New Trips 2010
Brazil Itinerary
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro Arrival & City Tour
Arrival in Rio
Airport transfer (airconditioned minibus)
Sightseeing tour in the afternoon – Christ Statue, Sugarloaf, Beaches
Evening: Churrascaria – Meat BBQ, Brazilian style!
Overnight accommodation in Rio
(L, D)
Day 2: Sugarloaf Sea Kayak (3 hours)
Am: Experience the sights of Rio from a different angle as you paddle beneath Sugarloaf, watched over by the Christ Statue (duration 3 hours)
Pm: Transfer to Paraty (airconditioned minibus, approx 4 hours)
Tour of the picturesque colonial town of Paraty, a UNESCO nominated World Heritage Site for 19th Century Colonial Architecture.
Overnight accommodation in Paraty
(B, L, D)
Days 3, 4, 5 and 7, 8, 9 Sea Kayaking on Brazil’s Green Coast
The exact kayaking route will vary depending on local weather conditions. We paddle for approximately 3 to 4 hours per day, with plenty of time for relaxation and other activities.
Day 3: Paraty Mirim
Our Green Coast Sea Kayaking adventure begins in Little Paraty, or Paraty Mirim as it is known in the local Tupi Indian language. This was the disembarkation point for slaves being transported from the west coast of Africa in the 18th and 19th Centuries. After paddling and safety instruction we will paddle in the first of 3 protected bays, Saco do Fundão, hopping between islands and beaches. At the end of the day we head towards Brazil’s only Tropical Fjord, the Saco do Mamangua, which is only accessible by trail or sea.
Overnight accommodation in Mamangua
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Marine Life Sanctuary and Brazil’s only Tropical Fjord
In addition to its sandy beaches and clear waters the fjord, with its protected waters and mangrove, is a natural sanctuary for marine life with over 100 species of fish. Today we paddle to the mangrove at the back of the bay and see at first hand how the three ecosystems in the fjord support marine life.
Optional activities:
- Local handicrafts made with caixeta wood
- Visit to Flour House to see traditional way of making manioc flour, one of Brazil’s dietary staples.
- Hike up Mamanguá Sugarloaf Peak which, at 500m, offers fantastic views of the fjord and the bay of Paraty in the distance.
(Overnight accommodation in Mamangua
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Caiçara Fishing Village
Today we paddle to Pouso da Cajaiba, a remote fishing village on the edge of the Atlantic Rainforest. On the way we will stop at a beautiful sandy beach for swimming and lunch and afterwards freshen up at a waterfall. At Pouso da Cajaiba we will experience the local Caiçara culture – their way of life and their simple, yet delicious, cooking.
Overnight accommodation in Pouso da Cajaiba
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Tropical Beach Paradise
Today we rest our paddling muscles and head off through the Rainforest on foot from the fishing village at Cajaiba. Martim de Sa beach was recently voted one of the most beautiful isolated beaches in Brazil and it’s easy to see why. After breakfast we walk for about 2 hours along a trail through unspoilt Atlantic Rainforest to arrive at the beach where we spend the day before returning to our lodging in Pouso da Cajaiba.
Overnight accommodation in Pouso da Cajaiba
(B, L, D)
Day 7: The Costa Verde (Green Coast)
Today it’s back in the kayaks as we paddle along some of the finest scenery the Green Coast (Costa Verde) has to offer before finishing up at Lula Beach. We pass rocky coastline, islands and beaches with plenty of opportunity for snorkelling and swimming on this day’s kayaking.
Overnight accommodation.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Cachaça Distillery
At one stage there were over 150 cachaça or sugarcane rum stills in and around Paraty. The name Paraty became synonymous with cachaça and it became an important part of the local economy, both for local and national consumption and for trade. These days there are only 7 distilleries left that make cachaça the traditional way and we visit an award-winning still at the water’s edge on today’s route.
We also call in at the privately owned Mantimento Island where, with a bit of good fortune, we get to see the endangered Golden Lion Tamarinds, before heading for lunch on what is widely regarded as the prettiest island in Paraty. After lunch it’s a short paddle to the distillery. Feel free to try the cachaça…but remember, we still have to reach our lodging for the night!
Overnight accommodation.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: The Bay of Paraty
The Gold Trail was built by African slaves in the 17th and 18th Century to transport gold and precious stones out of the Brazilian interior to the port of Paraty for onward shipment to Portugal. The Bay of Paraty offered the Portuguese a safe anchorage and was well-defended against pirate attacks. On this day we learn a bit about the history of Paraty as we paddle the beaches and islands of the protected bay visiting fortifications, viewpoints and mangrove.
Overnight accommodation in Paraty
(B, L, D)
Day 10: Rainforest Jeep Tour
On this fascinating and fun day trip we take a jeep tour into the hills behind Paraty to visit Rainforest waterfalls and step back in time on a 17th Century Sugar Plantation.
Evening: Capoeira Display
A blend of martial arts, games and dance Capoeira was created and developed by slaves
brought over from Africa to Brazil. Participants form a circle and take turns playing musical
instruments, singing and sparring in pairs in the centre of the circle. Don’t be shy…our local
Capoeira group will show you how it’s done.
Overnight accommodation in Paraty
(B, L, D)
Day 11: Return to Rio de Janeiro for onward travel
Morning: free for last minute shopping or optional activities in Paraty.
Airport transfer (airconditioned minibus) after lunch
(B, L)
Accommodations:
Rio de Janeiro: 3 star hotel with excellent location midway between Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches
Paraty: Charming hotel/ guesthouse located just outside the Old Town. Hotel with swimming pool and air conditioned rooms.
