Brazil Highlights: Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls & Amazon Rainforest - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro

Welcome to the "Marvelous City!" On arrival in Rio de Janeiro, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel in Copacabana. Rio has been referred to as the marvelous city for over a century, and it is understandable why. The city's unique beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and geographical diversity of mountains, tropical forests, and stunning beaches have long inspired artists and composers from all over the world.

Day 2: Carioca Lifestyle & Carnival Culture

On today's tour, along with a local guide, you'll contemplate the local lifestyle of the Cariocas—a charming nickname given to people from the city of Rio de Janeiro. The tour starts on foot to the nearest subway station, with a 15-minute ride to the commercial and historic center of Rio. From here, you'll explore the highlights on foot, including the Metropolitan Cathedral of São Sebastião and the Saara neighborhood. You will have the opportunity to see the customs, commerce, and joy of the Carioca people.

Next up is some delicious natural juice tasting made from fresh tropical fruits, and at the end of the tour, you will have lunch at Confeitaria Colombo—one of the oldest and most historic restaurants in Brazil. After lunch, you'll return to the subway station and then ride back to the nearest stop to your hotel and enjoy a walk the rest of the way. Then it is time to live the Carnival Experience!

There is nothing more representative of Brazil than the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro—a world-known event that takes place once a year and attracts people from all over the world. Colors, music, and costumes will parade before your eyes, radiating the joy and warmth of the Brazilian people. You will also visit the Cidade do the Samba (Samba City), which is a special place that concentrates warehouses of the different samba schools. It is here that their allegories develop.

A local guide will introduce and lead you on a tour of the Pimpolhos of Grande Rio project—a social project that seeks to transform the community by training professionals in dance, production, music, and arts. You will learn about the history of samba and get to dance in the carnival parades. There will be an opportunity to try on some costumes and take pictures while learning a little bit of percussion and samba to feel the carnival atmosphere for yourself. Finally, after all that dancing, you will be rewarded with a delicious caipirinha—it's just Brazilian hospitality. 

Day 3: Sugarloaf Mountain & Christ the Redeemer

Today you'll visit the famous Mirante de Pão de Açúcar—Sugarloaf Mountain. The tour starts by driving to Praia Vermelha in the Urca neighborhood, where the cable car station to the Pão de Açúcar is. From here, along with your local guide, you will walk along the Claudio Coutinho track, also known as the Bem Te Vi trail. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes and is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the woods, and sounds and view animals such as marmosets and numerous birds.

At the end of the trail, you'll take the cable car to the top of Pão de Açúcar. The descent will also be via cable car, and finally, you will return to the vehicle and then your hotel. The afternoon offers a visit to Corcovado Peak and the Christ the Redeemer statue. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and together you'll drive to the base of the mountain, where you will take a train through the beautiful and lush Tijuca Forest to the top of the Corcovado Peak.

The peak is 2,330 feet (710 m) high and one of the most famous places in the world for its Christ the Redeemer statue—a 125-foot (38 m) tall statue and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Here you will have a fantastic panoramic view of the city. Then you will return to the train and the base and continue back to your hotel, enjoying a scenic tour of Rio de Janeiro's south beaches along the way.

Day 4: Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu, Explore by Bike

On arrival in Foz do Iguaçu, you'll transfer to your hotel. An exciting day awaits, where you'll get to experience Brazil differently. After checking into your hotel, it will be time to explore the Brazilian side falls by bike! Your guide will meet up with you, and you will leave together by car to the Victoria Falls National Park's visitor center, where bicycles, safety helmets, and a bottle of water will be waiting for you.

Accompanied by an instructor and your guide, you will pedal about 6 miles (10 km) to the beginning of the Brazilian side falls trails. The total length of this road is 4,000 feet (1,200 m) from the beginning, where you will begin to observe the incredible 275 waterfalls that make up the Iguaçu Falls. The essential falls on the Brazilian side are: Floriano, Deodoro da Fonseca, Benjamin Constant, and Salto Uniao or Garganta do Diabo.

Park your bike in front of the first viewpoint and start the observation trail on foot. This trail provides beautiful landscapes and different views of the falls. At the end of the trail, you'll have the choice of either returning to the visitor center by bike or taking the park bus if you're tired. An optional activity to appreciate the true grandeur of the falls, and magnificent views of the region and gain another perspective of this force of nature is a helicopter ride, making the experience of visiting the falls even more exciting and unforgettable!

Day 5: Discover Foz do Iguaçu from Argentina's Side

Today, after breakfast, it's time to visit Iguaçu Falls—recognized among the seven natural wonders of the world—from the Argentinean side. The Iguaçu Falls is the most visited natural attraction in the province of Misiones and one of Argentina's most impressive. Walking paths with different gateways offered by the park provide different views of the falls and their fantastic scenery.

