Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.
Day 1-2: Iguaçu Falls - Brazil
The Rio Iguaçu widens and sweeps majestically round a three kilometre bend before plunging 80 metres over a natural fault. Two hundred and seventy five separate cascades present an awesome spectacle of thundering water and flying spray. Higher than Niagara Falls, wider than Victoria Falls - and arguably more beautiful than either - these falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina.
Although Argentina has the lion's share of this UNESCO World Heritage site, Brazil possesses the 'grand view', of the churning river below the falls - this arrangement led to the local saying that Argentina puts on the show and Brazil charges for the tickets. This morning you'll visit the viewpoints on the Brazilian side. There's also an exciting helicopter ride over the waterfalls (optional) for wonderful aerial views, or the chance to visit a fascinating bird park, where tropical birds from all over the world can be observed in enormous walk-through cages, almost hidden in the lush rainforest (also optional).
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 3: Iguaçu Falls - Argentina
This morning you will visit the Argentine side, which is noted for its close-up views of the falls. You're almost bound to get wet as the trails here lead right into the spray of the crashing waters. Perhaps the most spectacular point is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) with its awe-inspiring view of roaring falls, rainbow arcs, and parrots and hawks swooping against a backdrop of verdant rainforest. An exciting boat trip (optional) takes you right up to the torrent so you see the water tumbling from high above and feel the spray lashing into your face. In the afternoon you can choose to either visit Itaipu, the worlds most powerful hydro-electric plant and one of the 8 engineering Wonders of the World. Alternatively you can go on a spectacular 30 minute rafting adventure in the canyon near the falls. This can also be done during the morning visit to the Argentine side (both activites are optional).
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro
In the morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio. It's soon apparent why Rio de Janeiro is known as the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). Crammed into the few flat areas between beach and soaring mountain, is an area of prime real estate where more than seven million cariocas (as Rio's inhabitants are known) go about their daily business.
This afternoon you'll take the 1,300-metre long cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain from where you get magnificent views across the city, Guanabara Bay and the aeroplanes that land and take off from Santos Dumont airport. Whether by day or night, your first aerial impression of Rio is likely to remain with you forever - one of the definitive images of Latin America. At night a whole other fascinating world comes to life. Why not experience a bohemian night in Lapa, where the original samba can still be heard (and danced). Also not to be missed is the Cidade do Samba or a rehearsal evening at a famous samba school.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro
Rio was founded in the early 16th century, but it was much later - when Portugal fell to Napoleon - that the Portuguese court moved here and proclaimed the city as the new capital of the empire. It has always been a place of sharp contrasts; opulence lives side by side with poverty - the beachfront is lined with skyscrapers of smoked glass and stainless steel, yet a third of the population lives in the favelas that blanket the hillsides.
In the morning your city tour will take you through the city and up the mountain of Corcovado, crowned by Rio's signature landmark - the giant statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), whose outstretched arms protect the city below. The views are only rivalled by those on the other side of the city. This afternoon you are free to explore. You might like to watch a football match at Maracanã Stadium (normally starting at 16:00 hours) or visit the amazing botanical garden. Both can be clearly seen from the top of Corcovado during your morning excursion.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 6: Rio de Janeiro
The day is free so you can explore. The beaches are an obvious attraction - Ipanema, Leblon and the most famous of all; Copacabana - but Rio has a wealth of other things to see; old colonial parts and many absorbing museums and art galleries. Further afield, the tropical rainforest of Tijuca National Park provides a welcome break from the concrete jungle of the city. To sample some of the best this coast has to offer you may opt to snorkel off beautifully white sandy beaches. Alternatively you can go hiking in the Tijuca Forest, visit the bucolic 19th century neighbourhood of Santa Teresa (also called "The Montmartre of Rio"), or take a favela jeep tour to experience the fascinating way of life on Rocinha, the "real Brazil".
For dinner you can chose to eat in a typically Brazilian way by either going to a churrascaria, a por quilo or a por peso restaurant. The first offers a huge buffet of salads to start, before massive skewers of meat are repeatedly brought to the table until you can't eat any more. An al quilo is almost the opposite where you actually pay for your food depending on its weight!
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 7: Ilha Grande
Today you will transfer from Rio to Conceição do Jacareí and catch the ferry across to Ilha Grande. As its name suggests, Ilha Grande is a 'Big Island', exactly half the size of the Isle of Wight, off the coast of Rio, and is renowned for abundant vegetation, rocky landscapes and beautiful beaches. Lopes Mendes Beach rates amongst the best in Brazil, and is normally visited on a half-day boat trip. This stunning island is car-free, with all transport either on foot or by boat. You have the afternoon free to explore at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 8-9: Ilha Grande
You'll have two free days to do the things you didn't have time to fit in yesterday. This beautiful island is largely undeveloped and hosts one of the richest ecosystems in the world. The entire island is a protected area and hosts an abundance of endangered wildlife from the red-browed Amazon parrot and broad-snouted cayman to the maned sloth and brown howler monkey. The 150km of trail system present throughout the island connects pristine rainforest to stunning beaches and hence, is a perfect location for relaxed exploration. you may like to do the 6-7 hour hike to the Pico do Papagaio (982m) for a stunning view over the isle, the bay and the Serra do Mar mountain range on the horizon.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Breakfast included
Day 10: Rio de Janerio
Today you will board the ferry back to Angra do Reis. From here you will transfer overland to Rio (approx 3hrs) where the trip ends.
Meals: Breakfast included
