Rio, Falls & Amazon Highlights

Schedule a call back

Tour Details

Brazil is on the bucket list of many an international traveler. Images of Carnivale, Rio beaches, Iguassu Falls and the Amazon jungle are world-renowned. Your first stop is thriving, cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro a melting pot filled with people from Europe, Africa and South America. Your expert local guide will show you the historical past and modern twist along with festive beaches and amazing nightlife.

From Rio head to the gushing waters of Tarza’s waterfall and stunning swimming hole set in the dense jungle. You will tour both the Argentina and Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls and feel the power of the most impressive series of falls in the world. A total of 275 falls cover nearly two miles of river and the sound and spray can be deafening.

After the city culture of Rio and the awesome power of the waterfalls, you’ll find a remote serenity deep in the Amazon at your stilted jungle lodge. Set among pristine rainforest you will enjoy sunrise canoe trips, village hikes, and a bevy of wildlife sightings.

3 days Rio de Janeiro
2 days Iguassu
1-day Manaus
3 days Amazon jungle
1-day Manaus

Weather

Brazil is a tropical country with seasons that follow the opposite of the northern hemisphere; cooler weather is typically found during the winter months of May-September and warmer weather from December-March. However, there are 5 distinct climatic regions ranging from equatorial to subtropical.

In Rio and the at Iguassu Falls the spring and fall are often considered the best mix of weather.

The Amazon region is hot and humid year-round with rainfall consistent throughout the year.

Day 1 :Rio de Janeiro

Welcome to Brazil! Your English-speaking guide will meet you outside of customs. Your representative will deliver you to your private driver and accompany you to your hotel where you will receive early check-in.

Day 2 :Rio de Janeiro (Full day)

Head out for your full day tour. You will see Rio's famous beaches, the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, and Cosme Velho district. The traditional cog-wheel train brings you to the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue before seeing the Cathedral and Cinelandia Square on your way to your included lunch at Fogo do Chao. Travel thru Urca to Sugarloaf Mountain and be amazed at the view.

Day 3 :Rio de Janeiro (Half day)

Begin today learning about the important historical and political events that made Rio one of the world's most exciting cities. You will see the French influence in much of the architecture along with the strong influence when Brazil was a Portuguese colony. See Monasteries, art museums and cultural centers on this half-day tour before having time to yourself to enjoy the scene along Copacabana beach.

Day 4 :Rio de Janeiro to Iguassu Falls (2-hour flight at your own expense)

Board your two-hour flight to dramatic Iguassu Falls where you will board a shared vehicle and be taken 2km to the Iguassu River. You then board a riverboat for a 5km river trip through small rapids and along the lush shoreline to view the different waterfalls. Make sure to take a change of clothes and bring a raincoat for this exciting wet activity.

Day 5 :Iguassu Falls (Full day)

Today prepare to be amazed as you view the falls on a series of wooden footbridges elevated over the river. A 40-minute walk allows you to admire the astonishing cascades before taking an elevator and bridge to see the falls from the Argentinian side. Several walking paths allow you to admire the lush jungle and tropical birds and see the falls from several viewpoints.

Day 6 :Iguassu Falls to Manaus (via Sao Paulo – 9 ½ hours flight at your own expense)

Board your flight to the exotic Amazon today as your English-speaking guide greets you at customs before accompanying you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy an evening of leisure and free time.

Day 7 :Manaus to the Amazon (3 ½ hour drive)

Welcome to the Brazilian Amazon! Your drive today takes you deep into the jungle and romance of the Amazon. Your stay will have many activities that you can participate in and the lodge will supply you with a schedule of activities upon check-in. These include wildlife spotting, river trips, and a jungle hike to see nature up close, learn local ways, and visit a village.

Day 8 :Amazon (Half day)

A remarkable day in the rainforest today as you take a two-person canoe trip to visit a local caboclo community and learn their way of life. Your lodge is surrounded by a vast untouched forest and is adjacent to a National Park featuring several endemic species. Your experienced guides will teach you about the various trees, wildlife, and medicinal herbs found in this archipelago.

Day 9 :Amazon (Half day)

Head out today to see a highlight of the trip, Amazon Pink River dolphins. You will visit a floating deck where they come in search of food, so you can view their distinctive long beak and light gray pink-tinged color. Enjoy this astonishing scenery and try to catch the renowned piranha, found only in the rivers of South America, during a wooden canoe trip.

Day 10 :Amazon to Manaus and return home (3 ½ hour drive and Half Day)

Transfer back to the Amazon's largest city, Manaus, and enjoy a half day private city tour. You will learn of the rubber boom days and visit the Indian Museum displaying tribal artifacts and the stunning Opera House, representing the grandiose glamour of the former boom town. Enjoy the floating harbor and Municipal Market with an overwhelming display of regional goods for sale. Depart this evening.

Note :

You must have at least six months of remaining validity on your passport to be allowed entry into Brazil. In addition, your Brazilian visa must be issued within 90-days of your visit.

Click To View More

Click To Hide

Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema Beach, Corcovado, Santa Teresa, Escadaria Selaron, Maracana Stadium, Lage Park, Pedra da Gavea, Tijuca Forest.

Iguassu Falls
Iguassu Falls, Parque das Aves, Chen Tien Buddhist Temple, Itaipu.

Manaus & Amazon Jungle
Amazon Theatre, Meeting of Waters, Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, Praia da Ponta Negra, Rio Negro Palace, Manaus Botanical Gardens.
Most visitors are here to explore the most complex eco-system in the world, a biosphere that hosts thousands of fish, bird, mammal and reptile species.

