Hi! I'm Rodrigo Índio, a tour guide specialized in natural attractions in Rio de Janeiro. But my journey to get here wasn’t so straightforward.

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Ever since I was a kid, my biggest dream was to become a professional soccer player. I lived and breathed soccer, I would train and play in three different places on the same day. There was no plan B for me! Of course, that taught me a lot about discipline, dedication, and resilience. But it also brought some frustrations. When I realized that career wasn't going to be my path, I felt like I had let my family down. It was tough, and for a long time, I lived a heavy routine, working over ten years in retail.

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During that time, I went through a period of depression. And that’s when hiking came into my life as a form of refuge. Walking through nature, watching the sunrise from the mountaintop, feeling the wind on my face… all of it helped me reconnect and rediscover myself. There came a point when I thought more about exploring trails than about my actual job!

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I started organizing hikes with friends and other people interested during my days off—it was just a hobby, a way to be in nature and meet new people. I met incredible people who are still in my life today. And it was one morning, watching the sunrise from Dois Irmãos Hill, that someone said to me:
“Rodrigo, why don’t you do this for a living? We’d gladly pay for what you do!”

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That sentence was a turning point for me. I went home with that idea stuck in my head. I researched everything—how to become a tour guide, which courses I needed, how the market worked. A month later, I quit my job and dove headfirst into this dream. I took courses, explored every corner of Rio, studied every trail and tourist spot, learning from other guides—many of whom have become great friends.

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In the beginning, it wasn’t easy. I accepted any payment just to showcase my work, build trust, and learn hands-on. When the pandemic hit, everything stopped again. But instead of giving up, I used the time to study, improve my English (thanks to my wife!), and plan how I could offer an even better experience once things returned to normal.

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Today, I’m happy to be working with what I love: guiding people from Brazil and around the world through the trails, mountains, viewpoints, and natural wonders of Rio. Every summit we reach, every smile from someone who overcomes a challenge with me, reminds me why I do this every single day. My goal goes beyond just a beautiful hike—I want every experience with Rodrigo Índio Tours to be fun, safe, informative, and above all, unforgettable.

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Welcome to this adventure!