Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour

REVIEW · CAMPOS DO JORDAO & THE HIGHLANDS

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour

★ 4.6 · 7 reviews From $243 Operated by Upper Tour SP · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Campos do Jordão turns a road trip into a day in miniature worlds. This private tour gets you out of São Paulo and up into mountain-town sights, with stops at Amantikir Park and the postcard-perfect heart of Capivari. I like the fact that it’s genuinely private, so you can move at your pace with a live guide in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

One possible drawback: the long drive can be the whole story. On busy holiday days, traffic can stretch the trip so much that your time in town feels short, even if the schedule looks full on paper.

Quick hits before you commit

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Quick hits before you commit

  • Private pickup from your address in São Paulo: you start where you want, and you ride in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Amantikir Park’s garden maze: you’ll see an urban park built around many themed spaces, including a Torii and a Moon Gate.
  • Romantik Dalen is free to enter: the umbrella-decorated bridge, padlocks, and a Vegas-inspired chapel make it feel like a movie set.
  • Capivari Village is your stroll break: European-style streets around Av. Macedo Soares and Capivari Square are ideal for photos and an easy meal.
  • Pico do Itapeva for views: lavender plantings, a castle-like stop for hot drinks, and big Paraíba Valley scenery on clear days.
  • Cacau Show for the sweet finale: a two-story shop with a 40 m² city made from chocolate.

Road time from São Paulo: the part you have to respect

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Road time from São Paulo: the part you have to respect
This is an 8-hour day, but the math depends on traffic. Campos do Jordão is up in the hills, and you should assume a chunk of your time will be on the road before you even reach the real highlights.

The tour is built for comfort, with an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation. Still, one caution stands out: if you’re traveling during a busy holiday, you can hit bumper-to-bumper conditions on the way out. When that happens, the day can feel like it was scheduled for the ride, not for the sights. If you want a calmer experience, pick the earliest start time available (since starting times vary) and plan your expectations around the mountain climb.

Your guide and your language choice

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Your guide and your language choice
You’ll have a live tour guide with English, Portuguese, or Spanish available. In particular, Isaac is noted as fluent in English, and that matters on a day like this, where quick explanations help you understand what you’re seeing and why it’s worth photographing.

A private guide also changes the vibe. Instead of herding in and out with a crowd, you can ask questions about what you’re looking at, and you can slow down when a viewpoint, garden feature, or photo spot catches your eye.

First stops in São Paulo: Beco do Batman and the ride out

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - First stops in São Paulo: Beco do Batman and the ride out
The day typically starts with pickup from the address of your choice in São Paulo. From there, you’ll stop at Beco do Batman Car for about two hours. That gives you a first taste of the city before the mountain route takes over.

Then you head toward Campos do Jordão with a scenic stretch and a photo stop at the Portal de Campos do Jordão. This is a small moment, but it’s a helpful one. You get a clear “you’re here” transition before you start working through the main attractions.

Practical tip: if your photo is important to you, use the Portal stop for the clean shot, not later when daylight might be fading after traffic and driving time.

Amantikir Park: the themed gardens that feel like set design

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Amantikir Park: the themed gardens that feel like set design
Amantikir Park is the kind of place where you spend time without noticing the clock. It’s an urban park built from a sequence of gardens and points of interest, and the tour includes a guided visit for about 1.5 hours.

What makes Amantikir click is its structure. You’re not just walking past flowers. You’re moving through themed spaces that reference different architectural and cultural ideas. The highlights you’ll encounter include:

  • Zen Courtyard
  • Torii
  • Meda
  • Chinese Dragon
  • Moon Gate
  • Mandala
  • Pottery
  • Lookout
  • Wood
  • Vegetable Garden
  • Large Pots
  • Tent
  • Frame
  • A Treehouse

That list is part of the charm. Even if you’re not a garden person, you’ll probably recognize why this works as a photo stop and why it feels fun with a guide who can point out the intent behind each area.

Watch-outs to plan for: the entrance fee is not included. Amantikir Park costs R$80.00, and it says cash only. So have some Brazilian reais ready for this one, even if everything else is covered.

