Active Brazil: Rio, Ilha Grande, Chapada Diamantina National Park & Salvador - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Boteco Tour of Rio

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Marvelous City)! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Rio is home to mountains, tropical forests, and stunning beaches, making it the perfect place for travelers looking for both adventure and relaxation. The city offers many attractions and activities to explore that showcase the local culture and cuisine. Once checked in at your hotel, you'll have the afternoon free to explore.

Come nightfall, you'll embark on a guided tour of the city's botecos, beloved neighborhood bars where locals go to meet. Your pub crawl begins in the raucous district of Lapa, one of the city's most popular areas for nightlife. Learn about cachaça, its history, and how it became the central liquor used in Brazil's national cocktail, the caipirinha. From Lapa, the tour continues to three bars in the world-famous beach areas of Ipanema and Copacabana, where you'll sample different local snacks and drinks. By the end of the evening, you'll feel like a real Carioca (an affectionate name for Rio's locals)!

Day 2: Free Morning in Rio de Janeiro, Walking Tour of Pão de Açúcar & Ipanema

Day 3: Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer Tour, Carnaval Experience

Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World today at Christ the Redeemer. After reaching the base of the granite mountain, take the train through the lush Tijuca Forest to reach the summit of Corcovado at 2,329 feet (710 m) and look out over the Christ the Redeemer statue and fantastic panoramic views of the bay. Returning to the city, you'll have a scenic tour along Rio's southern beaches until arriving at your hotel.

After lunch, get an insider's look at Rio's famous Carnival culture. Visit the Cidade do the Samba (Samba City), a special place that concentrates warehouses of the different samba schools. With a local guide, you'll learn about the history of samba music, dance, and Carnival parades. You will also have a chance to try on some costumes, take pictures, and learn a bit of percussion and samba to feel the Carnival atmosphere. Finally, after all that dancing, be rewarded with a delicious caipirinha! Next, visit the Sambadrome, its cultural center, and the birthplace of samba at Pedra do Sal. 

Day 4: Transfer to Ilha Grande, Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach

After breakfast, a driver will take you to the coastal town of Conceição de Jacareí. From there, a taxi boat will be waiting to take you to the idyllic island of Ilha Grande, and its only village of Vila do Abraão, where your adventure begins. Once checked in at your hotel, set out on a guided hike to enjoy the peaceful calm of the island, passing five different beaches along the way, including Palmas Beach, Mangues Beach, and Pouso Beach at Enseada de Palmas.

Your destination is Lopes Mendes, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It captivates visitors with its fine white sands and crystal clear waters. Along its 1.5 miles (2.4 km), you'll find a beautiful stream, a picturesque chapel, and a mosaic by Silvio Cavalheiro in an old ship barrel. Take time to relax and enjoy the beach. Afterward, it's a 30 minutes walk to return to the boat and transfer back to Vila do Abraão.

Day 5: Free Day in Ilha Grande

It's your last day on the island, and you are free to enjoy the peaceful beaches of this tropical paradise however you like. For those who want more action, it's possible to participate in one of the many local eco-trekking tours. You could also explore the island by kayak or try your hand at surfing. Don't forget you're in a diver's paradise, so organizing a snorkel or diving trip is easy. Discovering the surrounding islands by boat tour is highly recommended to discover more of the stunning surroundings that preserve the region's wildlife and diverse ecosystems.

Day 6: Transfer to Rio, Fly to Salvador

Get ready for a change of scene as you transfer by boat and then by private vehicle to Rio de Janeiro Airport for your flight to Salvador, the capital of Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia. Upon arrival, a driver will transfer you to your accommodations. Salvador is considered the center of the country's Afro-Brazilian culture and is famous for its distinctive cuisine, music, and architecture. Founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, it is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and one of the first planned cities in the world. Relax this evening so that you're ready to tackle tomorrow's big adventure.

Day 9: Day Trek to Cachoeira dos Funis

After yesterday's long trek, enjoy a more relaxed excursion to soothe those sore muscles. Join your guide on a leisurely 4-mile (8-km) walk to the waterfall of Cachoeira dos Funis, where you can swim, unwind, and soak in the sun. This is one of seven waterfalls following the Cumbuco River, and along the trail, you'll also find many interesting caves. Discover one or two nearby cave lagoons and jump into the deep blue waters for a refreshing dip. Later in the afternoon, you'll return to your host family and learn more about the local culture as you sit down for a home-cooked meal.

Day 10: Trek to Capão

Have your camera ready for today's 13-mile (22-km) trek toward Rio Preto. First, you'll climb to the peak of Gerais do Vieira, where you can take a swim in the natural pools and reward tired legs. Take plenty of photos and soak in the sumptuous scenery. Later in the afternoon, descend to the start of the valley known as Vale do Capão. From there, hike through dense forest until you reach Calixto Waterfall, where you'll have a break at this welcoming oasis. Follow this trail to find exotic flora and fauna before getting to a dirt road where a vehicle will be waiting to take you to the village of Capão for the evening.

Day 12: Transfer to Salvador, Evening Adventure in Salvador

Savor your last moments of calm in Lençóis before taking a private transfer back to Salvador. After a six-hour drive, allow some time to relax before an exciting evening of adventure. It starts in the Rio Vermelho, affectionately called the Bairro Boemio, or the bohemian quarter. Everything is open all night, and it's the best place in town to rub shoulders with the locals. This traditional and popular neighborhood is home to many bars, restaurants, and botecos (informal neighborhood bars), institutions key to the district's charm.

The boteco tradition is synonymous with a bohemian lifestyle. Grab a beer accompanied by the all-important petiscos or snacks, complemented with lively banter and conversation. The neighborhood is also home to three of the city's most famous and treasured baianas de acarajé (vendors in traditional dress) selling the best Bahian street food. Music completes the bairro's attractions, with many bars providing excellent local live entertainment, from traditional to contemporary.

Day 13: Full-Day Cachoeira Cultural Tour

Today's day trip takes you on a journey back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear. Heading northwest of Salvador, you'll start with a stop at a busy country market in Santo Amaro, where little has changed over the years in this traditional fruit and vegetable marketplace that's perenially popular with locals. Continue your drive west through rolling hills to the UNESCO-listed town of Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River.

The town's importance goes beyond its architectural wealth. It is home to a thriving culture grounded in African traditions and visible in its local art and sculptures. After lunch, take a walking tour of the town, with an opportunity to browse some local wood carving stores. Cross the western bank of the river and visit Dannemann, a cigar company, where you can see world-class cigars being expertly rolled. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to Salvador, where you can enjoy your final evening in Brazil amid the lively nightlife of the Bairro Boemio.

Day 14: Half-Day City Tour, Depart Salvador

This morning starts with a tour of Salvador, where you'll visit essential points in the city's history, such as its first streets, squares, and churches. From the Farol da Barra Lighthouse on the coast to the Upper City perched atop a hill, stroll through the neighborhoods of Corridor of Victory, Campo Grande, and Piedade. Walk along the traditional Salvador Carnival circuit to reach Pelourinho, the city's center and one of the most important architectural sites of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Climb the Elevador Lacerda lookout point to see the Upper and Lower City and notice how the almost carved-out streets lead to Pelourinho's square. You'll enjoy the fantastic scenery in every place you visit. Experience beautiful churches like St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica Cathedral, and Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks. The tour ends at Largo do Pelourinho, where it's time to say farewell. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to drive you to the airport, where you'll say tchau Brasil and catch your departing flight.

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