Brazil 
Rio & Beyond

Launching August 28th at 10am

Tickets will be launched on the 28th of August through our email list. Make sure to sign up to be the first to know about upcoming tours, and be the first to know when the trip goes live! 

29th January – 5th February 2027

Early Bird: €1,999
General Sale: €2,099

Experience the magic of carnival and beyond on our 8 day tour. The perfect mix of adventure, culture, history, and a bit of samba too! From boat trips to historic sites there really is something for everyone here, and you get to experience this incredible country with our local guide, travel expert, and group of 20 new besties! 

You can secure your place with a €400 deposit on August 28th

  • 7 nights accommodation in selected hotels 
  • 7 Breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
  • Airport arrival transfer in Rio de Janeiro with a bilingual local guide
  • Sugarloaf Mountain experience, including the cable cars and panoramic views over Rio
  • Christ the Redeemer & Corcovado experience, including the scenic train journey to the summit
  • Caminho do Ouro Jeep & Hiking Tour through the Atlantic Rainforest
  • Lopes Mendes Beach boat & hiking experience, including a schooner boat to Praia do Pouso and the hike to Lopes Mendes
  • English-speaking/local guides for the included excursions and transfers where specified
  • ITG representative
  • All transport mentioned in the itinerary, including private vehicles, boat transfers and ferry crossings
brazil city to sea

Hey, I’m Niamh! 👋

I’m the co-founder at Irish Travel Gang, and I’m so excited to share this adventure with you! 

I first visited Brazil in 2024, and it quickly became one of my favourite travel destinations. Incredible landscapes, delicious food, and friendly people – I know you’ll fall in love with this country as quickly as I have! 

I adore hosting our group tours and sharing my favourite local spots. I’ll be there throughout the trip to make sure everything runs smoothly, answer any questions, and most importantly, make sure that this is a trip to remember!

 

Throughout the tour we will be staying in centrally located hotels.

Private rooms are also available on request.

Rio de Janeiro – South American Copacabana Hotel

Paraty – Ouro Pousada Paraty

Ilha Grande – Recreio Da Praia Pousada

All accommodation will be as mentioned, or similar standard

All internal transport in Brazil is included in this tour, such as:

  • Airport shuttle for arrival and departure 
  • Private air conditioned bus / van for the group

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome Dinner
brazil city to sea

Welcome to Brazil!

Bem-vindo! Your adventure begins the moment you land at RIOgaleão International Airport, where our private shuttle will be waiting for you. A short ride brings us to our vibrant, centrally located hotel, complete with a pool that’s perfect for your first taste of tropical relaxation. 

Tonight we’ll gather for a lively welcome dinner at a local Brazilian Churrascaria. This is where the fun truly kicks off: sharing laughs over authentic Brazilian flavors, getting to know your Tour Leader, and meeting the crew who’ll be your travel family for the next 8 days. 

Today, we’re heading to one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks – Pão de Açúcar, better known as Sugarloaf Mountain! Rising dramatically from the edge of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf is one of the city’s most recognisable sights and offers some seriously spectacular views.

We’ll begin our ascent by cable car, travelling up to Urca Hill, where we’ll have our first taste of the incredible scenery stretching across Rio and the surrounding islands.

From there, we’ll hop aboard a second cable car and continue to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. At the top, we’ll have a 360° panoramic view of the city, taking in Copacabana and Botafogo beaches, Corcovado, downtown Rio and the sparkling waters of Guanabara Bay.

brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea

Christ the Redeemer

Today, we’re ticking off one of Brazil’s most iconic landmarks – Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! Standing an impressive 2,300 ft above sea level atop Corcovado Mountain, the statue offers incredible views across Rio de Janeiro.

We’ll make our way through the city, passing the beautiful Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon before arriving at the foot of Corcovado. From here, we’ll hop aboard the scenic mountain train, winding our way through the lush Atlantic rainforest as we climb towards the summit.

At the top, we’ll have time to take in the breathtaking panoramic views across Rio and discover exactly why it earned its nickname as the “Marvelous City”.

Welcome to Paraty!

Today, we’ll leave the buzz of Rio behind and take a private transfer to Paraty, a beautiful colonial town nestled between lush mountains and the sea. Famous for its colourful historic centre, cobbled streets and laid-back atmosphere, Paraty is the perfect place to slow down and soak up a different side of Brazil.

The evening is yours to enjoy as you please, You can join a local cachaça tasting, head out on a sunset boat trip, grab dinner and drinks with the group, or simply wander through the gorgeous cobbled streets and take it all in.

