Just outside of Rio lies the mind-blowing Serra dos Orgaos National Park and mountain range. Trek one of Brazil’s most beautiful routes through this incredible park on the 3-Day Petropolis Teresopolis Trek! The trail is known for its breathtaking vistas, steep climbs, and high difficulty rating, so get ready for an incredibly rewarding challenge! This is an excellent add-on for adventurous and active travelers looking for a unique experience while visiting Rio.
Starting at $1595 USD per person!
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Petropolis; Start Trek (LD)
Day 2: Castelos do Acu and Pedra do Sino (BLD)
Day 3: Pedra do Sino to Teresopolis (BL)
Day 1: Arrival in Petropolis; Start Trek (LD)
Private transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Petropolis. (1h50 / 70 km approx).
1st Day: Petropolis park entrance x Castelos do Acu
Hiking time: 5 to 7h
The
first day of Petropolis Teresopolis crossing is the most demanding.
During the 7 km up to Castelos do Açu shelter we gain approximately 1100
meters of altitude. The trail of Acu mountain goes through a dense
forest and with a strong ascent to Pedra do Queijo viewpoint. Then the
trail gets a little less steep until arriving at Ajax viewpoint, which
has natural water supply. After Ajax, we need to face the point
considered the most difficult of the ascent to the Açu castles: the
Isabeloca mountain. This ascent is named after an alleged passage of
Princess Isabel on the spot. Once Isabeloca is over, we’ll cross the
Chapadao do Acu, a counterfort, before arriving at the Acu castles. This
is the first place to stay overnight and where the first mountain
shelter of the Petropolis Teresopolis Crossing is located. The view of
the Acu castles closes the first day with a golden key. From there it is
possible to see all of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay in addition to
the entire mountain range of Serra dos Orgaos.
The current overnight options are (depend on availability of the National Park):
Camping (in camping tent)
Bivaque (collective room without beds inside the mountain shelter)
Bunk bed (bed inside the mountain shelter)
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio or Camping
Day 2: Castelos do Acu and Pedra do Sino (BLD)
2nd Day: Castelos do Acu and Pedra do Sino
Hiking time: 6 to 8h
The
second day is undoubtedly the most beautiful of Petropolis Teresopolis
crossing. The entire course goes on an average altitude of 2,000m. After
leaving the Acu castles, we’ll cross a valley and then climb to the top
of Morro do Marco. After descending this hill, we arrive in Luva valley
and then ascend to the summit of Morro da Luva. The trail follows
another section of rock summits, where navigation is complicated until
reaching the section called The Elevator. The Elevator is a ladder made
of steel rebar stuck to a steep stone that gives access to the summit of
Morro do Dinossauro. Once at the top of Morro do Dinossauro, we find
the first great view of the Pedra do Garrafão and Pedra do Sino stones.
From there we start the descent to Vale das Antas and the trail
continues to the summit of Morro da Baleia, where you can see the rock
wall of Pedra do Sino, Garrafao and the trail channel where The
Cavalinho is located. The Cavalinho (The small horse) has this name
because it is a stone that to cross is necessary to make a movement
similar to riding a horse. After overcoming Cavalinho, the trail follows
the channel until it skirts Pedra do Sino and reach a bifurcation that
gives access to the peak of Pedra do Sino and to the Shelter 4. The
Pedra do Sino is the highest point of the crossing. At its summit there
is an incredible 360 view, being possible to see several mountain ranges
of the region, Rio de Janeiro city and even the Agulhas Negras peak and
Serra Fina mountain range, in the clearest days.
The current overnight options are (depend on availability of the National Park):
Camping (in camping tent)
Bivaque (collective room without beds inside the mountain shelter)
Bunk bed (bed inside the mountain shelter)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio or Camping
Day 3: Pedra do Sino to Teresopolis (BL)
3rd Day: Pedra do Sino and End in Teresopolis
Hiking time: 4 to 6h
The
third day is the least demanding of the crossing. The trail follows for
approximately 9 km to the Teresopolis park dam, the final crossing
point. During the descent we hike through two waterfalls where the
highlight is the Veu de Noiva (Veil of the Bride) of Teresopolis with 16
meters of height that at certain times of the year is dry.
Private transfer from Teresópolis to Rio de Janeiro. (2h/110 km approx)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
More on Brazil: