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Tailor Made Holidays To Brazil: Rio De Janeiro Petropolis Minas Gerais

Brazil: Exploring Rio de Janeiro + Petropolis + Minas Gerais

14 NIGHTS FROM:

$4,226

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

JRM14R

• Tailor Made Holidays to Brazil

• Rio De Janeiro

• Petropolis

• Minas Gerais state

• Ibitipoca

• Tiradentes

• Sao Joao del Rei + Distillery

• Congonhas

• Oura Preto

• Mariana + Gold Mine

Our tailor made holidays to Brazil include the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro and imperial Petropolis with its many palaces, as well as lesser visited treasures found in the state of Minas Gerais north of Rio, with its many historic churches and colonial buildings. From Tiradentes, visit Sao Joao del Rei & a Cachaca distillery. Also visit the pilgrimage town of Congonhas & the churches of Oura Preto, which used to be an important gold mining centre.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Rio de Janeiro Airport and transferred to your hotel in this iconic city - famous for its magnificent setting and enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado Mountain - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Rio is also home to the magnificent Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca beaches and known for its samba and bossa nova dancing, carnivals and music festivals.

Day 2

Today enjoy a half day private tour to one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

We start by boarding the cog train from Cosme Velho Station to Corcovado (meaning 'hunchback') Mountain. Enjoy the steep 20-minutes train journey through the dense Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca, with wonderful views of the lush tropical vegetation, and scenic landscapes of the city and its beaches below. Disembark and climb the steps or take the escalators to the base of the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the 7 wonders of the modern world - and enjoy its spectacular 360 degree panoramas.

After descending by cog train, you will drive past some of Rio's most famous beaches - Leblon, Ipanema & Copacabana - before you are dropped off at your hotel, with afternoon at leisure.

In the evening there is the option of enjoying the Roxy Dinner Show held in an historic Art Deco theatre, showcasing music and dance from different regions of Brazil (advance booking strongly recommended).

Day 3

Today enjoy a full day privately guided trip driving 2-hours to Petropolis, the imperial city of Brazil, set in the mountains north of Rio. Once favoured by emperors and aristocrats, this city is filled with palaces and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Here we visit the Imperial Museum, once the summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II, which showcases furniture, jewels and other objects from Brazil's imperial period. We also visit Rio Negra Palace, built in the early 20th century and the summer residence of the president of Brazil, known for its grand architecture and beautiful gardens.

We also visit São Pedro de Alcântara, a beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral which is the final resting place of Brazil's imperial family and Casa de Santos Dumont - the home of this famous aviation pioneer.

Quitandinha Palace is another grand palace built in the 1940's, with elegant halls and lovely gardens, and at Cristal Palace you can appreciate this stunning glass and iron structure built in the late 19th century and its lovely gardens.

Lunch is for your own account. At the end of the day, you will be driven back to Rio.

NB: All sites are closed on Mondays. The interior of Rio Negro Palace is currently closed for renovation, but visitors can still enjoy the surrounding gardens and the palace's historic exterior.

Day 4

Today enjoy a half day private tour of downtown Rio de Janeiro, known locally as Cidade Maravilhosa (the Marvellous City').

After driving through the downtown area, we stop at the huge Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Sebastian), built in the form of an ancient Mayan pyramid. We also view the historical buildings around Cinelândia Square - including the Municipal Theatre, the National Library and Museum of Fine Arts.

We then drive past Flamengo Park, the largest public park in Rio, to one of the most famous symbols of the city - Sugarloaf Mountain. Here we travel all the way to the top, in two cable cars. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point with beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. The second cable car takes us all the way to the top, with wonderful views over Copacabana beach, Santa Cruz fortress and the beaches of Niterói. There is also the option to take a helicopter ride over Rio (pay locally).

We return by cable car and transfer back to your hotel, with your afternoon free to explore more of Rio independently.

Day 5

Today transfer 4-hours to the town of Conceição do Ibitipoca (meaning 'Burst Mountain'), nestled in the scenic hills of the state of Minas Gerais.

On arrival check in to your hotel, with the remainder of your day at leisure.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

Day 6

Today you have the day at leisure to enjoy Ibitipoca.

You can explore beautiful Ibitipoca State Park with its waterfalls, caves, natural pools and dramatic rock formations.

Alternatively, wander through the charming village streets and enjoy relaxing in the local cafes and restaurants.

Day 7

Today transfer 3-hours to Tiradentes, a charming hillside colonial town that was once a booming gold centre.

On arrival check into your hotel and have the remainder of your day at leisure.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

Day 8

Today enjoy a full day private excursion to Sao Joao del Rei and the Velho Ferreira Cachaca Distillery.

