A nine-day journey through four Brazilian destinations the programme calls "places of power" — spots where nature and history concentrate their energy.
It begins with two nights in Rio de Janeiro, with the cable car up Sugarloaf via Morro da Urca and a visit to the historic centre and its colonial churches. Two nights at the Iguaçu Falls follow, visited from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides, including the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo). The programme then moves to Visconde de Mauá, an ecological valley of fruit trees, rivers and waterfalls, with a hike to twelve waterfalls and the Escorrega falls. It closes with two nights in the historic village of Paraty, with a jeep tour to its waterfalls and a cachaça still, and a trip to the beaches and sea-water natural pool of Trindade. Accommodation is in 4-star hotels and pousadas.
Highlights
Sugarloaf by cable car via Morro da Urca
Historic centre of Rio de Janeiro and its colonial churches
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Devil's Throat
Hike to the twelve waterfalls of Visconde de Mauá and the Escorrega falls
Jeep tour of Paraty: waterfalls, a cachaça still and the Ouro Branco House of Flour
Trip to the beaches and the Caixa d'Aço natural pool at Trindade
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro international airport, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure by the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.
Day2
Day 2: Sugarloaf and the historic centre of Rio
After breakfast, guided tour to Sugarloaf. A cable car rises first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit of Sugarloaf, with views over Copacabana, Red Beach, Guanabara Bay towards Niterói and Christ the Redeemer. The tour continues into the historic centre, with its colonial architecture and old churches, cobbled streets and bright colours.
Day3
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Foz do Iguaçu, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel. Guided tour of the falls from the Brazilian side, on the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, within the national park. The Upper Circuit (1,300 m) gives a panoramic view above the falls, while the Lower Circuit leads through the jungle to the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo), which drops 72 metres. Return to the hotel.
Day4
Day 4: Iguaçu Falls — Argentine side
After breakfast, guided tour to the Argentine side of the falls, reached over the Tancredo Neves Bridge across the Iguaçu River. The upper walkway (about 1.5 hours) runs above and among the falls on see-through metal platforms; a small train reaches the walkways leading to the Devil's Throat. For hikers, there is also a 3.5-hour lower walkway, with a close-up view of the falls and a crossing to a small island (subject to weather conditions).
Day5
Day 5: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro – Visconde de Mauá
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight back to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, a driver takes you into the mountains above Rio (Serra dos Órgãos) to Visconde de Mauá, a village in a fertile valley of fruit trees, waterfalls and clean air within the Atlantic Forest. Accommodation is in a pousada.
Day6
Day 6: Visconde de Mauá
After breakfast, a day in the Visconde de Mauá region, known for its rivers, waterfalls and natural pools. The village of Maringá is the region's main shopping centre and Vila da Maromba is known for its waterfalls. A driver takes you to a protected area where an easy hike reveals twelve waterfalls surrounded by forest. The best known is Escorrega, with a natural pool and a natural slide, with the option to slide down or jump from a 7-metre cliff. Optional activities in the region include mountain climbing, horseback riding, bathing in natural pools and hiking.
Day7
Day 7: Visconde de Mauá – Paraty
After breakfast, transfer to Paraty (about 4 hours) and, after a short rest, a guided jeep tour within the Serra da Bocaina National Park. The route passes waterfalls with clear waters through the Atlantic Forest — Pedra Branca, Poço do Tarzan and Tobogã — and visits a traditional still to see how artisanal cachaça is made, with a tasting of liqueurs and aged cachaças, and the Ouro Branco House of Flour, where cassava flour is made by hand.
Day8
Day 8: Paraty — Trindade
After breakfast, excursion to Trindade, a cove 27 km from Paraty with four ocean beaches and a natural sea-water pool, by van or minibus with a guide. Stops at Praia do Cepilho, Praia dos Ranchos and Praia do Meio, from where a 25-minute trail leads to Praia do Caixa d'Aço; a further trail through the Atlantic Forest reaches the Caixa d'Aço natural pool, a set of rocks forming a pool in the sea, good for swimming and snorkelling.
Day9
Day 9: Paraty – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (2 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Superior
Foz do Iguaçu
4-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Pousada Terras da Finlândia
Superior
Visconde de Mauá
4-star option in Visconde de Mauá (2 nights).
Pousada Corsario Paraty
Superior
Paraty
4-star option in Paraty (2 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 (8 nights: 2 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Foz do Iguaçu, 2 in Visconde de Mauá, 2 in Paraty)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Airport/hotel/airport transfers with a driver, and with a Brazilian driver in Visconde de Mauá and Trindade
Included: Guided excursions according to the programme
Included: Paraty city tour with an English-speaking guide
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 and drinks 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 or additional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Adventure activities in Visconde de Mauá — Optional activities in the Visconde de Mauá region: mountain climbing, horseback riding, bathing in natural pools and hiking.
Optional, at extra cost:
Boat to the Caixa d'Aço natural pool (Trindade) — Aluminium fisherman's boat to and from the Caixa d'Aço natural pool, hired directly at Praia do Meio.
Optional, at extra cost:
Lunch at Praia dos Ranchos (Trindade) — Lunch at the Vagalume restaurant on Praia dos Ranchos, on the way back from the natural pool.