A Fully Loaded Adventure in the Amazon Rainforest, the Marvelous Rio de Janeiro, Mystic Bahia and the Mighty Iguazu Falls
Your trip overview
- Walking among 275 waterfalls that made Eleanor Roosevelt say 'Poor Niagara'
- Getting drenched under the roar of Iguazu from a speedboat
- Taking in 275 waterfalls at once from the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
- Walking among toucans, parrots and 150 exotic bird species in the rainforest
4 destinations included:
- 2 nights in Iguazu Falls (One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature)
- 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro (Breathtaking landscapes & home to one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World")
- 2 nights in Salvador da Bahia (The heart & soul of Afro-Brazilian culture)
- 3 nights in Amazon Rainforest (The most bio-diverse ecosystem on Earth, chosen as one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature" by over 100 million voters) - YOUR STAY HERE IS ALL-INCLUSIVE (breakfast, lunch and dinner included, with 2 non-alcoholic beverages per meal)
In the Amazon, we have designed an exclusive and unique experience for our guests, including all private tours with a private guide just for yourself (as opposed to the group tours offered everywhere else). Besides covering all of the more iconic Amazonian experiences, we include an adventurous jungle hiking & exploration experience led by a team of former members of the Brazilian Military specialized in jungle rescue operations, who will introduce you to jungle survival techniques such as obtaining drinking water, making fire, differentiating edible plant species, setting up traps, building a shelter, and the Amazonian "peconha" technique to gather fruit from trees; to finally enjoy a jungle BBQ in the thick of the Amazon rainforest!
Having considered all Amazon lodges in detail, we chose Amazon Ecopark Lodge as the best base for this program, because it's the only lodge where such a combination of private tours is possible. An added plus of Ecopark is that you won't need to waste precious vacation time by spending a night in the city of Manaus, as you'd need to do if you stayed at many other lodges.
Trip start date: you can choose any starting date you want for your trip, because all our trips have private departures. That is, you won't be traveling as part of a group.
Trip duration & lodging:
11 days / 10 nights.
Lodging for 10 nights included.
17 first‑class tours with the best tour guides (14 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
8 airport transfers included (all private)
10 breakfasts + up to 6 lunches + 4 dinners included.
Starting price: $ 3,746 per person
Day-by-day itinerary
Iguazu
Staying for 2 nights, with 4 tours included
Day 1: You arrive in Iguazu
Flight arrival in Iguazu.
Depending on your flight arrival time you will have time to go first to your hotel or you will be taken directly to your tour and then to your hotel.Behold the Breathtaking Panoramic Views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian Side
Take in the sweeping panorama of Iguazu Falls from Brazil. Picture waterfalls stretching roughly the full length of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge: with 80% of the falls on the Argentine side, Brazil offers an extraordinary view of their sweeping scale.
Follow the footbridge toward the falls as mist reaches your face and the roar grows around you. From the panoramic balcony, watch water plunge below and look across to Devil’s Throat—a dramatic complement to the close-up views from Argentina.
This is a half-day private tour.
Walking Among Exotic Birds in the Iguazu Rainforest
You’re about to enter a one-of-a-kind bird sanctuary! Here you’ll find the largest colony of toucans on display in the world, as well as the largest colony of parrots on display in South America, along with 150 different bird species from Brazil and all over the world, many of them endangered.
Walk into rainforest aviaries where colorful parrots and Toco Toucans perch beside you or fly overhead. This internationally recognized rescue and preservation center brings us face to face with the extraordinary birds it protects.
This private visit lasts approximately 1½–2 hours, with a private guide and transfers, on the same day as your Brazilian-side falls tour.
Day 2: Iguazu
Witness the Unique Power & Might of the Iguazu Falls from the Argentine Side
Walk into the roar of Iguazu Falls, where rainforest boardwalks bring you close to an immense wall of falling water. Nearly twice as tall as Niagara and almost three times as wide, the falls reportedly moved Eleanor Roosevelt to exclaim, “Poor Niagara!”
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, Iguazu is a natural spectacle worthy of its worldwide acclaim.
Its 275 waterfalls can unleash almost 3.5 million gallons (13 million liters) per second—enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools.
