At 09:00am start a city tour with your English-speaking guide, firstly private visit of Rio’s city center, from a colossal avenue framed by imposing glass buildings to quaint, small streets and their little affordable shops. Many styles, one spirit, is the best definition to describe the architectural cocktail of the center, where past and modernism coexist in harmony. Among the possible visits (to be coordinated with the guide depending on opening times, your preferences, or eventual manifestations organized that day): Imperial Municipal (replicate of the Opera Garnier in France), foundation Banco do Brasil, casa da França (old custom house), national History museum, largo da Carioca, convento Santo Antônio, metropolitan cathedral, plaza Tiradentes...

Later, going up to Santa Teresa, which used to be one of the wealthiest residential neighborhoods of Rio, when the town was the capital of Brazil and all the principal institutions were located there. Surrounded by the agglomeration, the neighborhood has lost its former character, and the wealth of the area has moved to the Southwest of Rio, to Barra da Tijuca. Santa Teresa now shelters a diverse population in the bohemian quarter of the modern Rio.

Walk through this area to get a taste of its quaint and old atmosphere. During the trip to Lapa, visit the colored stairs or "Escadaria do Convento da Santa Teresa", decorated by Jorge Selarón.

Return to the hotel at 05:00pm.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Villa Laurinda

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel at 09:00 for an electric bike tour of the Tijuca Forest.

Your day begins with a ride through the lush Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world. You'll be amazed by the diversity of flora and fauna.

Along the way, your guide will show you the highlights of the forest, including waterfalls, picturesque paths and breathtaking views over the city of Rio de Janeiro. You will also have the chance to relax and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this unspoilt environment.

Optional: Around lunchtime, you will pause to enjoy a traditional Brazilian picnic in the heart of the forest.

After lunch, we will continue our exploration by electric bike, visiting other fascinating sites in the Tijuca Forest.

Return to the hotel at 5 p.m.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard: Villa Laurinda

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel at 09:00am to start the city tour.

Today, you will visit the favela of Santa Marta in the Botafogo neighbourhood with your guide as well as a local who lives in the favela. These neighbourhoods are the result of the chaotic expansion that Rio lived through in the 20th Century. At the heart of these popular and "lawless" suburbs (the favelas are originally illegal land occupations), Brazilians organize themselves and live in a dignified and solitary manner.

No voyeurism, you are welcome in the favelas where inhabitants want to make sure that their neighbourhoods aren't reduced to clichés such as drug trafficking or dangerous life. This visit will give you a different reality of Rio, a more real and complete view of the life of Cariocas different than the images of violence poverty which usually shown by the medias lacking of originality.

The most extraordinary thing about favelas is how close they are from the fancy neighbourhoods.

Return to the hotel at 01pm.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Villa Laurinda

At 09:00, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel. You will be taken to an area of Rio de Janeiro's port known as ‘Little Africa’.

This was the name of the historic area that was home to the Afro-Brazilian community in Rio. The area became ‘Little Africa’ following the abolition of the slave trade in 1831. Between 1850 and 1920, this district became a refuge for freed black and African communities from Bahia and the interior of Brazil, in search of work and community life.

On this tour, you will discover this important page in Rio's rich African history.

The tour begins in front of the MAR museum and continues towards the ‘Pedra do Sal’, Rio's oldest black neighbourhood, recognised in 2005 as a ‘quilombola’ community. You will walk along the Rua do Valongo, which linked the Quai Valongo to the Largo do Depósito, where shops selling slaves and articles related to the practice of slavery were located.

Continue on to the Church of Our Mother of the Rosário and Saint Benedict, known as the Church of the Blacks; popular stories tell that many famous Afro-Brazilian figures were buried in this church.

Continue on to the Place dos Estivadores, where the Largo do Depósito was the ‘fattening centre’ for slaves newly arrived in Brazil before being sold.

Finally, you will discover the archaeological remains of Quai Valongo, which was Rio's busiest slave market, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2017).

Return to the hotel at 13:00.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Villa Laurinda

Departure from the hotel to drive to Conceição de Jacarei with your local driver. 2-hour drive on a paved road along the Green Coast, a vegetation corridor between ocean and mountains.