Rio de Janeiro:Eat

Mama Shelter

For a bit of bohemian thrown into cosmopolitan Rio head to Mama Shelter. The mix of hipster and modern twist together with staircase seating and some comfy cushions. With a French location as well, it is cool enough for Paris or Rio, Mama Shelter is a bar, restaurant and hotel all in one.

Plage Café

For a bit of Rio history head to Plage Café, a former mansion turned public monument and art center. The Corcovado mountain stretches behind the Italian inspired pool where you’ll find traditional Brazilian dishes along with some unusual choices such as salmon and tuna.

Rio de Janeiro:Stay

Copacabana Rio Hotel - Three star

Set in one of Rio’s most charming neighborhoods, the Copacabana Rio Hotel is just one block away from the famous beaches and offers a rooftop swimming pool with a beach view, a fitness center, and a bar for drinks and snacks.

Miramar by Windsor - Four star

Ideally located across from Copacabana beach the delightful Miramar offers up stunning panoramic views with luxury service. The style is a mix of classic and contemporary and you will feel perfectly at home with complimentary Wi-Fi, a minibar, and lush bathrooms.

Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro - Five star

Enjoy the best of luxury in the exclusive Barra de Tijuca barrio. Set overlooking a natural reserve the Hyatt features rooms with fine linens, marble bathrooms, and stunning views of the bay.

Iguassu Falls:Eat

Aqva Restaurant

Set in a log cabin type of atmosphere, the Aqva restaurant lends ambiance to the delicious menu that is has an extensive seafood menu and the owner is particularly attentive to guests needs. They also do a good bbq and offer an excellent wine menu.

Parilla Pizza Color

You may be surprised to learn of the strong Italian influence in Brazilian cooking. At Parilla Pizza you can enjoy pasta and pizza along with more traditional Brazilian cooking under the stars on the beautiful outdoor patio.

Iguassu Falls:Stay

Boutique Hotel de la Fonte - Three star

Set in the lush jungle, the hotel and individually decorated with private terraces. Enjoy close proximity to the falls along with the masseuse, saltwater pool, bar, and hot tub on site.

Belmond Hotel das Cataratas - Four star

This four start hotel, located in Iguassu National Park, the Belmond greets guests with an unrivaled location and the benefit of access to the park after visiting hours. This former Portuguese colonial mansion features dark wood floors, artisan linens, and marble bathrooms.

Gran Melia Iguazu - Five star

Enjoy luxury and location at the Gran Melia Iguazu. With views of the falls, the rooms are modern and comfortable and the resort offers tennis courts, a pool, and a beautiful terrace for enjoying the area along with a deluxe spa.

Manaus:Eat

Bar do Armando

Hit the sidewalk for the best table in the house in this festive little spot in the colonial district. There are few frills, but the beer is cold, the locals in abundance, and the roast pork sandwich the best in town.

Banzeiro

For a bit of sophistication head to Banzeiro where they may do the typical Amazon fish dinners but produce an impeccable example and quality. The starters are varied and include such items as fish ribs!

Manaus:Stay

Go Inn Manaus - Three star

For a simple, comfortable room look no further than the Go Inn. Rooms feature sleek accommodations, well-appointed bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi along with a convenience store and fitness center on site.

Hotel Villa Amazonia - Four star

Located just steps from the Amazon theater, this 30-room luxury lodge offers delightful amenities in the rooms as well as an on-site restaurant, indoor garden, a gym, and natural stone pool.

Hotel Tropical Manaus - Five star

This luxurious eco-lodge sites on the banks of the Rio Negro and impressive technology and accommodations at the edge of the Amazon jungle. There is hiking and a mini-zoo on-site as well as several restaurants for your convenience.

Amazon Jungle:Stay

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge - Four star

This quaint, 16-room, hotel is located on the banks of the Rio Negro (Black River) and features comfortable accommodations combined with traditional design deep in the Amazonia jungle. Enjoy wildlife viewing right from your private deck.

Click To View More

Click To Hide

Rio de Janeiro

Small Group Cooking

Enjoy a fascinating 4-hour class at a small cooking studio. A maximum of 7 participants allows for a personal feel as you learn about the flavors and techniques of Brazilian cooking and then get to eat your results.

Iguassu Falls

Panoramic Helicopter tour

Short but sweet! This 10-minute helicopter trip over the falls allows an unparallel view from above for some breathtaking photos.

Start planning your trip

Contact Destination Expert

Why book with us?

We can customize this private tour just for you. Any element can be tailored in terms of activities, length, hotels and destinations.

High quality personalized service
Expertise you can count on
Best Guides
Fully protected - 24/7 Assistance

Most Important - OUR CLIENTS LOVE US!

Testimonials

Perfection!
Divya helped us plan the most perfect trip. Her personal service and knowledge was absolutely outstanding and everything ran so smoothly throughout our vacation. She listened to exactly what we wanted and using this information along with her personal expertise provided us with a dream vacation, the itinerary struck the perfect balance of guides and our own time. Nothing was too much trouble for them at all, our questions and requests were all ways responded to quickly.We would highly recommend their services to anyone travelling to South America.

Daniel K

Regions

Explore our most popular destinations

View all our destinations

Interest types

Adventure

Beach

Cruise

Cuisine & Wine

Family

History

Luxury

Wildlife Safari

Booking for : Rio, Falls & Amazon Highlights

Schedule a call back from us