Big Four Rio
Rio, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Buziosthe four included destinations on the map
Rio de Janeiro
Paraty
Ilha Grande
Buzios
overview
On this trip, you will visit the top 4 locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Rio, Paraty, Ilha Grande, and Buzios.
In Rio, we will hike up on some of the most iconic peaks around, such as Dois Irmãos and Corcovado mountains. We also know some of the most iconic locations in the city and taste traditional food & drinks such as Brazilian BBQ and Caipirinhas.
In Paraty, we will do a jeep tour in the national park Serra da Bocaina to bathe in waterfalls and see spectacular nature. You will also hike to “Sono” Beach, where you will sleep one night in a Cabana right on the beach.
This historic city was once forgotten in time, once the main departure point of gold and sugar leaving Brazil. Today, it is one of Brazil’s most well-preserved historical cities, and you truly feel you are traveling back in time when here. Paraty is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its exceptional culture, fauna, and flora.
In Ilha Grande, the most famous and biggest island in Rio de Janeiro, you will go on a boat tour and have some other nature adventure experiences. No cars are on the island, and the pace here is slow and fun.
In Buzios, you will go on a buggy to get to know this small-town peninsula village and stop at some spectacular beaches and viewpoints.
This trip for couples, families, and groups guarantees the adventure of a lifetime.
Included:
- Transfer in/out to/from the airport in Rio
- 3 nights at Mar Ipanema Hotel in Rio (with breakfast)
- 1 night at Pousada Vila do Porto in Paraty (with breakfast)
- 1 night, sleeping in a Cabana on the beach at Praia do Sono (with full board)
- 2 nights at AquaRio Glamping in Ilha Grande (with breakfast)
- Tours in Rio: Sightseeing Tour with lunch, Hike Dois Irmãos Mountain
- Tours in Paraty: Jeep Tour
- Tours at Praia do Sono: Hike to know the surrounding beaches Antigos and Antiguinhos
- Tours in Ilha Grande: Private Boat Tour
- Tours in Buzios: Buggy Tour
- All services are private for groups of 6 ppl and up
- For groups of 5 ppl or less, all services are private except the Jeep Tour and Praia do Sono Hike (shared)
- Private Transfers using vehicles with air conditioning
- Shared boat transfers to/from Ilha Grande
- English-speaking guides with all services except the land transfers.
Optional:
- Tours in Rio: Hang-gliding, 20 min Helicopter Ride, Hike Pedra Bonita, 1-night camping at Três Picos, Favela Tour, Beach Volleyball
- Tours in Paraty: Bike Tour, Rafting, Hike Saco do Mamanguá, Shared or Private Boat Tour
- Tours in Ilha Grande: Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach & Shared boat back, Sunrise Hike to Pico do Papagaio
- Tours in Buzios: Shared Catamaran Boat Tour, Private Boat Tour with optional BBQ + Open Bar
- Extra nights in Rio
Not included:
- No drinks whatsoever are included during the program; that is always extra.
- Accommodations in Buzios
- Flights
day by day program
DAY 1
Rio
( – / – / – )
We will pick you up at the Airport in Rio de Janeiro with a private, comfortable vehicle, and along will be a helpful English-speaking certified guide who will bring you to the included Mar Ipanema Hotel, located in the best part of Ipanema, 2 blocks from the famous Ipanema Beach, which won the best sunset of the year award, by Booking.com in 2022.
DAY 2
Rio
( Breakfast / Lunch / – )
Wake up with a delicious breakfast and get ready to experience the city of Rio as we will have a tour and visit São Conrado Beach to see hang-gliders land, Selaron Steps, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Mirante Dona Marta, and with lunch in Santa Teresa.
Included: Guide + Comfortable vehicle, Brazilian BBQ Lunch + Tkt Christ the Redeemer Statue
Durations: 6hrs in total
DAY 3
Rio
( Breakfast / – / – )
Today, we will hike Morro Dois Irmãos Mountain, the iconic mountain at the end of Leblon Beach.
Our guide will pick you up at the hotel, and we can walk to the entrance of Favela Vidigal, always walking along the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. Once at Vidigal, we will go up to the beginning of the hike using the local Favela transportation, which can be “moto-taxi” or van.
The hike is 1.5km long, one way, and once up on the 533-meter mountain peak, you will have an exuberant view over Rio.
Included: Guide + Favela Transportation
Durations: 4hrs in total
DAY 4
Rio – Paraty
( Breakfast / – / – )
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will transfer to the historic city Paraty, where you will check into Pousada Vila do Porto, located a 1-minute walk from the center part of the historical city and the famous Igreja da Matriz.
After check-in, you will go on a Jeep Tour deep into the Serra da Bocaina National Park, where you can swim in waterfalls, immerse in nature, and Cachaça tasting at a historical production farm.
