+ 55 (21) 99721-0594
tours@riohiking.com.br
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

The way we Travel

trips


The Rio Hiking Trips are Multi-Days programs including the best hiking tours in the city and the most popular destinations around Rio!


Backpackers Trips
>> Backpackers Trips:

A combination of the best hiking tours in Rio and our most attractive rates!

Private Trips
>> Private Trips:

The most popular destinations for short escapes out of Rio!

Customized Trips
>> Customized Trips:

Create your own dream trip: dates, destinations, itineraries, activities, lodging and travel companions of your choice.

Day Tours


Rio Hiking offers the best Adventure Day Tours in Rio de Janeiro. You can pick one of our Private Tours or a Backpackers Tour if you are looking for lower rates and meeting other travelers.


Backpackers Tours
>> Backpackers Tours:

Rio Hiking Backpackers tours are conceived to offer the best guides, equipment and our most attractive rates on adventure tours in Rio!

Private Tours
>> Private Tours:

Rio Hiking private tours include expert English speaking guides, pick-up and drop-off at your hotel/appartement, full equipment and entrance fees!

About Rio Hiking

Rio Hiking is a pioneer Adventure Travel company in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We are specialized in multi-sport outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, ocean kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, hang-gliding, rafting and cultural attractions.

We operate in the city of Rio and nearby destinations: Ilha Grande, Paraty, Serra dos Órgãos, Bocaina, Itatiaia, Buzios, Arraial do Cabo, Minas Gerais and other National and State Parks.

The purpose of our tours, trips and activities is to create personal and unforgettable connections with nature, local people and culture.

Our History

Founded in 1999 by Denise Werneck and her son Gabriel, the mother-and-son team quickly grew from a family business into an Adventure Travel company. The family’s love for travelling and nature took and still take them to visit many different destinations in Brazil and abroad. Denise is a Psychologist and in 2008 returned to her career while Gabriel graduated in tourism, made an MBA in business and took full control of the company.

With the booming of Rio de Janeiro due to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Gabriel invited one of his favorite guides, Augusto Naufel, to become his business partner and take care of operations. Augusto is a former lawyer who also shared the passion for traveling. After 7 years living in France he arrived in Rio in 2006, fell in love for the city and started working as guide and tour operator.

Our Team

Our specialized office staff is ready to provide all the information needed to organize and book your tours, trips and activities in Rio. Our tour operators and local guides are passionate about the activities offered by Rio Hiking.

They all have years of experience in the areas we operate and will be able to share the best ways to get around and the most rewarding routes. They are prepared to put together immersive tours and off-the-beaten-path activities to help you get at the authentic soul of the place.

Our Policies

Risk Management >>First company in Rio de Janeiro to be certified at the NBR 15331– Risk Management Standards for adventure travel;

Reduce Impacts >>Small Groups, work with local people and environmental education;

Business Vision >>Supports the local Adventure Travel Market and its Associations - ACTA and ABETA;

Legal posture >>Works according to good market practices and Brazilian laws;

Cancellation Policy for Tours >>- Cancelation by Rio Hiking due to weather conditions and safety reasons: NO CHARGES . . - Cancelation by the Client with more than 72 hours before the tour starting: NO CHARGES - Cancelation by the Client with less than 72 hours before the tour starting: 50% CHARGED - Cancelation by the Client with less than 24h before starting or No-show: 100% CHARGED

Cancellation Policy for Trips / Team Building / Customized Activities >>- Cancelation by the Client with more than 7 days before the tour starting: NO CHARGES . . - Cancelation by the Client with less than 7 days before the tour starting: 50% CHARGED . . - Cancelation by the Client with less than 72h before starting or No-show: 100% CHARGED

Privacy Policy >>Rio Hiking's Privacy Policy provides information to customers about the collection, use, storage and protection of personal data used in Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism activities. - RESERVATION INFORMATION: Customers must provide the following information: full name, number of people, date of service, product name, hotel or accommodation or meeting point, start time, contact phone, e-mail address - ADDITIONAL INSURANCE INFORMATION: Identification document or passport in case of foreigner, date of birth, sex, nationality, address, contact in case of emergency - PAYMENT INFORMATION: Payment for on-line bookings is made through the PayPal provider. The data requested for payment is stored by the supplier who requires: name, credit card number, expire date, security code. - INFORMATION COLLECTION: Customers must provide the data requested during the booking, by filling in the reservation form. - USE OF INFORMATION: The information and data requested are exclusively used for bookings and operation of touristic services. - SHARING AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION: The information collected is exclusively shared with service providers related to products contracted, such as credit card operators, insurance companies and tourism suppliers such as accommodation, transportation and others. - RETENTION OF INFORMATION: The information required on the reservation has no deadline to be deleted. - SECURITY OF YOUR INFORMATION: The information collected will be stored securely to prevent loss, unauthorized use or changes on your personal information. Rio Hiking stores all your personal information provided on servers protected by password and firewall. All electronic financial transactions carried out through our website will be protected by encryption technology. - PRIVACY POLICY UPDATE: 02/21/2021 - MORE INFORMATIONS: Tel: 55 (21) 99721-0594 / E-mail: tours@riohiking.com.br

About Rio de Janeiro

Known as the “Wonderful City”, Rio de Janeiro has one of the most amazing landscapes you can find on a big city. Its geography combines worldwide famous beaches, remarkable rocky peaks and a luxurious Tropical Forest.

