Highlights
- Visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro
- Embark on a scenic hike of Pedra Bonita trail
- Explore the iconic Iguazú Falls, from both Brazil and Argentina
- Go horseback riding, paddling, and night touring around biodiverse Pantanal
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2 | Rio de Janeiro - Full-Day City Tour | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 3 | Pedra Bonita Trail Day Trip | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 4 | Travel to Iguazú Falls | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 5 | Tour Iguazú Falls (Brazilian Side) and Explore Iguazu River | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 6 | Tour Iguazú Falls (Argentinian Side) | Foz do Iguaçu |
| Day 7 | Travel to Campo Grande and Transfer to Pantanal | Mato Grosso do Sul |
| Day 8 | Pantanal - Guided Activities | Mato Grosso do Sul |
| Day 9 | Pantanal - Guided Activities | Mato Grosso do Sul |
| Day 10 | Depart From Rio de Janeiro |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! A driver will pick you up at the airport to transport you to your hotel. After check-in, spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city at your own pace.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro - Full-day city tour
Today, spend some time getting to know Rio's main attractions. Take a full-day city tour to visit landmarks and natural monuments. The tour kicks off in Corcovado, where the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer is located.
The tour continues toward scenic Tijuca Forest. Next, visit Maracanã Stadium to learn about the history of the World Cup Finals from 1950 and 2014. The tour continues toward the Sambadrome, which is the stage of the Samba School Parades performances during Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Then, pass by the Metropolitan Cathedral of São Sebastião, patron of the city.
Enjoy a nice lunch at a local steakhouse. Then, venture toward the Sugar Loaf complex, to board the famed cable car. Stationed nearby, visit Morro da Urca, which is located by the side of Praia Vermelha beach and the old Casino of Urca.
The tour concludes with stops at the most famous beaches in the city: Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.
Day 3: Pedra Bonita day trip
Today, a driver will take you to Pedra Bonita trail, which requires light, physical effort. The guided trek will lead you to one of the most iconic, natural sights and viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro. Pedra Bonita is more than 2,270 feet high and is located in Sector C of Tijuca National Park. Because of its privileged location, the Pedra Bonita region also has the only free-flight take-off ramp in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which makes it a popular launching point for hang gliding and paragliding.
Following the day’s adventure, return to Rio, and enjoy your last night in the city at your leisure.
Day 4: Travel to Iguazú Falls
Today, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro and transfer you to the airport to fly to Foz do Iguaçu, or Iguazú Falls. Upon arrival at the airport, a representative will be waiting for you to then transfer you to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Tour Iguazú Falls (Brazilian side) and explore Iguazú River
Today, explore Iguazú Falls from the Brazilian side, which provides a complete panoramic view of the falls.
Take a mile-long stroll through nature. Once you get to the main bridge, which is extremely close-up to the falls, experience the grandeur, as water sprays all around. The total tour around the falls will take approximately 2 hours.
In the afternoon, a bilingual guide will take you to Aguaray Ecosport, a protected area next to the national park. Here, hike up a 45-minute-long trail through the preserved rainforest, reaching the border of the Iguazu River, where a guided tour on a kayak or a standup paddleboard will begin. After the 1.5-hour paddling journey, hike another trail for about 20 minutes and then enjoy views of a stunning, 50-foot waterfall.
Day 6: Tour Iguazú Falls (Argentinian side)
Today, experience Iguazú Falls from different viewpoints in Argentina. Make sure to have your required identification on hand, as you will be crossing the border on this journey.
On a 6-hour tour, first, take a 3-mile walk around the falls, and keep an eye out for native animals among the subtropical forest all around you.
Walk along three, different trails that will give you various perspectives of the falls. One of the highlights is the view of Devil´s Throat. View this roaring portion of the falls from an elevated platform for an incredibly invigorating experience.
Following the tour, the evening is yours to enjoy on your own time.
Day 7: Travel to Campo Grande and transfer to Pantanal
Today, catch a flight out of Iguazú, and a private driver will meet you for the immediate transfer to the Pantanal. The transfer takes around 5 hours.
Upon arrival at Pantanal around lunchtime, check-in at your accommodation. Then, join a group for the day’s activity. The schedule depends on the hotel’s offering, but likely, it will include a river tour to learn about the area and spot local wildlife species.
Following the guided activity, enjoy the evening on your own.
Day 8: Pantanal - Guided activities
In the morning, have breakfast at the hotel, and join a tour, according to the hotel schedule. Then, return to the lodge for lunch and a short break. Following lunch, embark on another tour offered through the hotel. Dinner is at the lodge, as well. The activities available through the hotel are outlined below.
Embark on a photo safari to take pictures while exploring the local Pantanal fauna and flora. Carried out in specially adapted vehicles, this type of trip enables you to cover longer distances across contrasts of the vegetation, as well as spot a large variety of animals. Sometimes these, tours are combined with several trails in the woods and gallery forests around.
Horseback riding is the most traditional way to get to know Pantanal—exploring regions where you cannot go on foot, or by vehicle. The Pantaneiro horses are raised at the Pantanal and are completely adapted to the wetlands. Riding in open pastures with patches of stunted vegetation, lakes, lowlands, and pond outlets, enjoy the unique and scenic surroundings. There are different trail options, allowing for both seasoned riders and first-timers to take advantage of this activity.
Walk the many trails in the surrounding areas of the lodges, which can be done in dense bush, open fields, or gallery forests. Observe small animals and local vegetation. This activity provides the greatest contact with the environment, teaching you about its function and the importance of the Pantanal ecosystem. Reinforcing the ecological focus of this activity, the lodges alternate the trails, which helps minimize the human impact on the environment.
Go canoeing in the bays or rivers around the lodge. Row in a three-seat canoe, and gaze around at the water, birds and, possibly, other animals, such as capybaras and caimans. Canoeing is also a good opportunity to focus on listening to the local sounds and watching the sunset.
Take a boat tour, which is another great way to get to know some of the rivers that compose the Pantanal and the surrounding gallery forest. Observe the natural habitat of birds, mammals, and reptiles, which are likely to be found on the river banks.
Head out on a night safari, which provides the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals, such as anteaters, foxes, and more. Keep watch for the caimans, with their red eyes reflecting in the dark.
Day 9: Pantanal - Guided activities
Today, have breakfast at the hotel and take advantage of the tours you did not experience yesterday. Embark on your first tour, followed by lunch back at the hotel. Next is your second activity block. Then, have dinner back at the lodge, and toast to your final evening in Brazil.
Day 10: Depart from Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy your final breakfast in Brazil, and then return to Campo Grande. A driver will then transport you to the airport, so you can catch a flight back to Rio, followed by your onward flight home. Safe Travels!
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