Day 1: Depart the UK on your flight to Rio de Janeiro, flying overnight via Madrid.
Day 2: Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Tiradentes in the state of Minas Gerais. This transfer will take about 4 hours.
This afternoon enjoy a walking tour through the historic district, taking in the most important sites such as the baroque churches and impressive colonial architecture. Lunch is to be enjoyed at a local restaurant and is included today. Tiradentes is one of the extraordinary Baroque towns where the miners (or at least the people who employed them) spent their money and built their homes and churches. Tiradentes was named after a dentist who rebelled against the Portuguese authorities in an uprising that coincided with the French Revolution. He was caught and hanged as a warning to other would-be rebels. Today, Tiradentes is a beautiful town where even the average house would not look out of place in Vienna.
Overnight in Pousada Mae D’Agua on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 3: Today you will depart Tiradentes for a full day trip to Ouro Preto. There is a short stop en route for a hike to explore this lush and mountainous region before taking lunch in the neighbouring town of Sao Joao Del Rei. There is the possibility of making part of the journey by historic steam train.
This famous former state capital was founded in 1711 and declared a national monument in 1933. Cobbled streets wind up and down the steep hills and ornate churches hug the skyline. Several days can be spent exploring the area and learning about the production and transportation of gold and gems by the Portuguese during the 1700s.
Overnight at Pousada Classica on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 4: Depart for a full day tour of Ouro Preto. The highlights of any visit to Ouro Preto are the impressive Church of St. Francis of Assisi, a masterpiece of Brazilian religious architecture, designed and sculpted in wood and soapstone by Aleijadinho; the Museum of the School of Mines, which gives a complete mineralogical view of Brazil, in addition to displays of geological artefacts from other Latin American countries. Also visit the Church of Our Lady of Pilar: a church that marked the culmination of Golden Age architecture, with carved works painted entirely in gold. Lunch today will consist of typical Mineiran cuisine such as Feijão Tropeiro and Tutu à Mineira, two different dishes using beans.
Continue to the village of Mariana, set in the heard of gold mining territory, to explore an old flooded gold mine. Return to Ouro Preto this afternoon.
Overnight at Pousada Classica on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 5
This morning depart Ouro Preto for Rio de Janeiro. Stop for lunch before visiting the historic town of Petropolis.
Petropolis was once used as Brazil's summer capital when the Portuguese Emperor, Dom Pedro Segundo, commissioned a summer palace to be built for him and his family in 1843. His many courtiers that accompanied the royal household also built impressive houses in the town and on the surrounding hillsides. There are many architectural and historical points of interest including the imperial palace, the gothic style cathedral and some beautiful parks and squares, including an orchid house with flowers from all over the country.
Afternoon arrival in Rio.
The Brazilians say, 'God made the world in six days; the seventh he devoted to Rio'. Founded by the Portuguese in 1565, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil from 1763 until 1960. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Rio is unsurpassed for its natural beauty. Its magnificent shoreline, with charming bays and beautiful beaches, is an important part of Rio social life and offers numerous outdoor activities from biking to surfing. In the mountains above Rio, you will find the Tijuca national forest, the largest natural urban park in the world. The city's eight million inhabitants, known as 'Cariocas', are friendly, carefree people who always seem to find time for the pleasures of good living!
Overnight at Augustus Copacabana on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 6: Rio de Janeiro, today, enjoy a half day jeep tour of Corcovado, Tijuca rainforest and Santa Teresa.
This morning, your guide will meet you for a half day tour to the Corcovado Statue and then around the traditional area of Santa Teresa. A quick drive from your hotel to the Cosme Velho Train Station, then a cogwheel train will take you up through the Tijuca Rain Forest and bring you to the steps of the Christ Statue. At 2,300ft above sea level, the statue offers a breathtaking view of the city, Guanabara Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Continue to Santa Teresa, Rio’s historic and bohemian district, boasting many colonial and 19th century summer mansions. It is an area famed as an art centre with galleries, studios and ateliers as well as the city’s last remaining tram. A picnic lunch is included today.
This afternoon visit Rocinha, considered to be the largest slum in South America with approximately 150,000 inhabitants. Experience the favela from a local’s perspective: see the routine of the community; visit homes, day nurseries, a school and the rehearsal ground of the famed Acadêmicos da Rocinha Samba School. Wander through the narrow alleys that are common in most favelas. The street market at Largo do Boiadeiro (Cowboy Square) is a fascinating insight into the culture of the favelas inhabitants. The market stalls here sell a wide range of goods but it is generally focused on the food and ingredients from Brazil's Northeast and North, where most inhabitants originate.