The natural highlights of the city are the Tijuca National Park, Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountain.

The local “Cariocas” are known as friendly, joyful and easygoing people. Rio also offers a rich musical scene: Samba, Bossa Nova and the famous Carnaval party are just some of the many cultural attractions you can find there.

Where to eat

Rio offers its visitors many interesting options to eat! From a deep fried “Pastel” and a sugar-cane juice at a small street market, to the most contemporary restaurants of Leblon, the visitors will be able to taste many flavors of Brazil. 

If you are a curious eater looking for a consistent traditional meal, the “Feijoada” is a very good suggestion. This black-beans and pork stew is loved by locals and tourists! The locally famous “Bar do Mineiro” at Santa Teresa is one of the places we enjoy taking our clients for a good Feijoada! Another good traditional option is the Brazilian “Churrasco”. There are good options of “churrascarias” in many areas of the city. These “all you can eat” steak-houses are the perfect place for hungry meat-lovers looking for an intense eating experience. 

But if you just need a quick snack and a fresh drink, you can find good ones for modest prices in one of the many juice shops and bakeries of the city. You can also eat at one of the many “pay-per-kilo” restaurants in Rio. This option is very popular among locals by offering good prices and a nice variety of food. 

Travelers looking for a "modern cuisine" and an original atmosphere will find good options at Dias Ferreira Street, in Leblon. The districts of Ipanema, Jardim Botanico and Santa Teresa will also offer you very nice places to eat. We are sure your trip will be more interesting by enjoying the variety of Rio’s gastronomy. Our guides will be happy to answer you any questions regarding specific places to eat, addresses and reservation.

Corcovado Christ the Redeemer & Corcovado

Known as one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic landmarks, the Christ the Redeemer statue typically tops visitor’s must-see lists. It stands 98 feet tall and sits at the summit of Mount Corcovado. The lines may be long, but just be thankful that escalators and elevators have been installed. Before 2002, visitors had to climb more than 200 steps to reach the statue.

SourceTravel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

Beaches

If there is one beach that travelers know by name, it’s likely Copacabana. The atmosphere is extremely vibrant with several beach bars and multiple sports facilities along the sand. Meet the locals and participate in a pickup game of volleyball or soccer. Be prepared to share this beach with plenty of other people, as it is extremely popular.

Ipanema is another famed Rio beach. This lovely white sand is situated in one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods. There are galleries, theaters, and high-end shops sprinkled throughout the surrounding area. On Sundays, take advantage of the weekly market where local vendors sell all sorts of crafts.

Besides the two most famous, Rio also offers amazing beaches that are worth to be visited: Praia Vermelha at Urca, the hiden Joatinga, the beautifull neighbours Prainha & Grumari, and the fantastic wild beaches of Guaratiba, where you can only acces by hike!

SourceTravel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

Santa Teresa + Lapa

Located only five minutes from downtown, Santa Teresa was built on a hill around the convent with the same name, which dates back to 1629. You’ll find an abundance of restaurants, bars, and live music, as well as a colonial charm that has been preserved in the area’s cobblestone streets and architecture. Take a ride on the city’s only remaining “bonde” or tram and enjoy the lovely views.
 
In the early 20th century, Lapa had a rowdy reputation, but once the crowds began focusing their attention on the city’s beaches, the Bohemian neighborhood began to crumble. Now, after much revitalization, tourists from around the globe are returning to experience the area’s thriving nightlife and authentic Brazilian music. Find a bar, learn to Samba from the locals, and dance until the sun comes up.

SourceTravel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

Botanical Garden

Rio’s botanical garden features more than 8,000 plant species and offers a serene place for visitors to relax. Enter between two rows of towering palm trees and make your way to the lake where giant water lilies are scattered throughout. If the weather takes a turn for the worst, you can explore the greenhouses where there are more than a thousand species of orchids and bromeliads, most of which are Brazilian.

SourceTravel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

Sugar Loaf

The 360-degreee views of Rio from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain can’t be beat. To reach the 1,299-foot summit, visitors first take a cable car to the top of the neighboring Urca Mountain (which also provides some spectacular views of Copacabana and Christ the Redeemer) before hopping into another glass-enclosed car climbing to Sugarloaf. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll find restaurants and shops as well as lovely scenery.

Hikers can use an alternate way to reach the summit of Sugar Loaf. An easy 45 minutes trail will take you to the top of Morro da Urca (the intermediary mountain), where you can take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf. On the way back you will take the cable car down and then hike from Morro da Urca to Praia Vermelha.

SourceTravel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

Tijuca Forest

Those looking to escape the bustling city will love Tijuca National Park. It’s one of the largest urban rainforest in the world and is filled with luscious plants, waterfalls, and booming with wildlife. Many decide to venture into the park to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, but the forest has much more to offer. Choose to explore the many hiking trails and picnic areas. Those looking for thrills can opt for cycling, paragliding, and rock climbing.

Source: Travel + Leisure - "Top attractions in Rio de Janeiro" 
www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/rio-de-janeiro-attractions

 


Where to stay

If you are coming to Rio try to stay in one of the districts of “Zona Sul” (the southern Rio) or at the Santa Teresa area, the nicest and best locations for a short stay at the city. Please find below some of our favorites neighborhoods in Rio:
  
The one everyone’s already heard of! Copacabana beach has made this area of Rio de Janeiro extremely famous, and it’s with good reason, the beach stretches for miles in a beautiful bay, with a rocky finish on either side. Copacabana is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rio de Janeiro if you’re down for some heavy touristing, with lots of swanky hotels and restaurants to make your stay comfortable. 
 
Ipanema and its neighbor Leblon are two of the wealthiest of all the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. This is where the actors, doctors and lawyers buy swanky apartments overlooking the beautiful long beach. There are some really cool bars and restaurants in this area. Despite the wealth, you can also find a few options for cheaper food and drinks. In the mornings, the beachfront comes alive with joggers, dog-walkers and volleyball players. Later in the afternoon Ipanema is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset.
 
Santa Teresa is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, and used to be home to the richest families in the city before it fell into relative ruin. It’s now passed by a process of re-gentrification, with hipster bars, cafés and trendily second-hand clothes shops popping up to take advantage of the beautiful spaces. There are several points of interest up here, such as the Santa Teresa convent, Parque das Ruínas, and the top of the Selaron Steps, right on the border with Lapa. Despite all this tourist-attracting activity, Santa Teresa is still a pretty chilled out place, and a lovely part of the city to stay.
 
Just a step down from Santa Teresa, Lapa also has a very different vibe to Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. Lapa’s preserved old town colonial architecture is stunning, the intimate bars are decent at the weekends and it’s full of people enjoying the bohemian atmosphere. While you do need to exercise greater caution in Lapa, it’s an option for affordable lodging and it is still absolutely worth a visit.

Media & Reviews

Recommended by the world's best travel media:

Frommer’s

“Rio Hiking (+ 55. 21. 2552-9204 / 9721-0594 ; www.riohiking.com.br) offers guided hiking trips to all of the peaks and mountains in Rio and more. The 4-hour Sugar Loaf trip, which includes a short stretch of rock climbing (…). Less strenuous is the Tijuca Forest tour, which involves a driving tour of the forest, stops at waterfall and a couple of lookouts, and a 2-hour hike to Pico da Tijuca (…) with the option of returning via the fascinating hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Guides Denise Werneck and Gabriel Barrouin know Rio well, speak excellent English, and are delight to be with. “

Lonely Planet

“Led by Denise Werneck and her son Gabriel, who both speak English, Rio Hiking (+ 55. 21. 2552-9204, 99721-0594; www.riohiking.com.br) tours range from easy to strenuous and cover a variety of terrains in and around Rio. Popular treks include hike up to Pico da Tijuca (the highest point in the national park), Pedra da Gavea, Pão de Açucar and Corcovado. Cycling and diving adventures, surfing and rappelling can all be arranged.”

Travel + Leisure

Rio Hiking offers a great variety of adventure tours in town. You can check the options and book a tour at www.riohiking.com.br or (+ 55. 21. 2552-9204 / 99721-0594)".

Rough Guides

“Rio Hiking (+ 55. 21. 2552-9204 or 99721-0594, www.riohiking.com.br ) Offers hikes for small groups along the park´s many trails, most often to Pico da Tijuca, but also to caves or on tailor-made itineraries. Full day tour also include a visit to Santa Teresa… ”

LINKS & PARTNERS

www.lagoaaventuras.com.br >>
Adventure Park in Rio with Canopy, Zip Line and Climbing wall

www.abeta.tur.br >>
Brazilian Adventure Travel Companies Association - ABETA

www.turismo.gov.br >>
Tourism Ministery - MTur

visit.rio >>
Oficial City Guide - Riotur

State Parks >>
State Parks of Rio de Janeiro - INEA

Kayak - Tavel Guide >>
Rio de Janeiro`s Travel Guide