Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. All train tickets are included, as well as domestic flights within Brazil, hotels, meals, transfers, entrance fees, and the services of an English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides.

Which trains does the tour use?

Four named trains: the Vitória a Minas railway from Vitória to Belo Horizonte, a vintage steam train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei, the Serra Verde Express from Curitiba to Morretes, and a historic museum train from Campinas to Jaguariúna.

When does the tour depart?

Two departures are confirmed: 8 to 25 November 2025 starting at £5,999, and 17 October to 3 November 2026 starting at £6,499.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Escorted. An English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides accompany the group throughout the 18 days.

Does the price include international flights?

Yes. Return flights from London or a UK airport to Salvador and back from São Paulo in Economy Class are included.

Tailor Made Rail · Escorted Rail Tour

Grand Rail Tour of Brazil - Escorted Rail Tour

Escorted 18-day rail tour of Brazil from Salvador to São Paulo

Tailor Made Rail's Grand Rail Tour of Brazil is an 18-day escorted journey that begins in Salvador da Bahia and ends in São Paulo, combining four distinct named trains with guided exploration of Brazil's colonial heritage, Atlantic Rainforest, and major cities. The tour opens with four days in Salvador, including a guided tour of the Pelourinho UNESCO World Heritage quarter and a day trip to the historic town of Cachoeira. A full-day scenic journey on the Vitória a Minas railway carries the group through countryside to Belo Horizonte, followed by visits to the Baroque architecture of UNESCO-listed Ouro Preto and the colonial gold-mining town of Mariana. A vintage steam train takes travellers from Tiradentes to São João del Rei. Rio de Janeiro offers three nights with visits to Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, and the bohemian quarter of Santa Teresa. The Serra Verde Express climbs through the Atlantic Rainforest to the town of Morretes. The journey concludes with exploration of São Paulo's neighbourhoods, parks, and museums. An English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides accompany the small group of no more than 18 travellers throughout.

What to know before you look closer

Hotels are listed as "or similar"; the final accommodation in each city depends on the tier and availability at the time of booking
The from-price of £5,999 covers the escorted package and all included services; confirm exact departure costs and any single-supplement charges before booking

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.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Explore Pelourinho, the colourful historic centre of Salvador da Bahia, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Day 6Full-day scenic train journey on the Vitória a Minas railway through picturesque countryside to Belo Horizonte
Day 9Ride a vintage steam train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei and visit the railway museum
Day 11Ascend Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car in Rio de Janeiro with views over Copacabana and the Bay
Day 14Travel the Serra Verde Express through the Serra do Mar mountains and Atlantic Rainforest to Morretes

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. All train tickets are included, as well as domestic flights within Brazil, hotels, meals, transfers, entrance fees, and the services of an English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides.
Which trains does the tour use?: Four named trains: the Vitória a Minas railway from Vitória to Belo Horizonte, a vintage steam train from Tiradentes to São João del Rei, the Serra Verde Express from Curitiba to Morretes, and a historic museum train from Campinas to Jaguariúna.
When does the tour depart?: Two departures are confirmed: 8 to 25 November 2025 starting at £5,999, and 17 October to 3 November 2026 starting at £6,499.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Escorted. An English-speaking Tour Leader and local guides accompany the group throughout the 18 days.
What is the maximum group size?: 18 travellers.
Does the price include international flights?: Yes. Return flights from London or a UK airport to Salvador and back from São Paulo in Economy Class are included.

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