A nine-day journey across three Brazilian destinations, linked by domestic flights.
It opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, set between green hills, bays and the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, with half-day tours to Sugarloaf by cable car and to Corcovado, where the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer looks out over Guanabara Bay, plus a drive through the historic centre of old Rio. It continues with two nights at the Iguazú Falls, seen from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides, where 275 waterfalls pour into the Devil's Throat canyon. It closes with three nights in Búzios, on the tropical coast, with free days to enjoy its beaches. Accommodation is offered in 3-, 4- and 5-star categories.
Highlights
Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car via Urca, over Guanabara Bay
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train through the Tijuca forest
Iguazú Falls from the Brazilian side, with the Devil's Throat
Iguazú Falls from the Argentine side, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge
Historic centre of old Rio: churches, monasteries and the cathedral
Free days on the beaches of Búzios
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, where your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to the hotel. Rio spreads between green hills, bays, islands and beaches — Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, with their black-and-white tiled promenades. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day2
Day 2: City tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, a half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Sugarloaf. The first stop is Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area; from the summit of Sugarloaf there are views of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the islands, the Niterói bridge and Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado. The tour continues by car through the historic centre of old Rio, past several old churches, monasteries, the city's main cathedral and colonial-style buildings.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, a tour (about 4 hours) to Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca forest, home to monkeys and other wildlife, to the top. At 700 m stands the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer, built in 1931, with a panorama over the city — the Niterói bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf.
Day4
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Foz do Iguaçu, where you are met and transferred to the hotel. Then a tour to the falls. The Iguazú Falls lie on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, with 275 waterfalls falling into the Devil's Throat canyon; the water drops from a height of 72 m. The falls sit within a national park with its own flora and fauna.
Day5
Day 5: Iguazú Falls — Argentine side
After breakfast, you reach the Argentine side of the falls by the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguazú River. Here you stand above and below the falls at once, close to the falling water, within the natural park, and see the birth of the Devil's Throat.
Day6
Day 6: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro – Búzios
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival your driver meets you and transfers you to Búzios, on the tropical coast.
Day7
Day 7: Free day in Búzios
Free day on the tropical coast of Búzios, with time to enjoy its many beaches.
Day8
Day 8: Free day in Búzios
Free day on the tropical coast of Búzios, with time to enjoy its many beaches.
Day9
Day 9: Búzios – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport for your international flight home.
Suggested hotels
B&B Hotel Copacabana
Standard
Rio de Janeiro
3-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Standard
Foz do Iguaçu
3-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Rio Buzios Boutique Hotel
Standard
Búzios
3- and 4-star option in Búzios (3 nights); the same hotel is used in the 3-star and 4-star packages.
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas Luxe
Superior
Foz do Iguaçu
4-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Miramar by Windsor
Luxury
Rio de Janeiro
5-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
DoubleTree by Hilton Foz do Iguaçu
Luxury
Foz do Iguaçu
5-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Vila da Santa Boutique Spa
Luxury
Búzios
5-star option in Búzios (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the selected hotels or similar (8 nights: 3 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Foz do Iguaçu, 3 in Búzios)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Transfers with driver
Included: Excursions mentioned in the programme with an English-speaking guide
Included: Entrance fees
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare (including the Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro domestic flight)
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme, and food and drinks during transfers
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Macuco Safari — A tour through the jungle followed by a boat ride. An open jeep runs about 3 kilometres through the forest with a guide describing the region's ecology; then, on foot to the bank of the Iguazú River, a motor boat takes you close to the waterfalls.
Optional, at extra cost:
Bird Park — Walk into large open-air aviaries where birds of striking colours fly and move freely among the rainforest.