It on the 6th of January 1502, or twelfth-night, that the Portuguese landed for the first time on Ilha Grande (the big island).
Since its discovery this island home to numerous legends of pirates, treasure, monsters and storms; today a beach resort, has not ceased to fascinate.
The mountainous relief is covered by a leafy forest seeming to tumble into the sea, a hundred magnificent deserted beaches scattered with rocks and caves, the beauty of the depths of the ocean rich in shipwrecks; this is what Ilha Grande has to offer its visitors.

A large part of the island is protected by an environmental preserve, assuring the preservation of 95% of the original forest, furrowed with dozens of paths inviting the walkers.
One gets about on foot; there are no cars to spoil the view. No noise or pollution, without exaggerating, a real taste of paradise.

The different circuits:
	Ilha Grande discovery
	Ilha Grande day-treks
	The trek of the pirates, integral tour of Ilha Grande on foot

Departure from the hotel for Angra dos Reis with our local driver, at 12:00.
It is a 2½-hour drive on a paved road along the Green Coast, lush corridor between ocean and mountains. We embark, on the boat making the crossing to Ilha Grande, at 15:30 (1½-hour crossing – not accompanied by guide – ticket included).
Pick up at Abraão and transfer to the pousada (luggage is transferred for us). Afternoon open.
Meals included. Night in a pousada.
Note: weekends and holidays, departure from Rio at 10:30, departure of the boat at 13:30..

Open program on the island. Beach activity options: swimming, snorkeling, kayak rental, excursion by boat towards lagoa Azul or lagoa Verde, walks on the island trails towards Lopes Mendes’ beach, the waterfall of Feticeira, Dois Rios, the peak of the Parrot (Pico do Papagaio – highest point of the island 982 m.a.s.l.)…
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

Options: English-speaking guide, private boat rental for the day.

Program open on the island. Beach activity options: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, excursion by boat towards lagoa Azul or lagoa Verde, walks on the island trails towards Lopes Mendes’ beach, the waterfall of Feticeira, Dois Rios, the peak of the Parrot (Pico do Papagaio – highest point on the island).
We leave the pousada at around 17:00 (accompanied by a guide - luggage transferred) to catch our boat at 17:30 (regular line about a 1½-hour crossing – not accompanied – ticket included) towards Mangaratiba. Our local driver awaits us at the pier from 19:00 on, to take us back to Rio de Janeiro (2-hour drive), to the hotel.
Meals not included. Night in hotel.

Option: take the 10 o’clock boat towards Angra dos Reis to arrive earlier in Rio.

LOPES MENDES

Trek - 3 to 4-hour hike – elevation gain 150 meters – difficulty: moderate
In the morning, we leave for our trek accompanied by our English-speaking guide, in the direction of Lopes Mendes’ beach, located on the other side of the island. We progress in a tropical atmosphere, on trails steep at times (short elevation gain allowing great views over the little Bays of the island) or on beaches.
After a 2 to 3-hour walk, we reach Lopes Mendes, a long, pristine, white sand beach fringed by coconut trees. Return at the end of the day to Abraão.
Meals not included (possibility of lunching on the way). Night in a pousada.

DOIS RIOS
Trek - 4 to 5-hour hike – elevation gain 250 meters – difficulty: moderate
10:00: we depart with our English-speaking guide for the “historical” trek of Ilha Grande. We stop on the beautiful beach of Dois Rios where we can still find the ruins of the prison closed in 1994. Peculiar swim at the encounter of two rivers with the ocean, then in the natural pool of “the soldiers”; fresh or salt water, your pick.
The trail is not very strenuous: a large track, only 250 meters of elevation gain, then a pleasant descent to the village of Dois Rios. Beautiful viewpoint of the village of Abraão.
Return to Abraão at the end of the day.
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner open. Night in a pousada.

PICO DO PAPAGAIO
Trek - 6 to 7-hour hike – elevation gain 1000 meters – difficulty: moderate
09:00, we depart with our English-speaking guide for the mythical trek of Ilha Grande. We head towards the beach of Dois Rios before splitting off towards the heart of the island and its highest point (982 m.a.s.l.), Pico do Papagaio (or "Peak of the Parrot", because of its shape evocative of a hooked beak). The climb is consistent and does not give much respite. Once on the summit, we are rewarded by a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view.
We overlook saco do Ceú, Abraão, Lopes Mendes and Dois Rios. We catch sight of the neighboring island of Jorge Grego, and in good weather we can glimpse the Pedra da Gávea, in Rio!
Return to Abraão at the end of the day.
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner open. Night in a pousada.

