Rio de Janeiro - Hiking the Highlights November 4 - 7, 2018

Experience a different side of Rio - nature and adventure. While famously known for its main attractions, Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and it beaches, Rio de

Janeiro has two of the largest urban forests in the world, Tijuca Forest and Pedra Branca. These parks are connected by Transcarioca, Brazil’s first long distance hiking

trail stretching 180 km (112 miles) from Rio’s the secluded western beaches to Sugarloaf Mountain.

The Transcarioca trail was inspired by the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest and a few other long trails of the world and is becoming real through the hands of more than 1,000 volunteers.

Hikers, tour guides, biologists, climbers, activists and people who just love nature and adventure. The project has 3 main goals: 1) build a green corridor connecting the forest areas

of Rio to promote a better DNA interchange among the flora and fauna 2) improve the economy and promote entrepreneurship in the local small communities along the trail (local

BNBs, restaurants and grocery stores), 3) put together a long trail so we can go hiking!

In the 3 days of this program there will be the opportunity to hike different sections of the Transcarioca in the Tijuca Forest Park and others, swim at secluded beaches in the West Rio, visit the main attractions (Sugarloaf and Christ Redeemer) with breaks to enjoy and even cook typical Brazilian food.

The activities will be done as day trips in a maximum 1h drive from the hotel’s area. So it won’t be necessary to spend the night camping or in shelters. Participants must leave the hotel in the morning with a backpack with the necessary items for the day and will return by night.

- Day hike sections of Rio’s Transcarioca Trail (first long distance trail). - Visit Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf, top Rio attractions located in the nature. - Hike and Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forest in the world. - Hike and swim in the wild and protected beaches of Rio (Prainha and Grumari) - Experience typical food: ‘churrasco’, amazonian cuisine and Brazilian Moqueca.

Time Day 1 (Nov. 04th) Day 2 (Nov. 05th) Day 3 (Nov. 06th) Day 4 (Nov. 07th)

08:00

Arrival/Check-n:: (Arrive in Rio by

11:00am) (1A)

Introduction: Brazil’s History and Actual moment (2A)

Drive (1h) Wild Beaches (3A)

Check-out/Transfer out (to Int’l Airport GIG) (4A)

09:00 Hike Tijuca Forest Park (section of

Transcarioca) + swim refresh in the river (2B)

Hike at the Wild Beaches Area (3B)

10:00 11:00 12:00 Relax on the

beach * (lunch box

will be provided) (3C)

Arrival at Campo Grande by 4:00pm

(4B)

13:00 Lunch at Paineiras (2C) 14:00

15:00 Hike (Transcarioca Section) and

sunset at Sugar Loaf (1B)

Visit Christ Redeemer (2D)

Return to the hotel (1h) (3D)

16:00 (break at the

hotel) (3E) 17:00 (break at the hotel)

(2E) 18:00 19:00 Welcome dinner

(Amazonic food) (1C)

Dinner: Seafood Moqueca Cooking

Class (2F)

Dinner: Brazilian Barbecue (3F)

20:00 21:00 - Important: times on this program are estimated. - Activities, dates and times may still change or be adjusted. - Each activity has a code in RED. Please look for the code on the list below to get more details of each one.

Flight Information: November 4, 2018: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (GIG) by 11:00am November 7, 2018: Fly Rio de Janeiro to Campo Grande (CGR), Mato Grosso do Sul- arrive in Campo Grande by 4:00 pm November 10, 2018: Depart Campo Grande (CGR), Mato Grosso do Sul anytime

ITINERARY Day 1 – Nov. 04th

1A) This the day of arrival and check-in. Hotels are located in the South Rio, close to where we’ll perform most of our activities. We recommend arrival by 11:00 and check-in till 1pm so we can start with our activities at 3pm of this first day.

1B) We’ll combine hike and cable-car ride to get to the top of Sugar Loaf and enjoy the sunset with a magnificent view.

HIKING TO SUGAR LOAF (TRANSCARIOCA SECTION)

Duration: approx. 2h (roundtrip) Extension: 3km (1.9 miles) Elevation gain: 220m (721ft) Difficulty rating: EASY ACTIVE = 2 (beginner level, physical activity) A short but steep hiking trail takes us through the Atlantic Rainforest to the top Urca Hill (220m=721ft), the first and lower mountain of the compound. Then, by cable car, we get to the top of Sugar Loaf (396m=1299ft), the majestic mountain worldwide know. During this tour, you'll discover the history of Rio and curious facts about one of the most famous mountains in the world and its cable-car system built in 1912.

