Essential Brazil Adventure

Upon your arrival at Galeão International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Rio de Janeiro, the second biggest city in Brazil and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, greets you with its green hills, blue sky, beautiful bays, islands, and marvelous beaches. The blue ocean water beckons you to the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon, known for their black and white tiled promenades where locals and visitors alike enjoy football, volleyball, and refreshing coconut water from beachside cafeterias. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax, explore the beachfront, or enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this magnificent city. No guided activities are scheduled for this day, allowing you to rest after your international flight. Overnight stay at Arena Leme.

After breakfast, you will embark on a private full-day excursion to two of Rio's most iconic landmarks: Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain. Your first stop is Urca Mountain, where a wide viewing area offers breathtaking views and the opportunity to enjoy a meal at a restaurant or bar. From the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, you will be treated to a spectacular panoramic view of Rio, including Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay, the Niterói Bridge, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain. You will then travel by car through the central regions of old Rio, where you will admire colonial-era churches, monasteries, and the main cathedral. Continuing your journey, you will ascend Corcovado Mountain by train, passing through the lush Tijuca Forest, home to monkeys and exotic birds. At the summit, at an elevation of 700 meters, stands the iconic 38-meter Statue of Christ the Redeemer, built in 1931, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the metropolis, the Niterói Bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, Maracanã Stadium, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Your private guide will provide fascinating insights throughout the day. After the tour, you will return to your hotel, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight stay at Arena Leme.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Manaus, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your ecolodge in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will settle in and enjoy the full-board meal plan included during your stay. In the evening, you will embark on a motorboat ride to listen to the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility of spotting alligators. Using flashlights, you will spot the glowing red eyes of alligators among the foliage, and your guide will safely catch a small one to bring onboard for a brief explanation of its habitat and hunting methods before releasing it back unharmed. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local caboclo family, learning about their traditions, customs, and the rich history of the Amazon, including the rubber cycle. You will see how cassava meal is prepared and how rubber sap is smoked. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included at the lodge. Overnight stay at Evolução Ecolodge.

Today is yours to fully immerse yourself in the Amazon experience with a choice of activities offered by the lodge. You may choose to go on a motorboat ride during the evening to spot alligators and listen to the sounds of the jungle at night. Alternatively, you can visit a caboclo house to learn about the traditions, customs, and rich history of the Amazon, including the rubber cycle, and see how cassava meal is prepared and rubber sap is smoked. For those seeking a different experience, non-professional fishing is available, where you may catch the elusive piranha or other species, with your guide sharing tricks of the trade. All activities are led by experienced local guides who ensure a safe and enriching experience. After a day of exploration, you will return to the lodge to relax and enjoy the serene sounds of the rainforest. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included at the lodge. Overnight stay at Evolução Ecolodge.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu, where you will be welcomed and embark on a private tour to the amazing Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls. Located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, the falls consist of 275 large water flows that plunge from a height of 72 meters into the Devil's Throat canyon. The falls are situated within a national park with unique flora and fauna, formed by volcanic eruptions and the displacement of earth formations. The name Iguazu, translated from the Tupi-Guarani language, means big water. You will walk along trails and observation decks, witnessing the powerful overthrow of boiling water as it crashes into the abyss, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that will stay with you forever. Your private English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the tour. After the tour, you will return to your hotel, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight stay at Vivaz Cataratas.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and cross the border to Argentina, traveling over the Tancredo Neves Bridge built across the Iguazu River. The Argentine side of the falls offers a completely different perspective, allowing you to experience the falls from below and up close, feeling the power of the falling water as you walk along trails and observation decks that take you directly under the cascades. You will witness the birth of the most famous waterfall, the Devil's Throat, from a unique vantage point that brings you face to face with the sheer force and grandeur of nature. The national park covers an area of 55,500 hectares, preserving the diverse and unique flora and fauna of the region. After a full day of exploration, you will return to your hotel, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight stay at Vivaz Cataratas.