Route: Waterfall Tobogã + Waterfall Poço Tarzan + Waterfall Pedra Branca (6 hrs in total).
During the tour, there will be a stop for lunch in a typical restaurant called Engenho D’ouro (not included).
DAY 5
Paraty – Sono Beach
( Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner )
After breakfast, you should check out and store your heavier luggage in our secure room at the pousada, for our guide will pick you up to go on a hike that will take you to Praia do Sono, a beautiful, secluded beach immersed in nature. We will also hike to nearby beaches such as Antigos and Antiguinhos.
Before watching the stars and their reflection in the sea, you will sleep in a Cabana right by the beach.
Included meals at Sono Beach: Typical caiçara meals served on the beach (drinks not included).
Fish and seafood of the day with typical local accompaniments such as rice, beans, and farofa.
DAY 6
Sono Beach – Ilha Grande
( Breakfast / Lunch / –)
After one more delicious Caiçara breakfast and lunch, another swim, and some more relaxation time, we’ll hike back again, where a vehicle will meet us that already has your heavier luggage onboard. Next, you leave for the pier in Angra dos Reis to board a transfer boat to Ilha Grande. Welcome to a paradise island!
Our guide will show you the way to your accommodations at the Aquario Glamping, about a 15-minute walk from the pier in Abraão (the main village on the island)
DAY 7
Ilha Grande
( Breakfast / – / –)
The guide will meet you at your accommodations to leave for a full-day private boat tour.
Ilha Grande is famous for being the best place for boat tours because of the crystal clear water and fantastic nature.
Route: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde, Praia do Amor, Coqueiro Verde (lunchtime), and Praia da Feiticeira.
Duration: up to 6 hours
Included: Guide, water, and ice-cooler, where you can store your drinks.
DAY 8
Ilha Grande – Buzios
( Breakfast / – / –)
The guide will meet you at your accommodations and accompany you on a shared boat to Porto Real on the mainland, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you to Buzios, known as “The Saint-Tropez of Brazil.
Included: Guide from accommodations to the mainland only, shared boat, comfortable vehicle.
Duration of boat transfer: 20min
Duration of land transfer: 7-8hrs with short stops
DAY 9
Buzios
(–/ – / –)
The guide will meet you at the main square in Buzios Center, called Praça Santos Dumont, from where you will go on a Guided Buggy Ride to visit some spectacular beaches and lookout points.
At the end of the tour, the group can choose one beach they want to get dropped off at to end the tour, or the drop off happens at the same location as the pickup.
Duration: 1h20min
DAY 10
Buzios – Airport in Rio
(– / – / – )
A private transfer back to the airport in Rio according to your flight time.
Until next time! It was a pleasure! Here end our services.
INCLUDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Upon availability
total package price per person
Prices are not valid during national holidays in Brazil.
Should you want to downgrade the accommodations to Hostel level (private rooms), we will discount any of the above prices by 3%.
We are not including accommodations in Buzios in this package as we do not have any special accommodations deals in Buzios to offer to you. So you should choose and reserve your accommodation in Buzios. All Buzios tours have the Santos Dumont Square in the Center as a starting point.
see a video from paraty
see a video from ilha grande
further important information
Observations:
- We recommend you avoid the month of October for this trip because of the higher probability of persistent rain
- Max luggage allowed per person: 1 suitcase of up to 23 kg + 1 small backpack
- All our guides are Certified by the Tourism Ministry of Brazil and speak English
- In case Force Majeure does not allow to fulfill any of the programmed activities, then another equally valued tour will be offered instead, or a full refund of the specific service affected
- All vehicles we will use are certified by the local government to transport tourists and are in perfect condition.
what to bring on the trip
Essential Items:
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Shorts
- Strong repellent for Sono hike
- A small backpack for the Praia do Sono hike
- Tennis/walking shoes
- Flip-flops
- Bathing suit
- Waterproof sunscreen
what do our customers say about us?
PAYMENT POLICY
- 30% payment needed to reserve; the remaining part needs to be paid at least 10 days before check-in
- Payment can be made via International Bank Transfer or Credit Card Link.
cancellation policy
- Cancelation 20 days before check-in = Full Refund
- Cancelation between 19 and 11 days before check-in = 30% charge of total value
- Cancelation between 10 and 7 days before check-in = 50% charge of total value
- Cancelation between 6 and 0 days before check-in = 90% charge of total value.
- Changes can be made upon availability.
All cancelations should be communicated to the company in writing by email:
reservations@riolovestorycom or WhatsApp: +55 21 99620-1948
How to book?
Or, if you choose, contact us on WhatsApp
+55 21 99620-1948
If you prefer to contact us by E-mail, you can do so at reservations@riolovestory.com
