7 Days  •  6 Nights

Rio de Janeiro & Iguazu Falls

Rio de Janeiro (4N) - Iguazu (2N)

Tour Includes

Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
Transfers
Local Guide
Activities
Overview

About the Trip

This seven-day journey pairs Brazil's two great draws, the beautiful, exuberant city of Rio de Janeiro and the thundering Iguazu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. You immerse yourself in Rio, riding up to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, relaxing on the golden sands of Copacabana and Ipanema, and soaking up the samba, caipirinhas and irrepressible energy of the Marvellous City. Then you fly to the subtropical southwest to stand before the Iguazu Falls, a vast, roaring sweep of hundreds of cascades set in rainforest alive with butterflies, birds and coatis. Combining vibrant city culture with natural spectacle, it is a wonderfully accessible and varied introduction to Brazil, ideal as a standalone trip or the start of a longer South American adventure.
Highlights

Trip Highlights

  • Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf
  • The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema
  • Samba, caipirinhas and Rio's energy
  • The thundering Iguazu Falls
  • Both the Brazilian and Argentine sides
  • Rainforest wildlife and coatis
Itinerary

Day by Day

A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.

Day 1

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.

Your Journey This Day
Rio Airport
Arrival · Private
Rio hotel
Meals Included
Breakfast|Dinner
Day 2

A guided tour of the Marvellous City, Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado and the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, taking in the beaches and neighbourhoods.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3

A day to enjoy Rio, the beaches, the bohemian Santa Teresa and the Selaron Steps, with a hearty Brazilian churrasco barbecue lunch and an optional samba show.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch
Day 4

A free day to enjoy Rio your way, the beaches, a hang-glide over the coast, the Botanical Gardens, or a football match.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 5

You fly to Iguazu, gateway to the falls. Settle in and take a first walk in the subtropical rainforest, alive with butterflies and birds.

Your Journey This Day
Rio
Flight · Domestic
Iguazu
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 6

A full day at the mighty Iguazu Falls, the panoramic Brazilian side and the close-up Argentine catwalks to the Devil's Throat, surrounded by the roar and spray of hundreds of cascades.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7

After a final rainforest morning you are transferred to Iguazu airport for your onward flight or connection, full of natural wonder.

Your Journey This Day
Iguazu
Departure · Private
Iguazu Airport
Meals Included
Breakfast
Route Map

Where You Will Travel

Package

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a churrasco 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
  • a Rio tour with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, both sides of Iguazu Falls 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
Best Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Rio and Iguazu
Conditions
Hot summer
Daily max temperature
30°C
Monthly rainfall
110mm
Weather data is based on monthly averages. Popularity rating
Good to Know
  • 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
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one day enough for Iguazu Falls?

A full day lets you experience both sides of the falls, but two days allows a more relaxed exploration and time for a boat ride under the cascades or a jungle walk. We can easily add a night; just ask.

Can this be combined with the Amazon or beaches?

Absolutely — Rio and Iguazu combine beautifully with the Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal wildlife, the beaches of the northeast, or a crossing into Argentina. We can extend the itinerary to suit your time and interests.

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.