Brazil · Hiking

Private 6-hour Hiking Tour in the Tijuca Forest: Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Picnic

6 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro. Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Private guided hike through Tijuca National Park
02 Visit Vista Chinesa and Emperor's Table viewpoints
03 See Cascatinha Taunay, the park’s largest waterfall
04 Enjoy time at Gabriela waterfall and bring swimwear for a dip
05 Walk about 7 km round trip at a slow pace
06 Spot wildlife such as monkeys, coatis, birds, and turtles
07 Relax with a picnic-style snack break by Açude da Solidão
08 Round-trip pickup and drop-off in Rio de Janeiro included

Explore the lush landscapes of Tijuca National Park on a private 6-hour hiking experience through one of the world’s largest urban forests. Along the way, discover scenic viewpoints, historic sites, waterfalls, springs, and forest lakes while enjoying the contrast between dense rainforest and Rio de Janeiro’s iconic skyline.

With an expert guide leading the way, this mostly shaded hike covers about 7 km round trip at a slow pace, with light to medium difficulty. Visit highlights such as Vista Chinesa, Emperor's Table, Cascatinha Taunay, Gabriela waterfall, and Açude da Solidão, with time to stop for photos, a refreshing swim, and a picnic-style snack break.

Keep an eye out for local wildlife such as monkeys, coatis, birds, and turtles, and unwind after the hike as you return through some of Rio’s beautiful natural scenery.

Explore the lush landscapes of Tijuca National Park on a private 6-hour hiking experience through one of the world’s largest urban forests.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Rio de Janeiro, Tijuca Forest, Guanabara Bay

Languages English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Visit the Vista Chinesa monument which was built between 1902 and 1906 as a way to honor the Chinese, who brought tea cultivation to Brazil in the early 19th century.

It has a privileged view of Christ the Redeemer, Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Ipanema and Leblon beaches, as well as Morro Dois Irmãos, and other Rio’s icons. People in search for the best angle causes a fierce dispute for a space, but what you see from Vista Chinesa compensates for the “push-push”.With its privileged geographical position at an altitude, Emperor's Table offers one of the best landscapes in Rio de Janeiro. The place was widely used by Dom Pedro 2nd during the Empire. He constantly rested on the lookout during his walks through the Tijuca Forest, hence the name.Taunay is, without a doubt, the most beautiful of them all the falls inside the Tijuca Park.

It is impossible to talk about Rio de Janeiro and its natural beauty without mentioning Cascatinha Taunay. First of all, this is the largest waterfall in the Tijuca National Park with its 35 meters high.

In addition, it has an unparalleled scenic beauty, bringing together all the elements necessary to connect with nature. You will surely love the atmosphere of this place.A leisure tip to take a rest from the hike is the “Recanto dos Pintores” which is a space with excellent infrastructure to receive visitors with comfort and convenience. It has playground, ponds, restrooms, water, picnic and barbecue areas.Be dazzled by the beauty of the Gabriela waterfall located within Tijuca National Park. Bring swimsuits along so that you can splash around.The most famous lake of the forest is named after a Baron who lost his son in the Paraguayan War and started to visit the place to isolate himself.

Although with a melancholy history, the place is incredible and it is very worthwhile to stop by. You will find turtles, wild animals and lots of nature to understand why the Baron found the lake a wonderful haven of peace and tranquility!

That’s where we spot by for a break and enjoy snacks picnic style.On the way back to your hotel, we should stop by at the beachside kiosks to sip a cold coconut water directly from the fruit, enjoy the beautiful landscape nature offers and watch the flights of paragliders and hang gliders taking off and overflying the area.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro. 3 cities · 6 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport by fully-equipped vehicles.
Any address pickup & drop off are included like hotel, airport and port.
Professional / licensed / bilingual private tour guide.
Private driver for groups bigger than 4 people, otherwise the guide drives the vehicle themselves.
VAT, all taxes, handling charges, parking fees during stops, airport / port Greet & Meet service.
Entrance & admission fees.
Picnic supplies.

What's Not Included

Meals & drinks.
Gratuities & tips. (optional).

Know before you go

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
No public transportation nearby
Infants must not sit on laps
Infant seats unavailable
PICK-UP INFORMATION:
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs.
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DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS:
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs.
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HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
• As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
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AIRPORTS ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Once you have arrived at the airport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting vehicle.
Pickup instructions:
Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs.

Drop-off instructions:
Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs.

Hotel pickup instructions:
As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.

Airport arrival instructions:
Once you have arrived at the airport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting vehicle.