Rio from a Bird's Eye view... and other Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Sports Travel Tips

Theme: Other

If you are passing through Sao Conrado on a cloudless, sunny day, you will certainly notice: the sky is always full of hang-gliders. It's a colorful sight that is already part of the Carioca day-to-day. Thanks to the renowned Pep?, who, in the 70's helped boast the sport of hang-gliding in Rio. The main peak for those who love to glide is the traditional ramp at Pedra da Gavea, where instructors give classes to beginners and fly doubles (tandem flights) with people who want to feel the thrill of seeing the Cidade Maravilhosa from a privileged angle. Tandem flights usually last 20 minutes and cost an average of R$ 140 (without filming). The minimum age for tandem flights is 13, but parent authorization is required. More informatin on the sport and tandem flights is available on the Associao Brasileira de Voo Livres (Brazilian Gliding Association) site (http://www.abvl.com.br) , Avenida Prefeito Mendes de Moraes s/n ? S?o Conrado, Telephone: 3322-0266. A few options for gliding are:

Just Fly
Telephone: 9985-7540 and 9964-2607. Web: http://www.justfly.com.br

Fly With Me
Telephone: 2522-5586 and 9966-7010
http://www.guia4ventos.com.br

Superfly
Telephone: 2322-2286 and 9982-5703

Tandem Flight
Telephone: 9493-8800 and 2575-8626. Web: http://www.riotandemfly.com.br


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Theme: Hiking

..ore other peaks of Rio de Janeiro will give you a truly feeling for the city's beauty.

"Rio Hiking" offers guided hiking trips to most of Rio's peaks. The 5-hour Sugarloaf trip, which includes a short stretch of rock climbing, costs R$80 ($40). The 6-hour Pedra da G?vea hike offers terrific views, a waterfall in the middle, and an ocean dip at the end. Cost is R$110 (US$55). Less strenuous is the Tijuca Forest tour, which involves a jeep tour of the forest, stops at a waterfall and a couple of lookouts, and a 2-hour hike to Pico de Tijuca. Cost is R$110 (US$55), with the option of returning via the fascinating hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Guides Denise Werneck and Gabriel Barrouin know Rio well, speak excellent English, and are a delight to be with.

Rio Hiking Tours
Rua Coelho Neto, 70/401, Laranjeiras
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Zip: 22231-110 Brazil
Phone: 55 (21) 9721 0594; Fax: 55 (21) 245 4036
tours@riohiking.com.br
http://www.riohiking.com.br/

Aventuras Rio also offers hikes to the top of the Sugarloaf, the Corcovado, the Pico de Tijuca, and the Pedra da G?vea. Cost for each hike is R$50 (US$25), transfer included.
www.aventurasrio.com.br

Other tours offered Hiking in Rio are:
http://rioadventuretours.com/
http://rioexpedition.com/

Pictures and more info on some of the peaks:
http://rioadventuretours.com/Rio_jungle_hiking.html

Equipment: Have this info from the Internet:

"When you hike up the Sugar Loaf ropes/harnesses aren't necessary for the first leg, but for the route we took it was a nice safety measure. One almost vertical section was as difficult/staightforward as climbing a tree. Some guys were climbing without safety gear. The rock has huge "jug" holds for feet and hands. The other parts you can walk up with the aid of the cables. Make sure you go with competent people. If you start late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and burning rock surface, remeber to bring a flashlight. It woud really be a pain and possible dangerous to walk around without it in the evening. Water, snacks, and plenty of sunblock are important too. Have fun!"

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