Around the falls, the Atlantic rainforest shelters more than 2,000 plant species, about 400 bird species and 80 kinds of mammals—a living world that makes the setting as remarkable as the waterfalls.
This is a full-day private tour.
A Speedboat Adventure Up-Close the Iguazu Falls
Feel the roar of Iguazu Falls from the river as our speedboat races toward the falls and their drenching spray. This exhilarating, close-up encounter offers a completely different perspective from the one you get along the boardwalks.
See the San Martin and Three Musketeers falls up close, with the high point a shower of mist from mighty San Martin Falls.
This is a 12-minute group tour and is done on the same day you do the Argentinean side of the falls tour. This tour has an age restriction (click on tour name above for details).
Day 3: Last day in Iguazu
Transfer in private vehicle to Iguazu airport.
Rio De Janeiro
Staying for 3 nights, with 3 tours included
Day 3: You arrive in Rio De Janeiro
Flight arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel with private vehicle and guide.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.Day 4: Rio De Janeiro
The "Christ the redeemer" Statue, Tijuca Tropical Forest, Rio’s Historic Center and Off-the-Beaten-Path Explorations
Get ready to marvel at the most important icon of Rio de Janeiro and one of the winners of the "New 7 Wonders of the World" worldwide competition, in which more than 100 million votes were cast: the Corcovado Mountain and its “Christ the Redeemer” statue. Our expert local guide will not only take you atop the Corcovado Mountain, where the colossal statue stands, but he’ll also help you discover the off-the beaten-path panoramic viewpoint “Dona Marta,” which most travelers do not get to see. This road less traveled offers amazing and unobstructed clear views to almost the entirety of the city (even on cloudy days when the views from the top of Corcovado Mountain are practically non-existent!).
We’ll also see the Tijuca Tropical Forest, one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. We’ll later visit Rio’s historic quarters and appreciate the urban beauty that has earned Rio the honor of having been declared the first World Capital of Architecture by the United Nations and the Council of the International Union of Architects, as a recognition to the architectural treasures that show the city’s culture and history since the 16th century. Our final experience as "Cariocas" (as locals from Rio are known) will be hopping aboard a "bondinho" (a very cute local tramway) that runs from the beautifully-preserved, historic neighborhood of Santa Teresa to the hip and bohemian Lapa neighborhood. This visit will include witnessing the largest sculpture in the world made by a single man, according to National Geographic: the Selaron Tiles staircase.
This is a full day private tour.
Day 5: Rio De Janeiro
Choose one tour option
Tour option 1 of 6 Learn to Prepare and Savor the Most Typical Brazilian Dishes and Drinks
Put on your apron and step into the role of a Brazilian chef, as you put your cooking skills to the test, with a Brazilian regional cuisine cooking class. This 100% hands-on experience takes place in a cuisine studio located in the renowned Copacabana neighborhood. Not only will you learn how to cook some of the most delicious traditional Brazilian dishes, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the country’s culture through food, and to savor the most classic Brazilian alcoholic drinks. (Click here for a detailed account of all meals and drinks prepared). Much of what you will have learnt here can be easily recreated at home, using close substitutes for the hard-to-find ingredients.
This is a half-day private tour. You’ll be picked up at your hotel by a Portuguese-speaking driver, and the personnel at the cooking class is fully bilingual.
Tour option 2 of 6 Glitz, Glamour, and Floats: a Behind-the-Scenes Experience of Rio’s Famous Carnival
With over 2 million people in attendance, Rio’s carnival is nearly the biggest party on the planet. We’ll immerse ourselves in all things glitz, glamour, and floats, as we experience a behind-the-scenes look at the mega-colossal effort that goes behind Rio’s carnival preparations. We’ll visit the warehouses of Grande Rio, one of the main Samba Schools in the city. Once there, we’ll walk through this massive warehouse where costumes are sewn, floats are constructed and elaborate make-up is stored, and we’ll learn from a member of this Samba school about what it takes to prepare, organize and rehearse for a full-fledged carnival parade. Also you’ll have the unique chance to try on a genuine carnival costume!
This is a half day group tour with a guide who speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese for the entire group. However, you’ll be taken to and from the site in a private vehicle.
