Rio Hiking (tel. 021/9721-0594; www.riohiking.com.br) has recently evolved into Rio's adventure-sport specialist, offering a range of exciting outdoor sports that take full advantage of Rio's extraordinary geography. To date, Rio Hiking offers rock climbing, rafting, ocean kayaking, cycling, scuba diving, surfing (with lessons), and rappelling. Depending on the sport, half-day adventures cost from R$95 to R$155 (US$40-US$65), full-day adventures from R$155 to R$238 (US$65-US$100), guides and transfer to and from your hotel included. The company also offers 3-day trekking trips. Rio Adventures (tel. 021/2705-5747 or 021/8204-7559; www.rioadventures.com) offers a couple of 1-day adventure-sport options from Rio. On the rappelling trip, you drive past Barra de Tijuca to beautiful Guaratiba, hike for an hour to a cliff overlooking an undeveloped beach, then rappel down a 377m (115-ft.) rock face. Then you hang out, swim for bit, and head back. For a fun outing that's sure to bring out the inner-Tarzan or Jane, try the tree canopy ride in the Tijuca Forest. While safely secured in a harness, you climb 15 to 50 feet above the ground and make your way from tree to tree across swing-bridges, tunnels, and walkways. Minimum age is 12. Cost is R$93 (US$39). The white water-rafting trip takes you to a river about 2 hours north of Rio with Class III (and sometimes Class IV) rapids. The descent takes about 3 hours. Cost is R$188 (US$79).