The lower circuit offers more contact with nature. In contrast, the upper course provides an overview of all the drops and delta islands, as well as an impressive view of the Garganta del Diablo, where you can feel the fury of water falling in many horseshoe-shaped falls. You will have five hours to explore these trails, including the time to enjoy a nice lunch in the park (not included. Your guide will suggest the best routes based on your interests, as well as places to stop for lunch. 

You will explore the jungle and falls together with the Gran Aventura Group Safari and boat tour. A separate tour guide will lead the group, and your private guide will also accompany you along the tour, which is roughly two hours long. The journey begins in a land vehicle through the jungle along the Yacaratiá narrow track designed for this particular environment, and your guide will provide information about the natural and cultural richness of this area. This 3-mile (5 km) ride ends at the Puerto Macuco forest base.

Descending 328 feet (100 m) to the dock, a boat will be waiting for you to take you 3,7 miles (6 km) through the lower Iguaçu River canyon toward the waterfalls, enjoying small rapids along the way. The boat tour continues to the base of Salto Tres Mosqueteros, where you can view sets of both the Brazilian and Argentine side falls, with the Garganta do Diabo obscuring the canyon's view.

Next, you will reach the peak of emotion when facing the incomparable Salto San Martín, the second-largest in scale and the largest waterfall approachable by boat. Finally, you will arrive back at the dock in front of San Martin Island, where you will return to the walkway system through the lower circuit until returning to the private vehicle that will take you back to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

Day 6: Fly to Manaus, City Tour 

At the proper time, you'll depart to the Foz do Iguaçu airport to proceed to your next destination, Manaus—the capital of the Brazilian Amazon and the central point to start all excursions into the Amazon jungle. After getting checked in to your hotel, there will be a city tour of Manaus for you to enjoy.

The tour starts with a stroll through typical neighborhoods toward the Manaus floating dock, located in the city center. Here you will have a short stop at the municipal market to check out the banana fair and fish market. The municipal market was built between 1880 and 1883 and is a faithful copy of the old (now demolished) Les Halles Market in Paris.

You'll stroll by Rio Negro Palace, home to the state government, followed by an external visit to the Palace of Justice. Finally, you'll make an internal visit to the Amazonas Theatre—one of the main tourist attractions in Manaus before returning to your hotel.

Day 7: Transfer to Anavilhanas National Park, Jungle Tour by Canoe

Today, you'll depart to your lodge early in the morning. The journey takes a total of three hours and is divided into three parts—a speed boat ride, then on a paved road in a van, and then another speed boat. En route to Juma, you will stop to observe the magnificent Meeting of Waters, where the muddy waters of the Solimões River meet, but never mix, with the black waters of the Negro River and run side by side for 4 miles (6 km). You'll feel the difference in temperature between the two distinct rivers.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you'll enjoy a warm greeting and a welcome drink of exotic fruits. Then, your first lunch at the lodge will be served, comprised of both regional and international cuisine. Following lunch, you will depart on a canoe trip. The canoe tour provides an in-depth exploration of the igarapés (Amazonian creeks) and igapós (flooded forest—an experience made possible only by canoes. During the excursion, you'll be encouraged to swim and may encounter some of the river's most majestic creatures—the pink dolphins.

After this exciting experience, you'll head back to your lodge for dinner. After the meal, you will embark on an evening expedition to observe frogs, birds, and, most importantly, caymans. Your guide will use a flashlight to help spot the caymans. With this light, it is possible to spot the cayman's eyes, which reflect as a bright red dot, as the animals remain still and visible. After a full day of adventure, it will be time to return to the lodge and say goodnight. 

Day 8: Sunrise Excursion, Jungle Hike & Boat Tour of the Amazon

Early in the morning, you'll enjoy a sunrise excursion where you'll be able to witness the stunning sky transformation and listen to the sounds of the waking birds. Guides are equipped with binoculars to complement this experience with bird watching. Afterward, you'll return to the lodge and enjoy a breakfast of typical fruits and regional food.

Next, you will depart on a jungle hike. In this educational jungle walk, an expert guide will introduce you to the wildlife of the Amazon. The guide will show you plants and describe their uses. Many are edible or medicinal. The paths used for exploration walks are changed continuously to avoid damaging the forest from overuse. Next, you will return to the lodge for a delicious lunch of regional and international cuisine.

Later this afternoon, you'll board a motorboat with your guide to fish and learn about Amazonian fish native to the river. On the way back to your lodge, appreciate a beautiful sunset from the boat. Today's dinner will be provided from the fish you caught earlier in the afternoon. Following dinner, a native guide will offer an informal lecture about everyday life in the Amazon and tell you about the legends, traditions, and culture of the region.

Day 9: Jungle Trek & Meet the Locals

Your Amazon adventure today is unique and begins right after breakfast. Set out for a hike, followed by a stop in a captivating area of the forest to eat a special lunch (regional cuisine baked over a fire) and subsequently rest in hammocks, as the natives do.

Day 10: Depart Manaus

It's time to transfer to the Manaus airport for your departing flight and say goodbye to the Amazon jungle. You've seen some of the true wonders of the world and learned about the Brazilian way of life. Tchau!

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