- 4.9/5 487 Latest reviews
- Destination: Brazil
- Duration: 12 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
This 12-day journey highlights Brazil’s most remarkable destinations. Begin in Rio de Janeiro, where you’ll admire the iconic Christ the Redeemer perched high on Corcovado Hill with sweeping views over the city. Continue to Manaus for three nights of Amazon adventures, including visits to the Monkey Jungle, immersive rainforest excursions, meaningful encounters with local river communities, and the unforgettable Meeting of the Waters. Next, travel to Foz do Iguaçu to witness the breathtaking power and beauty of Iguazu Falls. Conclude your adventure by returning to Rio de Janeiro, where you can relax and enjoy leisure time before departure.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Santa Teresa Tram, Catedral Metropolitana
4 - 6
Manaus
Meeting of the Waters, Monkey Jungle Reserve, Nature Hike, Visit Home of Caboclos
7 - 9
Foz do Iguacu
Iguazu Falls, Macuco Safari, Bird Park, Itaipu Dam
10 - 12
Rio de Janeiro
Free Day With Rich Options
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, famously known as the “Marvelous City,” where your private driver will be waiting to escort you to your hotel in comfort. After checking in, take time to relax or step outside to soak up the city’s lively atmosphere and vibrant energy.
- Rio de Janeiro
- Day 2: Scenic Highlights of Rio de Janeiro
Begin your day with a picturesque drive past the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon toward Corcovado Mountain. Board the classic train for a leisurely ride through dense tropical forest to the peak, where the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue stands with open arms above the city. From this iconic viewpoint, admire breathtaking panoramic views across Rio de Janeiro.
Continue your exploration with a memorable cable car journey to Sugarloaf Mountain, reaching nearly 400 meters above sea level in two stages. From the top, enjoy sweeping 360-degree views over Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay, the Tijuca Forest, and Corcovado crowned by the Christ statue.
In the evening, you may opt to attend a vibrant Samba performance accompanied by a traditional Brazilian dinner, offering a festive and immersive way to end the day.
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- Rio de Janeiro
- Day 3: Inside Rio – Culture & Heritage
Enjoy a fascinating full-day exploration that brings together Rio’s past, creativity, and everyday rhythms. Begin with a ride on the historic Santa Teresa Tram, the city’s last remaining vintage streetcar, gliding through narrow stone-paved lanes bordered by charming colonial homes. Continue to Parque das Ruínas, a unique open-air cultural site with sweeping city panoramas, before visiting the vibrant Escadaria Selarón, a striking staircase decorated with more than 2,000 tiles sourced from 125 different countries.
In the afternoon, admire the bold, modern design of the cone-shaped Catedral Metropolitana, then wander beneath the impressive Arcos da Lapa, an 18th-century aqueduct that stands as an enduring emblem of Rio’s lively character.
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- Rio de Janeiro
- Day 4: Flight to Manaus & Amazon Introduction
Begin the day with a flight to Manaus, the main access point to the Amazon rainforest. On arrival, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your jungle lodge for check-in. Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink at reception before being escorted to your comfortable room and taking a short rest.
Later, visit the Monkey Jungle Reserve to observe several monkey species, such as squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, woolly monkeys, and capuchins—many rescued from illegal wildlife trade or flood-affected regions of Brazil. After dinner at the lodge, head out on a guided canoe excursion to search for alligators in their natural habitat, an exciting way to end the day.
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- Manaus
- Day 5: Manaus – Jungle Exploration & Local Life
Start the day with a guided walk through the Amazon rainforest, where your knowledgeable guide introduces you to rare plant species, concealed wildlife, and basic jungle survival techniques. After the hike, return to the lodge to enjoy lunch followed by some time to relax.
In the afternoon, visit a local caboclo household—Amazonian people of mixed Indigenous and European heritage—to learn about their daily customs and lifestyle. The experience also includes a chance to try piranha fishing, adding a touch of adventure to your cultural encounter.
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- Manaus
- Day 6: Manaus – Meeting of the Waters Experience
This morning, set out to observe the extraordinary Meeting of the Waters, where the dark currents of the Rio Negro flow alongside the pale, sandy waters of the Amazon River, remaining separate for several kilometers without blending. This striking contrast creates one of the region’s most fascinating natural sights.
In the afternoon, you may choose to join another optional canoe excursion to try your hand at piranha fishing. Later in the early evening, return to the lodge for dinner and enjoy your final overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon rainforest.
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- Manaus
- Day 7: Manaus – Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu
Spend the morning relaxing by the lodge’s natural pools before checking out at 11:30 am. Your driver will then escort you to Manaus Airport for your flight to São Paulo, followed by a connecting flight to Foz do Iguaçu.
Upon arrival, a local driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and some rest.
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- Foz do Iguacu
- Day 8: Iguazu Falls Adventure & Macuco Safari
Begin your day exploring the magnificent Iguazu Falls. Wander through the lush subtropical rainforest inside the park and follow the trail descending the canyon to the spectacular Devil’s Throat, where the waterfalls roar into a massive horseshoe-shaped gorge.
Next, ride a glass elevator to the cliff’s upper platform for sweeping views, then embark on a 2-kilometer open-wagon Macuco Safari, spotting exotic birds, wildlife, and lush jungle vegetation along the way. Afterward, approach the Iguazu River’s edge and hop on a motorboat for a thrilling ride that brings you right into the mist of the falls.
Conclude the day with a visit to the Bird Park, a sanctuary housing vibrant species, including many rare and endangered birds.
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- Foz do Iguacu
- Day 9: Foz do Iguacu – Itaipu Dam Excursion
Spend a leisurely morning at your own pace before departing for a guided visit to the impressive Itaipu Dam, celebrated as the world’s largest hydroelectric facility. Begin with a documentary screening that showcases the monumental construction of the dam. Then, board a bus for an external tour, stopping at the spillway and the upper section of the dam for breathtaking views. Return to your hotel afterward to relax and enjoy some free time.
In the evening, savor a delightful dinner at an international restaurant while enjoying a lively folkloric performance featuring music and dance from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
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- Foz do Iguacu
- Day 10: Foz do Iguacu – Return to Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy free time in the morning until your private transfer arrives to take you to the airport for your flight back to Rio de Janeiro. Upon landing, your driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
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- Rio de Janeiro
- Day 11: Rio de Janeiro, Leisure & Exploration
Spend a relaxed day in Rio at your own tempo. Stroll through colorful neighborhoods, visit intriguing museums, or simply unwind at a café while observing daily life.
For added experiences, you may opt for a scenic cruise on Guanabara Bay to enjoy the city from the water, or join a Brazilian culinary tour or craft beer tasting to savor the local flavors.
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- Rio de Janeiro
- Day 12: Rio de Janeiro, Farewell
After enjoying breakfast, spend some final moments at your leisure before your private transfer takes you to the airport for your departure flight.
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