Vibrant Rio, Iguazu Falls & Pantanal Nature Escape – 15 Days

Points of Interest : Rio de Janeiro

After you land in Rio de Janeiro, a private transfer takes you from the airport to your hotel. An escort accompanies you and points out some of the city’s first highlights from the car as you drive in. The rest of the day is free to relax or start exploring the nearby Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods at your own pace.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3* Rio Design Hotel, luxury room with breakfast (Rio de Janeiro)

Points of Interest : Rio de Janeiro

Today you board a century-old, eco-friendly train that winds its way through the lush Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca National Park. At the top of Corcovado Mountain, at the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue, you enjoy one of the best panoramic views over Rio, from the beaches to the distant mountains. Throughout the visit, your bilingual escort shares stories and background about this dazzling metropolis.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3* hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Points of Interest : Rio de Janeiro

You head out to explore another of Rio’s icons: Sugarloaf Mountain. A cable car ride carries you up in two stages, revealing increasingly spectacular views over Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo, Leblon and their sweeping beaches. Your bilingual escort explains the different districts and points out the main landmarks. Cable car tickets are included in the tour.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3* hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Points of Interest : Iguazu Falls

A private transfer takes you from your Rio hotel to the airport for your flight to Foz do Iguaçu. On arrival, a local escort is waiting to drive you to your hotel, located only about 400 meters from the entrance to Iguaçu National Park. The rest of the day is free. If you wish, you can already stroll to the Brazilian side of the falls to admire some of the 275 cascades of the Iguaçu River, considered one of the greatest natural wonders on the planet.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : San Martin Hotel, superior room (near Iguazu Falls)

Points of Interest : Iguazu Falls

Together with your guide you cross into Argentina to explore the falls from a different angle. On arrival you board the park’s small train, which links two main trail systems. The 1.7 km lower circuit runs close to several cascades at river level, while the 650 m upper circuit follows walkways and hanging bridges for sweeping views from above. Both routes culminate at the most dramatic of all the falls, the 90 m-high Devil’s Throat, an icon of this extraordinary region.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : San Martin Hotel (near Iguazu Falls)

Points of Interest : Pantanal

You are transferred with your guide to the airport and fly on to the Pantanal, where your next local guide awaits. Your lodge is set right in the heart of the world’s largest inland wetland. Over the coming days you discover a mix of pristine nature, adventure and abundant wildlife. The activity program typically includes horseback rides, boat trips and piranha fishing excursions, with the lodge kitchen happily preparing the catch of the day. You also head out on photo safaris deep into the Pantanal, night safaris and an eco day walk – an unforgettable immersion in this unique ecosystem.

• Meals included : Full board (except lunch on arrival day and dinner on departure day of the lodge package)
• Accommodation : Pantanal lodge (e.g. Pousada Aguapé)

Points of Interest : Pantanal

After a hearty breakfast, your next Pantanal adventure begins. Depending on conditions, you head out on two guided activities, chosen from those described for Day 6. Weather and water levels influence the daily program, and some outings may be repeated at different times of day to maximize wildlife sightings. You never know when and where animals will appear, which makes each safari unique. After explorations in the morning and afternoon, you return to the lodge to relax.

• Meals included : Full board
• Accommodation : Pousada Aguapé (Pantanal), double room

Points of Interest : Pantanal

Perhaps you have already spotted caimans, capybaras, monkeys or colorful birds – and with luck even a jaguar. Today you again join two guided activities that deepen your understanding of the Pantanal’s landscapes and wildlife. Your nature guide helps you interpret tracks and behaviors while you explore by boat, on foot or on horseback. In the evening you relax at the lodge and listen to the sounds of the wetlands.

• Meals included : Full board
• Accommodation : Pousada Aguapé (Pantanal), double room

Points of Interest : Pantanal, Bonito Airport

A private transfer takes you from your lodge in the Pantanal to the town of Bonito. As you drive, the scenery gradually shifts from wetlands to farmland and small villages, giving you insight into rural life in this part of Brazil. On arrival you check in at your pousada and can stroll through town or relax.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Pousada Rancho Jarinu (Bonito), standard room with breakfast

Points of Interest : Bonito Airport

Today you travel back in geological time. First you visit the Gruta do Lago Azul cave, descending around 200 meters down limestone steps into the depths. Stalagmites, stalactites and other formations line the path to the intensely blue underground lake. Rare albino shrimps live in its waters, and fossils such as the bones of a giant ground sloth, which inhabited the area over 12,000 years ago, have been found here. You then continue to Estância Mimosa, a rural property offering authentic contact with nature and local culture. On foot and by rowboat you cross floodplains and a private nature reserve dotted with natural pools, waterfalls and small caves.

Approximate drive: 24 km, about 40 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Pousada Rancho Jarinu (Bonito)

Points of Interest :

You set out for a full-day excursion to the Rio da Prata. A guided walk introduces you to rare plants and the region’s fauna as you make your way through the forest to the crystal-clear source of the Rio Olho d’Água. After a break, you float gently downstream for about two hours, snorkeling alongside countless fish in remarkably transparent water while also observing the riparian forest along the banks. In the afternoon you visit Buraco das Araras, a huge sinkhole in the Cerrado savanna. A 970 m trail circles the crater, with viewpoints where you can admire its red cliffs and, with luck, watch macaws and other birds nesting on the walls. The tour is suitable for children, but you should check with the guide whether your child is ready for the more demanding walk.

Duration of hike: around 1 hour. A guide and transport are provided for the day tours.

• Meals included : Breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation : Pousada Rancho Jarinu (Bonito), standard room with breakfast

Points of Interest : Bonito Airport, Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro

A longer travel day brings you back to the coast. You are driven from Bonito to Campo Grande airport, where you board your flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival in Rio, a guide meets you and transfers you back to your hotel by the beach. In the evening you might celebrate your return to the city with a caipirinha and dinner along Copacabana.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Rio Design Hotel, luxury room with breakfast (Rio de Janeiro)

Points of Interest : Rio de Janeiro

Your guide picks you up at your Rio hotel for a private transfer to Ilha Grande, traveling via the coastal village of Conceição de Jacareí and continuing by boat. After arrival on the island, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and sample excellent fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. You stay in the tranquil Pousada Naturalia, set amid tropical greenery.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Pousada Naturalia, suite with breakfast (Ilha Grande)

Points of Interest :

With beautiful beaches and a surprising cultural scene, Ilha Grande is ideal for a final day of pure relaxation. You can follow forest trails across the island, swim and sunbathe in hidden coves, or join a boat trip to explore even more bays and beaches. Along the way you encounter welcoming island residents and can taste the local cuisine, famous for its fresh seafood dishes.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Pousada Naturalia, suite with breakfast (Ilha Grande)

Points of Interest : Rio de Janeiro

It is time to say goodbye to Ilha Grande and to Brazil. You depart the island by boat from the pier next to the Aquario Hostel or from the main pier and continue your journey towards the airport for your international flight home. Até a próxima vez – see you next time.

• Meals included : Breakfast (depending on departure time)
• Last day : Boat and road transfer back to the mainland and on towards the airport