15 Days • 14 Nights
Grand Brazil: Rio, Iguazu, Amazon & Salvador
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Rio's icons and beaches
- The thundering Iguazu Falls
- Amazon river cruises and rainforest wildlife
- Jaguars and giant otters in the Pantanal
- Afro-Brazilian Salvador and Pelourinho
- Samba, capoeira and tropical beaches
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 15-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel near the beach, with a welcome dinner as you feel Rio's energy.
A guided tour of the Marvellous City, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, taking in the beaches and neighbourhoods.
A free day to enjoy Rio, the beaches, Santa Teresa, or a samba night.
You fly to Iguazu, gateway to the falls, with a first rainforest walk.
A full day at the mighty Iguazu Falls, the panoramic Brazilian side and the Argentine catwalks to the Devil's Throat.
You fly north to the Amazon, seeing the 'Meeting of the Waters', then travel by boat to a rainforest lodge.
A full day exploring the Amazon, cruising creeks, walking trails and spotting monkeys, sloths, caimans and birds.
A day of piranha fishing, a riverside community visit, pink river dolphins and a night caiman safari.
You return to Manaus and fly to the Pantanal wetlands, settling into a wildlife lodge with a first safari.
A full day of boat and jeep safaris in the world's best jaguar habitat, spotting big cats, giant otters, capybaras and birds.
A day of jeep, boat and horseback safaris across the wetlands, immersed in the extraordinary abundance of wildlife.
You return to Cuiaba and fly to Salvador, the Afro-Brazilian heart of the country, settling in near the colourful colonial centre.
A guided tour of Salvador's UNESCO-listed Pelourinho old town, its colonial mansions, baroque churches and Afro-Brazilian culture, with a Bahian lunch and capoeira.
A free day to enjoy Salvador, its markets, music, cuisine and beaches, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, having journeyed across all of Brazil.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 14 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, full board in the Amazon and Pantanal and a Bahian lunch
- 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
- Rio and Salvador tours, both sides of Iguazu, an Amazon lodge programme, Pantanal safaris 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
Why choose the fifteen-day grand tour?
It is the only way to experience all of Brazil, cities, falls, Amazon, Pantanal and Afro-Brazilian culture, at a relaxed pace with time to enjoy each. Nothing of the country's remarkable variety is missed.
Is there a lot of flying?
Brazil is vast, so the journey relies on several domestic flights to link the far-flung regions efficiently, all arranged and included. Within each region, touring is by vehicle, boat or safari vehicle, and we handle every connection.
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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