Tour option 3 of 6 From Slavery to Freedom: an Afro-Brazilian Heritage Tour
It’s time to trace the footsteps of Afro-Brazilian culture in Rio, as we head out along a historic path, taking us from the sordid story of the first arrival of the enslaved Africans, to the intriguing mix of cultures that is present day Rio. We’ll also appreciate the Afro-Brazilian roots of Rio’s famed carnival.
Although the history of slavery in the United States seems to be the most recognized, Brazil actually takes the title of being the country where slavery was the most prominent. In fact, Brazil trafficked more slaves than any other nation in the Western hemisphere and held to its slave practices the longest. Slavery played a vital role in shaping Brazilian history, and also infused its culture with African heritage and tradition, to the point that the dominant forms of music and dance are Afro-Brazilian, and even the country’s mainstream religion is tinged with elements of West-African polytheism.
This is a half day private tour, mainly done on foot.
Tour option 4 of 6 Hiking Through Tijuca Tropical Forest and to its Highest Peak
Summon your athletic spirit to hike to the summit of Tijuca peak, the second highest one in Rio, with a height of 3350 feet (1021 meters). First, you’ll traverse part of Tijuca tropical forest, the largest urban forest in the world, and one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. There you’ll enjoy the lush tropical vegetation and maybe spot birds or monkeys. On your way, you’ll stop at “Chinese outlook”, the most visited panoramic outlook in the forest, marked by a Chinese-style gazebo, with a view to the forest, the Sugarloaf mountain and the “Christ the redeemer” statue atop the Corcovado mountain. After passing by a spot in this tropical forest adorned by a quaint little cascade, you’ll head to the mountain itself where the hiking difficulty turns moderate. At the summit of the Tijuca peak, if it’s not cloudy, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of Rio’s bay and city, the surrounding mountains and forest, and the ocean.
This private tour’s total duration is about 5 hours, with a 3 mile (5 kilometers) total traversal. The ascent itself is about 1:15 hours, depending on your pace. The hike is rated easy to moderate.
Tour option 5 of 6 Savoring Brazil: a Daytime Walking Food & Drinks Tour
Tempt your taste buds and stimulate your senses while exploring some of Rio’s most interesting and hip neighborhoods, as you savor the delectable and diverse dishes and drinks of Brazil! In this daytime walking food tour, we’ll check out bustling street markets, eclectic hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and backstreet bars as we search out and sample some of the best foods Rio has to offer! From enticing street foods to exotic fruits and refreshing caipirinha cocktails, we’ll get to know the city while happily feeding our appetites. In our explorations we’ll make 8 stops spanning 4 close-by neighborhoods, finishing up with a big meal and plenty of drinks!
This is a 5 to 6-hour group tour and includes all food, water, juices, beers, caipirinhas and other drinks. The maximum group size is around 7 people.
Tour option 6 of 6 Brazil’s Dance, Music and Costumes: Ginga Tropical Night Show
Ginga Tropical is a show that portrays, in a well-paced and highly energetic manner, many of Brazil’s most popular dances and rhythms, all of which are infused with African and indigenous influences. Samba (the dance featured in Rio’s world renowned Carnival), carnival costumes, capoeira (a dance style developed by the African slaves, that also doubles as a martial art!), forro, and other styles from practically all corners of this vast country are presented in a dynamic succession of music, costume and dance sketches. The show is geared mainly for visitors who want to appreciate a general landscape of Brazilian music and dance, and the venue is a rather old and un-refurbished hall, where seating is movie-theater style.
This is an unguided tour lasting about 5 hours, including time for dinner (dinner not included). It includes a private vehicle and driver the entire time.
Day 6: Last day in Rio De Janeiro
A Cable Car Ascent to the Sugarloaf Mountain and its Astounding Panoramic Views
Get ready to behold some of the most eye-popping panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, embarking on a ride in a cable car to the mountaintop of one of the city’s most recognized icons: Sugarloaf Mountain. This is one of the main highlights that made Rio de Janeiro the #1 destination in South America, as voted by millions of travelers on Trip Advisor in 2017. Once we reach the top of Mount Sugarloaf, we’ll feast our eyes upon a stunning 360-degree panoramic view, including Rio’s beaches, mountains, and the Tijuca forest (it’s the largest tropical forest in the world in an urban setting). Also, in a leisurely walk across the newly renovated Olympic Boulevard, we’ll see the largest graffiti on the planet, a colorful and detailed depiction of Brazilian faces. To top the day off, we’ll end this tour relaxing at Arpoador peninsula, a beach that boasts one of the best views of Rio’s beaches and coastline.