Trek - 6h of actual hiking – 250 meters of elevation gain – Difficulty: moderate
This warm up puts us on track for the rest of the program, keeping a similar difficulty for the remainder of the loop.
Along trails following a succession of up and down hills, we pass from tropical forest to great beaches where we can swim as we wish.
We leave Abraão with our English-speaking guide at around 09:00 and start our trek on the Bay side of the island (facing the mainland), where the beaches are more accessible and the ocean calmer than on the ocean side.
After a 1½-hour hike, we reach cachoeira da Feiticeira (the waterfall of the witch), with its 10-meter drop, ideal for a refreshing bath.
We follow the trail entering the forest before returning towards the shore and a string of deserted beaches often visited by salt water turtles: praia da Camiranga, praia da Fazenda, praia de Fora.
Lunch break (and short nap) on one of the beaches.
In the afternoon, after passing the hamlet of de Saco do Céu, we make another loop in the forest and then return to the ocean and the beaches of de Japariz and freguesia de Santana.
Last climb and we reach Bananal, tiny coastal village, where we spend the night.
All included (cold lunch). Night in a pousada.
Note: In addition to the classic trekking equipment (hiking shoes, backpack, rain poncho…), take along a sleeping bag or "sleeping sheet" (in silk or fleece).

Trek - 4h of actual hiking – 250 meters of elevation gain – Difficulty: moderate
On this day we suggest a trip in the economical history of the island.
We first cross small villages built around what used to be fazendas growing sugar cane and then coffee. In the middle of the 20th century, these cultures declined, they then bet on fishing, and small sardines canning factories, of which we see the vestiges, appeared on the coast.
Today, one of the principal activities of this side of the island is the mussel and scallop-shell cultures.
Like the day before, hike through forest and swimming on Passaterra, Maguariquessaba, Sitio Forte, Tapera, Ubatubinha, Longa and Araçatiba beaches.
We arrive early evening in the village of Araçatiba.
All included (cold lunch). Night in a pousada.

Trek – 3½ h of actual hiking – 400 meters of elevation gain – Difficult
This third day will take us to the ocean side of the island, where the scenery is wilder and the villages more sparse and difficult to access. From there, we leave the comfort of the pousadas for the more rustic conditions of basic accommodations.
This day, it is possible to hike an extra hour to reach Itaguassu beach and the village of Praia Vermelha (depending of the physical condition of the group).
We pass the village of Proveta, sheltering a community of Evangelists. At the end of the day, we reach Aventureiro, a long scenic beach, known by surfers for the strength and consistency of its waves.
All included (cold lunch). Lodging with local host (basic comfort – no electricity – pad on the floor).

Trek – 6 to 7-hour of actual hiking – 150 meters of elevation gain – Difficulty: moderate
We stay on the ocean side of the island. We cross a mangrove between Praia do Sul and Praia do Leste, counting among the largest beaches of the island. We walk for about 2 hours on their white sand before returning in the forest to reach the village of Parnaioca at the end of the day.
The itinerary can be modified depending on the weather as it follows a steep trail that can be dangerous in case of rain.
All included (cold lunch). Night in tents in campground.

Trek – 6 to 7h of actual hiking – 200 meters of elevation gain – Difficulty: moderate
Today, we return to the Bay side to finish our loop and return to the sweet bustle of the village of Abraão.
After a few hours walk, we reach the village of Dois Rios where we can see the ruins of the former island prison, which was closed in the middle of the 90’s (it is here that the military junta interned the political opposition in the 70’s and 80’s). A 1½-hour walk and we arrive at the small and charming cove of Caxadaço.
Two more hours walking on an over-grown and seldom used trail takes us to Lopes Mendes, a long and pristine, white sand beach, fringed with coconut trees.
The boat that will take us back to Abraão awaits us in Pouso, a half-hour away (1½-hour crossing).
Lunch included (picnic). Dinner open. Night in a pousada.