An eight-day journey combining the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Iguaçu Falls and the beaches of Porto de Galinhas.
The circuit opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, with a city tour and the cable-car ascent of Sugarloaf, and an excursion to Corcovado, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks Guanabara Bay. It continues with two nights at the Iguaçu Falls, visited from the Brazilian side, with the Devil's Throat, and from the Argentine side, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge. It closes with two nights in Porto de Galinhas, on the coast of Pernambuco state, known for its clear-water natural pools and beaches. Accommodation is offered in 4- and 5-star categories, and a free day in Porto de Galinhas leaves time for the beach.
Highlights
Rio city tour and Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car via Morro da Urca
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by train through the Tijuca forest
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian side, with the Devil's Throat
Iguaçu Falls from the Argentine side, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge
Beaches and natural pools of Porto de Galinhas
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 de Janeiro, with its green hills, bays, islands and beaches, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world; the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are famous for their black-and-white tiled promenade. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day2
Day 2: City tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Sugarloaf. The first stop is on Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area. From the summit of Sugarloaf there are views of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains and islands, the Rio–Niterói Bridge and the Christ statue on Corcovado. Afterwards, a drive through the historic centre of old Rio, past old churches and monasteries, the city cathedral and colonial-style buildings.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Corcovado. A train climbs through the Tijuca forest, home to monkeys and other animals and birds, to the summit. At 700 m stands the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer (erected in 1931), with a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings: the Rio–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, an excursion to the falls from the Brazilian side. The Iguaçu Falls lie on the border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, within a national park of unique flora and fauna, and gather 275 waterfalls that plunge from up to 72 metres into the canyon of the Devil's Throat.
Day5
Day 5: Iguaçu Falls — Argentine side
After breakfast, excursion to the Argentine side of the falls, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguaçu River. The Argentine side differs from the Brazilian one: here you are above and below the falls at the same time, close to the power of the water, with the natural park around and the birth of the Devil's Throat.
Day6
Day 6: Iguaçu – Recife – Porto de Galinhas
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Recife and transfer to Porto de Galinhas, on the tropical coast. The town lies in the south of Pernambuco state, 60 km from Recife, and is known for its beaches of turquoise water and white sand, with palm trees along the coast and the feel of an old colonial town.
Day7
Day 7: Free Day in Porto de Galinhas
Breakfast at the hotel and free day. The coast of Pernambuco is famous for the natural pools that form in the coastal waters at low tide, ideal for swimming and viewing corals and fish. There are beaches for surfing, windsurfing and water-skiing; Maracaipe beach hosts surfing championships and Muro Alto is a large natural pool formed by reefs. Numerous restaurants serve fresh fish.
Day8
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Recife airport for your flight home.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Superior
Foz do Iguaçu
4-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Solar Porto de Galinhas
Superior
Porto de Galinhas
4-star option in Porto de Galinhas (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).
Nannai Resort
Luxury
Porto de Galinhas
5-star option in Porto de Galinhas (2 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 (7 nights: 3 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Foz do Iguaçu, 2 in Porto de Galinhas)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Transfers with driver
Included: Excursions mentioned in the programme
Included: Entrance fees
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare
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 — An open-jeep ride of about 3 km through the jungle with a guide, then a walk down to the Iguaçu River, from where a motorboat takes you to the foot of the falls.
Optional, at extra cost:
Bird Park — Visit to large open-air enclosures where brightly coloured birds fly and walk freely among the rainforest.