Tijuca National Park Hike and Waterfall Rappelling

I really don't know how to rate this tour. The experience was unforgettable but not in a really good way. It started out badly and got worse. The tour operator was not very helpful to say the least. I had opted for a 1pm time but was told that I had been booked at 9am. The day was horrible, rainy and cold. I asked if I could reschedule and was told no. So we went but no real instructions on how it was going to play out. We were told merely to bring a towel and dry clothing. We assumed there would be a place to put dry clothing to change into later. Fat chance. When we finally met our guide Chiago? he was wonderful and very knowledgeable and very encouraging, but we were dropped at a roadside where the hike commenced and so we had to take towel and clothing with us in the rain. We climbed over wet slippery muddy rocks in our walking shoes and finally got to the waterfall drenched and cold and muddy. We expected some gear helmets, gloves? but no. We were put in a harness and helmet, we got a 5 minute crash course on rappelling and then were told to go. We both fell during the downhill climb twice. My grandson's arm was stripped of skin from wrist to elbow and I really thought I was going to drown. I got stuck under the waterfall, could not breathe, was too short for my legs to reach the rock to get back into position. I finally forced myself to move downward and got to the bottom shaken and with bruises and a pretty good gash on my forearm. When asked if we wanted to go again we both said a resounding NO. But then we had to hike back in our wet clothes no sense putting on dry clothing to walk in the rain and no place to undress and our towels were drenched as well. We were not prepared at all by either Viator or the tour company. Chiago was great, but I really think the tour should have been cancelled or rescheduled by the tour company. We were told only the customer can cancel or reschedule but we were not given that opportunity. It was definitely an adrenaline rush and we will never forget it, but just be careful booking this. It is not an easy rappel and if it is raining, don't go.

The experience in itself is breathe taking and the gentlemen were very helpful and encouraging.

This has to be the highlight of my trip to Rio. I have never done this kind of thing before. And for being inexperienced our guide was SUPER experienced. He knew exactly what he was doing. He had to be one of the best guides we had in our entire trip of south america. Very knowledgeable, very compassionate of the national park, looked out for others who did not know the hike that well, and cared very much about keeping the waterfall safe and clean. Although the water fall itself is a bit packed with people compared to others I have been to, the experience repelling down was amazing. I honestly cant wait to do this again. I am hoping one day i see the same guide post a different fall to repel down. I will be back for sure. Quite exhilarating.