Description
The Tijuca Forest is considered the largest urban forest in the world. It has 330 square km of preserved Mata Atlântica (Tropical Forest), the highest mountaintops of Rio, waterfalls and hidden caves. A rich flora, with a great biodiversity and an incomparable natural beauty. The caves in the Tijuca Forest are formed of limestone, and have originally been formed by movements of the crust that caused collapses of stones from the Papagaio Peak and the Archer Mountain. These stones started to form caves with rocky formations, which today are impressive and beautiful sights to see, with wonderful angles for pictures.
Another important point is the great variety of bromeliads. The Tijuca Forest is considered the area with the largest concentration of different species of bromeliads in Brazil. Even more than the Amazon Jungle features. On this part of the trail the quantity is impressive, especially where the trail reaches the river.

FAUNA AND FLORA

It is an interesting fact that the Tijuca Forest, during his history, has been through an intense devastation process. First it was the extraction of wood, then a period of sugar-cane culture, and then coffee plantations in the middle of the 19th century. In 1860, due to the drought of many rivers inside the city, provoked by the devastation, an urgent re-plantation of the forest started. It was the largest re-plantation of forest in the history of Brazil. Books tell that a major named Gomes Archer, with only 6 slaves, was put in charge of this job, and realized it during the period of 1860-1873.
The Tijuca Forest is located inside the National Park of Tijuca and makes part of the Atlantic Forest. In this forest, there have been registered at least 900 different species of plants and 230 species of animals and birds. The main tree-species are called arca de pipa, óleo pardo, tatajuva and various types of Jacarandas. In this forest, you will also find rare species of orchids, red quaresmeiras, yellow ipês, silver embaubas, eucalyptus, walnuts and more. You can see nail-monkeys, sagui estrela, quatis, woodpeckers, humming birds, tangarás, teiús, camaleões, and many species of butterflies.

Program
Program:
08:00 a.m. – Pick-up starts at the hotels from Leblon to Leme. Transportation by van

10:00 a.m. – Arrival at the main entrance of the Tijuca Forest. Continue by van until we reach a restaurant called A Floresta, after a short stop at the Cascatinha Waterfall.

10:15 a.m. – Arrival at A Floresta Restaurant and start trekking.
10:30 a.m. – Arrival at the first 2 caves – Luis Fernandes and Belmiro.

In the beginning of the trek, we will have 5 min on trail and 5 min on paved road. After that, the tour will continue just on trails. Optional walk through the caves. The Belmiro Cave has one stony part, but without escalation. To walk through this cave you will need some strength and physical condition, especially in your hands. Walking through this cave is therefore indicated for adventurous people.
30 min to discover the caves. From the Luis Fernandes Cave to the Morcegos- and the Bernardo de Oliveira-Cave it takes 15 min.

11:15 a.m. – Arrival at the Morcegos Cave, with 40 m of length and easy access. The Bernardo de Oliveira Cave is located just next to it. This one is 15 m long. Optional walk through the caves. 15 min discovering the caves. From the Bernardo de Oliveira Cave to the Encantada Falls it takes 30 min. Optional rappeling next to the falls. Including the rappel, the duration of this tour will stretch out for 30 min. more.

12:00 noon – Arrival at the Cachoeira Encantada. 15 min there. Then 15 min walking to a place called Gruta Paulo e Virginia, where the van will be waiting for us.

12:30 p.m. – Arrival at Gruta Paulo e Virginia.
Get on the van, in order to return to your hotel. From Gruta Paulo e Virginia to the main entrance of the park it takes 10 min. From there to the South Zone of Rio the expected time is 1 hour.

01:30 p.m. – Drop off at the hotel (without the rappel).
02:00 p.m. – Drop off at the hotel (with rappel).

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Important – This tour takes place every Thursday or upon special request.

What to take with you:
Personal Equipment – Light and comfortable clothes – pants or shorts, t-shirt and training shoes. A small rucksack with mosquito repellent and a cap.

Optional Equipment: Camera and film.

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Type/Level – Eco-tourism/ Light trekking with nature-observation (guided) and optional adventure.

Package includes:
Transportation, a bilingual guide, snacks, rappel equipment and entrance fees.
Bilingual Guide: Our guides speak English and Portuguese. Other languages can be provided on special request.

Not included:
Insurance – Optional. Not included.

Group size:
Min 3 pax

Rate:
Rate