A twelve-day journey pairing Brazil's great icons with restful days on the beach.
The circuit opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, with a half-day tour to Sugarloaf by cable car and another to Corcovado, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city. It continues with two nights at the Iguaçu Falls, visiting the Brazilian side, the Devil's Throat, the Great Adventure boat trip and the bird park. It follows with two nights in Salvador de Bahia, the African soul of Brazil, with a half-day tour of the Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It closes with four beach nights at Costa do Sauipe. Accommodation is offered in the 4-star category.
Highlights
Sugarloaf by cable car, with a tour of central old Rio
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by train through the Tijuca forest
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian side, with the Devil's Throat
Great Adventure boat trip and bird park at Iguaçu
Tour of the Pelourinho in Salvador, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Four beach nights at Costa do Sauipe
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Brazil. Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel. Time to relax. Rio de Janeiro is green hills, blue sky, bays, islands and marvellous beaches: the most famous — Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon — with their signature black-and-white tiled promenade.
Day2
Day 2: City Tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, a half-day excursion to Sugarloaf. The first stop is Morro da Urca, with a wide viewing area and a restaurant at the top. From Sugarloaf you have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the islands, the Niterói bridge and the statue of Christ on Corcovado. After descending by cable car, the tour continues by car through the old city centre, with its old churches, monasteries, the cathedral and colonial-style buildings. The guide takes you to a local restaurant to taste the cuisine of the region. Duration: 4 hours.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, we set off for Corcovado. An eco-friendly train climbs through the Tijuca forest — home to monkeys, birds and other exotic animals — to the summit. At 700 m stands the symbol of Rio de Janeiro: the statue of Christ the Redeemer (38 m), built in 1931. From the top you enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings: the Niterói bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf. Duration: 4 hours.
Day4
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Iguaçu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to the Iguaçu Falls. Arrival, check-in at the hotel and free time. At the great falls of Foz do Iguaçu lies the border triangle of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The falls, formed by the Iguaçu River, consist of 275 separate cascades and are surrounded by the virgin jungle of the Iguaçu National Park; the highest, the Devil's Throat, reaches 70 m.
Day5
Day 5: Iguaçu — Brazilian side
After breakfast, an unforgettable adventure on the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls. You will see hundreds of cascades and reach a platform facing the mighty Devil's Throat. You also take the Great Adventure boat trip: a track through the Iguaçu National Park, a stretch along the Yacaratiá trail with multilingual guides, then a boat that heads into the falls, passing close to Isla Martín. Afterwards a jeep crosses the tropical rainforest and a boat speeds up the Iguaçu River, taking you right into the falls. To finish, a visit to the bird park, where toucans, macaws and other brightly coloured birds fly freely inside large aviaries.
Day6
Day 6: Iguaçu – Salvador
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight to Salvador de Bahia. Arrival, met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. In Salvador, the African soul of Brazil, the descendants of slaves preserved their cultural roots more than anywhere else in the New World: hypnotic drum beats, capoeira, fragrant spices, the acarajé and Candomblé are part of everyday life.
Day7
Day 7: Salvador
Discover the essential sights of Salvador on a half-day tour tracing the development of the city, now the third largest in Brazil. With a private guide, drive to the mouth of the immense bay and along elegant tree-lined avenues to the Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest complex of colonial architecture in South America. From the Municipal Square, by the Lacerda Elevator, with views of the bay and the lower city, stroll through the pastel-shaded streets. Visit the church of São Francisco, with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior, and the Pelourinho square, the heart of the old town.
Day8
Day 8: Salvador – Costa do Sauipe
After breakfast, transfer to the coastal area of Costa do Sauipe for relaxing beach days.
Day9
Day 9: Costa do Sauipe
Free day at your hotel. Relax at the beach and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Day10
Day 10: Costa do Sauipe
Free day at your hotel. Relax at the beach and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Day11
Day 11: Costa do Sauipe
Free day at your hotel. Relax at the beach and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Day12
Day 12: Costa do Sauipe — departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in time for your international flight.
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).
Vila Gale Salvador
Superior
Salvador
4-star option in Salvador (2 nights).
Pousada Casa do Forte
Superior
Costa do Sauipe
4-star option in Costa do Sauipe (4 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the chosen hotels or similar, with breakfast
Included: Private transfers
Included: Private tours with an English-speaking guide
Included: Meals as described in the itinerary
What's not included
Not included: International flights
Not included: Domestic flights: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Salvador – 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