This tour takes adventurous visitors deep into Tijuca Forest, the world’s largest urban rainforest. Blanketing the hills of Rio and easily accessible from the city, this tract of lush tropical forest provides a sharp contrast to the concrete jungle. Camouflaged four-wheel drive vehicles (minimum capacity: 2, maximum: 10 people) take you on an exciting guided trip into the jungle, passing the Cachoeira dos Macacos (Monkeys’Waterfall) on the way to the Vista Chinesa (Chinese Viewpoint), which offers a breathtaking panorama over the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf.En route the unique history of the meticulous process of reforestation, and the importance of the Atlantic Rainforest as a reserve of biodiversity, are explained in full. In the forest you’ll get out of the vehicle for an easy walk along a jungle trail, a refreshing dip under one of the forest’s many waterfalls, or a look at the variety of orchids and bromeliads which thrive here. The tour also includes visits to the Mesa do Imperador (The Emperor’s Table), where the imperial family used to picnic, the Cascatinha (Taunay’s Waterfall), where refreshments are sold, and Mayrink Chapel. During the tour you’ll see many different large tropical fruit trees which attract various species of exotic birds such as toucans, colourful butterflies and – with any luck – monkeys and sloths.Duration: 4 hoursDepartures: daily (am only) from Zona Sul hotels and Santa Teresa.