This is a half day private tour.
Transfer in private vehicle and guide to the airport.
Salvador Da Bahia
Staying for 2 nights, with 3 tours included
Day 6: You arrive in Salvador Da Bahia
Flight arrival in Salvador de Bahia. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel with private vehicle and guide.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.Day 7: Salvador Da Bahia
Walking Tour with Local Community Members, and Preparing and Enjoying Lunch Together
Visit a working-class neighborhood in Salvador to meet Brazilian homemakers of African descent, whose passion is sharing their culture and experience with their guests and teaching to cook Bahian specialties. Then you’ll enjoy together a home-made lunch (which you’ll help prepare) consisting of the signature Bahian dishes and desserts.
This is a half-day private tour and includes lunch without alcoholic beverages.
Exploring the Afro-Brazilian & Colonial Heritage of Salvador da Bahia: the Largest Slave Market Ever in the Americas
The millions of slaves captured in Africa and brought to Brazil by the Portuguese brought with them a culture rich in music, dance, cuisine, and religion that’s still present and mainstream in Salvador da Bahia. This city was the epicenter of the largest slave market ever in the Americas, in fact, seven times more slaves were brought to Salvador alone than to the entire United States!
Get ready for a journey to Salvador’s historic center, declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and let us help you discover the singular Afro-Brazilian and Portuguese heritages of Salvador da Bahia.
In this city, steeped in Afro-Brazilian, colonial and indigenous heritages, you’ll get to admire the greatest collection of Baroque architectural heritage in Latin America, the first urban elevator in the world, as well as appreciate the sight of multicolored colonial and baroque houses and mansions that make up the city’s historic center.
This is a half-day private tour.
A Colorful and Enchanting Evening of Afro-Brazilian, Indigenous and Popular Dance and Folklore
Behold a performance by the renowned Afro-Brazilian dance company: Bale Folclorico da Bahia, which has toured in more than 180 cities worldwide and has and has gained both local and international acclaim It has obtained the “Best Dance Company in Brazil” award by Fiat Industries and “Best Performance of the Year” award by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture.
With its mesmerizing choreography and feverish rhythms, complete with gorgeously elaborated costumes, the performance features the three cultural pillars of Bahian culture: the mystical religion of Candomble, the acrobatic Capoeira (a dance and martial art), and the colorful and rhythmic Samba dance.
We’ll be treated to diverse Afro-Brazilian dances that includes flips, spins, high back kicks, fast-paced rhythms, and the boundless energy of rapid-fire footwork.
This tour includes dinner without beverages and with private transfers.
Day 8: Last day in Salvador Da Bahia
Transfer with private vehicle to Salvador de Bahia airport.
Amazon Rainforest
Staying for 3 nights, with 8 tours included
Day 8: You arrive in Amazon Rainforest
Flight arrival in Amazonas. Welcome at the airport and transfer with private vehicle and group boat to your lodge. The approximate total transfer time is 60 minutes (40 minutes by car and 20 by boat).
A Nighttime Canoeing Expedition in the Amazon
It’s pitch black darkness in the Amazon Rainforest, as we’re embarked aboard a motorized canoe on an expedition to contemplate and listen to the myriad of sounds coming from the nocturnal creatures of the Amazon Rainforest. With many animals being nocturnal, the Amazon Rainforest comes alive at night, giving us the chance to experience the Amazon’s animal “orchestra” while hopefully spotting some of its nocturnal wildlife, as well as seeing the glowing eyes of a caiman swimming in the dark right beside our boat!
During our outing, we’ll be able to take in the constant and enthralling sounds of chirping and singing from the nearby birds and insects as we’re surrounded by the ambience of nighttime on the Amazon.
This is a 1 hour private tour.
