A twelve-day journey linking four very different Brazilian destinations by domestic flight.
The circuit opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, with half-day tours to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car and to Corcovado, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks Guanabara Bay. It continues with two nights at the Iguaçu Falls on the Brazilian side, with the Macuco Safari and the Bird Park. It follows with three nights in the Pantanal, a nature reserve with horseback riding, walking tours, piranha fishing and wildlife watching, on a full-board basis. And it closes with three nights on the beaches of Búzios, on the tropical coast. Accommodation is offered in the 4-star category.
Highlights
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car via Morro da Urca
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train
Iguaçu Falls on the Brazilian side, with the Macuco Safari and the Bird Park
Pantanal wildlife: horseback riding, walking tours, piranha fishing and cayman watching
Beaches of the tropical coast of Búzios
Domestic flights Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Campo Grande – Rio de Janeiro
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. Remainder of the day at leisure to rest or take a first walk through the city, among green hills, rocky mountains, beaches and bays.
Day2
Day 2: Sugarloaf and central Rio
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) with an English-speaking guide to Sugarloaf. From Praia Vermelha, a cable car rises first to Morro da Urca, with its wide viewing deck, and then to the summit of Pão de Açúcar, with views of Rio, Copacabana, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the islands, the Niterói bridge and the Christ statue. Afterwards, a drive through the districts of old Rio, past ancient churches and monasteries, the city's main Cathedral and colonial-style buildings.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) with a Russian-speaking guide to Corcovado. An open train climbs through the forest to the top of the hill; on both sides of the track are views of the Tijuca forest, home to monkeys and other animals and birds. At the summit, at 700 m, stands the Christ the Redeemer statue (38 m), erected in 1931, with a broad panorama of the 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 and flight to Iguaçu. On arrival, meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Day5
Day 5: Iguaçu Falls — Brazilian side
Excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, within a national park of unique flora and fauna. Walkways along the canyon of the Iguaçu River lead to the viewpoints; 275 waterfalls, each with its own name, rush down towards the Garganta del Diablo gorge. The Macuco Safari is included: a drive of about 3 kilometres through the jungle in an open jeep with a guide, then, on foot to the bank of the Iguaçu River, a motorboat ride to the foot of the falls. Afterwards, a visit to the Bird Park, next to the Iguaçu National Park, with large enclosures where tropical birds fly and walk freely.
Day6
Day 6: Foz do Iguaçu – Pantanal
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Arrival at Campo Grande airport and transfer to the Pantanal, with accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and evening programme. The Pantanal is a nature reserve in Brazil of exceptional abundance and diversity of plants and animals, with lakes and rivers of crystal-clear water, ideal for nature lovers and for those seeking rest away from the urban pace.
Day7
Day 7: Pantanal
A day of excursions in the Pantanal. Depending on the weather and the time of year, the local guide offers activities such as horseback riding across the plains and ponds, walking tours through the Pantanal for photography, piranha fishing and cayman watching, among others. Outings are scheduled from early morning, when animals are most likely to be seen. During the stay all excursions and meals are included; at Aguapé, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.
Day8
Day 8: Pantanal
The excursions in the Pantanal continue with the local guide, who shows the unique flora and fauna of the area. Time to rest, watch birds and butterflies and enjoy the sounds of nature. All of the day's excursions and meals are included on a full-board basis at Aguapé.
Day9
Day 9: Pantanal – Rio de Janeiro – Búzios
Transfer to the airport and flight from Campo Grande to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport, transfer to Búzios, with accommodation at the hotel on the tropical coast.
Day10
Day 10: Búzios
Rest on the tropical coast. Free time.
Day11
Day 11: Búzios
Rest on the tropical coast. Free time.
Day12
Day 12: Búzios – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport for the 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).
Pousada Aguapé
Superior
Pantanal
4-star option in the Pantanal (3 nights), on a full-board basis.
Rio Buzios Boutique
Superior
Búzios
4-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 listed hotels or similar (11 nights: 3 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Foz do Iguaçu, 3 in the Pantanal, 3 in Búzios)
Included: Breakfast at the hotels
Included: Full board during the Pantanal stay (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Included: Transfers
Included: Half-day Sugarloaf and central Rio tour with an English-speaking guide
Included: Half-day Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer tour
Included: Iguaçu Falls (Brazilian side) with the Macuco Safari and the Bird Park
Included: Excursions and activities during the Pantanal stay with a local guide
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Domestic flights Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Campo Grande – 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 excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight over Rio — Helicopter flight from the heliport on Sugarloaf, accompanied by an instructor, over Rio de Janeiro. The flight lasts 8 to 10 minutes, with views of the golden beaches, the Botanical Garden, the Christ statue and the city below.