An Exclusive Discovery of the Marvelous Rio de Janeiro, the Mighty Iguazu Falls and the Heart of Afro-Brazilian Culture

Hiking Through Tijuca Tropical Forest and to its Highest Peak (private tour)

  • A view from "Chinese view" belvedere

Summon your athletic spirit to hike to the summit of Tijuca peak, the second highest one in Rio, with a height of 3350 feet (1021 meters). First, you’ll traverse part of Tijuca tropical forest, the largest urban forest in the world, and one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. There you’ll enjoy the lush tropical vegetation and maybe spot birds or monkeys. On your way, you’ll stop at “Chinese outlook”, the most visited panoramic outlook in the forest, marked by a Chinese-style gazebo, with a view to the forest, the Sugarloaf mountain and the “Christ the redeemer” statue atop the Corcovado mountain. After passing by a spot in this tropical forest adorned by a quaint little cascade, you’ll head to the mountain itself where the hiking difficulty turns moderate. Once near the summit, a 117-step stone staircase calls everyone’s attention. It was especially carved into the mountain itself for a Belgian King, Albert the 1st, an avid mountaineer who visited Rio de Janeiro in 1920. At the summit of the Tijuca peak, if it’s not cloudy, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of Rio’s bay and city, the surrounding mountains and forest, and the ocean.

Since you’ll be doing this tour with your own private vehicle and guide, you’ll be able to enjoy each attraction at your own pace; making all the stops you want, all the while enjoying personalized assistance and care from your expert guide. You’ll also enjoy more convenient and faster transfers to and from your hotel, as there will be no other travelers to pick up or drop off at other hotels.

Important: the tour’s exact itinerary and duration may change subject to weather conditions and decisions of the tour guide to optimize your tour experience.

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Difficulty: moderate. Trek distance: 3 miles (5 kilometers). Elevation gain, not including the forest hike: 1709 feet (521 meters). Peak height: 3350 feet (1021 meters).

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Duration: About 5 hours from the time you leave your hotel until you return. The ascent itself is about 1:15 hours, depending on your pace.

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Guide: private guide.

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Vehicle: private vehicle.