Rio, Iguazú & beach holiday on Ilha Grande

Today, you will leave your chosen airport and head to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil with connecting flight(s) on the way.

Foz do Iguaçu is the starting point for tours to the fantastic Iguazú Falls. Iguazú Falls actually consist of 275 larger and smaller waterfalls spread over almost 2.7 km, which vary between 60 and 82 metres in height. The waterfalls were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1984. For the ultimate waterfall experience, you visit the waterfalls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides.

On arrival, you are picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. To ensure that your visit to Brazil gets off to the best possible start, our partner will come to your hotel and hold a short welcome meeting of around 30–60 minutes. This is an opportunity for you to run through your tour together and get answers to any questions you may have about the tour or other practical questions about Brazil.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Brazilian side of the falls.

The Brazilian side is where you get the most spectacular panoramic view of the waterfalls. You follow small paths out to a viewing platform, from which this natural wonder enthrals both you and your camera.

The waterfalls are in the middle of a tropical rainforest, and your guide will tell you about the unique flora and fauna in the area. You also cannot help but get acquainted with the curious coati, who are always on the lookout for some food scraps from the many visitors.

Today, you will experience the falls from the Argentinian side. You will be picked up from your hotel and cross the Tancredo Neves bridge over the Iguazú River, which forms the border between Brazil and Argentina.
A train takes you to the largest and most well-known of the waterfalls, Garganta del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat. From here, you make your way along walkways to the most impressive section of the waterfalls. Here the thundering of the waterfall is deafening, and the mist can leave you quite soaked. But it is a completely indescribable experience to stand in the middle of these immense forces of nature.

NOTE: Remember to bring your passport on this day, as you will be crossing the border to Argentina.

After breakfast, you fly from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio. At the airport, you are picked up by an English-speaking guide who drives you to your hotel, which is near the famous Copacabana beach.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Enjoy a calm morning in Rio, as no activities are planned until the afternoon.

You can relax on the beach, jump in the waves or take a walk along the busy boardwalk at the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, where Rio’s inhabitants, known as Cariocas, eagerly run, bicycle and do other forms of exercise.

In the afternoon, you’ll experience some of Rio’s highlights on an exciting city tour. The tour starts by going to some pleasant districts, Santa Teresa and Lapa, where artists in particular have settled down. In Lapa, you visit the beautiful and colourful Selaron Steps, which became the life’s work of the iconic Chilean artist Jorge Selaron. The stairs are made from old porcelain and mosaic collected by Selaron throughout his life.

One of Rio’s biggest attractions in the 38-metre tall statue of Christ, which stands and watches over the city from Mount Corcovado. The statue has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. From here you get a fantastic panoramic view of the Tijuca National Park, the Guanabara Bay, and Rio’s wonderful beaches. Lunch is not included on this tour, but it is possible to buy a sandwich and other snacks along the way.

The tour concludes with a visit to a 396-metre high mountain, Pão de Açúcar, also known as Sugar Loaf Mountain. You reach the top of the mountain using cable cars crossing over the coast of Rio. Here too you will get a spectacular view of this magical city as the sun quietly sets behind the mountains.

You’ll be back at your hotel at 7-8 pm and have the rest of the evening to yourself.

Rio is a city full of life and opportunities just waiting to be explored, and you have the next few days at your leisure to experience the city’s charm and pulse.
Perhaps a day on the beach, enjoying the sun and the lively beach scene, appeals to you. If you’re in the mood for adventure and new experiences, we also offer a wealth of exciting excursion options in the city.

Explore the city’s stunning nature with our “Rio’s Natural Gems” full day tour or take a “Tijuca National Park and Hike to Pedra Bonita,” both showcasing the city’s fantastic views. Although Rio is a bustling metropolis, you’ll be surprised by how many small tranquil oases there are.

For food lovers, we offer our “Cooking Class in Rio,” an opportunity to master delicious local dishes.

Understand the colourful background of the carnival with our “Behind the Scenes at the Carnival” tour or gain insight into Rio’s strong African roots on the “Rio’s African cultural Heritage” tour. If you wish to explore the city from a different perspective, try a “Bike ride in Rio,” where the city’s landmarks are experienced at a relaxing pace.

Rio is a city that never sleeps, and when night falls, it beckons you to its festival of colours, which you can experience at a “Dinner Show in Rio” or on our guided city tour “Discover Rio’s Nightlife.” Enjoy an evening of Brazilian music, dance, and a refreshing caipirinha.
If you’ve been inspired to try your hand at Brazilian samba dancing, join us for the “Samba Lesson and Tour of the city,” a unique blend of city life and dance.

Whatever you choose, we promise experiences that bring Rio’s culture and nature closer to you. Feel the magic by participating in one of these unforgettable excursions!

The contrast is huge when you come from the bustling metropolis of Rio to the pleasant colonial town of Paraty, where daily life takes a calmer pace. You are picked up at your hotel in Rio in the morning, and the trip to Paraty takes about 4-5 hours.

In the afternoon, a local guide takes you around the city centre and gives you exciting insights into the history of the town. In colonial times, Paraty was a Portuguese property and served as an important port town, where gold, gems, sugar, coffee and slaves were freighted in and out. That the town was once so wealthy can be seen in the cobblestone streets and gorgeous buildings and churches.

You have the day to yourself in pleasant Paraty. Perhaps you aren’t done letting yourself wander through the cobblestone streets with its many small shops and cafés.

You can also choose to purchase a boat tour in the Paraty Bay and visit gorgeous beaches and Bounty islands, or join a tour out to Paraty’s surrounding rainforest, where you will see beautiful waterfalls, learn more about the famous and infamous “gold trail”, and get a taste of the Brazilian liquor cachaça, which is used in Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink.

Look forward to unwinding during the final days on the lush and beautiful paradise island of Ilha Grande. Here, you’ll discover an incredible, untouched natural landscape and more than 100 stunning beaches. The island covers 193 km² of hilly terrain, and its highest point, Pico da Pedra D’Água, rises 1,031 metres above sea level. Nearly 90% of the island is designated as either a protected reserve or national park, preserving its unique flora and fauna.

After breakfast, you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven for about 1½–2 hours to a small harbour town, where a boat will take you across to Ilha Grande. The crossing takes around 40 minutes.

Upon arriving in the island’s main town, Vila do Abraão, you’ll be met by a representative from the hotel, who will accompany you there. The walk takes approximately 10–15 minutes, and your luggage will be transported for you. There are no proper roads on the island, so all transport is either on foot, by bicycle, or by boat.

You have the next few days free to spend as you wish.

There are many different hiking trails around the island, and you really shouldn’t miss the chance to explore this lush landscape and experience the stunning natural beauty. You might even be lucky enough to spot exotic birds, howler monkeys, and perhaps even a sloth.

A popular trek is to the island’s most beautiful and popular beach, Lopes Mendes. This white sand beach with its azure waters has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. It is accessible only by foot or by boat. This excursion can be booked in advance.

The island also offers a variety of water sports, such as kayaking trips, diving, and snorkelling.

You can also pre-book a boat tour to the stunning blue lagoon, where you can swim and snorkel with colourful fish in the crystal-clear waters.

Your tour has reached the end of its journey, and it is time to say goodbye to this wonderful island. You are taken back to the mainland by boat, and drive with a minibus to the airport in Rio, where your flight home begins. Travel time is approx. 3 hours

You will land at your chosen airport after an eventful tour of Brazil.