12-Day Best of Brazil

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s most iconic and vibrant city. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel located along the famous Copacabana Beach. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the lively beachfront atmosphere at your own pace. (RIO001-26E).

Accommodation: Hotel Windsor Excelsior (Superior Partial Seaview Room)

After breakfast, depart the hotel for a guided tour of Rio’s most celebrated landmarks. Drive through the lively Copacabana neighborhood to the Urca District, where you will board two cable cars to reach the summit of the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. The first ride ascends to Morro da Urca, followed by a second stretch to the peak of Sugarloaf. Enjoy breathtaking 360° views of Rio’s skyline, Guanabara Bay, and the vast Atlantic Ocean from the Swiss-made, glass-enclosed cable cars.

Continue your journey to the striking Metropolitan Cathedral, a modern architectural marvel distinguished by its soaring conical shape and magnificent stained-glass windows. The tour concludes at the vibrant Selarón Steps, an artistic mosaic staircase adorned with thousands of colorful tiles collected from around the world—an unmissable photo opportunity. After exploring these cultural and historic highlights, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Windsor Excelsior (Superior Partial Seaview Room)

This morning, travel to the Cosme Velho district to board the cogwheel train that ascends through the lush Tijuca Forest to the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy the scenic ride as you pass through tropical greenery and catch glimpses of the city below. At the top, marvel at the majestic Christ the Redeemer statue—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—and take in sweeping panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, and the surrounding mountains.

Descend the mountain and continue with a panoramic drive along Rio’s most famous beaches—Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon—each offering its own unique charm and lively atmosphere. The afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace or relax on the beach.

Remark: In case the cogwheel train is not operating, certified vans will provide transportation to and from the Largo do Machado parking area.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Windsor Excelsior (Superior Partial Seaview Room)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguassu, home to one of South America’s greatest natural wonders.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and check in at the hotel. Nestled at the intersection of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, Iguassu Falls is a breathtaking spectacle where hundreds of cascades plunge dramatically into the Iguassu River, surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest.

In the afternoon, visit the Brazilian side of the falls for panoramic views of this magnificent site. Travel by coach through Iguassu National Park to reach the trailhead, then enjoy a scenic walk along paths that reveal multiple viewpoints of the cascading waters. Follow the catwalk leading close to the base of the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat for a truly unforgettable perspective. Conclude the visit with an elevator ride back up to the road and return by coach to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Bourbon Cataratas (Superior Garden Room)

This morning, cross the border into Argentina to explore the Argentinean side of Iguassu Falls. Depart from your hotel on the Brazilian side, passing through a brief customs check and crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which marks the natural border between the two countries.

Upon arrival at Iguazú National Park, visit the Visitors’ Centre before following the scenic trails through the park. Begin along the Upper Circuit, offering panoramic views of the upper falls, then continue to the Lower Circuit, where you can feel the power of the cascading waters up close. Board the Ecological Jungle Train for a short, picturesque ride to the most spectacular viewpoint—The Devil’s Throat, where the thundering water plunges into the mist-filled abyss. After this unforgettable experience, return to your hotel on the Brazilian side.

Remark: Passports (and visas, if required) are required for the border crossing between Brazil and Argentina.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Bourbon Cataratas (Superior Garden Room)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon region. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and check in at your hotel.

Manaus, the capital of Amazonas State, lies along the banks of the Negro River, about 4 miles from the point where it meets the Solimoes River to form the mighty Amazon River. Once a booming rubber trade center in the late 19th century, Manaus flourished as one of Brazil’s most prosperous cities, pioneering innovations such as electric street lighting and trolley buses. Although the rubber market later collapsed, the city reinvented itself as a major commercial hub after being declared a Free Trade Zone in 1966. Today, Manaus blends history, culture, and modernity, serving as the main departure point for exploring the wonders of the Amazon rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Blue Tree Premium Manaus (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast, transfer to the pier to begin your Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge adventure. Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Rio Tarumã, a tributary of the Rio Negro, before arriving at the lodge, where you’ll be greeted with a refreshing welcome drink made from local fruits.

Nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge is located about one hour from Manaus Airport (including a 30-minute boat transfer). The lodge features over 6 miles of nature trails that wind through lush jungle landscapes, home to orchids, giant trees, and diverse wildlife. Its 60 guest rooms are distributed among 20 rustic yet charming wooden bungalows, each offering air conditioning, private entrances, porches, and screened windows for comfort amid nature.

During your stay, discover the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon through a variety of guided excursions, on foot or by canoe. Activities may include jungle trekking, a visit to the Orchid Garden and the Lake of Quelônios turtles, an encounter with a local Caboclo family to learn about traditional lifestyles, piranha fishing, and even a night canoe tour to experience the rainforest’s nocturnal sounds.

Remark: The lodge program is operated on a shared basis with international travelers and accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Activities are arranged according to the lodge’s schedule and may vary depending on weather and local conditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge (Superior Room)

After breakfast, embark on a regional double-deck boat for an unforgettable river excursion. Cruise down the Rio Negro, passing along the waterfront of Manaus, where you can admire views of the city’s key landmarks, including the grand Amazonas Theatre, the busy Port of Manaus, and the historic Customs House. As you sail, observe everyday scenes of local life, such as traditional stilt houses perched along the riverbanks.

Continue your journey to the Meeting of the Waters, one of the Amazon’s most fascinating natural phenomena. Here, the dark waters of the Rio Negro and the sandy-colored waters of the Solimões River flow side by side for approximately 7.5 miles without mixing, an effect caused by differences in temperature, density, and flow speed. Witness this stunning spectacle before returning to the lodge for dinner and an evening at leisure surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge (Superior Room)

After breakfast, return by boat, then by road transfer to Manaus. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour showcasing the highlights of this fascinating Amazonian capital. Discover the historic heart of Manaus, where elegant architecture reflects the city’s prosperous rubber boom era of the late 19th century.

Visit landmarks such as São Sebastião Square, the Customs House, a pre-fabricated structure imported from Liverpool nearly a century ago, the Clock Tower (affectionately known as “Little Big Ben”), Matriz Square, the Cathedral, and the Municipal Market, a lively spot brimming with local produce and handicrafts. A photo stop will be made at the magnificent Amazon Theatre (Teatro Amazonas), an architectural gem built almost entirely from European materials and inaugurated in 1896, symbolizing the grandeur of Manaus’s rubber-boom heyday.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Blue Tree Premium Manaus (Deluxe Room)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Salvador da Bahia, the vibrant capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and check in at the hotel.

Known to Brazilians as the “Land of Happiness,” Salvador is famous for its joyful spirit, rhythmic energy, and rich Afro-Brazilian heritage. Often referred to as the “Land of All Saints,” the city owes its name to both the beautiful All Saints Bay that borders it and the deep spirituality of its people. With its blend of colonial architecture, colorful traditions, and warm hospitality, Salvador offers a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Brazil, a city that feels like a celebration of life itself.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Fera Palace (Superior Room)

After breakfast, set out on a historical city tour exploring Salvador’s colonial past and rich Afro-Brazilian heritage. The tour focuses on Pelourinho, the city’s beautifully preserved old quarter and the largest collection of Baroque architecture in the Americas. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vibrant neighborhood offers a captivating glimpse into Brazil’s colonial roots through its cobblestone streets, ornate churches, and colorful façades.

Begin in the Barra neighborhood, home to the São Antônio Fort and its iconic lighthouse, the first built on the American continent, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Continue through the elegant districts of Corredor da Vitória and Campo Grande, a central stage for Salvador’s famous Carnival celebrations. Stop at the Municipal Square for panoramic views of the Lower City and All Saints Bay, before walking through Pelourinho’s narrow, stone-paved streets lined with centuries-old buildings and lively squares. Your tour concludes at the Terreiro de Jesus Square, surrounded by historic churches and colonial landmarks.

The afternoon is free to relax or explore at your own pace. In the evening, you may choose to join an optional “Bahia by Night” dinner and show, featuring regional cuisine, music, and traditional dance performances (bookable locally through your guide).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Fera Palace (Superior Room)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight home. Bid farewell to the vibrant rhythms, rich culture, and warm hospitality of Brazil as your unforgettable journey comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast