Holistic Wellness in Ilha Grande

Upon your arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met by your guide for the journey to Ilha Grande. You will start with a 3-hour bus trip to Angra dos Reis where you will board a boat to the island.

When you land on the island, your guide will take you to your accommodations in Aracatiba to settle in before dinner out at a local restaurant on the Lopes Mendes beach.

During dinner, your guide will share with you the activities of the coming days and offer important cultural and safety tips for an enjoyable time here.

Following breakfast this morning, you will head out on an ecological walk to learn about the local plant and wildlife in the jungle. You will meet with a local shaman for a healing ceremony using local medicinal plants.

Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to practice your snorkeling skills or go scuba diving in the calm and green waters off the beach. Alternatively, you may rent a canoe or kayak and paddle in the lagoon. It is common to see several types of fish, turtles, rays, and maybe even a few dolphins in the area.

Relax over dinner while watching the sunset. There are several excellent beachfront restaurants.

This morning you will embark on a boat journey around the island to discover other nearby beaches.

Start with the beach of Caxadaco, perfect for snorkeling. Next, you will visit Parnaioca Beach to visit the old church and cemetery. Walking through the cemetery is interesting to note the names and dates of the residents buried here.

The next beach you will visit is Playa Aventureiro or “beach of leaning palms.” Next stop, Playa Meros, known for its many colored fish. 

Finish the day with a stop at Laguna Verde and Laguna Azul – two natural pools perfect for swimming. You will also find sea stars, sea horses, and turtles in the waters of the lagoons.

This morning you will set out on another amazing hike following breakfast. Your destination today is the beach of Dois Rios. Dois Rios was the old jail for the island accessible only by a dirt road. The walk is mostly flat and through dense jungle – so you are likely to see monkeys and birds active in the trees.

Following lunch, you will hike to Cachoeira de Feiticeira, a beautiful 15-meter waterfall. Some people like to try their hand at canyoning (rappelling with ropes alongside and through the waterfall). Enjoy the stone slide and the natural pool of the Sorceress while here. It is believed the waters have healing powers granted by the Sorceress, hence the name.

The island was formed millions of years ago when the rocks rose, and the sea levels fell. Over the years, wind, rains, storms, and even earthquakes have shaped the island into the ecological paradise it is today.

One of the highest points of the island is Pico de Pedra d’ Agua, at 1031 meters. This morning you will explore this peak for breathtaking views of the island coves, beaches, and mountains with a specialized guide. Access to the mountaintop is limited by the CODIGaction group to protect the delicate ecosystem of the peak. You will be reminded to use caution as you ascend and ascend the hill to protect the plants and wildlife of the area.

The afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish – snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, etc.

Today you will explore the Cave of Achala. Located 8 meters below sea level and accessible by a crack in the coastal stones, sea water enters and leaves an underground hall and rocky beach. You will want a flashlight for the trip as the cave is in total darkness illuminated only by the fluorescence of the sea water and plant growth. 

Outside the cave is a small archeological site called the Sambaqui. Human bones have been found here dating back 3000 years.

Following lunch, you will visit the lighthouse, Castelhanos de Ilha Grande, one of the oldest lighthouses on the Brazillian coasts.

In the evening, enjoy one final sunset from a beachfront restaurant as you reflect on your experience here in this natural paradise.

Today you return home with many memories, and probably many photos, of this ecological paradise. We hope you are rejuvenated and have a renewed sense of energy.

Following breakfast, you will be escorted to the docks to begin your return trip home.