Overnight at Augustus Copacabana on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 7: Rio de Janeiro. After breakfast, you will experience one of the largest and most well established social programs in Brazil, the Mangueira Social Project. Established in 1987 within the Mangueira community of Rio de Janeiro, the program began life with the sponsorship of leading international companies alongside the city and social agencies of Rio. The project benefits more than 9,000 people per month and integrates the children of this very poor and under privileged area into active society and is proud to have an excellent literacy rate. Considered to be one of the most important social programs in South America, it promotes education, sports, health, leisure and citizenship. Children, youths and senior citizens have access to a number of activities that guide them through solving problems within their own neighbourhood and aim to heighten their self-esteem and maintain their focus on achieving a better way of life. It is evident that the program has changed for the better the lives of many.
Enjoy a typical Brazilian barbecue lunch or Churrascaria at one of the first steak houses in the city to serve the famed rodizo concept.
This afternoon tour the Maracana stadium, renowned as the largest football stadium in the world. You will have the chance to learn about the history of Brazilian football. Proceed to the Sambodrome, the home and venue of Rio’s carnival that takes place every February. Continue with a trip up the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car system to take in the incredible views across the city and Guanabara Bay.
Overnight at Augustus Copacabana on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 8: Head out on bikes for a morning tour along two of the most famous beaches on Earth, Copacabana and Ipanema, to experience the carioica way of life. Watch the impressive segmentation of the beach with each different group taking its place on the same spot of beach every day.
Enjoy an afternoon on the beach. You will have a private set up with beach chairs, umbrellas, volleyball, football and frescobol (a local game with wooden bats and a small rubber ball) all at your disposal. Soft drinks, fruit and sandwiches will be served.
Overnight at Augustus Copacabana on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 9: This morning depart Rio for Ilha Grande. Transfer south to Angra dos Reis along the, where you will take a ferry to Abraao village on Ilha Grande. You will be met by a local bilingual guide before walking on to your hotel (cars are not allowed on the island to protect its natural habitat.
Located only 1.5 hrs from Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande is a unique island set along the beautiful Costa Verde, with its impressive natural beauty made up of 106 beaches, waterfalls and mountains. From Abraão village, the main urban centre on the Island, pathways lead visitors to semi-virgin beaches with stunning turquoise lagoons. On the south side of the island, the beaches are quite rugged as they are open to the Atlantic Ocean, whereas those on the North side are protected by the calm waters of the many bays.
Overnight at Pousada Mata Nativa on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 10: Enjoy a boat trip to Praia do Pouso before hiking over to Praia Lopes Mendes. This is one of the most famous beaches on the island and undoubtedly one the most stunning in Brazil. It is a 3km stretch of very fine white sand, excellent for swimming as it is shallow and crystal clear. It is also a popular surfing beach with boards available for hire. A packed lunch will be provided today.
Overnight at Pousada Mata Nativa on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 11: Today you will experience a different side of the island. Take another boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, a beautiful spot created when the tide is low between Macaco’s Island (Monkey’s Island) and the main island. It is also the closest point on Ilha Grande to the mainland. Stop here for a swim and a snorkel, and experience the vast array of colourful fish that inhabit the lagoon. You may even have the chance to see dolphins. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the Pousada late this afternoon.
Overnight at Pousada Mata Nativa on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 12: Today you will head to yet another beautiful beach, Praia dos Dois Rios. Hike around 2.5 hours to the beach through the lush rainforest that covers most of the island. Along the way your guide will point out and discuss the various species of flora and fauna with you. A river drains at each end of the beach, with mangrove tress growing beside these rivers creating the perfect ecosystem to nurture young fish.
You will notice a number of ruined buildings which are the remains of the last prison on the island that was closed and destroyed in 1994. The area is now administered by the State University of Rio, who have set up a Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustained Development (CESSD).
Overnight at Pousada Mata Nativa on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 13: Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro/Madrid
This afternoon, you will be transferred to Rio de Janeiro by ferry and car, then on to the international airport.
Depart Rio on your flight to Madrid, flying overnight.
Day 14: Madrid/Heathrow
Arrive back in the UK.