Explore Brazil's Foz do Iguaçu, Manaus & Rio de Janeiro - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), Explore at Leisure

Welcome to the charming city of Puerto Iguazú, the gateway to the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. You can stay in to relax after your flight or venture out to explore the area on your own. A good place to start is Hito Tres Fronteras, a landmark park located at the point where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay converge. The park features an obelisk painted in the colors of the Argentine flag, and similar monuments can be seen on the Brazilian and Paraguayan sides. 

Continue to the Jardin de los Picaflores, a charming garden dedicated to hummingbirds. Get an up-close look at these agile creatures as you stroll through the garden. Watch them flit from flower to flower before heading to Avenida Córdoba in the downtown core to indulge in local delicacies for dinner. If you like eating meat, find an Asado (Argentine barbecue) restaurant featuring a selection of meats like beef, chicken, and sausages cooked over an open flame. For dessert, try torta negra, a traditional cake made with molasses and spices, with a cup of coffee or tea.

Day 2: Guided Tour of Iguaçu National Park 

Leave Argentina behind for the day as you cross the border to discover the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls. Transfer to Iguaçu National Park's visitor center, where you can board an eco-friendly bus to get to the beginning of the trail that meanders through the park. Disembark and follow your guide into the rainforest, keeping an eye out for wildlife like toucans, capuchin monkeys, and even jaguars. Stop at different viewpoints offering panoramic views of the 275 falls that make up the waterfall system.

The trail culminates at the impressive Devil's Throat, the largest and most powerful section of the falls. Watch the horseshoe-shaped cascade plunge dramatically into the abyss and feel the cool mist on your skin. When you're done admiring the waterfalls, take an elevator up to the bus stop for a quick journey back to the visitor center, where you'll meet your driver and transfer back to your hotel in Puerto Iguazú.

Day 3: Explore Iguazú National Park, Gran Aventura Boat Tour

Get another look at Iguazú Falls today, this time from the Argentine side in the UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park. Start on the Lower Circuit, which takes you through the lush rainforest and provides intimate views of the waterfalls from below. From this vantage point, you'll hear the thunderous roar of the water and feel the spray, so you may want to don your rain gear. Continue to the Upper Circuit's elevated walkways, leading you to the top of the falls. The trail ends at the top of Devil's Throat, which you glimpsed from afar yesterday. 

Feel the spray of the park's most powerful waterfall, then don't worry about drying off, as your next activity is a boat tour to the base of the falls. Start with a 5-mile (8 km) drive on the Yacaratiá Trail to get to Puerto Macuco. Put your belongings in a dry bag, board the boat, and set sail along the Lower Iguazú River. Traverse the 1.25 miles (2 km) of rapids until you reach the entrance of Devil's Throat Canyon, where you'll immediately be soaked by the cascade's misty spray. After the boat tour, change back into your dry clothing and transfer back to the hotel.

Day 4: Fly to Manaus (Brazil), Self-Guided City Tour

Say goodbye to Argentina and Iguazú Falls this morning as you transfer to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil to catch a domestic flight to Manaus, the gateway to the Brazilian Amazon. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. Then, spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. You could head to the Teatro Amazonas, an iconic opera house that was integrated in 1896 during the rubber boom era. See if any performances are scheduled when you're visiting, but if not, you can still enter to admire the opulent interior. 

Continue to the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, a historic market built in 1882 and modeled after the long-gone Les Halles market in Paris. Wander through the colorful corridors lined with stalls brimming with fresh Amazonian fruits, exotic fish, aromatic spices, and local handicrafts. Shop for souvenirs or indulge in local delights, like grilled or fried tambaqui, a large Amazonian fish known for its firm texture and mild flavor. Don't miss trying exotic fruits like cupuaçu, açai, and guaraná, which are often used in refreshing juices and desserts.

Day 5: Jungle Walk & Nature Survival Lesson

Leave the city behind for the day as you head into the Amazon jungle to learn essential survival skills you can use long after the trip is over. Follow your experienced instructors down the trail, making regular stops to learn about finding water, making a fire, obtaining salt, storing food, constructing traps and shelters, and utilizing natural resources like edible plants. Enjoy lunch amid the trees, keeping your eyes peeled for colorful birds or playful monkeys. After the eight-hour tour, you'll return to your hotel in Manaus in the late afternoon, with plenty of time to freshen up and venture out for dinner.

Day 6: Boat Tour Along the Rio Negro

Set off on a boat tour along the Rio Negro, keeping your eyes peeled on the left bank to see the city's landmarks. Cruise to the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark waters of the Rio Negro meet the sand-colored waters of the Rio Solimões without immediately mixing. Snap a few pictures of the natural phenomenon, then continue to Parque Ecologico Janauari in the Amazon rainforest. There are plenty of activities to choose from here, such as boat tours through flooded forests, nature walks to spot wildlife, or strolling around the lake to see the Victoria Amazonica, the second-largest water lily.

