The Complete Brazil Train Tour
Summary
This 18-day Brazil train tour takes you from Vitoria, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, and Rio de Janeiro to Salvador da Bahia. This is the most complete Brazil train tour, perfect for train enthusiasts who want to see Brazil’s landscapes and landmarks aboard meter gauge rails and steam engines.
Starting in the port city of Vitoria, travel to Belo Horizonte and the Minas Gerais region where Brazil’s gold rush took off during the 17th century. Then lounge on the world-famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro before continuing on into southern Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. Ride on the Serra Verde Express on the way to Iguassu Falls. Finish this rail journey in Salvador da Bahia, the original Brazilian capital and the heart and soul of Brazil’s African culture.
Tour Highlights
- City tours of Vitória, Ouro Preto, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, & Salvador
- Train ride Vitória to Belo Horizonte
- Steam train from Ouro Preto to Mariana
- Steam train from Tiradentes to São Jão del Rey
- Train through the Atlantic Rainforest
- Iguassu Falls Tour
Included
- 17-Nights accommodations in hotels or pousadas
- All breakfasts & other meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- All tours, transfers, entrance fees, and train rides
- English-speaking guides
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Salvador Bahia
Arrive at the Salvador Airport and check into your hotel in downtown Salvador da Bahia. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Prepare for your railroad adventure on the 15-day Brazil Train Tour to discover the hidden gems and colonial treasures of Rio de Janeiro.
Day 2 Salvador Historic City Tour & Suburban Salvador Train Tour
Explore the highlights of historic Salvador today. Begin in the charming Pelourinho neighborhood, described by UNESCO as the most outstanding collection of baroque colonial architecture in the Americas and recently restored to its original splendor dating back to the 16th century. The city retains a traditional atmosphere due to its well-preserved heritage and contributes to the contemporary culture of the area. Visit the House of Jorge Amado Foundation, the City Museum, the Udo Knopf Museum and the gilded São Francisco Church. This 4 hour guided tour also includes lunch.
Afterward, head to the Central Station to start your railroad adventure on the Suburbian Salvador Train Tour. Admire the contrasts of Bahia’s beautiful beaches and simple dwellings of the suburbs. Follow the streets in the most popular neighborhoods. Head towards the Sao Tome de Paripe beach, capture the beautiful views of Bahia de Todos os Santos and enjoy an unforgettable visit to the periphery of Salvador.
Day 3 Praia do Forte & Tamar Turtle Project Tour
Known as the “Brazilian Polynesia,” Praia do Forte offers a variety of tempting leisure options in a slice of paradise. Explore almost 12kms of beaches surrounded by dunes, coconut groves and tidal pools. Consider a visit to the Garcia D’Ávila Castle Historic District, the Sapiranga reserve, the Pojuca river rapids or a sleepy but friendly fisherman’s village. Praia do Forte Village, a former fisherman’s village, exhibits the rustic simplicity of the area.
An unforgettable experience is a visit to the Tamar Turtle Project where rescued infant and adult sea turtles can find refuge, education sessions are given and visitors can learn about the project’s ongoing research.
Day 4 Arrival in Vitoria & City Tour
Arrive today at the Vitoria airport, transfer to your hotel and check-in. Due to its white sandy beaches and beautiful coastline, Vitoria is often called the sister city of Rio de Janeiro. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Vitoria and nearby Vila Velha. In the evening, unwind at the hotel or wander along the beachfront barefoot.
Day 5 Train from Vitoria to Belo Horizonte
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board a train from Vitoria to Belo Horizonte in executive class. Gaze out the windows to admire the lush green landscapes as the train makes its way through valleys and around the mountains. Simply sit back and relax during this memorable railway journey. Upon arrival in Belo Horizonte, check into the hotel.
Day 6 Arrival in Ouro Preto & City Tour
This morning, take a road trip and travel 104kms from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto by car, van or bus. Upon arrival, take a guided city tour through Ouro Preto and learn about this Brazil UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the “world’s richest city.” Ouro Preto or “Black Gold” in Portuguese, was the heart of Brazil’s 17th-century gold rush. Gold from this region was sent overland to Paraty and then shipped to the Old World to finance Europe’s Industrial Revolution.
Day 7 Free Day in Ouro Preto
Today is a free day to tour Ouro Preto. Spend some time to explore the rest of this colonial city’s treasures.
Note: If it is the weekend, ask your Travel Consultant to reserve your tickets for the train ride from Ouro Preto to Mariana. This is subject to availability.
Day 8 Transfer from Ouro Preto to Tiradentes
Say goodbye to Ouro Preto and continue to Tiradentes. Along the way, stop in Congonhas to visit the Basilica Bom Jesus do Matosinhos, the Chapel dos Passos and see Brazil’s famous sculpture of The Twelve Prophets. The impressive and imposing soapstone statues were crafted by Aleijadinho and are an important part of Brazil’s national heritage.
Tiradentes’ well-preserved colonial heritage gives rise to its local fame in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais. Significant attractions include the Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio church whose finely decorated facade contains some hundreds of kilos of gold and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário built by slaves in the 18th century.