Romantik Dalen: umbrellas, padlocks, and a playful chapel

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Romantik Dalen: umbrellas, padlocks, and a playful chapel
Romantik Dalen is one of the most memorable parts of the day because it feels whimsical but still organized. Admission is free, and the tour includes about 30 minutes here with a guided stop.

The signature feature is the bridge decorated with umbrellas, inspired by Pont des Arts in Paris. Today, the bridge is known for padlocks placed by couples. Nearby you’ll find a chapel inspired by those in Las Vegas, and the area is also associated with vow renewals.

At the end of the boardwalk, you’ll reach a covered area with clothing and souvenir shops. This matters because it turns the stop into something you can actually use. You can take photos, grab a quick souvenir, and keep moving without feeling like you’re stuck in a long queue.

If you like a place with easy photo composition, you’ll likely enjoy this one because it’s designed for it. If you hate shopping, just treat the covered area as an option, not an obligation.

Capivari Village: European-style strolling with real snack options

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Capivari Village: European-style strolling with real snack options
After the Romantik Dalen stop, you’ll spend time around Campos do Jordão’s core. The tour description calls Capivari Village the tourist center of the city, with European architecture, shops, and restaurants.

Two areas get called out as especially busy and pleasant to walk:

  • Av. Macedo Soares
  • Capivari Square

Even if you’re not spending big on souvenirs, this is where you can reset. You’re up in the mountains, you’ve already done a park stop and a scenic walking area, and Capivari is a natural place to slow down, browse, and decide what kind of food break you want.

Because the tour is private and customizable, I’d treat Capivari as your “choose your pace” zone. If you’re dragging from the drive, it’s okay to keep this stop shorter. If you’re feeling good, you can extend the stroll and soak up the night-and-day atmosphere since it’s pleasant both daytime and evening.

Ducha de Prata: artificial waterfalls and photo-friendly walkways

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Ducha de Prata: artificial waterfalls and photo-friendly walkways
Ducha de Prata is a different kind of stop, more sensory than architectural. It consists of a sequence of artificial waterfalls, admired from wooden walkways from multiple angles.

The showers are tied to a practical origin story: they were built by damming the Perdizes stream. You don’t have to know the details to enjoy it, but it gives the place a grounding, so it doesn’t feel like random set dressing.

There’s also a very Instagram-able element: a walkway covered by colorful umbrellas, plus giant heart-shaped frames made for photos. This is one of those places where you’ll see people lingering because it’s relaxing. The sound of water plus an easy walking route makes it a good mid-day energy reset.

Timing note: keep your phone or camera settings ready. The lighting under the umbrella canopy can make photos look extra warm, but it also can fool auto-exposure. Test one shot, then lock your settings if you can.

Pico do Itapeva: views over the Paraíba Valley and a lavender walk

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Pico do Itapeva: views over the Paraíba Valley and a lavender walk
Then it’s time for a viewpoint. Pico do Itapeva includes about 1 hour with a guided stop and a chance to walk around the lookout gardens.

You can see several cities in the Paraíba Valley from the view deck. On days with better visibility, the famous Aparecida do Norte can be visible too. Even if visibility is just average, the deck is still the payoff you came for because it gives context for how high you’re actually sitting.

The park side is also part of the show. There’s a garden of French lavenders around the lookout point, and the listing notes about 2,000 seedlings that help shape the landscape around the viewpoint. In the middle of the lookout, there’s a small castle where you can get a cup of coffee or freshly made hot chocolate.

Just remember: the entrance fee is not included. Pico do Itapeva costs R$30.00, also cash only.

Practical tip: if hot chocolate is your thing, plan to buy it after your main photos, not during. You don’t want to lose time stepping away from the best angles.

Cacau Show chocolate shop: a big souvenir stop with a story

Campos do Jordão: Private 8 Hour Tour - Cacau Show chocolate shop: a big souvenir stop with a story
Next up is Cacau Show, described as a large two-story chocolate shop. The headline attraction is a 40 m² mock-up of the city made 80% of chocolate.