We first travel 30-minutes to Sao Joao del Rei, a historic town known for its well-preserved colonial architecure. Here we visit a selection of churches - including the Cathedral-Basílica of Our Lady of the Pillar built in 1721 to replace an earlier chapel destroyed in the War of the Emboabas, the Church of Our Lady of Mercy perched high on top of a hill, the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with its octagonal towers and Rococo-style facade, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary which is the oldest religious building in the town, and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi which is renowned for its elegant Rococo style.

After lunch (own account), we drive 1-hour back through Tiradentes to Velho Ferreira Cachaca in the village of Vitoriano Veloso for a tour and 'cachaça' tasting at the distillery. Cachaça is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice and an essential ingredient in the 'caipirinha' cocktail, the most popular spirit in Brazil.

Note: The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is closed on Saturdays and Mondays.

Day 9

This morning enjoy a half day private walking tour of Tiradentes.

We start with a walk up to Alto Sao Francisco to enjoy a panoramic view over the town and the surrounding Serra de Sao Jose mountains. We then walk back down and across the Forras Bridge to the Largo das Forras town square. Here we visit the Chapel of the Good Jesus of Poverty, before visiting the Padre Toledo Museum for a glimpse into Brazil's colonial past and revolutionary history.

We also visit the historic Mother Church of Saint Anthony and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People, which is the oldest church in the city. We finish off our tour by walking through the streets of the historical centre, before returning to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to expore more of the town independently.

Day 10

This morning transfer 3.5-hours from Tiradentes to the colonial town Ouro Preto.

Along the way we detour to Congonhas to visit the 18th century Sanctuary of the Lord Bom Jesus of Matosinhos, a significant pilgrimage site and cultural centre known for its Baroque architecture and sculptures. We also the Chapel of the Steps of the Passion of Christ, a significant part of the basilica and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its six chapels that depict scenes from the Stations of the Cross (Via Sacra). The Cultural Centre of the Pilgrimage used to serve as a hostel for pilgrims visiting the site.

Afterwards we continue to Ouro Preto, which was once the heart of Brazil's gold mining industry. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel, with the remainder of your day at leisure. Lunch is for your own account.

Note: Your driver will only speal Portuguese.

Day 11

This morning enjoy a half day private tour, driving 1-hour to the nearby town of Mariana.

We start the day by visiting the twin churches of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Francis of Assisi, which are located side by side in the historic heart of Mariana. We then visit the Cathedral Basílica of Our Lady of Assumption, one of Brazil's oldest religious buildings.

Afterwards we visit the Old Town to enjoy its architecture and ambiance.

We then return to Ouro Preto, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 12

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of Ouro Preto, starting at San Sebastian Lookout and continuing to the Lookout of the Slabs, both offering panoramic views across the historic city centre.

We then visit some of the town's historic churches. These include the Church of Saint Francis of Paula built during Brazil's colonial period; the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary built by enslaved Africans and their descendants; the Basílica of Our Lady of the Pillar renowned for its opulent Baroque and Rococo architecture; the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi; and the Parish and Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception which is one of the city's most prominent Baroque churches.

Afterwards we visit the abandoned Mines of the Old Palace (Minas do Palacio Velho) known for its significance in the region's gold mining history and for its well-preserved remains of the mining operations. The site includes remnants of excavations carried out by enslaved people, and it offers a glimpse into the history of gold mining in the area.

We then return to town, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 13

A full day on the road today as you leave Ouro Preto and transfer 5.5-hours to Rio de Janeiro, travelling through scenic mountains, along highways and through historic towns.

You will be dropped at your hotel in this iconic city - famous for its magnificent setting and enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado Mountain - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Rio is also home to the magnificent Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca beaches and known for its samba and bossa nova dancing, carnivals and music festivals.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

Day 14

At leisure to explore Rio's extensive beachfront promenade with its modernist swirling patterns, or relax on famous Copacabana Beach or quieter Ipanema.

You can take an optional half day Carnival Experience tour, to experience the excitement of the annual Rio Carnival, with the opportunity to don one of the extravagant costumes.

You can also travel by tram to the Bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa with its winding cobbled streets, or walk down the colourful Selaron Steps to the Lapa neighbourhood, known for its nightlife.

Alternatively you can visit the Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden with their tall palms, giant Amazonian water lilies and wonderful orchid house, with flowers the size of your hand. A troop of capuchin monkeys roam free in these sprawling gardens that are home to over 8,000 different plant species

You can also visit the Sambadrome (home to the Rio Carnival), the modern Metropolitan Cathedral, the enormous Maracanã Stadium, Rio Aquarium, the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard.

Day 15

Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport for your flight home.

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