DAY 1: Start of tour in Rio de Janeiro
![Start of tour in Rio de Janeiro]()
Welcome to Rio; it's the first day of your South America trip! Check in at the hotel and take some time to explore if you arrived with time to spare. Meet up with the group in the hotel foyer this evening before taking a walk to a nearby restaurant to enjoy an authentic Brazilian welcome dinner at a local Churrascaria. Indulge in local charcoal-roasted meats along with delectable sides and desserts. Get ready for a delicious and unforgettable first night on tour!
Experiences
Welcome Dinner: Eat local on your first night in Rio de Janeiro! For Brazilians, mealtime is a family event. Your welcome dinner involves a traditional Brazilian barbecue at a local Churrascaria restaurant. As the name states in Portuguese, churrasco involves meat roasted over charcoal, served with a side of grilled vegetables, garnishes, salads and a variety of traditional desserts. In combination with the warm-hearted culture of the locals, it makes for an unforgettable experience.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Mirador
DAY 2: Rio de Janeiro City Tour
![Rio de Janeiro City Tour]()
Set out on a full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro. Follow your local guide to some of the city's top attractions. Drink in the sea, mountain and forest views along the way. Travel along the main avenues by coach and disembark to explore on foot along pedestrian walks. Tick off some bucket list items including the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue! Grab something from a local vendor for lunch. Tonight is yours to spend as you wish.
Experiences
Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer Statue entry and visit: Visit the most iconic monument of Rio and Brazil - the statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor). Designed by engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the 125 ft/38m tall Christ the Redeemer statue offers the most breathtaking views from where it stands on top of mount Corcovado, overlooking the city below. Brazil is a religiously diverse nation and considers the arms-open-wide gesture of the statue as one of welcoming and peace.
Visit Lapa and Rio de Janeiro’s tiled staircase: See a different and more quiet side of the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city), as you meander the streets of the downtown neighbourhood of Lapa. Also see the 125-step Selarón staircase (Escadaria Selarón) made with colourful mosaic tiles and mirrors.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Mirador
DAY 3: Rio de Janeiro: Free Day
![Rio de Janeiro: Free Day]()
Make the most of a free day in Rio. Explore at your own pace or join the Rio+ optional excursion which showcases the city’s top sights! This outing includes a cable car trip up Sugarloaf mountain to enjoy 360-degree views of the city and its nearby beaches! Plus, enjoy a visit to the Kobra graffiti wall, Ipanema beach, São Cristóvão local fair and Samba City - home of the annual Rio Carnival! Alternatively, head into downtown Rio to discover impressive cultural and colonial destinations at your leisure - here you’ll find the Museum of Tomorrow, The Candelária Church and the Sao Bento Monastery. Tonight, choose to get a real taste of local life with the Local Feijoada and Caipirinha Experience!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Mirador
Optional Excursions
- Rio+ i US$150
- Local Feijoada and Caipirinha Experience i US$60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Rio de Janeiro - Paraty
![Rio de Janeiro - Paraty]()
Wave Rio goodbye as the tour continues down Brazil's Costa Verde (Green Coast). Soak up exquisite views of the ocean and surrounding jungles! Arrive in Paraty, a beautiful resort town which is known for its cobbled streets and romantic 17th-century houses. Check in at the hotel and meet up with your local guide for a tour which includes a visit to the UNESCO-listed historic centre! Tonight is a free evening to enjoy the local vibe in Paraty.
Experiences
Paraty walking tour: Follow a local guide around Paraty and discover why Paraty was so affluent during the gold, coffee and cachaça periods. This gorgeous colonial town is situated in the perfect spot for spectacular views of the surrounding Atlantic ocean and jungle. The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts beautifully preserved architecture, cobblestone roads and churches. Cars were banned from the historic core, so you can expect quiet surroundings with welcoming locals.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Pousada do Principe
DAY 5: Paraty: Free Day
![Paraty: Free Day]()
Settle into a free day in Paraty. There is an optional 4x4 Jeep tour which also includes a visit to a local cachaça distillery for a chance to taste and learn more about Brazil’s national drink! Alternatively, choose to explore solo. Head into the steep valleys or mountains that surround Paraty to do some hiking. Or, head to the beach for some time in the sun. Paraty forms part of the Serra da Bocaina National Park so natural beauty abounds! The town itself also features wonderful architecture and cultural destinations. Get ready to be mesmerised!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Pousada do Principe
Optional Excursions
- Jeep Tour in Paraty i US$70
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 6: Paraty - São Paulo
![Paraty - São Paulo]()
São Paulo is calling! Travel to this bustling city where the tour will spend one night. Brazil's mega city buzzes with energy. Set out alongside a local guide upon arrival for a city tour. Feel the vitality of the city while exploring the streets! Visit the sprawling Mercadão food market to browse the stalls, pick up local fare and enjoy free time for lunch. Why not tuck into a Mortadella sandwich or other local delicacies? Delicious! Later, settle in at the hotel after a full day of exploring São Paulo.
