Serra da Bocaina trekking tour, Brazil
| country: | Brazil |
| trip type: | Introductory / moderate trekking holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade throughout the year |
| price: | From US $400 (4 days) excluding flights, based on double occupancy. Price includes transfers (Sao Jose do Barreiro - Pousada), accommodation & meals as per itinerary and treks with a bi-lingual biologist/forest engineer guide |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Serra da Bocaina trekking tour, Brazil
The Serra da Bocaina National Park integrates the Sea Mountain Range (Serra do Mar), and is located between Paraiba do Sul valley, the Northern coast of São Paulo and Southern coast of Rio de Janeiro. Its mountainous relief has many rocky outcrops.
The main river is Mambucaba, which begins at 1,800 m of altitude. The landscape changes according to the altitude.
In the 1700’s, during Brasil’s colonial period, miners, in their search for gold, travelled from Minas Gerais to the coastal city and port of Paraty (Rio de Janeiro), using existing trails made by the Indians. This route named the "Golden Trail" was later substituted by a railroad, however the original trail (Minas-Rio) remains.
Commerce was established along the route when landlords/farm owners settled forming small cities. Many of the existing fields in the Bocaina Mountain Range formerly gave place to a dense Atlantic Forest, gone with time, after an exhaustive cultivation of coffee crops during the colonial period.
More recently, extensive local and government efforts have made the Bocaina National Park a protected region. The local fauna and flora are unique to the region and can be seen along the trails. Ferns, orchids and bromeliad, are common. In the higher parts of the range we find araucarias and pines.
Trails and waterfalls remain the main interest for trekkers and nature lovers. The Golden Trail, along with many other important sites stand as a golden experience not to be missed!
The itinerary below can be adapted to suit your individual requirements upon request and prices will then be re-quoted.
The main river is Mambucaba, which begins at 1,800 m of altitude. The landscape changes according to the altitude.
In the 1700’s, during Brasil’s colonial period, miners, in their search for gold, travelled from Minas Gerais to the coastal city and port of Paraty (Rio de Janeiro), using existing trails made by the Indians. This route named the "Golden Trail" was later substituted by a railroad, however the original trail (Minas-Rio) remains.
Commerce was established along the route when landlords/farm owners settled forming small cities. Many of the existing fields in the Bocaina Mountain Range formerly gave place to a dense Atlantic Forest, gone with time, after an exhaustive cultivation of coffee crops during the colonial period.
More recently, extensive local and government efforts have made the Bocaina National Park a protected region. The local fauna and flora are unique to the region and can be seen along the trails. Ferns, orchids and bromeliad, are common. In the higher parts of the range we find araucarias and pines.
Trails and waterfalls remain the main interest for trekkers and nature lovers. The Golden Trail, along with many other important sites stand as a golden experience not to be missed!
The itinerary below can be adapted to suit your individual requirements upon request and prices will then be re-quoted.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | 2pm arrival at São Jose do Barreiro, drive up to Serra da Bocaina. 3pm arrival at Pousada, check-in & reconnaissance walk around the area, visit to the organic farm and visit to the head of the river - it’s said that those who drink this water always come back to the pousada! Dinner (home made meal cooked on a wooden stove & evening tea by the fireplace. |
| Day 2: | Breakfast. Penhasco Trail trek (15km) with views of the mountains of Serra da Bocaina and where it starts to cut into the Enchanted Forest. From the highest point of this trail (1.800m) you will see the Pousada Recanto da Floresta in the valley surrounded by forest. Lunch at pousada, free afternoon (bird watching, afternoon nap, reading, observation of the rural local life etc.). Dinner at pousada & evening tea by the fireplace. |
| Day 3: | Breakfast. Trek to to Bacia Peak (12km) at 1950m, known as the "Guardian of Sao Jose do Barreiro". Here one can observe the most incredible view of Bocaina Camp, the Funil Dam, the city of Sao Jose do Barreiro, Resende, Itatiaia (both in Rio de Janeiro state), Cruzeiro and many other cities located in between the uncountable mountains at the Paraiba Valley. This location is an spectacle in itself that opens up throughout the trek. Lunch on trail. Dinner at pousada & evening tea by the fireplace. |
| Day 4: | Breakfast. Travel to Serra da Bocaina National Park and walk (1 mile) to Saint Izidro Falls with compulsory swimming! Return to pousada & 11am departure to São Jose do Barreiro. |
traveller reviews for Serra da Bocaina trekking tour, Brazil
This was a memorable experience and highly recommneded for others to enjoy. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 Trekking in the Bocaina Hills started over 10 years ago with a young man named Jose Milton. As a local, Jose Milton, trip leader, has brought new meaning to the area with the first organised trip to the hills. Within the years his efforts have involved the government with the creation of a National Park. With that, conservation and awareness of the protection of the region was officially established. A fee is collected from everyone entering the park, strict garbage disposal is required and all trekkers embarking on the Golden Trail journey must be registered and request a visiting permit to the parks authorities ahead of their trip. All trips are done on foot with a minimal of negative impact. Non-recyclable garbage made by the inn is carefully collected and disposed weekly at the closest city. The main lodge on the hills is small and simple and can accommodate a maximum of 40 persons at a time. Delicious home cooking–style meals are prepared daily using locally grown produce and vegetables. The local community of Sao Jose do Barreiro has also improved with the arrival of the tourists; new businesses have appeared to supply the demand of passing by travellers. Small inns are a perfect place for those wanting to stay a bit longer. Local handcrafts and homemade sweets are not only great souvenirs to take back but also a perfect snack to have along the road. Still the town and its people remain humble; that is certainly the most rewarding part of this trip. Due to the geographic positioning of the Bocaina Hills, it can be cold at nights especially during winter months. Jose Milton’s company has started a yearlong campaign by collecting donated clothes (warm sweaters and such) to be distributed to local families living along the hills. |
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