Day 9 Maria Fumaça Train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei
Experience the essence of Brazilian history on the traditional Maria Fumaça train tour. Board the old steam locomotive to São João del Rei, just 13kms from Tiradentes. In São João del Rei visit the famous Maria Fumaça Museum which houses the largest collection of steam engines in Brazil. Enjoy lunch in town before returning to Tiradentes.
Note: This train runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Day 10 Transfer to Paraty
Depart and take a full-day transfer to Paraty. Along the way, take the time to absorb the beauty of the diverse landscapes of the region. Passby rolling hills and lush mountain ranges. Arrive in Paraty and check into your colonial and historic Pousada.
Day 11 Paraty Schooner Cruise
Cruise out to Paraty’s islands on a boat ride and note the surrounding lush vegetation and crystal waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This daily tour stops at four different islands in the area and the choices vary depending on the day of the week so check with your guide for details.
Travelers spend almost an hour in each idyllic location. One of the most popular islands is Ilha Comprida, a natural aquarium ideal for taking pictures, diving or swimming. After the tour, return to the shore and explore the picturesque city on your own.
Day 12 Transfer to Rio de Janeiro - City Tour & Sugar Loaf Mountain
Transfer from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, get ready for a 4 hour scenic city tour of Rio de Janeiro. Sugarloaf Mountain overlooks the Guanabara Bay in the center the city and the viewpoint from its peak is possibly the most picturesque area in Brazil.
Ride a cable car gondola to reach the summit and appreciate the sweeping views of Rio’s beaches, subtropical forests, islands and the city itself set amongst the backdrop of the sparkling blue bay.
Day 13 Rio de Janeiro Corcovado & City Tour
Explore the city on a tour of Corcovado Mountain by train and explore some of Rio’s best beaches. The Christ the Redeemer statue keeps an eye on Rio from an elevation of 710m. The monument was inaugurated on the day of Our Lady of Aparecida, 12 October 1931, by then President Getúlio Vargas and Cardinal Dom Sebastião Leme.
Ascend on the cogwheel railway to the top of Corcovado Mountain for a bird’s eye view of the center of the city. The 38m-high statue is the symbol of the faith and friendliness of the local Carioca people.
Get a closer look at this astounding landmark and take a final moment to absorb the view below, then make your way back down and head to the world-famous beaches of Rio.
Day 14 Fly to Curitiba & City Tour
Transfer to the airport and fly to Curitiba. Upon arrival, get ready for an exciting city tour. Visit Curitiba’s highlights, passing the Tiradentes Square, the historic Guaira Theater and the visually-inspiring Museum of Oscar Niemeyer.
Stop to visit the stately Wire Opera House and the open green spaces of Tangua and Tingui Parks and the Botanical Garden.
Day 15 Atlantic Rainforest Train Ride
Travel by train through the pristine Serra do Mar State Park, the largest protected area of Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil and a haven for hundreds of species of animals and birds. Journey down the old Graciosa Road through the subtropical Atlantic Rainforest to the oldest port of Parana, dating back to the early 16th century, and view the Dom Pedro II port.
Continue to Morretes, a quaint little town founded in 1714 after gaining prominence for its cultivation of mate, a local tea. Wander through the town and note the graceful and colorful Portuguese architecture and the São Benedito church. Next, head to the historical center and pass by the old water fountain, municipal market, Itiberê river, the Nossa Senhora do Rocio sanctuary and the popular Art and Archaeological Museum established in 1755. Then sit down to sample a local dish of barreado for lunch, served in a waterfront restaurant and included in the tour.
Later, transfer to Curitiba by train. Travel on the historic railroad opened in 1885 that links Curitiba to Paranaguá, the state of Paraná’s main port and the third largest in Brazil. Be struck by the mountain landscapes interspersed with rivers and waterfalls and try to identify the various tropical plants, flowers, and birds. Travel over bridges that span precipices and gorges all the way to Curitiba.
Day 16 Arrive in Foz do Iguassu & Tour of the Falls
Anticipate one of the highlights of the trip, a tour of the phenomenal Iguassu Falls. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Foz do Iguassu, Brazil’s closest city to this natural wonder.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take a rest. Then follow your guide on an afternoon tour of the Brazilian side to view the impressive set of waterfalls that forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. From here, stroll along the catwalks and view the Falls from above to witness their power and hear the deafening roar of whitewater.
Take the opportunity to explore the area and meander along walking trails surrounding the Falls.
Day 17 Iguassu Falls Tour from Argentine Side
Experience the falls from another point of view today. Cross over the Iguassu River which forms the border between Argentina and Brazil and stop for a moment to truly appreciate the view of the vast and beautiful Iguassu Canyon en route to the Iguazu National Park in Argentina. Once in Argentina, visit the upper Falls including San Martin Falls and Devil’s Throat and follow a series of walkways through the lush forest right next to the 70m-high Falls.
These walkways allow visitors to have an intimate encounter with the Falls and adjoining rainforest filled with a rainbow of orchids and other unique species of tropical flowers, birds and other wildlife. After an exciting day experiencing the sights and sounds of Mother Nature’s best creations, return to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the Falls and spend the rest of the night at your leisure.
Day 18 Departure from Foz do Iguassu
Transfer to the Foz do Iguassu Airport to catch your flight home or onto your next destination in South America,
