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La Serra da Bocaina is a range of mountains separating
the fertile valleys of Paraiba and the coast of Costa Verde, encompassing two
different worlds in terms of human activity and ecosystems. This is one of the
most imposing mountain ranges in Brazil, with peaks higher than 2000m. You
certainly don’t expect to find an ‘alpine’ environment like this only a few
steps away from the magnificent beaches of Paraty.
Barely known, and scarcely visited, this stretch of mountains offers
opportunities for great treks along the Gold Trail; because it takes
considerable effort to cross the section between the village of Sao José do
Barreiro and the Atlantic coast. Above all, this walk is inscribed in the
history books of Brazil, because gold from Minas Gerais was transported along
this route. Step by step to the rhythm of the horses that transport bags on
their backs keeping in line on the rough tracks, leather boots and traditional
hats, one begins to understand the complicated history that moulded the face and
the mentality of the contemporary Brazilian.
The Serra da Bocaina National Park was created in 1971 and covers 100,000
hectares. On this fantastic trek, we will pass through Atlantic Rainforest,
araucárias, wild pine-trees, altitude-fields with plateau grassland.
The wildlife on this trek is amazing. We will good chances of spotting the
occasional otter, tapir, howler - and capuchin monkey, buffy-tufted-ear marmoset
and capybara. Also, the many colourful birds on route will be the harpy eagle,
black hawk-eagle, black-fronted piping guan and red-capped parrot.
Read on as Brazil delivers a feast...........
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 Day 1: Depart UK
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro – Sao Jose do Barreiro.
English-Speaking guide receives you at the airport. Transfer (private bus / ac)
to Sao José do Barreiro.
Hotel *** (private bathroom / double room / breakfast included).
Not included: lunch, dinner.
Leave Rio de Janeiro by private transport. Before leaving this amazing city, we
cross the bridge of Nieroi which offers some the most spectacular views of the
city and Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer and it’s stunning surrounding beaches.
After an hour travelling we reach the colonial and historical village of Bananal.
There will be a chance to visit to the coffee estate and the factories of the
colonial streets. The route also takes us to the Carioca (natives) hinterland,
about as far as you can get from city chaos by secondary roads. The air quickly
cools down as the environment becomes more mountainous and we arrive at the
village of Sao José do Barreiro, still charmingly intact.
Pousada accommodation.
Day 3: Sao Jose do barreiro – Pousada da floresta
Early start today, about 8am. Today we trek from São José do Barreiro to Pousada
Recanto da Floresta - 18 km (8 hours trekking). This is the toughest day as we
trek from 500m to 1,950m over approx 8km!
The group will be carrying only a daily backpack - a car will transport big
backpacks to the pousada.
The first day of the trek consists of climbing the slopes of la Serra da Bocaina,
from Sao José do Barreiro, along the Barreiro’s Valley Trail. From the very
beginning of the trek, we will be able to see our target – Bacia’s Peak, which
is the send highest peak in Serra da Bocaina. We cross pastureland and herds of
cattle, passing by citrus and coffee plantations. From the top (1950m) , we have
a striking view of the Paraiba Valley with it’s ocean of rolling hills, towns,
lakes and the Bocaina Mountain Range. We also discover the meaning of “Bocaina”
– an Indian name for two mountains – one in front of the other. The views of this
surrounding area are beautiful.
We will have a picnic lunch at Bacia’s Peak. At about 3pm , we will begin our
descent to Pousada Recanto da Floresta – we should arrive at about 6pm.
Shower, dinner, sleep.
Day 4: Pousada da floresta - Trekking to Pico do Tira Chapéu (2,200m)
Today begins with breakfast at about 8am and we should be stating to trek to the
summit by 9am. Quite a tough day today as we cover 20km.
Tira Chapéu Peak is the highest peak of Serra da Bocaina and Bocaina National
Park.
The trail starts from Pousada Recanto da Floresta at 1,640m above sea level and
ends on the top of Tira Chapéu’s Peak at 2,200m.
The trail is uphill with some of the most amazing mountain views in Brazil. When
we reach the summit, and if it is clear day, we will see the beautiful City of
Pataty’s Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. We will aslo have some exotic and
picturesque views of the Paraiba’s Valley.
At approx. 1pm we will stop to have a picnic lunch on the summit of this
breathtaking mountain.
We will begin our descent after lunch with the aim of getting to our
accommodation, Pousada Recanto da Floresta at about 6pm. We will then dine on at
typical Brazilian Meal full of organic vegetables, straight from the garden to
the table!
