This 7-day Brazil tour combines the iconic seaside city, Rio de Janeiro and the impressive natural wonder, Iguazu Falls. The vibrant city of Rio is sure to be a highlight on any Brazil tour, and is a great year-round destination. Visit the two surrounding peaks, Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountain, where the view of the city and beyond are magnificent. Explore the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and experience some of the music, culture, cuisine, nightlife and festivals that make Rio de Janeiro such a spectacular place. On the fourth day, fly to Iguazu Falls. The 275 cascades and lush subtropical forest, makes for one of the most awe-inspiring sights in South America. The falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil, get up close to the plummeting water and explore the area by foot, train and boat.
Highlights
Tour Rio de Janeiro's city center and famous cathedrals
Enjoy marvelous views of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain
Walk the "most beautiful thousand meter walk in the world"
Take a suspended walkway for spectacular views of Iguazu Falls
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.
Nothing is more representative of Brazil than the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Held each year just prior to lent, Carnival draws spectators from around the world. This half-day tour first takes you to the streets of Rio to witness the colors, music and costumes of the Carnival parade. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Cidade do Samba, one of the city's major Samba schools and a special place where Samba allegories are created. Learn about the history of carnival parades and of Samba before trying on traditional costumes. For those who'd like to indulge, enjoy a welcome caipirinha!
Day 5: Fly Rio to Iguazu Falls | Discover the Falls
Take a morning stroll on the beach or a swim. Transfer to the airport for your flight from Rio de Janiero to Iguazu. Upon arrival settle into your hotel.
Visit the panoramic Brazil side of the Iguazu Falls national park. View the impressive Devil's Throat and 3 Musketeer Falls among others as you walk along platforms that overlook the falls! With extra time, take an optional excursion to Macuco Falls or enjoy a helicopter flightseeing tour!
Today set out by exploring the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls and watch the cascading water from various angles. Begin the day by boarding a small train to Devil's Throat Station, where there's a suspended walkway with spectacular views.
Later explore the two walking circuits, beginning with the upper walk. This is about a quarter-mile long and takes approximately 45 minutes. From here you can see the Two Sisters, Bosseti, Adam and Eve, Bernabe Mendez, Mbiguá, and San Martín Falls. The lower circuit has been described as the "most beautiful thousand meter walk in the world." Heading in a clockwise direction you get a very different perspective of the falls; watch out when you get to the middle of the walkway - you might get wet!!
This afternoon make your way through the jungle in a rugged 4x4 vehicle, traveling the limited-access Yacaratia Trail to nearby Puerto Macuco (minimum age requirement of 12 years). Here leave the truck behind for an inflatable speedboat, in which you'll navigate four miles (7 kms) along the lower Iguazu River. Bring your swimsuit and be prepared to get wet in the refreshingly cool spray from the falls! Approaching the picturesque falls in Devil's Throat Canyon, brave a mile of rapids before finishing your adventure surrounding San Martin Island. Return with zodiacs to Macuco port and back to the hotel in Brazil.
Day 7: Depart Iguazu Falls
1 Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, transfer back to the airport for your flight home or continue exploring on your own.
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
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
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.
