11 Days • 10 Nights
Brazil Highlights: Rio, Iguazu & the Amazon
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf in Rio
- The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema
- Samba, caipirinhas and Rio's energy
- The thundering Iguazu Falls
- Amazon river cruises and rainforest walks
- Monkeys, caimans and pink river dolphins
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 11-day journey.
Welcome to Brazil. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel near the beach. The evening is free to feel Rio's energy, with a welcome dinner and a first caipirinha.
A guided tour of the Marvellous City, riding up to Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado for panoramic views, and the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain over the bay, taking in the beaches and neighbourhoods.
A free day to enjoy Rio, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the bohemian Santa Teresa, the Selaron Steps, or a football match or samba show, soaking up the city's rhythm.
You fly to Iguazu, gateway to the falls. Settle in and take a first walk in the subtropical rainforest, alive with butterflies and birds.
A full day at the mighty Iguazu Falls, taking in the panoramic Brazilian side and the close-up catwalks of the Argentine side to the awesome Devil's Throat, surrounded by the roar and spray of hundreds of cascades.
You fly north to Manaus in the heart of the Amazon, seeing the 'Meeting of the Waters' where two great rivers flow side by side, then travel by boat to a rainforest lodge deep in the jungle.
A full day exploring the Amazon, cruising jungle creeks, walking rainforest trails, canoeing among flooded forest and spotting monkeys, sloths, caimans and countless birds with expert guides.
A day of Amazon adventure, piranha fishing, a visit to a riverside community, spotting pink river dolphins, and a night safari by boat to find caimans under torchlight.
You travel by boat and fly back to Rio for your final days, with time to relax on the beach.
A free day to enjoy Rio, a hang-glide over the beaches, a favela community tour, the Botanical Gardens, or simply the sand and sea, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, full of Brazil's colour and wild wonder.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and full board at the Amazon lodge
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a Rio tour with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, both sides of Iguazu, an Amazon lodge programme and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Requirements vary by nationality and can change, some travellers need an e-visa or visa while others (including UK and EU) do not for short tourism stays; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm the current requirement for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Brazilian Real; cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts, but carry some cash for markets, small vendors and remote areas. We advise on current money matters before you travel
- Vast distances: Brazil is huge, the fifth-largest country on earth, so itineraries rely on domestic flights between regions such as Rio, Iguazu, the Amazon and the northeast; these are arranged and included where specified
- Best time to visit: Brazil is tropical and warm year-round; the southern summer (December to March) is hot and lively (and includes Carnival), while the drier winter (June to September) is ideal for the Amazon, the Pantanal and the beaches
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and sometimes required, for the Amazon, the Pantanal and some other regions; bring insect repellent, sun protection and stay hydrated, and we advise on current health requirements
- Beaches & safety: Brazil's cities and beaches are wonderful but, as in any large destination, take sensible precautions, leave valuables in the hotel safe, be discreet with cameras and phones on the beach, and follow your guide's local advice
- Wildlife: The Amazon and especially the Pantanal are among the world's great wildlife destinations; a naturalist guide greatly improves sightings of jaguars, capybaras, caimans, macaws and more, and park fees are included where specified
- Language & power: Portuguese is the language, though English is common in tourism; tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is mostly 127V or 220V with type N plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we see both sides of Iguazu Falls?
Yes — this itinerary includes both the panoramic Brazilian side and the close-up Argentine side with its catwalks and the Devil's Throat. Note that crossing to the Argentine side may require the correct entry documents; we advise you based on your nationality.
What is the Amazon lodge like?
You stay at a comfortable jungle lodge reached by boat, with full board and expert naturalist guides. Options range from rustic-authentic to more upscale eco-lodges, all offering river cruises, jungle walks and wildlife spotting; we tailor it to your comfort.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a churrasco barbecue or full board in the Amazon and Pantanal where dining options are limited. Other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Rio to Iguazu or the Amazon, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
It depends on your nationality and can change, some travellers need an e-visa or visa while others do not for short stays. We confirm the current requirement for your nationality, along with any yellow fever certificate, when you book.
When is the best time to visit Brazil?
Brazil is warm year-round; the southern summer (December to March) is hot and lively with Carnival, while the drier winter (June to September) is ideal for the Amazon, the Pantanal and wildlife. We advise on the best timing for your route.
Will I see lots of wildlife?
Very likely in the Amazon and especially the Pantanal, one of the world's best places for jaguars, capybaras, caimans, giant otters and macaws. With a naturalist guide and the dry season for the Pantanal, sightings are excellent, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, falls, beach, Amazon and Pantanal, add regions like Salvador or the northeast, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
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