Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls & the Amazon

Day 1 Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, also known as the "Marvelous City." The second biggest city in Brazil, Rio is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay and blessed with endless natural beauty.

Ease your way into this sprawling city with a stroll through the historic center filled with architectural gems. The Theatro Municipal, built in 1909, was modeled after the Opera Garnier in Paris!

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro

Today you will embark on a full-day tour of Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountains! Both of these imposing mountains make up the iconic skyline of Rio, and you will enjoy unparalleled views from the summits. On this tour, you will also visit downtown Rio's architectural gems.

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro

Rio is perhaps most famous for its beach life, and two beaches in particular: Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio residents (known as cariocas) can be seen playing soccer, sunbathing, and swimming all along the 2.5-mile stretch of Copacabana Beach. Among its trademarks is the Atlântica Avenue boardwalk, with mosaic waves of stones designed by landscape architect Burle Marx.

More upscale than Copacabana, the area around Ipanema Beach is considered the “little Paris” of Rio for its avant-garde galleries, bookstores and movie theaters.

Day 4 Rio de Janeiro - Iguassu Falls

Say goodbye to Rio as you transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls. 

Located close to the point where the Iguassu River empties its waters into the Parana River, Iguassu Falls is the world’s widest waterfall and a natural wonder. On the border of Brazil and Argentina, the city of Foz do Iguassu is a busy town thanks to the many visitors that come to see the falls and Brazilian shoppers who come to purchase imported goods in Ciudad Del Este, the Paraguayan tax-free city right across the border.

The Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam also brings great activity to the city thanks to the high number of its employees living in Foz do Iguassu.

Day 5 Iguassu Falls

Today, enjoy a tour of Iguassu Falls. Made up of a system of 275 waterfalls,  Iguassu Falls is nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls and rivaled only by Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls. 

Day 6 Iguassu Falls - Amazon

Leave Iguassu Falls today and transfer to the airport for your flight to Manaus, the capital of Amazonas State. Manaus is the hub of the whole Amazon Region and is located four miles from the point where the Negro River meets the Solimoes River to form the Brazilian Amazon River. 

After you check into your accommodation and get settled, enjoy an evening canoe tour in the Amazon jungle!

Day 7 Amazon

This morning, enjoy a boat tour down the Negro River to the city of Manaus. See the Amazonas Theater, the Port of Manaus, the Customs and aspects of the local life like the stilt houses.

Later, tour the Meeting of Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the pale sandy-colored Amazon River collide!

Day 8 Amazon

Brazil is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from colorful parrots to sleepy sloths. See some of these incredible animals up close at the Wild Animal Habitat at the Amazon Ecopark Lodge. Get a chance to view animals that are being rehabilitated and re-introduced into the wild.

Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Day 9 Amazon - Manaus

Take one last look at the Amazon before transferring to Manaus where you will spend the night. Consider visiting the Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden, which is actually the world’s largest urban forest. 

Day 10 Depart Brazil

Your Brazilian adventure comes to an end today. At the appropriate time, transfer to Manaus airport for your flight home.