Rio de Janeiro & the Route of Gold In 9 Days
Brazil
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Rio de Janeiro to Ouro Preto in nine days: the colonial Route of Gold through Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest, UNESCO heritage towns, and the gold mines of Minas Gerais.
The Gold Rush of the 18th century transformed Brazil, shaped its course of history, and helped finance the Industrial Revolution in Europe. This nine-day tour follows the Route of Gold from Rio de Janeiro through the Atlantic Rainforest to the mining towns of Minas Gerais. The journey takes in colonial seaports, UNESCO-listed heritage towns, and a working gold mine at Mariana. Paraty, Tiradentes, Ouro Preto, and Petrópolis are the main stops, each a well-preserved colonial town with its own distinct character. The tour begins and ends in Rio de Janeiro, including the classic ascents of Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado.
Safari Highlights
- Sugarloaf Mountain cable car and Corcovado with Christ the Redeemer
- Paraty schooner cruise through the bay and offshore islands
- Brazilian National Treasure sites: Paraty, Tiradentes, and Petrópolis
- Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ouro Preto, former colonial capital
- Mariana Gold Mine, open to the public and still in operation
- All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner included
- Return flights on Kenya Airways included
Rio de Janeiro & the Route of Gold
| RATE | PER PERSON SHARING | SINGLE RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | USD 4,000 | USD 5,200 |
Cancellation Policy
- •0-2 days / No show: 100%
- •3-7 days prior to departure: 75% of the total booking
- •7-14 days prior to departure: 50% of the total booking
- •Above 14 days prior to departure: 25% of the total booking
- •Full payment required 5 days before travel date
- •Specific hotel and airline cancellation policies will also apply
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your hotel with a meet and greet at the airport. The evening is free to settle in. Overnight in Rio.
Morning ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car for panoramic views of the city, Guanabara Bay, and the surrounding hills. In the afternoon, visit Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue. Dinner included: a traditional Brazilian BBQ churrasco. Overnight in Rio.
Drive south along the Costa Verde to Paraty, a beautifully preserved 18th-century colonial port town and Brazilian National Treasure. On arrival, take a walking tour of the historic center, where the stone-paved streets were designed to flood at high tide to naturally clean the town. Overnight in Paraty.
A full morning aboard a traditional schooner, cruising the emerald waters and small islands around Paraty Bay. Swim and explore deserted beaches along the way. Afternoon is free in town. Overnight in Paraty.
Drive inland through the Serra da Mantiqueira to Tiradentes, a colonial gold-era town named after the revolutionary hero executed in 1792 for leading a revolt against Portuguese rule. Arrive and settle in. Overnight in Tiradentes.
A free day to explore Tiradentes at your own pace. The town is compact and walkable: baroque churches, cobblestone streets, artisan workshops, and one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in Brazil. Overnight in Tiradentes.
Drive to Congonhas and visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for twelve soapstone sculptures of the prophets by the great Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. Continue to Ouro Preto, the former capital of colonial Brazil. Overnight in Ouro Preto.
Full day exploring Ouro Preto and the nearby town of Mariana. Ouro Preto's baroque churches, fountains, and hillside streets are among the finest colonial architecture in the Americas. Visit the Mariana Gold Mine, one of the few working gold mines open to the public in Brazil. Overnight in Ouro Preto.
Drive back toward Rio via Petrópolis, the 19th-century imperial summer retreat in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains. Visit the Imperial Museum in the former palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. Descend the Serra do Mar escarpment back to Rio de Janeiro for your return flight to Nairobi.
What's Included
- 8 nights' accommodation
- All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner
- All tours, transfers, and entrance fees (churches of Paraty excluded)
- English-speaking tour guides and driver throughout
- Meet and greet at the airport
- Return flight tickets on Kenya Airways
- Return airport and ferry transfers where applicable
- 1 bottle of water (0.5L) per person during airport transfers and tours
- Emergency assistance during stay in Brazil
What's Excluded
- Drinks
- Travel insurance
- Excursions not listed in inclusions
- Entrance fees to Paraty churches
- Visas
- Any other expenses not included