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Brazilian immersive tour with Samba lessons, cookery class, historic sites and traditional village life

from US $ 6640 pp

Brazil Map

Tour Highlights

History & Art in Rio

Samba Class

Eco Reserve

Flour Making

Afro-Brazilian Heritage

Sugar Mill

Cigar Factory

Fishing Village by Boat

about this tour

This tour of Brazil offers a journey through the country's rich heritage. The trip starts in Rio de Janeiro's historic center, Cinelandia. Here, travelers can explore the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral and Largo do Paço, a charming square. The tour then heads to Santa Teresa to see the Morrinho Project, a miniature replica of a favela hillside that showcases the area's artistic spirit. Next, there's a chance to learn the rhythms of traditional samba with a dance lesson, followed by an evening experiencing Rio's lively nightlife scene. Beyond the city, the tour travels to the remote village of Ponta Negra. This stop offers a glimpse into the Caiçara way of life, where flour-making, fishing, and canoeing are traditional activities. In Paraty, a charming town known for its colonial architecture, travelers can visit cultural landmarks. The tour concludes with a hands-on cooking experience, where participants can blend flavors and stories from across Brazil. This itinerary promises an unforgettable encounter with Brazil's rich culture and history.

  • 1

    Rio de Janeiro

    Arrival day in Rio de Janeiro. You will be welcomed in the arrivals hall by your driver for your private transfer to your accommodation. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to relax and refresh before you embark upon your Finest Journeys adventure. Rio's beauty is legendary: the Corcovado and its statue of Christ The Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the largest urban tropical forest in the world. The natives of Rio, or cariocas , pursue health and beauty, whilst the city's history, arts, folklore and popular music reflect its cultural abundance

    Arrival day in Rio de Janeiro. You will be welcomed in the arrivals hall by your driver for your private transfer to your accommodation. Enjoy the rest of your day…
  • 2

    Historic Rio Tour

    Today your guide will take you on a tour through the historical and cultural gems of Rio de Janeiro. Starting at Cinelandia, weave through narrow lanes and baroque-style buildings, while your guide shares tales of the area's rich history. Explore iconic sites such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Carioca Square, Largo Sao Francisco, and the Gabinete Portugues. Indulge in a visit to the Confeitaria Colombo, Rio's oldest coffee shop, preserving the Art Nouveau charm of its 1914 refurbishment. Venture to Praça XV, steeped in colonial history, and traverse Arco do Teles, leading to the charming Travessa do Comercio. Visit the Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil, a domed structure from the late 19th century, showcasing art films, contemporary theatre, and fine arts exhibitions. Immerse yourself in the colonial legacy at Paço Imperial, a modest yet historically significant structure dating back to 1743. This comprehensive tour unfolds the layers of Old Rio, bridging centuries in a captivating exploration.

    Today your guide will take you on a tour through the historical and cultural gems of Rio de Janeiro. Starting at Cinelandia, weave through narrow lanes and baroque-style buildings, while…
  • 3

    Santa Teresa Morrinho Project & Sugarloaf Mountain

    On offer today is an immersive journey through Rio's artistic and socially significant Santa Teresa neighborhood with a visit to the Morrinho Project. This unique installation, crafted from painted mud bricks, intricately depicts Rio de Janeiro's favela-lined hillside in miniature. Begin your exploration with a delightful walking tour, offering stunning views of Guanabara Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain. The route leads to the Pereira da Silva community, where the Morrinho Project unfolds in a mesmerizing 350 sq meter reconstruction, featuring detailed streets, graffiti, 3,000 miniature residents, and iconic landmarks like Maracanã and Arcos da Lapa. Engage with one of the project's founders to uncover the transformation of this endeavor into a symbol of expression for the younger generation. Conclude your day by visiting the Sugar Loaf Mountain, ascending via cable-car for breathtaking panoramic views over Rio de Janeiro. This tour seamlessly blends art, culture, and natural beauty in the heart of Santa Teresa.

