An eleven-day journey linking four Brazilian destinations by domestic flight.
The circuit opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, with private tours to Corcovado, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks Guanabara Bay, and to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car. It continues with three nights in São Paulo, with a contemporary and modern architecture tour and a city tour taking in Ibirapuera Park, Beco do Batman and Avenida Paulista. It follows with one night in Salvador — the African soul of Brazil — and a tour of the Pelourinho, a UNESCO heritage site, and the São Francisco church. It closes with three beach nights at Praia do Forte, on the Coconut Coast north of Salvador.
Highlights
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train through the Tijuca forest
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car via Morro da Urca
São Paulo contemporary and modern architecture tour: Ibirapuera, FAU-USP and Copan
São Paulo city tour: Ibirapuera, Beco do Batman, Avenida Paulista and Praça da Sé
Pelourinho, a UNESCO heritage site, and the São Francisco church in Salvador
Beach days at Praia do Forte on the Coconut Coast
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro. The drive from the airport to the hotel passes through colonial-style neighbourhoods and along the beachfront. On arrival, your guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel, by the mosaic pavements of Copacabana.
Day2
Day 2: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer (private)
After breakfast, private tour to Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca rainforest, home to toucans, monkeys and armadillos, to the summit at 700 m, where the 38 m Christ the Redeemer statue stands. From here a panoramic view opens over the city, Guanabara Bay, the Maracanã stadium, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema and Gávea Mountain. Transfer to the hotel.
Day3
Day 3: Sugarloaf (private)
After breakfast, private tour to Sugarloaf. A cable car rises first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit of Pão de Açúcar. From there you see Copacabana beach, the Dois Irmãos and Gávea mountains, Red Beach, Guanabara Bay, Niterói and the Botafogo and central neighbourhoods, with the silhouette of Christ the Redeemer over the city.
Day4
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to São Paulo. On arrival, your guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city on your own.
Day5
Day 5: São Paulo — architecture tour
After breakfast, a tour focused on contemporary and modern architecture: the Ponte Estaiada (Octavio Frias bridge), the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at USP (FAU-USP) and the Morumbi Stadium, both by Vilanova Artigas; Ibirapuera Park with the Oca and the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion by Niemeyer, and the Museum of Modern Art by Lina Bo Bardi; the Hotel Unique by Ruy Ohtake; the Higienópolis neighbourhood, the birthplace of modern architecture; and Copan, the largest residential concrete building in Brazil. Duration: 6 hours.
Day6
Day 6: São Paulo — city tour
After breakfast, a tour of the city's most representative sights. It begins in Ibirapuera Park, with the Obelisk, the Monument to the Flags and works by Oscar Niemeyer such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) and the Oca. It continues through the Jardins, with the Hotel Unique and the Nossa Senhora do Brasil church, to Vila Madalena and the graffiti-covered Beco do Batman. Then Avenida Paulista, the Copan and Itália buildings, the Anhangabaú Valley, the Municipal Theatre, the Pátio do Colégio, the São Bento Monastery and the Metropolitan Cathedral on Praça da Sé. Duration: 4 hours.
Day7
Day 7: São Paulo – Salvador
Breakfast at the hotel. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport for the flight to Salvador. On arrival you are welcomed and transferred to the hotel. Salvador, the African soul of Brazil, preserves its cultural roots in capoeira, acarajé and Candomblé, and in its popular festivals.
Day8
Day 8: Salvador – Praia do Forte
Half-day tour of Salvador with a private guide. From the mouth of the bay, along tree-lined avenues and city streets, you reach the Pelourinho, a UNESCO heritage site and the largest complex of colonial architecture in South America. By the Lacerda Elevator on the Municipal Square, you stroll its streets and visit the São Francisco church, with its gold-leafed Baroque interior, and the Pelourinho square. Afterwards, transfer to the coastal area of Praia do Forte, about 60 km north of Salvador, on the Coconut Coast.
Day9
Day 9: Praia do Forte — free day
Free day at your hotel to relax on the beach and enjoy the surroundings.
Day10
Day 10: Praia do Forte — free day
Free day at your hotel to relax on the beach and enjoy the surroundings.
Day11
Day 11: Praia do Forte — Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
Listed hotel in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Slaviero São Paulo Ibirapuera
Superior
São Paulo
Listed hotel in São Paulo (3 nights).
Vila Galé Salvador
Superior
Salvador
Listed hotel in Salvador (1 night).
Pousada Casa do Forte
Superior
Praia do Forte
Listed hotel in Praia do Forte (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation with breakfast (10 nights: 3 in Rio de Janeiro, 3 in São Paulo, 1 in Salvador, 3 in Praia do Forte)
Included: Airport–hotel–airport transfers with driver/guide
Included: Private tour to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, including the cog train
Included: Private Sugarloaf tour, including the cable car
Included: São Paulo architecture tour (about 6 hours)
Included: São Paulo city tour (about 4 hours)
Included: Half-day Salvador city tour with a private guide
What's not included
Not included: Domestic flights (Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo – Salvador) and international airfare
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional services
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included