A twelve-day journey across Brazil on a self-ride Triumph Tiger 900 motorcycle, accompanied by a guide and with a support vehicle for non-motorcyclists.
The route sets out from São Paulo, drops down the Serra de Cunha to Paraty, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and follows the Rio–Santos coastal highway to Rio de Janeiro, with its panoramic tour of Corcovado and Sugarloaf. It continues up into the mountains to Petrópolis, the 'Imperial City', and Tiradentes, then heads into the interior of Minas Gerais to Capitólio, the 'Sea of Minas', for a boat trip on Lake Furnas, before returning to São Paulo via Holambra.
Highlights
Self-ride journey across Brazil on a Triumph Tiger 900 motorcycle
Historic centre of Paraty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Corcovado with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car in Rio de Janeiro
Petrópolis, the 'Imperial City', with the Imperial Museum and the Crystal Palace
Boat trip on Lake Furnas among the canyons of Capitólio, the 'Sea of Minas'
The Serra de Cunha and the Rio–Santos coastal highway
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in São Paulo
Arrival in São Paulo, where your Russian-speaking guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel. Check-in and time to rest.
Day2
Day 2: São Paulo
At 09:00, motorcycle pickup and a briefing about the trip. The day continues through the historic centre — the old suburban railway station, Praça da Sé and the Cathedral, the founding square and the Viaduto do Chá (Tea Bridge) — and the Mercado Municipal, where you taste typical Brazilian delicacies and exotic fruits. Afterwards, the Liberdade district, the largest Japanese quarter in the world, and modern São Paulo along Paulista Avenue, its upscale neighbourhoods and the graffiti district.
Day3
Day 3: São Paulo – Paraty
The longest day of the journey. Riding north on the BR-116 / Dutra highway, then down the Serra de Cunha to Paraty for the night. The historic centre of Paraty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Approximate distance: 350 km.
Day4
Day 4: Paraty
A day to relax and get to know the town. A boat tour of Paraty Bay, visiting beaches and islands, with lunch on one of the islands. In the evening, a tour of the historic centre, which holds one of the finest collections of 18th-century Portuguese colonial buildings; gold from Minas Gerais was once carried through here to be shipped to Portugal.
Day5
Day 5: Paraty – Rio de Janeiro
Riding on to Rio de Janeiro along the Rio–Santos coastal highway. Approximate distance: 250 km.
Day6
Day 6: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, an 8-hour panoramic city tour. Through downtown Rio, with its skyscrapers and colonial-era architecture including the Candelária Church, to the foot of Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the rainforest to the Christ the Redeemer statue at 700 m, with views over the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf. Then down to Praia Vermelha and lunch at a typical Brazilian restaurant, followed by the cable car to Urca and on to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar). Return to the hotel with the guide.
Day7
Day 7: Free Day in Rio de Janeiro
Free day.
Day8
Day 8: Rio de Janeiro – Petrópolis – Tiradentes
Riding up into the mountains to Petrópolis, the 'Imperial City', where Emperor Dom Pedro II built a summer palace. Visits to the Saint Peter of Alcântara Cathedral, the Imperial Museum, the Crystal Palace and Santos Dumont's House; a visit to the Bohemia Brewery can be added as an option. Continue to Tiradentes for the night. Approximate distance: 360 km.
Day9
Day 9: Tiradentes – Capitólio
After breakfast, a tour of Tiradentes. In the afternoon, a ride through the interior of Minas Gerais to Capitólio, known as the 'Sea of Minas', stopping by the shores of Lake Furnas, which feeds the Furnas hydroelectric station in the Serra da Canastra region. Approximate distance: 320 km.
Day10
Day 10: Capitólio
A day dedicated to a boat trip on Lake Furnas, among canyons and with swimming near the waterfalls.
Day11
Day 11: Capitólio – São Paulo
Riding back towards São Paulo, with a stop in Holambra, the most Dutch village in Brazil, known as the 'City of Flowers'. Approximate distance: 360 km.
Day12
Day 12: São Paulo
Motorcycle return at 09:00, then transfer to the international airport. Additional nights in São Paulo can be added if needed.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in 3-4 hotels along the route (half-twin, bed & breakfast)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Excursions along the route
Included: English-speaking guide throughout the trip
Included: Motorcycle rental for 10 days (Triumph Tiger 900)
Included: Luggage transportation
Included: Vehicle for non-motorcyclists
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Road tolls along the route
Not included: Motorcycle insurance (Triumph 900)
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional services
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Bohemia Brewery — Optional visit to the Bohemia Brewery in Petrópolis, which can be added during the day in the Imperial City.