourist attraction. Instead of standing in line to ride the aerial cable car with dozens of visitors, why not to try the unique experience of reaching the summit on your own feet? We start strolling along a beautiful shoreline pedestrian path, then hike up a trail with wonderful views of Rio's bay and finally face a short and easy rock-climb. On the way down we take the cable car. Optional short rappel from Morro da Urca or optional advanced climbing. Hotel drop-off at 6/7pm .

Day 4 - breakfast, then you will be transferred to the airport or enjoy other options in Rio.

2007 Price per person, double occupancy: US$477 with Copa Sul Hotel (3*), US$514 with Orla Copa Hotel (4*) or $605 with Rio Pestana Hotel (5*)
Options - add US$170 per person for hang gliding, $85 for forest cycling, $85 for rapelling or $99 for advanced climbing.

Other Options

Grumari Hike (easy)
We start this tour going up Pedra Bonita, Rio's hang gliding ramp. A short 1 hour roundtrip hike takes us up to the summit and back. Optional tandem flight may be booked, joining the group after landing at Pepino Beach. By noon we reach Grumari, Rio's most isolated and unspoiled beach, an Environmental Protection Area. After swimming, sunbathing and lunch (own cost), you can choose to visit either the Casa do Pontal Museum (Brazil's largest folk-art collection) or the Burle Marx Estate (a museum about the famous landscape designer).
Full day tour = US$76 per person. Minimum of 2

Ilha Grande Hike (moderate)
The "Big Island" is not to be missed, comprising 193 sq.kms. of mountainous jungle, historic ruins and over 100 beaches of transparent green water, linked by well kept trails. It is located in the Angra dos Reis Bay, in a region south of Rio covered with Atlantic Rain Forest known as the Costa Verde (Green Coast). The island is largely unspoiled and it owes its preservation to the relative isolation in which it remained until a few years ago, due to the fact that during most of the 20th century it hosted one of Brazil's largest high security prisons. Ilha Grande is now a state park where cars are not allowed, which makes the island a paradise for hiking.
Full day tour has 3 hours of moderate hiking to 4 beaches. US$106 per person. Minimum of 2.

Pedra da Gavea Hike (hard)
This is an impressing granite mountain on Rio's shoreline, easily recognizable for its huge flat top. It is certainly the city's most beautiful hike, but it is only recommended for the reasonably fit and experienced hiker. During 2/3 of the trail, we are inside the Atlantic Rain Forest. On the last part the vegetation is lower and the views are breathtaking - a blend of forested slopes, ocean and city. After a short rock-climb we reach the summit, which is Rio's most spectacular viewpoint. On the way back we stop for a refreshing dip at Barra da Tijuca Beach.
Full day tour has 4.5 hours of hiking. US$76 per person. Minimum of 2.

Hang Gliding
Hang-gliding between the blue sky and the transparent sea makes Rio's landscape a thrilling experience for visitors. This sport was incorporated as a tourist attraction of the city in the 80s, when pilots began to make tandem flights, allowing everyone to enjoy the fascinating panorama of beaches, city and forests from above. The take-off is from Pedra Bonita Mountain and the landing is on Pepino Beach in the São Conrado district.
We pick you up at the hotel, than drive to São Conrado Beach, where we meet the pilot and drive up to the hang-glide ramp. Once we get to there, the instructor teach you the flight procedure than take off. The flight takes about 20 minutes, we take off from the ramp and land at São Conrado beach. After landing we get on the car and drive back to the Hotel.
US$170 per person for 2.

Rafting
We offer river rafting in two different places, both located 2 hours from Rio, offering a thrilling experience with several falls of levels 2 to 3, with no need of previous experience. The difference between the 2 options is that the Paraibuna river has more rapids but less transparent water, and the vegetation around it is not so lush. The Macaé river has less rapids but the environment is more beautiful. Once we get to the Rafting Base, we change clothes, receive instructions and the safety equipment to start the rafting which takes around two hours. After the rafting we are driven back to the Base and from there return to Rio, stopping for lunch (own cost) on the way back.
US$110 per person. Minimum of 2.

Horseback Riding
This is a wonderful experience of riding on Atlantic rainforest trails located in the Serra dos Orgaos mountain range. The ride takes about 2 hours and crosses a beautiful valley where there are old farms, rivers and waterfalls. On our way we will also see great views and local wildlife. No experience needed for this full day tour.
US$110 per person. Minimum of 2.

Brazil

Active Rio Tours

Suggested Tour

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