Board in a boat for the crossing to Ilha Grande (0h20 crossing).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada Naturalia

Trek - 6 to 7-hour hike – elevation gain 1000 meters – moderate.

At 09:00am, get on the track with your English-speaking guide for the legendary Ilha Grande trek. You will head towards the beach of Dois Rios before turning towards the heart of the island and its highest point (982 m.a.s.l.), the Pico do Papagaio (or "Peak of the Parrot", because of its hooked beak like shape). The climb is steady and strenuous.

Once on the summit, you will be rewarded by a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view, over the saco do Ceú, Abraão, Lopes Mendes and Dois Rios, and even further, the island of Jorge Grego. With good weather you can even see the Pedra da Gávea, in Rio !

Return to Abraão at the end of the day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada Naturalia

Depart your pousada for the quays of Abrãao, where you will board a boat specially designed for the excursion and sail to the oyster-farming fazenda located near Praia da Longa. When you arrive, you will be greeted by the owner of the fazenda, who will explain the oyster, scallop and mussel farming process. Then it's time to taste the fresh produce harvested on the fazenda.

After lunch (not included) you will return to the boat for an excursion around Ilha Grande. Your guide will take you to explore the island's most beautiful spots, including secluded beaches, hidden coves and panoramic viewpoints.

You'll have the chance to snorkel in crystal-clear waters and discover the region's colourful marine life.

Return to your pousada in the late afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada Naturalia

Free day to explore the island and its many beaches. Different activities are available like hiking trails like the Feiticeira waterfall, Lopes Mendes beach, Pico do Papagaio, kayaking, boat tour to Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Verde, among others.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada Naturalia

After breakfast, you will set off by motorboat to the Sitio de Bijiquara, the starting point for the hike.

Walking time approx. 4h30 - Moderate difficulty - approx. 400m ascent

You walk through the Atlantic forest for around 1h30 before reaching the beach at Sumaca, set between mountains and vegetation. This is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the region.

Free time to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. Picnic lunch on site. Return to the village on foot.

You leave the community of Ponta da Juatinga and board a fisherman's boat in the morning to reach the village of Pouso de Cajaiba.

You leave the community of Ponta da Joatinga and board a fishing boat in the morning to reach Cajaiba.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will set off by motorboat to the Sitio de Bijiquara, the starting point for the hike.

Walking time approx. 4h30 - Moderate difficulty - approx. 400m ascent

You walk through the Atlantic forest for around 1h30 before reaching the beach at Sumaca, set between mountains and vegetation. This is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the region.

Free time to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. Picnic lunch on site. Return to the village on foot.

You leave the community of Ponta da Juatinga and board a fisherman's boat in the morning to reach the village of Pouso de Cajaiba.

You leave the community of Ponta da Joatinga and board a fishing boat in the morning to reach Cajaiba.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you can choose to swim, snorkel or simply bask in the sun. Lunch is included (on an island or beach).

In the afternoon, you begin your return journey to Paraty, from island to island, from beach to beach. The day is devoted to discovering the bay of Paraty.

Daniel will show you his favourite spots, far from the hustle and bustle of the big tourist boats.

Stops are planned at various sites ideal for swimming or snorkelling amid a myriad of fish: ilha Comprida, saco da Velha, praia Vermelha... Equipped with mask and snorkel, you can take your time admiring the underwater life.

You arrive in Paraty in the late afternoon. Transfer on foot to your pousada.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada do Ouro

A unique birdwatching experience in Paraty at sunrise with your English-speaking guide and a birdwatcher on the fringes of society. This immersion offers you an exceptional opportunity to discover the natural beauty and biodiversity of this region while helping to preserve the environment. It's suitable for bird lovers of all levels, from beginners to experienced ornithologists, and will leave you with unforgettable memories of Paraty's wilderness.

Let yourself be carried away into the world of Luis da Mata.

Return to your pousada in the middle of the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Pousada do Ouro

Departure from the pousada 7 hours before departure for your transfer to the airport. Flight from Rio (airport, flight time and number to be confirmed).

Meals: Breakfast