    On offer today is an immersive journey through Rio's artistic and socially significant Santa Teresa neighborhood with a visit to the Morrinho Project. This unique installation, crafted from painted mud…
  • 4

    Samba lessons & Carioca nightlife

    Explore the heart of Rio de Janeiro with a thrilling Samba Dance Experience. Local instructors will guide you through the soulful art of traditional samba, a dance that embodies the spirit of Brazil. Uncover the history of samba through a samba lesson, where you'll learn the intricate footwork and rhythmic body movements that bring this iconic dance to life. After mastering some basic moves, put your skills to the test at Rio's hottest spots later that night. After practicing your samba moves during the day, head out to popular local nightlife spots. The tour includes visits to two different locations each night, ranging from casual bars to outdoor samba parties and venues with live music. Here, you can mingle with cariocas, experience the city's energy, and dance to typical Brazilian rhythms like Samba de Raíz and Forró Pé de Serra. Perfect for both laid-back travelers and those seeking a cultural nightlife experience. Departs hotel at 9:00 pm and returns at 1:00 am.

    Explore the heart of Rio de Janeiro with a thrilling Samba Dance Experience. Local instructors will guide you through the soulful art of traditional samba, a dance that embodies the…
  • 5

    Rio de Janeiro to Paraty

    Paraty, founded in the late 17th century as a gold shipment port for Minas Gerais, features colonial architecture, churches, and cobbled streets. Lush hills surround the town, with dozens of secluded beaches nearby. Beyond Paraty lies Serra da Bocaína National Park, stretching through Atlantic Rainforest and Araucaria Forest to the 2,132-meter peak of Boa Vista. Today's guided tour explores the town's planned layout, reflecting its gold rush era. As night falls, it's time to experience Brazil's delicious cuisine with a fun and flavorful cooking class led by Chef Yara Roberts. In a comfortable setting, learn the secrets behind various mouthwatering Brazilian dishes, uncovering the techniques, ingredients, and cultural stories that bring them to life. Chef Roberts will guide you as you prepare a hearty 3-course meal that may feature Amazonian baked fish, Bahian Acarajé, Xim-Xim de Galinha, and Tutu de Feijão. Alternatively, relax with a caipirinha in hand and absorb the sights and smells as Chef Roberts demonstrates the fine art of Brazilian cooking. The Cooking Academy in Paraty has catered for a wide range of people, from backpackers to authors, vacationing chefs, CEOs, billionaires, royalty, and pretty much everyone in between.

    Paraty, founded in the late 17th century as a gold shipment port for Minas Gerais, features colonial architecture, churches, and cobbled streets. Lush hills surround the town, with dozens of…
  • 6

    Ponta Negra Eco Reserve

    This trip explores some of the best beaches on the Green Coast, departing by car from the pier within a private condominium in Laranjeiras. The destination is Ponta Negra, a remote fishing village on the edge of the jungle within the Juatinga Peninsular Eco-reserve. Despite its location midway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Ponta Negra offers a feeling of remoteness. Surrounded by Atlantic Rainforest and lacking road access, the Caiçara people here maintain a traditional lifestyle based on fishing. The trip includes a boat ride along the coastline, with stops at the best beaches, before arriving at Ponta Negra where you'll spend the night. Lunch and dinner are included on the first day. Accommodation is basic but clean, with a mix of guesthouses, lodges, and local houses offering hot water showers. There's also the option for a guided trek to Ponta Negra.

    This trip explores some of the best beaches on the Green Coast, departing by car from the pier within a private condominium in Laranjeiras. The destination is Ponta Negra, a…
  • 7

    Caiçara Community

    Spend the day in the remote village of Ponta Negra and experience their way of life firsthand. Visit the local flour house to see the traditional process of turning manioc into flour, a dietary staple. Later, join the Caiçara people on a fishing trip and learn their unique canoeing techniques. This experience offers a unique chance to see their way of life, deeply connected to the unspoiled environment of the Atlantic Rainforest. The Caiçara people, with a blend of indigenous, African, and European ancestry, have adapted a unique and sustainable lifestyle based on fishing, hunting, and small-scale farming. Modern development creates challenges for these communities, but many Caiçara groups work to preserve their traditions. Ecotourism provides a way for them to share their culture and connect with visitors, ensuring the continuation of their ancestral practices. You will return by boat to Paraty in the evening.

