Rail South America
Grand Rail Tour of Brazil
17 daysfrom $7,031
Tailor Made Rail · Escorted Rail Tour
Grand Rail Tour of Brazil - Escorted Rail Tour
Discover the Afro-Brazilian heritage of Salvador da Bahia, ride scenic trains from Vitória to Belo Horizonte, ascend Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio, travel the Serra Verde Express, and explore São Paulo on this escorted small-group tour.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Salvador da Bahia
Fly to Salvador
Flight from the UK to Salvador, usually connecting in Lisbon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel for a 4-night stay.
- Day 2overnight: Salvador da Bahia
At leisure in Salvador
A free day in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's original capital. In the evening, a welcome drink with fellow travellers and the tour guide.
- Day 3overnight: Salvador da Bahia
Discovering Salvador
Explore Pelourinho, the historic UNESCO World Heritage centre, the Barra Lighthouse with views over the Bay of All Saints, and possibly Campo Grande or a commercial district.
- Day 4overnight: Salvador da Bahia
Cachoeira
Visit the historic town of Cachoeira, including candomblé temples, churches and colonial mansions, a traditional Brazilian lunch, the Dannemann Cigar Factory, and the Santo Amaro Market.
- Day 5overnight: Vitória
Salvador to Vitoria
Fly to Vitória, capital of Espírito Santo, with a panoramic city tour including the Convent of Penha.
- Day 6railovernight: Belo Horizonte
Vitoria to Belo Horizonte
A full-day scenic train journey from Vitória to Belo Horizonte through picturesque countryside.
- Day 7overnight: Ouro Preto
Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto
Explore Belo Horizonte, then travel to UNESCO-listed Ouro Preto, with lunch at a traditional Minas Gerais restaurant and Baroque architecture.
- Day 8overnight: Ouro Preto
Day trip to Mariana
A scenic journey to Mariana, one of Brazil's oldest colonial towns, with lunch and a guided visit to a historic gold mine.
- Day 9railovernight: Tiradentes
Ouro Preto to Tiradentes
A scenic drive to Tiradentes, then a vintage steam train to São João del Rei to visit the railway museum and the Rotunda.
- Day 10overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Tiradentes to Rio de Janeiro
A scenic journey through Minas Gerais into Rio de Janeiro for a 3-night stay.
- Day 11overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the former Guanabara Palace, the Tijuca Forest, and Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car.
- Day 12overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Rio
Santa Teresa's bohemian quarter, lunch at a local eatery, and downtown Rio's historic buildings and street art.
- Day 13overnight: Curitiba
Rio to Curitiba
Fly to Curitiba, capital of Paraná, with a guided tour of Tanguá Park, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, and the Paço da Liberdade, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 14railovernight: Curitiba
Serra Verde Express
A train journey aboard the Serra Verde Express through the Serra do Mar mountains to Morretes, with a traditional lunch (barreado), returning to Curitiba by road.
- Day 15railovernight: São Paulo
Curitiba to Sao Paulo via Campinas
An early flight to Campinas, a historic museum train to Jaguariúna, dinner at a traditional motorway restaurant, then on to São Paulo for a 3-night stay.
- Day 16railovernight: São Paulo
Day trip to Paranapiacaba
Visit the atmospheric railway village of Paranapiacaba, including its funicular railway system and preserved technical installations.
- Day 17overnight: São Paulo
Sao Paulo
A tour of São Paulo's neighbourhoods including Pacaembu, Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera Park, the Pátio do Colégio, and Luz Station / Pinacoteca do Estado.
- Day 18
Depart Brazil
Transfer to the airport for the international flight home. Optional post-tour extension to Iguaçu Falls available.
Included
- Return flights from London (or UK airport) to Salvador and back from Sao Paulo in Economy Class
- 17 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- All meals, transfers, entrance fees, and train tickets (as per itinerary)
- Domestic flights in Economy Class within Brazil
- English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides
- Small group with a maximum of 18 travellers
Not included
- Single supplement for sole occupancy
- Optional post-tour extension to Iguaçu Falls
