Highlights
- Visit key landmarks in the historic city of Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon
- Travel by canoe along the Amazon River to discover its endemic species
- Explore the massive Iguaçu Falls from various angles and modes of transportation
- Visit a renowned bird park to see 143 species of birds, like toucans and macaws
- Touch down in Rio, where you'll see stunning views atop Christ the Redeemer
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Manaus, City Tour | Manaus |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Manati Lodge, Explore the Amazon | The Amazon |
| Day 3 | Explore the Amazon | The Amazon |
| Day 4 | Canoe with Pink Dolphins, Fly to Foz do Iguaçu | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 5 | Visit Iguaçu Falls (Brazilian Side) & Bird Park, Optional Helicopter Ride | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 6 | Iguaçú Falls Hike (Argentine National Park) & Boat Tour | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 7 | Fly to Rio de Janeiro, Explore | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 8 | Visit Christ the Redeemer, City Tour | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 9 | Botanical Garden Tour, Depart Rio |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Manaus, City Tour
Welcome to Brazil! Upon arrival at the airport in the city of Manaus, a driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall to take you to your hotel. Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, sits on the banks of the Rio Negro, where it meets the Rio Amazonas (Amazon River). This is the base for trips into the rainforest. Once you've settled into your hotel, head out on a guided city tour.
Begin with a visit to the 20th-century Black River Palace, followed by a stop at the Museu do Índio to learn about Brazil's Indigenous cultural heritage. Then explore the 19th-century Customs House and the neoclassical Palace of Justice before concluding your adventure at the iconic Amazon Theater, a stunning opera house with a pink facade and colorful dome built during the rubber boom.
Day 2: Transfer to Manati Lodge, Explore the Amazon
Rise early today and meet your driver in the hotel lobby for a one-hour drive across the Rio Negro, heading east to the family-run Manati Jungle Lodge on Lago Acajatuba. Soon after, you'll board a boat through flooded forests, canals, holes, and riverside houses until you reach the lodge. Upon arrival, sip a refreshing welcome drink and settle in your room. Later in the afternoon, you'll set out in a canoe for your first tour of the day. Get to know the area around the hotel where there's a chance of seeing animals like monkeys and sloths.
Return for dinner, and soon after, you'll head back out in a motorized canoe for an evening tour. This time you'll be able to see alligators and other nocturnal animals.
Day 3: Explore the Amazon
After enjoying a typical Amazonian breakfast, leave in your canoe and float along the river before walking on an interpretive trail in the forest. With your guide, you'll learn about some of the rich Amazonian biodiversity through various plants and native trees. Some have cosmetic purposes, while others are used for medicinal purposes.
You'll return to the lodge for lunch and, after a well-deserved rest, take off in a motorized canoe to visit a recreational fishery. Here, you'll meet the queen of the lakes and Amazonian rivers, the piranhas. Return to the lodge at the end of the day and have dinner to the sounds of nocturnal creatures.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Canoe with Pink Dolphins, Fly to Foz do Iguaçu
It's an early start this morning as you hop in a canoe for one last exciting activity, where you'll have the chance to meet pink dolphins. These dolphins are present in the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões river basins and are considered the most intelligent animals of the Amazonian rivers. However, their survival is continually threatened by predatory hunting. To contribute to responsible tourism, this tour consists solely of seeing them in their natural habitat. In addition to being intelligent, they are very curious, so you'll have a good chance of seeing them jump in the river.
After this invigorating activity, return to the lodge for lunch, and shortly after, you'll return to Manaus following the same route you came on. Once in Manaus, you'll continue to the airport to catch a flight to Foz do Iguaçu. When you've arrived, you'll be transferred to your hotel.Day 5: Visit Iguaçu Falls (Brazilian Side) & Bird Park, Optional Helicopter Ride
Rise early today to explore the Brazilian side of the falls. Wear comfortable shoes as the Iguaçu National Park hosts the largest amount of preserved Atlantic forest in southern Brazil, which you can see along the traditional walkways with panoramic views of the falls. The total length of the runway is a half-mile (1 km) and offers spectacular up-close views of the 275 waterfalls that make up Foz do Iguaçu (Iguaçu Falls). From there, you'll visit the Bird Park (Parque das Aves) to experience direct contact with more than 1,320 birds, covering 143 species across the 40 acres (16.5 ha) of exuberant Atlantic forest.