After that, we take the cable-car* down back to the first mountain and then hike down to the initial point to enjoy a bit of the beautiful landscape where the ocean is our background and monkeys and birds make us company. This is an area surrounded by history since it was at the bottom of the Sugar Loaf that Rio had its official foundation by Portuguese in 1565. It´s also the last section of the Transcarioca trail.

*The cable-car ticket is included for half of the way and considers (hike+cable-car). For participants who decide not to hike, there will be an additional cost.

Features: Requires reasonable fitness. Short but steep rising trail going up and down hill on rough terrain. Includes: insurance + transport + cable-car ticket *+ bilingual ecotour guide (English and Port.). *The cable-car ticket is included for half of the way and considers (hike+cabel-car). For participants who decide not to hike, there will be an additional cost. Not included: food, water/drinks What to take: sunblock, insect repellent and a small backpack (to keep the hands free), snacks + water. What to wear: athletic clothes and shoes (no sandals!), hat. In case of bad weather, the hike/trail may be adapted for safety reasons. 1C) Dinner at Amazonian Typical Food Restaurant. In the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa, Espírito Santa offers the amazing and surprising Amazonian cuisine. Mixing fish, nuts and coconut milk you’ll be experiencing a whole new world of flavors (a vegetarian option is available).

Day 2 – Nov. 05th

2A) Arriving at the Tijuca Forest Park, where the hike will take place, the Jungle Me team, the hosting company expert in ecotourism and hiking in Rio, will give an introduction “crash” course about Brazilian History with insights and curiosities about Rio and the ‘carioca’ (Rio locals) lifestyle.

2B) The 2h hike (approx.) will go through a section of Transcarioca in the main sector of the Tijuca National Park visiting the highest waterfall, Taunay Cascade. After the hike, it will be possible to refresh and swim in a small river. Please take a bathing suit, towel and maybe other spare clothes to change and go for the next activity.

TIJUCA FOREST HIKE (TRANSCARIOCA SECTION)

Duration: approx. 2h (roundtrip) Extension: 4.5km (2.8 miles) Elevation gain: 313m (1026ft)

Difficulty rating: EASY ACTIVE = 2 (beginner level, physical activity)

On this activity, you'll walk in the main sector of the Tijuca National Park and get to know the most important attractions as the Taunay Waterfall (35m and highest of the park), the bridge Job de Alcântara built in 1860, the Mayrink Chapel, and the Visitors Center. Then our team will lead you in a short up and down hike in a rough trail through a more deep part of the rainforest, experiencing the nature and the tropical rainforest on its lush and beauty until we reach the Cascatinha Summit, 525m (1722ft) with a nice view to the valley and to the highest peaks of the park (Tijuca Peak, Pedra da Gávea e Tijuca Mirim).

This hike is part of the Transcarioca trail, the first long trekking trail in Brazil with 180km, that connects many different green and protected areas of Rio, crossing the city from West to East.

During this activity, you will learn and discover the history of Rio and Tijuca Forest and all about the coffee farms that used to exist there, the reforestation that took place in the XIX century and a lot about the flora and the ecology of the rainforest.

After the hike, it's possible to refresh and a quick swim in a freshwater river (bring towel and bathing suit) and other spare clothes to change after.

*The water flow in the rivers varies according to the intensity of the rain and sometimes maybe not that strong.

Features: Requires reasonable fitness. Short and easy rising trail going up and down hill on rough terrain. Includes: insurance + transport + bilingual ecotour guide (English and Port.). Not included: food, water/drinks. What to take: sunblock, insect repellent and a small backpack (to keep the hands free), snacks+water. What to wear: athletic clothes and shoes (no sandals!), hat. In case of bad weather, the hike/trail may be adapted for safety reasons

2C) We’ll keep in the Tijuca Forest and drive (about 20 min) to another sector to have lunch on the scenic restaurant Mirante das Paineiras, located on the ‘feet’ of Christ Redeemer statue.

2D) After lunch we’ll get to Christ the Redeemer statue to spot the city from the top and pay a visit to one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.

2E) The next step is a short break to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next activity. You’ll have to work to guarantee your meal!

