Tijuca Forest
Challenge Circuit

A challenging full-day hike at Tijuca Forest. Stunning Rio views, waterfalls, grottos, and coffee farm ruins in a small group of maximum 6.

Total duration:

FULL-DAY / approx. 8 to 9h

Difficulty level:

HARD (requires very
good fitness!)

Hike details:

10,4km (6.5mi) / 4 to 5h elev. gain: 848m (2782ft)

Prices:

from 400BRL/person
private: from 1,310BRL

😍 for you

Highlights

Tijuca Forest
Challenge Circuit

From 400BRL/person

PLEASE NOTE: As we work with small groups, it regularly sells out. Please book as soon as possible!

View from Tijuca Forest Peak

The Tijuca Forest Challenge Circuit is...

An adventurous hike, up and downhill, to immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty of the Atlantic Tropical rainforest. The Tijuca Forest National Park is one of the largest (40km2) urban rainforests in the world. Get ready for captivating and challenging hike as you explore this lush green heart nestled in the city of Rio!

DIVERSE ATTRACTIONS

Peaks with panoramic views, waterfalls, suspension bridges, mysterious grottos and a 200-year-old coffee farm ruins in the middle of the jungle. The adventure ends with an optional refreshing waterfall shower (bring bathing suit and towel).

‘HIDDEN’ TRAILS, UNIQUE SPOTS

The up and down circuit (10,4km=6.5mi) was designed by our team of ‘experts’ in Tijuca Park and you’ll hike at the ‘not-so-popular’ trails, in a more hidden and unique part of the rainforest exploring spots rarely featured in most tours.

ONE PEAK, TWO AMAZING VIEWS

Reach the Taquara Hills (814m=2,671ft) that, on clear days, has great views of the ocean, the West coastline of Rio and, in the other direction, a panoramic perspective of mountains, peaks and the impressive valley of Tijuca Forest with the city of Rio as a backdrop.

IT'S A TOUGH HIKE!

The trail goes up and downhill for approx. 10km (6.5mi) on a rough terrain with an elevation gain of 848m (2782ft). There's NO TECHNICAL ROCK CLIMBING, ropes etc but it's a long and hard hike recommended for people who are active and exercising on a regular basis. It requires good cardio endurance.

MORE THAN JUST A HIKE... LEARN AND BE AMAZED

Our experienced and passionate tour guides are ready to give you tons of information to enrich your experience and the whole trip. From geography and history to botany and beyond, open your mind and allow yourself to fall in love with the essence of Brazil and the natural wonders that surround you.

(*the water flow on the falls varies according to intensity and recency of the rain)

💬 testimonials

What our guests are saying

We had a lovely day in Tijuca forest hike in small group and we had a wonderful day with our guide!

The weather was cloudy on the day we walked, but we still loved the experience and everything we saw. Our guide was excellent, and told stories and answered all our questions throughout the day!

Google Logo

reviews

100% 5★

GetYourGuide-logo

rating

4.9/5.0

TripAdvisor Certificate

reviews

95% 5★ + 4% 4★

Yelp-Logo

reviews

100% 5★

Facebook Logo

reviews

100% 5★

✳️ Recommendations

A brand you can trust

Includes:

Tour guide (English/Portuguese) [Spanish under request by email]

Insurance (please inform personal data of all participants)

'Rainy day warranty' (cancel or reschedule free of charge)

Transport (designated hotels in the South Zone)

What to take and wear:

WATER (2 liters/person), FOOD (fruit, sandwich, cereal bar etc)

Sun lotion, insect repellent

Bathing suit, towel
(for the waterfall shower)

Athletic clothes and shoes (no sandals!), hat

Athletic clothes and shoes (no sandals!), hat

Features:

Price/capacity:

Regular / collective tour (maximum 6 people)

Adults (age 13+): from 400BRL/person

Child (8 to 12) - from 320BRL/person

Private group (total price BRL) - exclusive car and tour guide

3

4

5

6

+ 6

1310BRL

950

1175

1500

1700

Private group (total price BRL) - exclusive car and tour guide

🍃 FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What happens if it’s raining?

We have a ‘rainy day warranty’ so you can choose to cancel or reschedule without any charges.

It requires very good fitness to hike up and downhill for approx. 5h. Recommended for active and fit people that are used to hiking. The trail is uphill, flat, and downhill. Extension of 10.4km (6.5mi) and an elevation gain of 848m (2,782ft). You don't need to have previous experience in hiking, but you need to be fit.

In the area we hike, there are monkeys, coatis, squirrels, marmosets, sloths, toucans, snakes, spiders, among other animals, insects, and wildlife. But seeing them is POSSIBLE but not guaranteed.

Hiking shoes or boots are good but NOT necessary. This hike can be done with any athletic shoes that have a good grip.

Yes. Our groups are quite small (maximum 6 participants), and availability can change really quickly. Our system allows booking until the night before the tour 20:00pm, but it depends on having availability.

Above 13 years old. But GOOD FITNESS is required, and a good cardio endurance is necessary regardless of age.

► 24h before the start of the tour – refund of ALL the amount paid.

► Less than 24h before the tour or NO SHOW – the TOTAL cost will be charged.

Within the duration of the hike there are no toilets and it's possible to go in the woods, if necessary. But there are toilets available before and after the hike.

It's not mandatory, but our service includes a personal accident insurance (with NO EXTRA cost) and these data are required by the insurance company if you choose to have it.

No. Vaccines are not required.

Meeting point (up to 6pm on the day before the tour).

Cancellations and rescheduling according to the cancellation policy:

► 24h before the start of the tour – refund of ALL the amount paid.

► Less than 24h before the tour or NO SHOW – the TOTAL cost will be charged

No. None of our tours include technical climbing. But being active, fit with a good cardio is MANDATORY. You must be fit to perform the activity (please read the detailed description and consider the difficulty level, extension, elevation gain and duration of the hike and also the heat/temperature according to the season).

Hiking is considered a very safe activity, especially when all the guidelines and best practices are followed. Regardless of guidelines, best practices, security measures, and risk management, the tour is an active hike in the outdoors with physical activity that also involves the risk of falling, slipping, stumbling, loss or breakage of personal belongings, physical exhaustion, falling trees, falling rocks and cliffs, insect bites, poisonous animals, contact with stinging plants, contact with thorns, caterpillars, and venomous insects, and severe weather, among other risks inherent to an outdoor activity, and also that such risks may cause damage or loss, small or severe.

🎁Bonus

3 Gifts for you!

+100BRL discount
booking our combo:


Book the tour above + our Secluded Beaches Tour together and get a total 100 BRL discount

Extra 300BRL discount to do other tours in Rio

Big Dude Tour (Christ Statue, Selarón Steps, Santa Teresa...), Football Experience, Favela with a Local, and more

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