Start your tour in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, tucked between the densely-forested mountains and the white sand beaches. Tour on the city's highlights, visi the mountaintops of Corcovado and Sugarloaf, two of Rio's iconic peaks, and stroll the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana before making your way to Brazil's ecotourism capital, Bonito. Bonito is a charming Brazilian village featuring adventure in several forms. The area is famed for its crystal-clear river, Rio de Prata, which delights travelers with its tropical aquatic wildlife. There are also unique cave formations and rappelling sites. Known as the "Caribbean of the Central-West," Bonito is sure to delight travelers as they tour Brazil.
Highlights
Enjoy marvelous views of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain
Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain
Float the Rio de Prata, your guide will point out flora and fauna along the way
Swim through the unusually blue waters and spot tropical fish in Bonito
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your hotel in the famous Copacabana neighborhood. A short stroll takes you to Copacabana's iconic beach. The day is free to explore the beachfront plazas.
Meet your guide at the hotel for a half-day visit to Rio de Janeiro’s most popular attraction – the 125 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain that stands over Rio de Janeiro. Begin the ascent of the mountain in a cogwheel train through the lush Tijuca Forest, a national park and the world's largest urban forest. Arrive to the base of the statue where you can truly appreciate the size of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The views from the observation platforms are spectacular and provide insight of how the city of Rio has grown around and up the seemingly inhospitable natural rock features along the coast. Rio spreads out below you, revealing Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, the famous Maracana Stadium, and the luxurious Botafoga Bay. It is impossible to ignore the favelas, Rio's hillside communities.
Return by train and explore the coast with your guide as you drive along Sao Conrado, Ipanema & Copacabana Beaches. Your afternoon is free to relax on the beach, shop in Copacabana's boutiques, or enjoy caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, at a beachfront cafe. Additional activities such as boat or helicopter tours, a visit to a favela, samba lessons, or a trip to the coastal hotspot of Buzios can be arranged.
Sugarloaf Mountain got its name from Portuguese sailors who felt the granite monolith's resembled a traditional block of sugar. Today's tour gives a different perspective of Rio, as you and your guide take a cable car that climbs to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. From the peak, the entire cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city), coastline, and Atlantic Ocean spread out below you. Descend by cable car and do a driving tour of Rio de Janeiro's city center to see the famous Sambadrome, the Teatro Municipal, and the modern-styled Cathedral. Please note that this half-day excursion can be arranged on any day and is a good option in the evenings to enjoy the sunset over Copacabana Beach. The remainder of your day is free to relax, take in the sights of Rio's beaches, or choose an optional excursion during this custom Brazil tour.
Day 4: Fly Rio to Campo Grande | Transfer to Bonito
Take a morning stroll on the beach or a swim. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Bonito. Arrive at Campo Grande for your bus transfer (4 hours) to Bonito, a small Brazilian village which is becoming known as "Caribe do Centro-Oeste" (Caribbean of the Central-West) due to its magnificent blue waters. Check in to Pousada Aguas de Bonito and spend the remainder of your day exploring Bonito and acquainting yourself with its magnificent landscapes.
Begin your morning by transferring to Rio da Prata to visit some of Brazil's most pristine rivers. Meet your guide at the river and embark on a hike while learning about the area's flora and fauna. After the hike is completed, return to the Rio de Prata for a tropical snorkeling experience! This float carries you through a unique sub-aquatic habitat for plants and animals. The unusual bright blue color of the river and its vibrant aquatic life give you the illusion of floating in an open aquarium. Your guide accompanies you to help you identify flora and fauna in the area. Return to your hotel and spend the evening relaxing or walking around Bonito.
Today is free to arrange optional activities locally. Bonito is an oasis of natural landscapes, crystalline rivers, and partially flooded caverns. Should you choose to visit Gruta Azul, a lake with intense blue waters and thousands of antiqued cave formations, make sure you bring your camera. This area is known for producing postcard-worthy photographs. You may also rappel in the Abismo Anhumas, a cave 23km from the city of Bonito which invokes the feeling of exploring Earth's inner sanctums. The Rio Salobra Canyon, which is considered to be the highest platform in Brazil, is another rappelling site. Alternatively, you can return to Rio de Prata and snorkel its clear blue waters. Return to Pousada Aguas de Bonito for evening activities in town.
Day 7: Depart Bonito
1 Breakfast
Transfer by vehicle back to Campo Grande and depart for your next destination on your Brazil vacation.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.