Ultimate Brazil Adventure: Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon, North Pantanal & the Coral Coast - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Explore at Leisure

Welcome to Brazil! Once you land in Rio de Janeiro, meet your guide in the arrivals hall for a transfer to your hotel in Copacabana. Referred to as "Carioca" by the locals, Rio's beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and geographical diversity of mountains, tropical forests, and incredible beaches have long inspired artists and composers from all over the world. After checking into your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city and its environs at your leisure.

Whether you're an adventure traveler, nature lover, or arts and culture enthusiast, you'll discover abundant tourist attractions and leisure activities to explore. Soak in the local culture, taste the regional cuisine, and experience the arts as you savor your first day and evening in Rio.

Day 3: Helicopter Tour Over Rio, Fly to Manaus

See Rio from a different perspective this morning as you set off on a 30-minute helicopter flight above the city. As you ascend, the city's iconic landmarks, like Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, come into view. Admire the geographical beauty of the city with its lush greenery, jagged mountains, and golden-sand beaches. After a whirlwind ride, return to your hotel for a transfer to the airport and a domestic flight to Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas. On arrival, meet your driver for a transfer to your hotel, where you can relax for the rest of the evening.

Day 6: Amazon Turtle Lodge Culture Tour, Piranha Fishing & Caiman Night Cruise

After breakfast, set off on a cultural immersion excursion to a traditional Caboclo village. Meet the Caboclo community, a group of people with mixed Indigenous Brazilian and European ancestry, and learn about their customs and culture. Watch as they demonstrate traditional practices like fishing, crafting, and cultivating the land, and immerse yourself in the experience by collecting your own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and Brazil nuts. Then, sit down to enjoy a meal made with your gathered ingredients.

Join some villagers for a piranha fishing trip using simple fishing gear this afternoon. Jump on a boat and navigate the intricate waterways, then attach your bait and cast your line into the water, waiting patiently for a bite from this carnivorous fish. Then, take your catch back to the village and help prepare a feast with the Caboclo people.

Finish the day with a canoe adventure, looking for wildlife, like the caimans (small alligators) who like to come out at night. With your guide, you can help catch a caiman with your bare hands or (if you want to avoid getting up close and personal with these predators) take pictures from the canoe. Finally, you'll farewell the Caboclo villagers and return to the lodge for your last night in the Amazon.

Day 7: Transfer to North Pantanal, Explore at Leisure

This morning, say goodbye to the Amazon and embark on a journey to Cuiabá, the capital of Brazil's Mato Grosso state. This city is the gateway to the Pantanal, the largest wetland ecosystem in the world. And upon arrival, that's exactly where you'll go. Meet your driver in the city, then transfer by vehicle for three hours up the Transpantaneira Highway.

Head north, passing winding rivers, quaint villages, and diverse flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for anteaters or capybara meandering through the grass. When the road gives way to the Pantanal's vast wetlands, you've arrived. Settle into your base for the next few days, a fazenda—a traditional plantation found throughout the country—and sit down to enjoy dinner as a group.

Day 8: Jeep, Canoe & Horseback Adventures in North Pantanal 

Spend the next several days discovering the pristine wetlands of the Pantanal, starting with a Jeep safari along the Transpantaneira. Navigate through the landscape, looking for caimans sunning on the riverbanks or capybara grazing in the grass. After exploring by land, hop in a canoe to paddle down the river. The slow rhythm of the canoe allows for a deeper connection with the lush environment (a motor would disrupt the tranquility). Look out for colorful birds flitting between the reeds or more caimans gliding stealthily through the water, as an estimated 10 million are in the region. 

End the day with a horseback ride, the region's typical transportation, to see the sunset. Watch as the sun begins its descent, casting a warm glow over the vast wetlands while your horse traverses the open plains and meandering waterways. When darkness falls, venture into the forest with your guide to look for the nocturnal animals just awakening. Listen to the chirps of insects and the rustling of unseen creatures as you look out for the glowing eyes of owls or anteaters. After an action-packed day, return to the fazenda to rest.

Day 10: Wildlife Tours in North Pantanal

Day 11: Fly to Porto de Galinhas

Day 12: Explore Porto de Galinhas

Today, you'll have a free day to explore Porto de Galinhas. Take a jaganda, a traditional flat-bottomed boat, along the mangroves on the Maracaípe River to spot seahorses in their natural habitat, or ride a dune buggy on the 9 miles (16 km) of beaches, including Muro Alot, Cupe, and Maracaípe. Visit the beaches of Ponta Serrambi for snorkeling or diving, and go beach hopping to find tide pools. As evening draws near, head to one of the beach bars and grab a refreshing drink, then dine at a waterfront restaurant for delicious freshly caught seafood. 

Day 13: Barra Grande Beach & Maragogi Boat Tour

Get ready for another paradisiac journey this morning as you meet your driver in the hotel lobby for the 1.5-hour drive to Maragogi. Observe swaying palm trees and the tropical landscape before stopping at the beautiful Barra Grande Beach. Enjoy breakfast at a local beachside restaurant, then board a motorboat and head to the natural pools of the Coral Coast protected area  just 2.5 miles (4 km) away to enjoy swimming and snorkeling with tropical fish in warm, clear water. Follow up with a walk along the Moses Trail, a long sandbar that emerges from the sea at low tide.

From here, you'll return to Maragogi, where you'll have plenty of time to laze on the beach or visit Antunes Beach, which is a close walk and less crowded. Finally, meet your driver at the agreed-upon time to return to Porto de Galinhas. Savor your last evening with cocktails as you watch the sunset.