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The region around
Itaipava first gained fame when the Portuguese royal family fled
from Napoleon’s conquering army in 1808 and set up home in
Petropolis, founded in 1843 as a summer refuge by Dom Pedro II, King
of Portugal.
This charming little village, famous for its wonderful gastronomy,
lies about 50 miles north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, close to
the summer mountain resort of Petrópolis. Itaipava is around 15%
Petrópolis’ District.
Itaipava is a central gathering place for food lovers. Some of the
best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, maybe of the country, are on the
Vale dos Gourmets (Gourmet Valley). The Gourmet Valley is fashioned
by innumerous Brazilian and international cuisines. These
restaurants also offer an amazing variety of wines.
Apart from its excellent gastronomy and charming hotels, Itaipava
also has an eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants.
Surrounded by rich, green mountainous scenery with forests and
waterfalls, Itaipava is a popular weekend getaway for Cariocas
(natives of Rio), mainly on the summer time.
When I was a kid, usually went to Itaipava on weekends. There is a
castle close to my family summer houses. This castle has a history
of being a hunter place, just for kids, of course. Like this castle,
there are many mansions, huge old homes built centuries ago and lots
of new modern built homes making Itaipava a peculiar place to visit.
Parks
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos has a perimeter of 87Km or in
Portuguese, de perímetro, of Teresópolis, Petrópolis, Magé and
Guapi-mirim. The access to the park is acquired via Petropolis
through the Estrada do Bombim, in Correas (another Petropolis
District).
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Waterfalls
Known Alternate Names
Bridal Veil Falls, Brides Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls, Brides Veil Falls Véu da Noiva
(also known by
alternate names such as Bridal Veil Falls and Brides Veil Falls), is
on the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Its 40 meters in height
is a paradise for fans of the rappelling sport (*), and climbing
waterfalls. Holidays and weekends find many people camping on the
surroundings. Orchids and other exotics flowers ornament the
landscape.
Poço Paraíso (Paradise Well)
Poço Paraiso Waterfall is also on the Parque Nacional da Serra dos
Órgãos. Wonderful for swimming, due to the large and deep lake
formed by the waterfall.
Pinheiral (Vale do Bonfim)
The water encompassing the fall is clear and wonderfully
transparent. Pinheiral is one of the best known falls of Petropolis.
The surrounding landscape is really beautiful.
Cachoeira das Bromélias
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. The access is exhilarating.
Cachoeira das Bomelias has an amazing beautiful landscape.
Cachoeira das Andorinhas (Swallow’s Waterfall)
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos.
Enclosed by two huge rock walls that build a well of about 4 meters
(about 12 feet) deep. Between the two walls where the water falls,
swallows make their nests.
Cachoeira da Jibóia (Boa Falls)
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Cachoeira da Jiboia is very
high, about 90 to 100 meters. No huge water volume, but the
surroundings are wonderful. It takes about a half hour to climb. The
reward is a natural belvedere.
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Travessia Petropolis/Teresopolis (Journey from Petropolis to
Teresopolis)
The journey is one of the most beautiful and trekking of Brasil. It
is the most attractive sport of the Rio de Janeiro mountainous
region. The peak period is between May and October. Access is by the
IBAMA on the park entrance.
The entire trip takes about 3 days. It is recommended that this trip
be accomplished with the help of a guide.
Açu / Portais de Hércules (Hercules Portal)
The Hercules Portal is a mountain of 400 to 500 meters in height
from where it can be viewed with a huge valley of another mountain
as high as Portais de Hercules at the same height.
From this vantage point; looking from the far left to the far right,
you can see all of the main mountains of the Parque National da
Serra dos Órgãos such as Dedo de Nossa Senhora, Dedo de Deus, Cabeça
de Peixe, Santo Antonio, São João, Verruga do Frade, Agulha do Diabo,
Garrafão and the Pedra do Sino.
Alambique da Pinga Pura
Beautiful and light walking among flower and vegetables plantations.
Pico do Alcobaça
Pico do Alcobaça is one of the most beautiful mountains of
Petropolis. The 360º view is gorgeous due its distinct geographic
location, provides and a wonderfully picturesque landscape of
orchids.
(*) Rappelling is an adventure activity to introduce youth to the
field of mountaineering. Rappelling or abseiling is the technique
used to descend by rope, the speed being controlled by friction
between the rope and a braking device.
Rappel training can be part of a related field of mountaineering
training, such as artificial wall climbing, top rope rock climbing,
caving exploring, and technical climbing (jumarring and prusiking);
all of which offer interesting activities for youth.
Sports
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Acqua trekking
Acquatrekking is walking a river course. It must to be done with the
right equipment and guides.
Arborismo
Arborismo is a kind of sport that consists of a path marked by ropes
between trees. There many levels of difficulty, many highs, many
kinds of bridges such as “Tibetan bridge”, “Indiana Jones bridge”
and lots of obstacles.
Canyoning, rafting, canoeing, rappelling and many other sports are
available
Cascading
Cascading is a form of rappelling in water. The many waterfalls of
the Parque National da Serra dos Orgaos provide the waterfall rappel
enthusiast many levels of difficulty. The cascading levels are
proportional to the water volume. The less water volume and less
waterfall height; the lower the level of difficulty. Increased water
volume and increased waterfall height, increases the level of
difficulty.
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