Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country, occupying almost half
the South American continent and bordering every country on it except
Chile and Ecuador. In its 8.5 million square kilometers Brazil possesses
fantastic landscapes and cultural diversity. This exciting challenge
combines trekking in the Serra da Bocaina National Park and kayaking in
the Bay of Paraty around a substantial rainforest area between Rio and
São Paulo, very close to the Tropics. Serra da Bocaina National Park,
which integrates the Sea Mountain Range (Serra do Mar), is located
between the Northern coast of São Paulo and the Southern coast of Rio de
Janeiro.
In the Tupi-Guarani language, Bocaina means paths to the heights.
Access to the heights remains difficult, preserving the natural
integrity of the land where you will find yourself surrounded by the
gloriously lush Atlantic Rainforest. More than 50% of its trees are
endemic and are located nowhere else. This transforms it into a forest
with the biggest biodiversity on the planet, with a larger diversity
than the Amazon. Cedar, the surinam cherry, cinnamon, and many ferns,
orchids and bromeliad, are common. In the higher parts of the range you
can find araucarias and pines. Animal species common to this area are
forest deer, wild pigs, mini ant-eater, sectarian, bugio monkey,
nail-monkey, muriqui monkey, land canary, cui-cui, sabiá-cica bird –
which in fact is a parrot, the purple chest parrot, the green beaked
toucan, and the rare jacutinga bird, among others.
After finishing your trek you will head to Paraty, located on the
border between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. Founded in 1531,
Paraty was a busy port in the 1700s, exporting gold from the mines of
Minas Gerais. Paraty contains beautifully preserved colonial
architecture and was declared a Historical Heritage Site in 1958. Over
the next three days, you will kayak from the Bay of Paraty, to the Saco
do Mamangua. The Bay of Paraty offers you a tropical forest, more than
60 islands, 300 beaches and unforgettable marine sceneries. Having
completed the kayaking section of the challenge, you will transfer to
Rio to visit its sights.
You will celebrate the completion of your challenge in Rio de
Janeiro, affectionately known as Rio, stretching among mountains and the
Atlantic Ocean. On an inlet of tropical vegetation Rio is considered by
many to be among the most beautiful cities in the world. Brazil'’s 2nd
largest city after Sao Paulo, Rio is perhaps most famous for its Christ
the Redeemer statue which overlooks the city on Corcovado mountain. You
will have the chance to visit this famous statue, deservedly elected by
the city’s population as the “Wonder of Rio”