After exploring the ecological park, enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant, then head to a local craft shop to look for souvenirs. Back in the boat, cruise to an Indigenous village, where you can meet a local tribe. You'll be welcomed with a traditional ceremony performed by a pajé (shaman), and then you have free time to explore and talk to the members of the tribe. Learn about their daily lives and peruse the different crafts they produce by hand. Cap off this action-packed day with a pink dolphin sighting before returning to Manaus in the late afternoon. 

Day 7: Fly to Rio de Janeiro, Discover the City at Your Own Pace

Bid farewell to Manaus and the Amazon this morning as you head to the airport to catch a four-hour flight to the charming coastal city of Rio de Janeiro, enviably situated between towering mountains and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. When you arrive, meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish, so you could head to Praia de Copacabana, a legendary beach known for its golden sand, clear water, and mosaic-patterned promenade. 

Rent a sunbed or find a spot on the sand to relax and soak up the sun. If you're hungry, stop one of the many vendors walking up and down the beach selling snacks like grilled corn, crepes, or queijo coalho—grilled cheese on a skewer. Stay to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean and witness the beach come alive with live music and beachside bars as darkness falls. Grab Brazil's national cocktail, a caipirinha made with cachaça (sugarcane spit), lime, and sugar, and join the party.

Day 8: Full-Day Tour of Sugarloaf Mountain & Christ the Redeemer

Today, you'll discover two of Rio's most iconic landmarks, starting with a transfer to Urca, where you can take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. Try to snag a window seat on the transfer to see landmarks like the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Cinelândia. When you arrive, board the cable car and ride it to the first stop: Morro da Urca, where you can pause to enjoy scenic views of Guanabara Bay and its islands. Continue to the summit at 1,299 feet (396 m) above sea level for another look at the bay and Mount Corcovado.

Ride the cable car back to the bottom and head to a barbecue house for lunch. Then, continue to Mount Corcovado to discover one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the lush Tijuca Forest to get to the top, where you can look up at the 98-foot-tall (30 m) statue of Jesus Christ with his hands stretched out, standing guard over the city. After admiring the statue, head to the viewpoints overlooking the sprawling cityscape and shimmering coastline before returning to your hotel. 

Day 9: Full-Day Tour of Armação dos Búzios

Explore more of Brazil's southeastern coast today as you set off on a day trip to Armação dos Búzios, often called the "Brazilian Caribbean" for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Board the coach and start the three-hour journey, stopping to buy some snacks and drinks along the way. When you arrive, go for a stroll along the downtown core's cobblestone streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and cafés.

Pass landmarks like the Church of Sant'Anna and the Brigitte Bardot Statue, built to commemorate the French actress who helped make the area more popular with her visit in the 1960s. Then, jump on a boat to cruise to some of the best beaches in the area, such as Praia Azedinha, Praia João Fernandes, João Fernandinho, and Praia da Tartaruga. After the boat tour, enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant before transferring back to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 10: Surf Lessons at Praia da Barra da Tijuca or Marapendi Lagoon

Rio de Janeiro attracts surfers from around the world as many beaches offer consistent waves suitable for both beginner and experienced surfers. So, today, you'll learn how to surf at Praia da Barra da Tijuca or Marapendi Lagoon. Your experienced instructor will teach you the fundamentals of surfing, including how to paddle, steer, position yourself, and use your equipment.

If you already have surfing experience, you can skip the basics and receive tailored tips to help refine your technique. By the end of the lesson, you may master the art of riding the waves. But, if surfing isn't your thing, you can opt for standup paddleboard lessons and practice instead. After the lesson, enjoy the rest of the day on the beach or transfer back to your hotel to dry off.

Day 11: Day Trip to Petrópolis

Trade one iconic Brazilian city for another as you transfer 1.5 hours north to Petrópolis, known as the "Imperial City," because it served as a summer retreat for Brazil's Emperor Dom Pedro II during the 19th century. When you arrive, head to the Museu Imperial, housed in the former summer palace, to discover the collection of artifacts, historical documents, and royal memorabilia, like the imperial crown of Brazil. Continue to the Catedral São Pedro de Alcântara, a neo-Gothic cathedral that serves as the final resting place for prominent figures like Princess Isabel and King Pedro II.

Admire the cathedral's towering spires and intricate facade adorned with stained glass windows, then step inside to discover the tranquil space. End the tour at the 19th-century Palácio de Cristal, built to house exhibitions of Brazil's flora and fauna. Today, it serves as a cultural center and event venue. Stroll through the gardens and admire the neoclassical architecture before transferring back to Rio.

Day 12: Depart Rio de Janeiro

Now that you've spent 12 days exploring Iguaçu Falls, Manaus, and Rio de Janeiro, your journey comes to an end today. If you have time before your flight, you could head to Praia Ipanema, a golden-sand beach flanked by the twin peaks of Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) mountains. If it's Sunday, you could also visit Feira Hippie de Ipanema, a weekly market famous for its arts and crafts. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!