Highlights
- Wander Rio's historic neighborhoods and see iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer
- Experience Iguaçu Falls by foot, boat, and high above in a helicopter
- Spend three nights in a remote Amazon lodge
- Observe exotic wildlife as you venture into the rainforest and go piranha fishing
- Learn about Salvador's multicultural history through its food and music
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Visit Santa Teresa & Rio's Municipal Theater | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2 | Visit Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 3 | Discover Old Rio | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 4 | Fly to Foz do Iguaçu, Explore the Falls & Helicopter Ride | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 5 | Explore Iguacú Falls & Boat Ride (Argentine Side) | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 6 | Fly to Manaus, Afternoon City Tour | Manaus |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Amazon Jungle Lodge, Meeting of the Waters & Nocturnal Safari | The Amazon |
| Day 8 | Discover the Flora & Fauna of the Amazon | The Amazon |
| Day 9 | Amazon Canoe Tour & Overnight Jungle Adventure | The Amazon |
| Day 10 | Fly to Salvador, Rio Vermelho Nightlife | Salvador |
| Day 11 | Salvador Sightseeing Tour | Salvador |
| Day 12 | Day Trip to Praia do Forte | Salvador |
| Day 13 | Depart Salvador |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Visit Santa Teresa & Rio’s Municipal Theater
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Marvelous City) is a sprawling harbor city famous for its beaches, festive culture, and raucous entertainment. On the drive into the city, catch views of Mount Corcovado's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Once you settle in your beachfront hotel, you can stroll along Ipanema or Copacabana Beach to stretch your legs and get your bearings.
Later on, meet your guide in the lobby for a tour through the winding streets of Santa Teresa, Rio's most charming neighborhood. To get there, take the traditional tramway uphill, passing colonial houses and lush vegetation. At the top, you'll find popular bars and restaurants, workshops, and impressive street art, immersing you in an authentic and bohemian side of Rio. When you descend, you'll visit the Municipal Theater, inspired by the Paris Opera House. It hosts all music, opera, and the performing arts under one roof.
Day 2: Visit Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain
Today's guided tour covers some of Rio's most famous landmarks. First, you'll head to the top of Mount Corcovado to visit Christ the Redeemer, a 98-foot (30 m) statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the city below. Commissioned in 1920, it was built to symbolize the welcoming spirit of both Rio and Brazil. Once you arrive at the summit of the 2,310-foot (704 m) Corcovado and the base of this Art Deco statue, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Rio and beyond, from the southern beaches to Guanabara Bay and farther north to the city of Duque de Caxias.
After descending Mount Corcovado, continue to the Urca neighborhood and the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Here you'll hop on a cable car up to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). This nearly 1,300-foot (396 m) mountain peak unsurprisingly gets its name because it resembles a mound of sugar. From its peak, you'll enjoy a 360-degree view of the rainforest, beaches, cityscapes, and monuments that define Brazil's most famous coastal city.
Day 3: Discover Old Rio
Today you'll get to know another side of the city with a guided stroll through the streets of Old Rio. As your guide shares stories of this culturally rich area, you'll pass historic landmarks like the Modern Metropolitan Cathedral, Candelaria Church, Saint Benedict Monastery, Tiradentes Palace, Lapa dos Mercadores Church, and Plaza XV.
In the afternoon, continue through the winding streets to explore more of Santa Teresa. Admire its many historic buildings and elegant mansions and grab a photo op at the famous Escadaria Selarón, where 215 colorful steps are decorated in mosaic tiles collected from more than sixty countries worldwide.
Day 4: Fly to Foz do Iguaçu, Explore the Falls & Helicopter Ride
Say goodbye to the big city as a driver takes you to the airport this morning to catch a flight to Foz do Iguaçu. You'll be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel upon arrival. Foz do Iguaçu is the gateway to the famous Iguacú Falls, sitting at the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. On the Brazilian side of the falls, Iguaçu National Park is home to southern Brazil's largest Atlantic semi-deciduous forest and walkways with views of the 275 waterfalls.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Brazilian side, where you'll follow the many raised boardwalks and bridges along Iguaçu Falls and enjoy panoramic views of this breathtaking natural wonder. The park has more than 275 falls, with heights over 260 feet (80 m), surrounded by lush greenery and plentiful flora and fauna.
Day 5: Explore Iguaçu Falls & Boat Ride (Argentine Side)
Today's tour takes you across the Argentine border to the other side of Iguaçu Falls (known as Iguazú in Spanish) in Argentine National Park. Upon arrival, you'll board a train and head to the natural wonder's tallest waterfall, the Devil's Throat. You'll have time to disembark and take in the beauty of this waterfall, which drops more than 260 feet (80 m) into mist-shrouded pools. Afterward, you'll hop back on the train and head to the next station, where you'll take a walking tour of 2 miles (3 km) along wooded footpaths and pathways that bring you closer to the falls and provide a complete view.