Experiences
São Paulo City Tour and Mercadão visit: São Paulo is quite simply enormous. It’s the biggest city in Latin America and the Southern hemisphere. Upon arrival, set out with a local expert to find out more about the history and economy of the city and see the points of interest. Then, stop at the Mercadão, a famous food market, with free time for lunch. This municipal market is the perfect spot if you want to see and taste all kinds of South American foods - from north to south. Look out for the famous Mortadella sandwich, codfish and prawn pastries, and cashew fruit.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Sleep Inn Guarulhos
DAY 7: São Paulo - Flight to Foz do Iguaçu - Iguaçu Falls Brazilian side
![São Paulo - Flight to Foz do Iguaçu - Iguaçu Falls Brazilian side]()
Goodbye São Paulo, it’s time to travel to the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu! Board a short inland flight and head to the Iguazú Falls (also known as “Iguaçu” in Portuguese) inside Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park immediately upon arrival. This massive waterfall system is the largest in the world. Follow your tour leader to the best vantage points, or follow the pathways to the foot of the falls if you wish. Head to the hotel afterwards, check in and freshen up. Next, get ready to tuck into Brazilian barbecue at a group dinner! Return to the hotel and be sure to grab some rest - tomorrow is another exciting day!
Experiences
Visit the Iguaçu Falls in Iguaçu National Park: Foz do Iguaçu is located on the triple borders of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Depending on the rainfall, there could be between 150 and 300 waterfalls at the time of your visit. This experience gives you a chance to enter the national park and explore. Iguaçu Falls is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Entry is included.
Brazilian barbecue dinner: Eat local on your first night in Iguazu! Dinner this evening involves a traditional Brazilian barbecue at a local Churrascaria restaurant. The experience involves different types of meat roasted over charcoal, served with all-you-can-eat sides of vegetables, salad and traditional desserts.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Viale Tower
DAY 8: Foz do Iguaçu - Puerto Iguazu (Paraguay): Free Day
![Foz do Iguaçu - Puerto Iguazu (Paraguay): Free Day]()
Strike out on your own today or choose to enjoy a variety of excursions around Foz do Iguaçu. Keen to add another country to your tour? Join in on a day trip to Paraguay! Cross the bridge over Paraná River to enter Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. Browse local shops and markets, encounter the Monday Waterfalls, and visit the Itaipú Dam - the world's most expansive hydroelectric power plant. The world-famous Rafain show and dinner experience is on offer back in Brazil tonight - opt in or enjoy some free time this evening.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Viale Tower
Optional Excursions
- Paraguay Day Trip (with local guide) i US$90
- Rafain Dinner and Show i US$90
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 9: Iguassu Falls - Iguassu Falls Argentinian Side: Free Day
![Iguassu Falls - Iguassu Falls Argentinian Side: Free Day]()
Take another day to explore the Iguazú Falls region at your own pace. Choose to join in on a guided tour of the Argentinean side of the falls. Enjoy a boat ride and views of the Salto Tres Mosqueteros (The Three Musketeers) and the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat waterfalls! Plus, explore the walkways and cascading waterfalls. After a day filled with outdoor adventures, head back to Foz do Iguaçu and get ready to sit down for an authentic Brazilian dinner.
Experiences
Local Brazilian Dining Experience: On Day 9, enjoy a jolly night out as you sit down for a traditional Brazilian meal at a family home with home-made Brazilian food, unlimited caipirinhas (Brazil’s national cocktail) and beer.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Viale Tower
Optional Excursions
- Half-Day Argentinean Falls Trip i US$200
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 10: End of tour in Foz do Iguaçu
![End of tour in Foz do Iguaçu]()
The Rio to Iguazu tour comes to an end after breakfast in Foz do Iguaçu this morning. You have the option of boarding a transfer to either the Puerto Iguazu or Foz do Iguaçu International Airport. If you would like to extend your stay in Foz do Iguaçu after the tour, please contact us to confirm the hotel. By this point, you will have enjoyed 10 incredible days exploring the very best of Brazil. A true delight!