    Spend the day in the remote village of Ponta Negra and experience their way of life firsthand. Visit the local flour house to see the traditional process of turning manioc…
  • 8

    Paraty to Salvador

    Brazil's first capital sits on a peninsula overlooking the bay that gave the state its name: Bahia. For Brazilians, Bahia is synonymous both with a more relaxed pace of life and a special intensity in all that Brazil represents: colour, music and religiousness. The Pelourinho, which means whipping post, as the old town centre is called, hosts a wealth of Baroque churches and colonial-style architecture.

    Brazil's first capital sits on a peninsula overlooking the bay that gave the state its name: Bahia. For Brazilians, Bahia is synonymous both with a more relaxed pace of life…
  • 9

    African Heritage & Salvador by night

    A historical walking tour around the old town is a great opportunity to feel the unique energy of this magical place and its people. The Pelourinho is situated in the historical center of Salvador. Declared a world heritage site in 1985, it is an eminent example of colonial history and symbol of the black movement in Bahia. The Pelourinho offers visitors a number of churches, museums, local artists' studios, galleries, shops and restaurants. Pelourinho's main tourist attractions include the famous writer Jorge Amado's House, the cultural group Olodum, São Francisco Church and the Cathedral Basílica as well as the traditional Cravinho Bar (where you might want to go for an optional caipirinha - not included). Our next stop is Elevador Lacerda, built in 1873 and connecting nowadays the Upper City and the Lower City as an important means of transport both for locals and tourists. From there you can enjoy the panoramic view of the All Saints Bay and Mercado Modelo and relax after this cultural walking tour. The Afro-Brazilian community is one of the most prominent throughout Bahia, and with this in mind, a visit to the region is enhanced no-end with an enjoyable introduction to the Afro-culture, religion and customs. Some might be familiar with well-known Afro-Brazilian traditions such as capoeira, a popular sport here in Bahia which you will, among other things, get the chance to discover on this half-day tour. Begin by learning the intricacies of Candomblé, a popular religion which derived from Africa though now has many followers here in Bahia; in fact, the first Candomblé temple was built in Salvador. Get under the skin of this fascinating religion by meeting a Babalorixá, or 'supreme' religious leader of Candomblé, discovering the day-to-day practices which make this religion so unique.

    A historical walking tour around the old town is a great opportunity to feel the unique energy of this magical place and its people. The Pelourinho is situated in the…
  • 10

    Historic Cachoeira

    Today you head into the Bahian countryside, in the hinterland of Salvador, the so-called Recôncavo Baiano. The tour passes various plantations, peaceful colonial towns, and busy country markets, with stops at an old sugar mill and a cigar factory. Next, the journey takes you 110 kilometers from Salvador to the charming town of Cachoeira, often referred to as the "Ouro Preto of Bahia" due to its historical significance and colonial architecture. Enjoy a delicious lunch with stunning views of the town at Fazenda Santa Cruz, then explore Cachoeira's cobbled streets. Explore the local market, the old Town Hall and jail, and the Holy House of Mercy. Learn about the town's rich history at the Carmo Museum and be inspired by the Boa Morte Sisterhood, an organization of black women who bravely fought for the abolition of slavery. Across the Rio Paraguaçu River lies Cachoeira's twin city, São Felix. The two towns are connected by the impressive Dom Pedro II Bridge, a 365-meter steel structure built in 1885 that carries both trains and cars.

    Today you head into the Bahian countryside, in the hinterland of Salvador, the so-called Recôncavo Baiano. The tour passes various plantations, peaceful colonial towns, and busy country markets, with stops…
  • 11

    Departure Day

    On the last day of the tour, a driver will be on hand at the required time for a transfer from the hotel to the airport, in preparation for onward flights.

    On the last day of the tour, a driver will be on hand at the required time for a transfer from the hotel to the airport, in preparation for onward…

Why Book With Us?

Selected luxury hotels that deliver exceptional service in authentic local style.

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Our in-country experts have in-depth knowledge of their city and culture for an exceptional travel experience.​

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Our in-country expert

Alejandro is our local expert on Brazil, having lived and breathed the heart of South America for 17 years. His extensive experience grants him an intimate understanding of the continent's diverse cultures, history, sights and scenes; from the Amazon's lush rainforests to the iconic Iguazu Falls. A lifelong passion for travel and tourism, ignited during his...
Alejandro
Alejandro

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