Day 9: Amazon Rainforest
Hands-on Survival Techniques and Full-day Trekking in the Thick of the Amazon Rainforest
Get ready for a most adventurous exploration in the thick of the Amazon rainforest! We’ll spend an entire day in the jungle, hiking and learning a wealth of hands-on jungle survival techniques from a team of former members of the Brazilian Military, specialized in jungle rescue operations.
Our trained professional team leaders will take us on a hiking tour and will introduce us to jungle survival techniques, such as obtaining drinking water, making fire, differentiating edible plant species, setting up traps, building a shelter, and the Amazonian “peconha” technique to gather fruit from high up on trees.
For lunch we’ll make a genuine Amazonian barbecue served with sides and fruits.
This is a full-day private tour for people of all ages (5 and up) and it’s designed to be safe and easygoing. The total hiking distance is normally around 4 miles (6 kilometers) but can be adapted to as little as 1200 feet (400 meters) or even less for guests with limited mobility. The tour, in sum, is designed for almost everyone and, although it is adventurous and exciting, it is certainly not challenging.
This tour includes lunch with non-alcoholic beverages.
Day 10: Amazon Rainforest
A Unique Up-Close Experience with the Friendly Amazonian Pink Dolphins
It’s time to head out on the Amazon river bound for an exciting encounter with the largest species of freshwater dolphin in the world: the Amazonian pink river dolphin! You’ll have the opportunity to dive in a shallow bank of the Amazonian Black River and enjoy an unique close-up experience around free and wild pink dolphins, known for their very friendly nature.
The professional caretaker will tell us about some of the unique features of this mammal, which is unique to the Amazon basin, and feed the dolphins while they swim next to us.
The transfer to the dolphin site is in a private boat with a private guide and takes approximately 90 minutes to get to the dolphins site and 1 hour to return, and the time spent with the dolphins is about 1 hour.
Witnessing the Unique Phenomenom of the Amazon River’s Unmixable Waters and Navigating on a Speedboat Through Amazonian Waters
Get ready to discover one of the many amazing features of the largest river on Earth: the Amazon River, whose flow is even larger than the flow of the next eight largest rivers in the world combined!
We’ll hop on our boat for a full day exploration on the Amazon river. We’ll first navigate to the confluence of the two rivers that form the Amazon River: the pitch-black Rio Negro and the cream-colored Solimoes River. That confluence is known as “the meeting of the unmixable waters.” Due to a unique quirk of nature, the waters of these two tributary rivers flow side by side for about 8 miles (12 kilometers) without mixing, due to a large difference between the rivers’ flowing speeds and temperatures. The difference in color between the two rivers is so stark, in fact, that the two “unmixable” waters can even be distinguished from satellites orbiting in space!
This is a half day tour in a private speedboat with a private guide. It includes lunch without alcoholic beverages at a floating restaurant on the Amazon river, and comes right after the "Interacting with the Unique Amazonian Pink Dolphin " private tour.
A Fishing Adventure in Search of the Amazon’s Most Voracious Creature: the Piranha
Grab your fishing pole and bait as we embark on a fishing adventure in the Amazon River in search of a fish famed for its aggressiveness and extremely sharp teeth: the piranha. Among the 2,200 species of fish living in the Amazon basin (more species than in all of the rivers of Europe combined!), piranhas have become the most famous due to their voracity. Due to their keen sense of smell for blood, they can attack at the scent of it, swarming by the thousands and stripping an animal to the bone in mere minutes!
Our expert guide will take us out in search of a good spot where he thinks we’ll have the best chances to fish piranhas and other species, while we take in the lush atmosphere of the surrounding Amazon river!
This is a 1 hour private tour.
Day 11: Amazon Rainforest
A Taste of Amazon Life: an Amazon Dweller Shows Us His Traditions, Customs and Distinctive Perspective on Life
It’s time hop on our boat and navigate down the Amazon river to visit one Caboclo (Amazon dweller). We’ll learn first-hand about the traditions, customs and distinctive perspective on life of a caboclo. We’ll learn about his life, customs, and how Caboclos make a living off the jungle that surrounds them. This is a unique chance to experience and interact with one of the locals that call the Amazon basin their home.
This is a 1 hour private tour.
