Mata Atlantica

   The Atlantic Rainforest offers visitors spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful mangrove lined bays. An exuberant forest full of hidden treasures like bridal veil waterfalls, a delicate orchid or the beautiful golden lion tamarin monkey … and some of the best Brazilian beaches.

Due to the large latitudinal span, strong altitudinal gradients and extreme climatic changes in the past, the biodiversity of this biome is extremely high. The Atlantic Rainforest contains an estimated 250 species of mammals, 340 amphibians and 1023 birds. Around half of the tree species and 80% of the primates are unique (endemic) to this hotspot.

BUZIOS - is one of the most famous beach destinations in Brazil. A former fishing village in Rio de Janeiro State enchants everyone with its charm, sophisticated shops in Rua das Pedras, and a series of excellent beaches for surfing, foot-volley, scuba diving, windsurfing and sailing. This peninsula, which seems more like an island, has a lively nightlife and is a haven for trendsetters and beautiful people tanned by the sun. The nearby golf course attracts players from all over the world.

ITATIAIA - Giant cliffs, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls are parts of the breathtaking scenery of Itatiaia National Park. Countless trails lead through the mountains of Atlantic Forest disturbed by river canyons. Here is the perfect setting for adventure sports, such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, canyoning, canoeing and hang gliding.

PARATY – has been registered as a Historical Heritage of Brazil and even today preserves one of the most harmonious sets of architecture in the country. The whole collection of colonial style houses maintains the characteristics it had at the time the city was founded in the 16th century. Its stone-paved streets attract attention and lead the way to the old jail, the fort, museums, handicraft shops and churches. In addition to cultural attractions the region can also offer boat rides, cachaça (sugar cane liquor) tasting in the small distilleries of the sugar cane factories and good restaurants.

ILHABELA – the largest Brazilian marine island – has 326 square kilometers of privileged nature. Atlantic Forest dominates the surface in an impressive equilibrium with the ocean. A favorite haunt of pirates in days gone by, the waters of the Saco do Sombrio beach are calm and transparent. Castelhanos beach is great for surfing. The sea, limpid and clear, and the abundant marine life is an invitation for scuba diving & snorkeling. Jabaquara beach is cut across by small streams with waterfalls. At the southern part of the island, Bonete beach is home to a small village of fishermen that still maintain the traditions of the original settlers.

◦ Itinerary Sample

DAY 1

DAY 2

MORNING:
• Arrival at the Sao Paulo International Airport and pick up with pre-arranged transportation
• Lunch at a typical Barbecue Restaurant – Churrascaria
• Road trip to IlhaBela - The route is to São Sebastião city, where a ferryboat takes us to Ilhabela. It takes 15 minutes to cross. Ilhabela is the largest of the islands off the Brazilian coast, and 92% of it is protected national park land. There are over 300 waterfalls and 45 beaches totaling 140 km.
AFTERNOON:
• Check in the Hotel
• Beach time - Water ski and wake board, kayak, swim or just lie down and relax enjoying a nice cocktail.
EVENING:
• Dinner
• IlhaBela Village Tour - very elegant with nice book stores, craft stores, restaurants, bars & cafes and entertainment.

Morning:
• Breakfast
• 4X4 Safari to Castelhanos Bay – a 22 km trip along tracks through the forests, to the beach at Praia de Castelhanos and the picturesque ‘Gato’ waterfall. During the tour you will cross rivers, explore the primeval forest and tackle a series of mogul slopes. Praia de Castelhanos beach is suitable for both surfers and divers, and from here, we can reach the Gato waterfall in just 40 minutes.
o Rappel on Gato Waterfall
o Surf, body surf on the Beach or just lie down and enjoy the sun
o Picnic on the Beach

EVENING:
• Dinner and Live music show

DAY 3

DAY 4

Morning:
• Breakfast
• Road trip to Ubatuba (Itamanbuca Beach)
• Hotel check in and Lunch

Afternoon:
• Beach - Surfing Lessons, Trekking to Brava Beach, Kayaking up Itamambuca River

EVENING:
• Dinner
• Historical Center of Paraty Tour - Paraty has become one important cultural and artistic point, concentrating a great numbers of ateliers of plastic artists. Traditional city parties are very lively events and generally have food stands, shows with the local bands. Walk calmly through all the small, cobblestone streets, observe each house with its colonial architecture. Visit historical buildings, such as the House of Culture with its painting collection and programs of events and exhibitions. Have fun in the street show or having your caricature drawn; go in every shop and take some of the beauty of Paraty through the local craftsmanship. "Refuel" yourself in one of the good restaurants of the city and enjoy some live music in one of the bars.

Morning:
• Horseback riding on the Gold Trail and visit to “Cachaca” Farm - Until 1695 this mountain trail, formerly a Goiana Indian trail, was used as the best way to get from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo. With the Discovery of gold in the interior of Brazil at the end of the 17th century, this trail gained enormous importance. It became the official road for the flow of minerals that were shipped from the interior to Paraty, then to Rio and from there to Portugal. In 1767 a shorter and safer road was built connecting the mines directly with Rio de Janeiro, and from then the old trail was used for transportation of slaves and goods to the mines and to the coffee plantations, and for the flow of coffee from the farms in the Paraiba River valley to the port of Paraty.
You will see Ruins of an 18th century toll houses, Stone-paved roads, work of 18th century slaves, with drainage system and supporting walls. The trail goes through the most beautiful parts of the National Park of Serra da Bocaina, with exceptional scenery and the rainforest species of Fauna and Flora, as well as several waterfalls.
• Lunch at the Restaurant that serves country meals cooked in a wood stove - You will be able to taste some typical dishes from the farms in the interior of Brazil such as the "leitão a pururuca" (crispy roasted pork), "galinha ao molho pardo" (chicken with brown sauce), "peixada ao molho de coco"(fish with coconut sauce) aside from many other dishes. Just like any good restaurant the traditional Brazilian Feijoada is served.
• Tasting of Cachaça (traditional Sugar Cane Brandy).
EVENINNG:
• Dinner & Entertainment

DAY 5

DAY 6

Morning:
• Breakfast
• Boat Tour of the Paraty Bay - with its still wild beaches and 65 islands, is one of the most beautiful places in the Brazilian coastline. Its clear and calm waters, full of colorful fish are an invitation for a good dive/snorkel, that you cannot refuse. We will island hop, from pristine beaches to secluded coves, fish, swim & snorkel – aboard a custom built Schooner with all luxury amenities and its courteous crew.
• Lunch & Drinks onboard
EVENING:
• Dinner & Party

Morning:
• Breakfast
• Transportation back to Sao Paulo International Airport

* Our program itineraries are highly customizable! - As a rule, we carefully design each and every itinerary - tailor made to fit our client's needs and desires.

* We are flexible! - If you have already made some traveling arrangements, we will work with you to incorporate them into our program - or work our program around them.