At nearly 1000 meters above sea level, the traveler discovers the summer residencies of the emperors of Brazil and their families. While Petrópolis was named in honor of Don Pedro II, Terésopolis took the name of the empress, Teresa Cristina (each town was built to their glory without sexism or apparent jealousy among the imperial family).
The road to Rio is well worth the detour. Scattered with bridges spanning lush valleys, it winds around the tropical mountains of the Serra dos Orgãos and is surprisingly beautiful.

With an agreeable mountain climate, Petrópolis is a small unforgettable town, encircled by mountains, only 44 miles away from Rio.
Wealthy, charming and tropical, one can take a carriage, driven by elegant coachmen, from one historical site to the next. A special and different place, where the writer Stefan Zweig and the aviation pioneer Santos Dumont made their residence.
The Imperial Museum, an ancient summer palace, is the most visited site of all. There you find the scepter and the crown of Emperor Don Pedro II, historical documents, notably the original of the gilded law, the decree abolishing slavery in 1888, jewelry and works of art that belonged to the imperial family and all the period furniture perfectly conserved.
In the town there are an equal number of residences of heterogeneous styles, (English, Bavarian styles): the Amarelo Palace, the house of the baron of Mauà, Quitandinha, heritage of Princess Isabel, Stefan Zweig or Alberto Santos Dumont …
A beautiful day spent in the dated atmosphere of the pleasant city center.

Some miles from Petrópolis, the town of Teresópolis also delights in an agreeable climate at 900 meters above sea level.
In the distance are the bay of Guanabara and the spectacular surroundings of this town.
Less rich than her cousin Petrópolis, Teresópolis is the ideal point of departure for the magnificent National Park of la Serra dos Orgãos with peaks named evocatively: Dedo de Deus (God’s finger: el. 1692 m.a.s.l.), Nariz do Frade (the Monk’s Nose: el. 1980 m.a.s.l.) or even Pedra do Sino (The bells’ stone: el. 2263 m.a.s.l.).
The beauty of the park resides in the strange shapes of these granite formations.
One of the most beautiful walks in Brazil is the one linking Teresópolis to Petropolis (3 days- including return trip to Rio-3 hours), traversing through some of the astonishing scenery of a country that conjures up images of beaches and sweaty samba. In this seldom-visited region the history of the emperors has nevertheless left its indelible sacred mark.

Departure from the hotel at 08:30, with our English-speaking guide, in our private vehicle (1-hour trip). The road from Rio to Petrópolis is, by itself, worth the detour. Cut by bridges over lush valleys, it winds between the mountains of the Serra dos Órgãos.
Close to 1000 meters above sea level, we discover the favorite holiday place of the Brazilian Imperial family.
We stroll through Petrópolis: Imperial museum, home of the baron of Mauá, of Santos Dumont, of Princess Isabel, of Stefan Zweig, Amarelo palace, cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara, and finally the Cristal palace.
Return to Rio at the end of the day.

Departure from the de hotel at 07:30 with our English-speaking guide in our private (1½-hourde trip) for the city of Teresópolis. We start our traverse of the national park of the serra dos Orgãos.
We circumnavigate Pedra do Sino, the highest summit of the mountain range (el. 2263 m.a.s.l.). We reach camp at about 16:30.
All included. Bivouac or night in a shelter.

The trail, following an elevation of about 2000 meters above sea level, offers magnificent panoramas over the Serra dos Orgãos, especially of peaks Dedo de Deus (el. 1692 m.a.s.l.) and Nariz do Frade (el. 1980 m.a.s.l.).
We clear Castelos do Acu, Pass at 2232 meters above sea level.

We descend towards Petrópolis in the late morning. Visit of town and of the principal sites. We then return by private transportations to Rio an to our hotel.
Meals not included. Night in a hotel.