This is one of those stops that can be either fun or skippable depending on your priorities. If you like clever marketing and want a quick treat, it’s an easy win. If you’d rather use that time for another viewpoint or longer Capivari stroll, you might want to adjust expectations here.

Still, it’s hard not to appreciate the scale. A chocolate city model is a photo magnet, and it gives you something to take home besides a bag of sweets.

Pricing and value: what you’re paying for

At $243 per person for an 8-hour private tour from São Paulo, the value comes down to three things.

First, you’re paying for private transportation plus a guide for a full day of mountain hopping. That’s usually what makes this type of excursion worth it, since driving yourself adds stress and parking time, especially when traffic can run wild.

Second, the number of distinct stops is high, and they’re varied: parks, strolling areas, waterfalls, a viewpoint, and a themed chocolate shop. Even if you don’t spend long at each one, you get a well-rounded snapshot of Campos do Jordão rather than one single attraction.

Third, you have to factor in entrance fees. Amantikir Park (R$80) and Pico do Itapeva (R$30) are not included, and the notes say cash only. Add that to your budget so you don’t get surprised. Everything else in the vehicle and guide time is covered, including all fees and taxes tied to transportation.

Overall, if you can avoid a major traffic day and you want a curated overview of top spots, this price can make sense. If you hit holiday traffic, the value can drop fast, because you’re paying for time in the car as much as time in the town.

Timing tips to avoid a long day in the car

Here’s the advice that keeps this tour enjoyable instead of exhausting:

  • Choose the earliest possible start time so you maximize daylight in Campos do Jordão.
  • Keep your schedule flexible in your head. If traffic slows you down, treat Capivari and Ducha de Prata as the most useful “time savers” because they’re straightforward to enjoy.
  • Bring cash for the entrance fees: R$80 for Amantikir and R$30 for Itapeva Peak, cash only.
  • Don’t plan a tight dinner back in São Paulo on the same day. The return trip can take longer than you expect when roads are packed.

And one more note: the tour description says the itinerary is customizable. That can be useful if you need to swap a park stop for more time in Capivari, or if you’d rather spend less time in a shop.

Accessibility and practical comfort notes

The details include wheelchair accessibility, but they also state it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If mobility is part of your planning, I’d treat that as a red flag to confirm directly with Upper Tour SP before booking, so you don’t show up with the wrong expectations.

On the positive side, you are in an air-conditioned vehicle, and this is a private group, so the comfort factor is generally stronger than a shared bus.

Should you book this private Campos do Jordão tour?

Book it if you want a private, guided overview of Campos do Jordão’s main attractions, with transport handled for you and time built in for both photo stops and walking.

Skip or rethink it if your travel dates are likely to overlap with major holiday crowds in São Paulo, since traffic can turn an 8-hour plan into a much longer ordeal. If that’s your situation, you can still make it work by starting early and choosing a flexible mindset about how much time you’ll actually spend in town.

If you do book, do two things: pack cash for Amantikir and Pico do Itapeva, and pick the start time that protects your daylight. Do that, and this tour becomes a fun mix of gardens, romantic landmarks, mountain views, and sweet chocolate souvenirs.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Campos do Jordão private tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours, but exact starting times depend on availability.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included, and you can be picked up at the address of your choice in São Paulo.

Is the tour private?

Yes, it is a private group with private transportation.

What attractions are included in the day?

The day includes stops such as Amantikir Park, Romantik Dalen, Capivari Village, Ducha de Prata, Pico do Itapeva, and Cacau Show, plus scenic/photo stops like the Portal de Campos do Jordão.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included. Amantikir Park costs R$80.00, and Pico do Itapeva costs R$30.00. The notes say cash only.

Are guides available and what languages do they speak?

There is a live tour guide, available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. You get air-conditioned vehicle transportation and private transportation, with all fees and taxes included for the trip.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. The option is Reserve now & pay later, meaning you can book and pay nothing today.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The details include wheelchair accessibility, but they also list it as not suitable for wheelchair users. If wheelchair use is relevant, confirm with the provider before booking.