A thirteen-day journey linking four regions of Brazil by domestic flight.
It opens with four nights in Rio de Janeiro, with half-day tours to Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue and to Sugarloaf, together with a drive through the historic centre. It continues with two nights at an Amazon lodge near Manaus on full board, where the lodge offers evening canoe rides, a visit to a caboclo family and non-professional fishing. Three nights in Salvador take in the Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the São Francisco church and a full-day trip to the beaches of Praia do Forte. The circuit closes with three nights at Foz do Iguaçu, visiting the Iguaçu Falls from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides, including the Devil's Throat, before flying back to Rio de Janeiro. Accommodation is offered in 4-star hotels.
Highlights
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) and a tour of central Rio
Amazon lodge stay near Manaus on full board
Salvador: the Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the São Francisco church
The beaches of Praia do Forte, near Salvador
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Devil's Throat
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, where you are met and transferred to the hotel. Rio de Janeiro spreads among green hills and bays, with beaches such as Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon and their black-and-white tiled promenades. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day2
Day 2: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca forest to the summit at 700 m, where the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer (erected in 1931) overlooks the city, the Rio–Niterói Bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf.
Day3
Day 3: City tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Sugarloaf. The first stop is Morro da Urca, with a wide viewing area; the tour then reaches the summit of Sugarloaf, with views of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding hills, the Rio–Niterói Bridge and Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado. It continues by car through central old Rio, past churches, monasteries, the city cathedral and colonial-era buildings.
Day4
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Manaus
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Manaus, where you are met and transferred to your Amazon lodge on a full-board meal plan. During the stay the lodge offers activities at no extra cost, such as an evening motor-canoe ride to spot alligators, a visit to a caboclo family to learn about their traditions and the rubber cycle, and non-professional piranha fishing.
Day5
Day 5: Manaus
A day at the Amazon lodge, choosing among the activities it offers.
Day6
Day 6: Manaus – Salvador
Transfer to the airport and flight to Salvador de Bahia. On arrival you are met and transferred to the hotel. Salvador preserves the African roots of Brazil in its music, capoeira, cuisine and Candomblé traditions.
Day7
Day 7: Salvador
After hotel pick-up, a half-day tour with a private guide traces the city's history. It reaches the Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest complex of colonial architecture in South America, the Municipal Square by the Lacerda Elevator with views over the bay, and the São Francisco church with its gold-leafed Baroque interior.
Day8
Day 8: Salvador – Praia do Forte
After breakfast, full-day trip to the beaches of Praia do Forte.
Day9
Day 9: Salvador – 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. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day10
Day 10: Iguaçu Falls — Brazilian side
After breakfast, tour of the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, on the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Walkways within the national park lead to viewpoints over the falls, which drop from a height of 72 m into the Devil's Throat canyon. This tour operates on a shared basis with an English-speaking guide.
Day11
Day 11: Iguaçu Falls — Argentine side
You are picked up at the hotel and cross the border into Argentina, reaching the Argentine side of the falls over the Tancredo Neves Bridge. Here trails through the national park bring you close to and below the falling water, to the Devil's Throat.
Day12
Day 12: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Day13
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (4 nights).
Evolução Ecolodge
Superior
Manaus
4-star option in Manaus (2 nights).
Vila Galé Salvador
Superior
Salvador
4-star option in Salvador (3 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Superior
Foz do Iguaçu
4-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar (12 nights: 4 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Manaus, 3 in Salvador, 3 in Foz do Iguaçu)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Full-board meal plan during the stay at the Amazon lodge (Manaus)
Included: Transfers with driver
Included: Excursions mentioned in the programme
Included: Entrance fees
Included: Amazon excursions operate on a shared basis (SIB)
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Domestic flights (Rio de Janeiro – Manaus – Salvador – Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro)
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