2D) Dinner this night depends on you. Closely watched by the chef Simone Almeida from Cook in Rio, you’ll learn and eat the Seafood Moqueca, the famous and amazing Brazilian stew ( a vegetarian option is available).

Day 3 – Nov.6th

3A) On this third day we’ll get to know the West Rio where we have beautiful and secluded beaches and is where the Transcarioca starts. Driving there will take about 1h from the hotel.

3B) Get on this hike in the tropical rainforest of Rio next to Pedra Branca Park with the mountains following the coastline with views revealing the face of the ‘sleeping giant’, one of the legends that surround the mountains of Rio.

HIKE AND SWIM : THE WESTERN AND PROTECTED WILD BEACHES OF RIO

Duration: approx. 1,5h (roundtrip) Extension: 2.8km (1.8 miles) Elevation gain: 190m (624ft) Difficulty rating: EASY ACTIVE = 2 (beginner level, physical activity) - considers time at the beach and sun exposure. Driving on the coastline of Rio we’ll get to the western area of Rio, to visit the secluded and wild beaches of Prainha and Grumari, a protected area next to Pedra Branca Park. Our first stop is at Prainha, the surfer’s preferred spot in Rio. The area was once a plan to host a hotel but thanks to the surfers and public opinion it’s now a protected area. On this site we’ll do an easy hike (optional) to Caeté Summit, 143m over the sea level revealing a panoramic view of the beautiful landscape with the Tijuca mountains in the background forming ‘sleeping giant’. There’s a legend of a giant that was the protector of Rio’s bay and because he killed a young native woman, he was punished by God and transformed in rocks that today are the mountains of Rio.

After the hike we’ll be back in the van to drive 10 more minutes till we reach Grumari, a paradise beach area, where it will be possible to take a dip and feel a bit of the sun and the ocean (bring towel and bathing suit).

The hike is optional and participants can decide on site if they will take part on it or just stay at the beach.

Features: For the hike, participants must have reasonable fitness. Short and easy rising trail going up and down hill on rough terrain. Includes: insurance + transport + bilingual ecotour guide (English and Port.). Not included: food, water/drinks, towels. Umbrellas and beach chairs (not included) are available for rent at the beach. What to take: sunblock, insect repellent and a small backpack (to keep the hands free), snacks+water. Towel and bathing suit. What to wear: athletic clothes and shoes (no sandals!), hat. In case of bad weather, the hike/trail may be adapted for safety reasons

3C) Relax and enjoy the beach. After all, this is Rio and despite of all the ‘jungle’ you’ve seen and enjoyed, you deserve a dip in the ocean. Remember to take a bathing suit, towel and sun protection. A lunch box with cheese sandwich among other snacks will keep you in a good mood till we get back to the hotel.

3D) Driving back to the hotel takes about 1h. It´s scenic way, along the coastline of the city with the mountains on the background.

3E) The next step is a short break to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next activity. Tonight is a fist, the Brazilian all-you-can-eat barbecue Churrascaria Palace (there’s a buffet with many salads and other vegetarian options as other types of meat as well – shrimps, chicken, fish).

Day 4 – Nov.7th

4A) Transfer out to GIG International airport where participants will proceed on their own to Campo Grande, MS to arrive by 16:00 (4:00pm).

Participants: minimum 4/maximum 14

Price per person (non-hosted delegates): $800USD (PayPal)

Cancellation policy:

30 days prior to the start date – full refund

Within 15 to 30 days before – 50% fee

Within 0 to 15 days prior to the start date – no refund

Includes: ● Transfers in and out from the GIG airport ● 3 nights at hotel or local BNB ● Hiking and day activities include : Entrance fees, English speaking tour guide,

personal accident insurance, transport (pick up and drop off at the accommodation), water.

● Meals: From Dinner on Day 1 (Nov 4) through Breakfast on Day 4 (Nov 7); A vegetarian option is always available.

○ Drinks and alcohol not included.

Weather: During November, the average temperature is 24°C/75°F, with average highs of 27°C/80°F and average lows of 21°C/70°F and humid. Chance of rainfall in November averages 45% so adequate rain gear recommended.

Packing List: ● athletic and comfortable clothing ● hiking or running shoes (it doesn’t need to be a boot but an athletic shoe good and

comfortable for walking – more than 1 pair in case they get wet) ● beach and swimming items: bathing suit, beach towel, hat, sandals ● light rain jacket