After exploring the area, you'll enter the jungle through the Sendero Yacaratiá Trail in vehicles designed for this environment. As the car travels slowly, learn about local species of fauna and flora. After 30 minutes, you'll arrive in Porto Macuco. Here, you'll step onto a boat and head upriver toward the falls. Feel the thundering strength of the cascade as you approach the base of Salto Tres Mosqueteros, then cross under the second largest drop in the falls, Salto San Martín. At the end of the tour, your driver will take you back across the border to your hotel.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Fly to Manaus, Afternoon City Tour
It's an early start this morning, as your driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Manaus. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel. Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, sits at the meeting point of the Rio Negro and the Rio Amazonas (Amazon River) and is a popular base for trips into the surrounding rainforests. Once you've settled in, you'll head out on a guided city tour. Your first stop will be the stunning Black River Palace, a 20th-century opulent manor constructed during the country's booming rubber baron era.
Next, immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Brazil's Indigenous population at the Museu do Índio. Explore the museum's captivating exhibits showcasing the history, traditions, and artwork of the country's native peoples. Continue to the 19th-century Customs House, a neoclassical building that once played a crucial role in controlling the flow of goods in and out of the Amazonas region. Nearby, the Palace of Justice is an impressive testament to the region's judicial system, with its elegant columns and intricate stonework.
Finally, your tour will conclude with a visit to the Amazon Theater. This opera house, adorned with a beautiful pink facade and colorful dome, was built in 1896 during the height of the rubber boom. Discover the fascinating history behind this iconic structure, which continues to serve as a vital cultural center for the city.
Day 7: Transfer to Amazon Jungle Lodge, Meeting of the Waters & Nocturnal Safari
Rise early today for the transfer to Ceasa Port, where you'll board a speedboat for the first leg of your journey. Along the way, stop to observe the "Meeting of the Waters," the natural phenomenon where the muddy waters of the Rio Solimões meet the black waters of the Rio Negro. At this crucial junction, the two rivers run side by side for several miles without mixing due to temperature, speed, and density differences. Ultimately they join to form the mighty Amazon.
You'll continue to the village of Careiro, where you'll disembark and transfer to the Rio Tupana. A guide will be waiting to take you the rest of the way via a motorized canoe, eventually arriving at the small jungle lodge that serves as your base for the next three nights. Get settled into your charmingly rustic accommodations, rest up after your journey, and enjoy a relaxed dinner. As darkness falls, you'll join a guide on an atmospheric canoe ride to enjoy the night sounds of the jungle and spot its many nocturnal animals. With a flashlight, you'll keep an eye out for frogs, sloths, armadillos, and caimans.
Day 8: Discover the Flora & Fauna of the Amazon
Day 9: Amazon Canoe Tour & Overnight Jungle Adventure
Savor your last full day in the wilderness with a peaceful paddle along the Amazon in a canoe, spotting exotic birds, rare pink dolphins, and many other species. Afterward, you'll be welcomed into the home of one of the area's local Indigenous residents, where they'll share stories about their culture and customs as you learn more about life in the rainforest.
If you're craving more adventure, this afternoon, you have the option to leave the lodge and spend the night in a jungle camp deeper in the wilds of the Amazon. Your guide will lead you on a trek to the campsite, where you'll enjoy dinner around the campfire as you learn about survival techniques like finding water and food, identifying medicinal plants, and first aid. When it's time to turn in, a hammock and mosquito net await, and you'll fall asleep to the ever-present soundtrack of the rainforest.
Day 10: Fly to Salvador, Rio Vermelho Nightlife
Bid farewell to the jungle as you make the return journey to the airport in Manaus. Here you'll catch a flight to Salvador, a coastal city that's the capital of the northeastern state of Bahia. The city is known as a center of Afro-Brazilian culture and is famous for its cuisine, music, and architecture. Salvador was founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, making it one of the oldest cities in the Americas and one of the first planned cities in the world. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel to check in and rest up for this evening's festivities.
Tonight is your chance to party like a Bahian. In the evenings, locals head to the southern beach neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, which is affectionately referred to as the bairro boemio or bohemian quarter. This lively area is home to bars, restaurants, and botecos, informal spots to meet for drinks. There are also countless places to enjoy great Bahian street food and many bars with live music. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a four-hour celebration where you'll try local street food, visit a boteco, enjoy the live music, and dance along the waterfront.
Day 11: Salvador Sightseeing Tour
Today's in-depth tour of Salvador starts in Upper Town. Wander the streets and alleys of the famous Pelourinho historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of Latin America's most prominent existing collections of 17th and 18th-century colonial architecture. You'll find the Church of São Francisco in this district, often considered the country's richest Baroque work.
Afterward, visit the Lower Town, the coastal area of Salvador. The Lower Town is linked to the Upper Town by the Lacerda Elevator. Here, you can see the Church of Senhor do Bonfim—Salvador's most famous Catholic church—and the Mercado Modelo, a traditional craft center.
Day 12: Day Trip to Praia do Forte
Join your driver this morning for a day trip north up the scenic Coconut Highway to Praia do Forte, located 50 miles (80 km) north of Salvador. Known for some of the best beaches in Bahia, the charming fishing village is surrounded by sweeping white sands and the region's rare and distinctive restinga vegetation. Upon arrival, take a stroll through the charming streets, browse the many local handicraft shops, and spend some time relaxing on the beaches.
After lunch, visit the TAMAR Project Headquarters. This national sea turtle preservation project is one of Brazil's most successful ecological programs. One of the town's main attractions, it's dedicated to the preservation and study of sea turtles. After this enlightening visit, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 13: Depart Salvador
Your Brazilian adventure draws to a close today. At the scheduled time, a driver will take you to Salvador's airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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