An eleven-day luxury programme linking three Brazilian destinations, with domestic flights between Rio de Janeiro and the Iguaçu Falls and a road transfer to the coast.
It opens in Rio de Janeiro, with a half-day tour to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) with VIP access and the historic centre, a visit to Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue, and a free day for the city's beaches or optional tours. It continues at the Iguaçu Falls, visited from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides, including the Devil's Throat. It closes on the tropical coast of Búzios, with time at leisure among its beaches. Accommodation is in 5-star hotels, with breakfast, excursions with an English-speaking guide and transfers in high-class vehicles.
Highlights
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) with VIP access
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Devil's Throat
Beaches of Búzios on the tropical coast
Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches in Rio de Janeiro
Domestic flights between Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguaçu
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport, where a guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel. On the way, the guide gives a short introduction to the city and can help with currency exchange or a local SIM card. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day2
Day 2: Sugarloaf and central Rio
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), with a first stop on Morro da Urca and views over Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the Niterói bridge and the Christ statue on Corcovado. The tour continues by car through central old Rio, past churches, monasteries, the cathedral and colonial-era buildings, and ends with a lunch of local cuisine. VIP access to Sugarloaf is included.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, tour (about 4 hours) to the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca rainforest to the summit at 700 m, where the 38 m statue overlooks the city, from Guanabara Bay and the Maracanã stadium to Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema and Gávea Mountain.
Day4
Day 4: Free day in Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the city independently or to add optional tours.
Day5
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Foz do Iguaçu. On arrival, a guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Day6
Day 6: Iguaçu Falls — Brazilian side
After breakfast, full-day excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls. Walkways along the edge of the falls lead to panoramic viewpoints and to the Devil's Throat, where a footbridge takes you into the heart of the waterfall. The Macuco Safari or the Bird Park can optionally be added afterwards.
Day7
Day 7: Iguaçu Falls — Argentine side
After breakfast, excursion to the Argentine side of the Iguaçu Falls. Trails and walkways run above and below the falls within the natural park, and a train reaches the Devil's Throat, the most powerful of all the falls.
Day8
Day 8: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro – Búzios
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, a driver transfers you to Búzios, on the tropical coast.
Day9
Day 9: Búzios
Day at leisure on the tropical coast of Búzios.
Day10
Day 10: Búzios
Day at leisure on the tropical coast of Búzios. A boat trip to the islands and wild beaches can optionally be booked.
Day11
Day 11: Búzios – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport for your international flight.
Suggested hotels
Miramar by Windsor Copacabana
Luxury
Copacabana
5-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Rooftop infinity pool (heated in winter)
Panoramic terrace
Rooftop bar
Alloro al Miramar restaurant (Italian cuisine)
Spa
Sauna and steam room
Praia de Copacabana (in front of the hotel)
Forte de Copacabana (~800 m)
Praia de Ipanema (~1.8 km)
Cantagalo Metro Station (a few minutes' walk)
DoubleTree by Hilton Foz do Iguaçu
Luxury
Foz do Iguaçu
5-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Vila da Santa Boutique Hotel & 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 hotels listed in the programme, with breakfast
Included: Half-day Sugarloaf tour with VIP access and central Rio, with an English-speaking guide
Included: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer tour with an English-speaking guide
Included: Excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls with an English-speaking guide
Included: Excursion to the Argentine side of the Iguaçu Falls with an English-speaking guide
Included: Transfers with a guide
Included: Transfers to Búzios with a driver
Included: Excursions and transfers in high-class vehicles (except at the Iguaçu Falls)
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Domestic flights (Rio de Janeiro – 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
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Tropical Islands tour — Full-day boat tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, with hotel pickup, lunch on the island, a walk and a swim, returning to Rio by schooner. About 8 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Rio by night: samba and capoeira show — Evening show of samba and capoeira, with the option to dine during the performance; hotel pickup and return included. About 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight over Rio — Helicopter flight from Sugarloaf over the city's beaches, the Christ statue and the Botanical Garden. From 10 to 30 minutes.
Optional, at extra cost:
Caipirinha master-class — Master-class in preparing the caipirinha, Brazil's signature cachaça cocktail, on a coastal hotel rooftop with a city view, with a tasting.
Optional, at extra cost:
Brazilian churrasco master-class — Master-class cooking different cuts of meat over the fire, followed by dinner at one of the city's restaurants.
Optional, at extra cost:
Botanical Garden — Visit to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, over 200 years old, with its avenue of royal palms, orchids, bromeliads, bamboos and the Victoria water-lily. About 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Sugarloaf trekking — Guided trek from Morro da Urca up to Sugarloaf, about 30 minutes, watching wild monkeys and native vegetation, with the option to climb the second peak with equipment and an instructor.
Optional, at extra cost:
Bird Park — Visit to the Parque das Aves, with large open-air aviaries of tropical birds beside the rainforest. Add-on to the Brazilian-side excursion.
Optional, at extra cost:
Macuco Safari — Jeep ride through the jungle followed by a motorboat trip to the foot of the falls. Add-on to the Brazilian-side excursion.
Optional, at extra cost:
Búzios boat trip — Boat trip from Búzios to the islands and wild beaches.