The Itatiaia National Park 3 days

Itatiaia National Park © Bruno Maia

Itatiaia was the first National Park created in Brazil and it is located on the border of the state of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Your mountains relief includes the abrupt cliffs of the Mantiqueira Mountain Range.  With an area of 12,000 hectares, its annual average temperature varies from 20°C to 22°C, with maxima of 36°C and minima of 0°C. In its various stratifications, in forests of rare beauty, there are orchids, lianas, cacti, mosses, lichens, Brazilian spider flowers, fuchsias, lilies and begonias which delight observers of tropical flora. Its fauna, although scant, is mainly made up of birds. The Park provides various options for mountaineering in the Peaks of Agulhas Negras and Prateleiras, the most favourable season being the dry winter months - from June to September - when all days are clear.

Like Serra dos Órgãos, this Park is a favorite for hikers and climbers. In the first day we visit the Park's headquarters, located in its lower section, with many unspoiled rivers, beautiful waterfalls and large transparent natural pools, in the middle of lush Atlantic Forest vegetation. To reach the higher section of the Park we have to drive up the Mantiqueira Montain Range. There we will find lower vegetation (high field meadows) and the highest peaks in Rio state. The highlights are the famous Agulhas Negras (Black Needles) and Prateleiras (Shelves) Peaks, which we visit in the second and the third days. The Agulhas Negras Peak, with 2789mt (9150ft) high, is the fifth highest point in Brazil. On the way back to Rio we stop for a late lunch of trout, at Penedo, Brazil's only finnish village.

Program Summary

Itinerary

Day 1
Pick-up at 9:30am, 2h30min drive to Park. Visit Flora and Fauna museum and
Visit Véu de Noiva (Bride's Veil) and Poranga waterfalls. Time to swimming in the Lago Azul (Blue Lake).
After lunch, a 2-hours drive to the Park's upper section
Accommodation at the Pousada dos Lobos.
Optional sauna and dinner.

Day 2
Hiking for 6 hours roundtrip, to the famous Agulhas Negras (Black Needles) Peak at 2787m, the highest in the state. Return to the pousada for dinner.

Day 3
Hiking up for 4 hours roundtrip, up to Prateleiras (Shelves) Peak at 2450m.
Stop at Penedo for a late lunch. Drive to Rio, arriving around 9pm

General Information

Capacity:	Minimum of 2 and maximum of 13 travelers
Guide Language:	English. Other languages upon request
Level of Dificulty:	Difficult Level Program
Included:	Transportation, 2 nights at local Pousada, Park entry fees, 2 breakfast, 2 dinners, snacks for the hikers.
Not Included:	Insurance, 2 lunches and drinks
Personal Gear:	Light and comfortable clothes: Shorts, pants, t-shirt, hiking shoes, small rucksack with personal things, swimming trunk/suit, towel, cap, sun block, raincoat, jacket, warm evening wear, snacks and R$ 80 for meals and drinks.