Journey time around 4 hours (except during holidays, when there is intense traffic between the 2 cities).
 
brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea

Caminho do Ouro

Today, we’re stepping back in time as we explore the historic Caminho do Ouro, an ancient stone-paved trail winding through the lush Atlantic Rainforest.

This historic route once connected Paraty with Diamantina and was used by muleteers transporting precious goods through the mountains. As we hike along the beautifully preserved sections of the trail, our guide will bring its fascinating history to life, from the incredible stonework and archaeological discoveries to the people who travelled this route centuries ago.

The trail takes us through part of the stunning Serra da Bocaina National Park, surrounded by dense rainforest, incredible scenery and the chance to spot some of Brazil’s unique wildlife.

And once we’ve worked up an appetite, we’ll finish the experience with lunch, before having the option to visit the beautiful Tobogã Waterfall and a local cachaça distillery – the perfect way to experience a little more of Paraty’s natural beauty and local culture.

Transfer to Ilha Grande

After breakfast, we’ll leave Paraty behind and make our way to Ilha Grande, a beautiful tropical island known for its lush jungle, turquoise waters and untouched beaches.

As we arrive in Ilha Grande, get ready to slow down and embrace island life. There are no cars here, just jungle-covered mountains, sandy paths and some of Brazil’s most beautiful coastline.

Once we arrive, we’ll check into our pousada and have the rest of the day to settle in, explore the island or simply relax and enjoy our little slice of paradise.

brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea

Boat Tour & Hike

Today, we’re heading to Lopes Mendes Beach, one of Ilha Grande’s most famous and beautiful beaches – and getting there is part of the adventure!

We’ll start with a scenic schooner boat ride, taking around 45 minutes as we cruise through the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island.

From there, we’ll swap the boat for the jungle and follow a beautiful one-hour rainforest trail through the lush Atlantic Forest to reach Lopes Mendes. The hike is moderate and requires a basic level of fitness, but trust us – the beach at the end is well worth the effort!

Once we arrive, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Swim in the turquoise waters, relax on the white sand, explore the coastline or simply soak up paradise before making our way back to Ilha Grande.

Return to Rio

Sadly, our time in paradise comes to an end today! After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Ilha Grande and head back to Rio! You’ll either be dropped at your hotel or the airport, depending on your onward plans.

But if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to Brazil, you can extend your trip and join us for the magic of Rio Carnival! 🎉🇧🇷 We have optional Carnival extension, giving you the chance to experience one of the biggest celebrations on the planet and soak up even more of Rio’s incredible atmosphere.

So whether you’re heading home or staying on for Carnival, this is hopefully just the beginning of your love affair with Brazil! 🌴✨

brazil city to sea

What's not included:

  • International flights to and from Brazil
  • Visa costs, if applicable
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals and drinks not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Optional activities, experiences and excursions
  • Carnival extension, which is available as an optional add-on

And be the first to know when the tour goes live! 

They said WHAT?

City, Sea, & Samba

The best of Brazil! On this 8 day tour we'll go beyond Rio and discover vibrant cities, colonial towns, lush rainforest and some of the country's most beautiful beaches. We'll visit iconic sights including Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer before heading to the spectacular Green Coast. From boat trips and beach days to rainforest trails, historic streets and unforgettable views, this is the perfect mix of adventure, culture, nature and relaxation, and all with an amazing group of like-minded travellers.

Brazil Map

Highlights

brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea
brazil city to sea

FAQ's

What airport do we fly in to and home from?

The tour will start and end in RIOgaleão International Airport.

A shuttle is included for both airport pick up and drop off for the start and end date on this tour. 

No, Irish citizens do not need a visa before entering Brazil, provided you are staying for less than 90 days. 

We have many talents, but we are not medical professionals – there are no strict requirement vaccinations for entering Brazil, but we recommend reaching out to your doctor for official advice. 

This tour includes all accommodation, activities, and internal transport throughout the trip.

Dinners and lunches in general are not included, and you will also need spending money for souvenirs, gifts, and optional activities during free time. 

Our first activity is a welcome dinner on the first night. The exact time of the dinner will be arranged once we have everyone’s flight details to make sure we have a time that suits everyone.

On the last day we will arrange shuttles back to the airport to align with an evening flight.

The two tours do not need other be booked together. We wanted to offer guests the chance to craft their own adventure – whether that’s the highlights of Brazil, partying in carnival, or both! The tours can be booked separately to allow you to choose the adventure that suits your travel style and priorities best.

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