After the tour, you'll have the option to take a helicopter ride to appreciate the entire spectacle of waterfalls seen from above. Once finished, you'll be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 6: Iguaçú Falls Hike (Argentine National Park) & Boat Tour
After breakfast, visit the Iguaçu Falls on the Argentine side. One of the world's seven natural wonders, the site has walking paths with different gateways providing different views of the falls and their fantastic scenery. The lower circuit offers more contact with nature, while the upper circuit provides lookout points of all the drops and delta islands, including an impressive view of the Garganta del Diablo, where you can feel the fury of water crashing down. You'll have five hours to explore these trails, including time to enjoy lunch in the park.
After, explore the jungle and falls with a Gran Aventura Safari and Boat Tour. The tour begins in a land vehicle through the jungle along the Yacaratiá Trail designed for this particular environment. Along the way, you'll learn about the natural and cultural richness of the area. Once you reach Puerto Macuco, boats will be waiting to take you through the lower Iguaçu River canyon toward the waterfalls. Enjoy small rapids as you head to the base of Salto Tres Mosqueteros, where you'll see even more stunning waterfall views.
Next, you'll face the incomparable Salto San Martín, the largest waterfall approachable by boat. Finally, reach the dock in front of San Martin Island and return to the walkway system through the lower circuit until arriving at the private vehicle that will return you to your hotel.
Day 7: Fly to Rio de Janeiro, Explore
It's time to head to the big city today! This morning, a driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Rio de Janeiro. You'll be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel upon arrival. Rio's unique beauty, rich cultural scene, and geographical diversity of mountains, tropical forests, and stunning beaches provide the perfect setting for adventure travelers. The "Carioca City," as locals call it, offers many attractions and leisure activities to explore the local culture, taste the local cuisine, and experience the arts. You'll have the remainder of the day to explore.
Perhaps you want to stroll along the Copacabana boardwalk until you reach the Forte de Copacabana, a historic Portuguese-colonial fort sitting on a rocky cape at the beach's southern end. Still a working naval base, you'll find amazing views, a small military museum, and good cafés. Or, enjoy great views at Arpoador Beach. Meaning "harpoon thrower" in Portuguese, this rocky outcrop creates decent waves for surfers year-round—or simply take a seat and watch the sunset.
Day 8: Visit Christ the Redeemer, Brazilian Lunch & City Tour
Your tour begins this morning with a transfer to Tijuca National Park, the largest urban park in the world. Once you reach the base of Corcovado, a train will take you up through the lush forest to the peak. Here, you'll find Christ the Redeemer, the largest Art Deco statue ever built at 98 feet (30 m) high. From here, you'll see Guanabara Bay, the south beaches, and, far north, the adjacent city of Duque de Caxias. Across the bay, you'll also see the cities of Niterói and São Gonçalo. Afterward, have lunch at Zaza Bistro, a charming restaurant in Ipanema that combines Brazilian flair and international flavors.
After lunch, head to the Pão de Açúcar lookout via cable car to experience more of the city's best views. After enjoying the entire panorama, you'll descend and take a city tour through Maracana, the most famous soccer stadium in the world. You'll also visit the Sambadrome, an area specially built for the parade of samba schools participating yearly during Carnival. Next, pass through the financial center, where modern and colonial styles coexist. Finally, make a short stop to visit the famous Cathedral of San Sebastián. After the visit, you'll return to the hotel.
Day 9: Botanical Garden Tour, Depart Rio
Enjoy your last few hours in Brazil with a visit to the Rio Botanical Garden, a magnificent 338-acre (137 ha) garden over 200 years old featuring a wide avenue of 134 impressive royal palms and more than 7,000 types of plants. You can see orchids, bromeliads, cacti, colossal bamboo, and carnivorous plants, among many others. The most famous one is Victoria, a giant water lily floating on the water that is capable of sustaining the weight of a 5-year-old child. Monkeys are sometimes visible during the visit, and there are always plenty of birds flying over the trees, especially toucans.
At the scheduled time, you'll be picked up from your hotel by a private car and transferred to the airport for your final destination.
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