Day Trip to Aparecida

Embark on a day excursion to the city of Aparecida from Sao Paulo, renowned for its magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, one of the largest basilicas globally.

Description

We'll set off from Sao Paulo at the designated time, journeying north-east towards Aparecida, nestled in the valley of the River Paraíba do Sul. Annually, this city is a destination for countless pilgrims from various parts of the globe.

Our first stop will be at Porto do Itaguaçú, the site where three fishermen discovered the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida in the 18th century. Here, you can admire the small chapel dedicated to this revered virgin, located along the banks of the River Paraíba do Sul.

Following this, we'll proceed to the historical center of the city to visit the Old Basilica of Aparecida. You will have 40 minutes of free time to wander and perhaps indulge in some shopping. After that, we’ll traverse the Passarela da Fé, a 35-meter elevated walkway linking the Old Basilica to the National Shrine. Established in 1972 to connect the two temples, this 389-meter-long path has transformed into a tourist highlight, with some pilgrims crossing on their knees in a gesture of reverence.

The walk will take approximately 20 minutes and upon reaching the other end, you can explore the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, recognized as one of the largest basilicas worldwide. A notable feature of this visit is the Sala das Promessas, which is bound to leave a lasting impression.

You will also have some free time for lunch and to explore the surroundings. Options include taking the cable car, visiting the Tower Museum, or exploring Monte das Oliveiras. Eventually, we will depart from Aparecida and make our way back to the original meeting location in Sao Paulo.

Hotel pickup

The day trip includes hotel pickup for guests staying at establishments within a 4-mile (6-km) radius of Praça da Sé.

If your hotel is situated elsewhere in Sao Paulo, your pickup will be arranged from the meeting point located at 2355 Avenida Paulista.