15 Days
Stroll the walkways around the Iguaçu Falls for views and close-ups of the falls. Explore the Pantanal by kayak to spot the local flora and fauna. Take a day trek in the Amazon Rainforest. Visit Rio’s icons from Christ the Redeemer to Copacabana Beach.
DAY 1: International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Sao Paulo.
DAY 2: Iguaçu Falls
Arrive in Brazil and take a connecting flight to the Iguaçu Falls. On arriving, your chauffeur-guide meets you and drives you to your hotel. You have the afternoon to settle in and relax. Depending on what time your flight arrives, you could spend the afternoon visiting the Brazilian side of the falls. There are several walking trails, which take you to different panoramic viewpoints over the falls.
Stay At: Sanma
DAY 3: Iguaçu Falls
Your guide picks you up at your hotel for a private half day guided tour of the Argentinian side of the falls. You’ll walk over the jungly boardwalks to different viewpoints, allowing you to get up close to the water, and will also visit the ‘Devil’s Throat’ — the most powerful section of the falls. Your afternoon is free — we suggest visiting the nearby bird park or spend more time exploring the Brazilian side of the falls.
Stay At: Sanma
DAY 4: Pousada Rio Mutum
You leave Iguaçu today and take an indirect flight to Cuiabá, gateway to the wetlands of the Pantanal. It’s a four and a half hour flight and on arrival you’ll journey on to your accommodation by coach transfer, a three-hour drive. If there’s time, you may enjoy an afternoon or evening activity to get your first taste of the Pantanal, or you may wish to simply relax after your journey.
Stay At: Pousada Do Rio Mutum
DAY 5: Pousada Rio Mutum
Start exploring the Pantanal proper as part of a small group with a guide. This morning you might head out on foot and climb one of the numerous viewing towers to spot wildlife, and also appreciate the sheer size of the wetlands. In the afternoon, you may go kayaking, getting up close to capybara, caiman and other creatures skulking on the banks of the waterways.
Stay At: Pousada Do Rio Mutum
DAY 6: Pousada Rio Mutum
The Pantanal is also Brazilian cowboy country, so today you might enjoy a safari on horseback in the early morning, when the wildlife is most active. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll relax, enjoy a late lazy lunch and maybe a siesta, avoiding the heat of the day. In the evening, you might head out again — this time in vehicles to try and spot some of the area’s more nocturnal creatures.
Stay At: Pousada Do Rio Mutum
DAY 7: Manaus
Take a shared coach transfer back to Cuiabá for your indirect four-hour flight to Manaus. Arriving there, you’re met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your accommodation. Relax after your journey or wander around this tropical gateway city to the Amazon. You might like to see its Belle Epoque opera house.
Stay At: Villa Amazonia
DAY 8: Amazon Lodge
Accompanied by your guide, today you make the 80 km (50 mile) journey to the heart of the Amazon by boat, road and motorised canoe. En route you’ll see the phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters, where two rivers combine to signal the start of the Amazon proper. After arriving at your lodge, you’re served dinner. Then you set out on a boat trip to spot caiman lurking in the shadows.
Stay At: Amazon Lodge
DAY 9: Amazon Lodge
A day of activities from your lodge. Wake early for a sunrise tour of the surrounding area, followed by breakfast and a mid-morning reconnaissance tour. After lunch, head out on a fishing trip. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Stay At: Amazon Lodge
DAY 10: Amazon Lodge
A second day of activities from your lodge. After breakfast, head into the jungle with your guide for a trek, returning to the lodge in time for lunch. Today you might also visit a local village to learn about how local people live in the Amazon. Keep an eye out, while you’re on the water, for pink river dolphins.
Stay At: Amazon Lodge
DAY 11 Rio de Janeiro
Today you return to Manaus with your guide accompanying you and catch a four-hour flight south to Rio de Janeiro. On arriving in Rio you’re met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after the long journey, ready to start exploring tomorrow.
Stay At: The Windsor Palace
DAY 12 Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy a full day exploring the city with your private chauffeur-guide. Stroll on the city’s most famous beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema, before visiting the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and taking the cable-car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The tour lasts around six hours, and you’re dropped back at your hotel at the end.
Stay At: The Windsor Palace
DAY 13: Rio de Janeiro
Today you’re free to explore the city under your own steam. We recommend getting out and seeing some of Rio’s lesser-known corners, such as the tranquil Botanical Gardens or the historic and bohemian district of Santa Teresa. If you wish to roam a little further afield, visit the striking Modern Art Museum in Niteroi which resembles a flying saucer.
Stay At: The Windsor Palace
DAY 14: International return flight
Take a private transfer to the airport to catch your return flight home.
DAY 15: International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
15 days from £6,700 pp
The price reflects the suggested accommodation in this itinerary. This will depend on when you travel and is subject to change. All of our Wildlife holidays are completely tailor-made to your requirements. We are happy to make recommendation to meet the quality and experience you are looking for, within your given budget.
