Fly and drive: Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais

Brazil, discover this 10-day trip

Fly and drive: Rio de Janeiro et le Minas Gérais

Trip Description

Plan your itinerary, we take care of the rest. We offer you two options with rental car and accommodation in 3*, 4* or 5*. OPTION 1 - RIO DE JANEIRO & MINAS GERAIS, 6 cities over 12 nights: the city of Rio, Buzios and Petropolis in the State of Rio, as well as Tiradentes, Ouro Preto and Belo Horizonte in the State of Minas Gerais. Vehicle picked up in Rio and returned at Belo Horizonte international airport. OPTION 2 - SALVADOR DE BAHIA, 5 cities over 13 nights: the city of Salvador, Chapada Diamantina park, Ilheus, Itacare and the island of Morro de Sao Paulo. Vehicle picked up and returned at Salvador international airport. Accommodation with breakfast, rental car cat. B (air-conditioned, GPS, insurance). Other regions available on request. National and international flights NOT INCLUDED.

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Early morning arrival at Rio International Airport, welcome by our French-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel located on the famous Copacabana or Ipanema beach. Check-in, breakfast, free time to rest. At the end of the morning, briefing with our guide who will give you some advice on your itinerary, restaurants, etc., and, if needed, will help you exchange your euros for reals. Then he will take you to the Localiza Rental Car agency to pick up your vehicle. You will then be free to start discovering the marvelous city. Suggested visits for this afternoon: Corcovado, the Botanical Garden, and a panoramic tour of the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. In case of evening arrival, the vehicle will be delivered on the 2nd day and the program will be adjusted.
day 2
Visit of Rio de Janeiro
For this day in Rio, we recommend the following visits: the Maracanã stadium, the Museum of Tomorrow, the famous historic district of Santa Teresa where you will also discover the famous Selarón Steps, also known as the staircase of the Santa Teresa Convent. End the day with a cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset. For lunch, we recommend the Fogo de Chão churrascaria. In the evening, take a walk along the beach to enjoy a fresh coconut or a caipirinha. Plan for 2 hours at each site, taking into account the difficulties of parking in Rio and the frequent traffic jams.
day 3
From Rio de Janeiro to Buzios (180 km)
One of the most famous seaside resorts in Brazil, located about 2h30 by car from Rio de Janeiro. Armação dos Búzios is an 8 km long peninsula, surrounded by islands, with more than 20 beaches of all styles. This is where all of Brazil's jet set gathers to party… It is the Saint-Tropez of Brazil. Recommended departure from Rio no later than 9am, check-in at your pousada is scheduled after 1pm. You will therefore have plenty of time to discover Rua das Pedras and have lunch there before settling in. Rua das Pedras is the main street of the seaside resort. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs delight Cariocas and visitors. Tip for the afternoon: enjoy Geribá beach or tour the coves.
day 4
Day in Buzios and its surroundings
Day to enjoy the beaches, rent a buggy to discover the different coves of the peninsula, take a boat trip around the islands, go scuba diving or play a round of golf... And above all, go out in the evening on the famous Rua Das Pedras, the main street of the seaside resort. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs delight Cariocas and visitors. It is also possible to discover the small seaside resort of Arraial do Cabo, located 1 hour away by car and famous for its white sand beaches and scuba diving.
day 5
From Buzios to Petropolis (210 km)
About 03h30 of driving to reach the IMPERIAL city of PETRÓPOLIS, nestled in the forested hills of the Serra dos Órgãos. Petrópolis is a popular summer resort. Recommended departure from Buzios around 08h, arrival in the city around 11h30. Check-in at your hotel. The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the city, with the former summer palace of the emperor of Brazil, now the Imperial Museum, the Crystal Palace, the Santos Dumont Museum, and the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara with the Imperial Mausoleum.
day 6
From Petrópolis to Tiradentes (260 km)
Today, you leave the State of Rio for that of Minas Gerais. Since their discovery of the New World in the 15th century, the legend of El Dorado fascinated and obsessed most European settlers. It was during an expedition of the Bandeirantes, those adventurer-explorer-Indian hunters, that the incredible deposits of gold, diamonds, and precious stones were uncovered in a region that would soon be named Minas Gerais. Very quickly, thanks to the massive influx of slaves, the construction of cities with ambitious architecture and dazzling beauty began, in the purest colonial baroque style of the time. Today, the State contains 70% of the historical remains recorded in Brazil by IPHAN, the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage. About 4 hours by road to reach Tiradentes with various visits along the way. Accommodation in a pousada.
day 7
From Tiradentes to Congonhas (118 km)
Morning: departure for the village of Congonhas, located about 02h away by road. Various visits along the way. You will be able to discover the statues of the twelve prophets, considered the masterpiece of the sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho. These works adorn the forecourt of the Basilica of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos and overlook an esplanade occupied by the six chapels dos Passos, which contain certain scenes of the passion of Christ sculpted in cedar wood at a 1/1 scale. Accommodation in a pousada in Congonhas.
day 8
From Congonhas to Ouro Preto (60 km)
Morning: departure for the Colonial City of Ouro Preto. About 1h drive. Check-in at the Solar do Rosario hotel. Day of discovery of the city, with its steep and cobbled streets, its old houses, its plethora of baroque and rococo churches. The city of Ouro Preto, founded at the beginning of the 18th century, offers the largest collection of Brazilian colonial art. You can admire, among others, the works of the creative geniuses of the time: the painter Manoel da Costa Athaíde and Aleijadinho, who, as in Congonhas, left an obvious mark. Among the visits: Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Church of Our Lady of Pilar, Museum of the School of Mines, Museum of the Oratory.
day 9
Ouro Preto and Mariana
A second day in Ouro Preto with the discovery of the city of Mariana, located just 15 minutes from Ouro Preto. It was founded on July 16, 1696, at a time when the region attracted many gold prospectors. The first city built by the Portuguese in Minas Gerais after the discovery of gold and diamond deposits, Mariana is nestled in the mountains, with its cobbled streets and churches untouched since the "conquista". Visits: the Arquidiocesan Museum, the Do Carmo church, the São Francisco church, and the Cathedral da Sé.
day 10
From Ouro Preto to Belo Horizonte (95 km)
Today, only 1 hour drive to reach the capital of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte. You can explore the city by discovering the main attractions such as the São Francisco church, the Oscar Niemeyer complex, Pope Square, and the Palace of Liberty. OPTION 1 - Vehicle returned at Belo Horizonte airport and return flight to France. OPTION 2 - Full day in Belo Horizonte, overnight stay. On day 11, vehicle returned at Belo Horizonte airport, flight to Rio de Janeiro, free day to enjoy the beaches. On day 12, transfer to the airport for your return flight to France.