Trekking Intensity: Tough
Day 5: Trekking to Casa Pintada Farm
Today we cross large forests of along a track in the National Park. We continue
on this high plateau, of la Serra da Bocaina, often at more than 1500m altitude.
There are numerous freshwater springs and waterfalls, some quite high and on the
first part of the walk are superb places to take a dip in these dreamy, romantic
surroundings.
A very early start today with breakfast being at 6am. At about 7am we will start
trekking along the famous Gold Trail. After about 50 minutes trekking we will
enter through the main entrance of The Bocaina National Park. Trekking for a
further 40 minutes we come across the awesome Santo Izidro Waterfall, which is
80m high. After the Sao Isidro waterfall we rejoin the paths through the forest
to the Paredao waterfall or cachoeirinha, the fountains dos Marrecos and finally
the Posses waterfalls, where we will stop and have a picnic.
We then push on to Bonito Valley and after about 4 hours, we arrive at Casa
Pintada Farm – a very basic accommodation with not much comfort or electricity
(Remember, this is a CHALLENGE!) The rooms are for 3-6 people.
25km, 8 hours trekking. Trekking intensity – tough.
A truck will transport participants large backpacks.
Day 6: Trekking to São Gonçalo Farm.
We begin our day with breakfast a little later than yesterday and by 9am we aim
to continue our trek along the Gold Trail. In this part of the Trail we can
observe parts of the old path covered by stones.
We are now back in the time of the tropeiros, so our bags are carried by mules
(instead of a pick-up) and the dusty track is replaced by a narrow track that
leads us further and further into the Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica). We
find here and there, little by little, we come across more and more small huts
of the locals, then all of a sudden, we are walking along the paved stones of
the colonial era.
We aim to arrive at São Gonçalo Farm at about 1pm, where we will have a bite to
eat.
After our lunch, we take a detour to the Veados waterfalls, an imposing and very
impressive waterfall being 200 meters high - a natural marvel in this region and
is the main waterfall is this truly beautiful national park.
An easier day today to recover from the previous days strenuous treks – a total
trekking distance of 10km.
Tonight we enjoy our dinner at our accommodation, the São Gonçalo Farm.
Day 7: Trekking to the end of the Gold Trail
Our last day of trekking will cover a distance of 18km and is considered to be
another tough day.
We descend to the coast along the paths of gold, spending most of the day
treading the paved stones of the Gold Trail.
Today we have our picnic at the San Antonio River at approx 1pm.
After passing by pastureland with great views of the region, we dive into the
typically dense vegetation of the Mata Atlantica.
The atmosphere is humid and hot, and we have to cross several bridges made out
of wood and rope. Narrow but solid, trembling but stable, they add a spirit of
adventure to the walk right up to the coast which appears suddenly in Pereque.
Mules will transport the large backpacks today also.
We should reach the end of the Gold Trail at about 3pm where a bus will be
waiting for the group.
The meeting point is close to suspended bridge 16km far from Perequê Village.
Private transport to Rio de Janeiro (3 hours)
HOTEL Mar Palace ****
Dinner will be on own this evening.
Day 8 : RIO DE JANEIRO – places you can’t miss…in just one day
Brazilians say God is the artist. And Rio is His masterpiece.
Guided visit with english speaking guide + private transport. Ascent to the
Corcovado, then descend through the Forest of Tijuca down to São Conrado (Praia
do Pepino) beach, a favourite in Rio. We make a stop, take a quick bathe and
then stroll along the beaches : Barra and its surfers, Ipanema and its garotas,
Copacabana and its tourists ; for an instant we are inside the skin of the
Carioca; for them going to the beach is as natural as eating.
Lunch in the Colombo confectionery store. (Lunch is not included)
In the afternoon we take a visit to the centre of Rio, to its cathedrals, the
imperial palace, the museum of art, the church of Notre Dame de Candelária where
the past and present of Rio become one. There are many styles but only one state
of spirit, that is the definition that is given to architecture in Rio.
Monuments, churches, high-rise buildings exist alongside the nature, all this
and more makes Rio so original.
At the end of the afternoon, we take the cable car up the sugarloaf mountain,
the best place to see the sunset. (cable car and entry are included).
Return to the hotel at about 1800 for our celebratory dinner this evening in the
restaurant.
HOTEL Mirador Copacabana **** (views of Corcovado from rooms)
Day 9 : Transfer to airport
Day 10 : Arrive UK
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(Itinerary correct at time of publishing, but subject to change)
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