Visiting a Wild Monkey Conservation Center
We’ll set out on a boat to visit the facilities for rehabilitation and re-introduction of wild animals into their habitats (known as "the Monkey Forest"). This center was created in 1991, with the intention of receiving animals confiscated from illegal commerce. In this center, the animals are evaluated and taken care of by a team of veterinary doctors and biologists.
One of the species mostly present at the site is the “macaco barrigudo” (woolly monkey), which has a protected status as a result of abuse by illegal traders and their slow reproductive rate. You’ll also see wild monkeys, that come out every day for food, and maybe even some resident monkeys that live in the center, for rehabilitation purposes.
This is a 40 minutes private tour. The tour is not always available, because the reserve is sometimes depleted when monkeys are readapted to the wild.
A late checkout is included, you can use your room until 2 PM on your checkout date.
Transfer with private vehicle and group boat to Manaus airport. The approximate total transfer time is 1 hour (40 minutes by car and 20 by boat).
The normal check-out time at Amazon Ecopark Lodge is at 10:30 AM. However, your trip includes a late check-out at so you can use your room (depending on your flight departure time) until 2 PM, and the lodge's facilities until the airport transfer time.We look forward to welcoming you again in Brazil!
Your hotels
10 hotel nights, each with breakfast included.
You have 3 hotel categories to choose from:
comfort category lodging
- Iguazu Falls 2 nightsGrand Crucero Hotel
Grand Crucero Hotel
Standard category room: 2 nights
Standard category room - Rio de Janeiro 3 nightsArena Copacabana Hotel
Arena Copacabana Hotel
Deluxe with front sea view: 3 nights
Deluxe with front sea view - Salvador da Bahia 2 nightsWish da Bahia Hotel
Wish da Bahia Hotel
Superior category room: 2 nights
Superior category room - Amazon Rainforest 3 nightsAmazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge
Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge
"superior" category bungalow: 3 nights
"superior" category bungalow
deluxe category lodging
- Iguazu Falls 2 nightsAmerian Iguazu
Amerian Iguazu
Standard category room with river view: 2 nights
Standard category room with river view - Rio de Janeiro 3 nightsHilton Copacabana Hotel
Hilton Copacabana Hotel
Room with front sea view: 3 nights
Room with front sea view - Salvador da Bahia 2 nightsVilla Bahia Hotel
Villa Bahia Hotel
Deluxe category room: 2 nights
Deluxe category room - Amazon Rainforest 3 nightsAmazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge
Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge
"superior plus" category bungalow: 3 nights
"superior plus" category bungalow
Unique & Exclusive category lodging*
- Iguazu Falls 2 nightsGran Meliá Iguazú
Gran Meliá Iguazú
Deluxe category room with falls view: 2 nights
Deluxe category room with falls view - Rio de Janeiro 3 nightsFasano Rio de Janeiro Hotel
Fasano Rio de Janeiro Hotel
Deluxe category room with sea view: 3 nights
Deluxe category room with sea view - Salvador da Bahia 2 nightsFasano Salvador Hotel
Fasano Salvador Hotel
Junior suite with front sea view: 2 nights
Junior suite with front sea view
* For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador da Bahia. For Amazon Rainforest the hotels included are the ones mentioned in the deluxe category.
Domestic flights duration & route
Brazil is a huge country, the 5th largest in the world, so flights tend to be long, because of the long distances. Also many flights have connections. Needless to say, traveling by land is unfeasible in almost every case.
We book and actively manage your domestic flights so you travel worry-free: the best flight schedule, daily monitoring, online check-in, and rebooking right away if the airline changes or cancels a flight.
| Flight Route | Total Flight Duration |
|---|---|
| Foz do Iguaçu (Brazilian side) to Rio de Janeiro | 1 hour and 55 minutes |
| Rio de Janeiro to Salvador da Bahia | 2 hours |
| Salvador da Bahia to Manaus | 6 hours and 10 minutes (there is no direct flight, so a connection is needed) |
For a worry‑free travel experience, we strongly advise letting us take care of your domestic flights. It’s common for local airlines to make several flight changes before (and sometimes during) a trip. Taking care of domestic flights will allow us to closely monitor any flight changes, adapting your trip itinerary as needed.
Our flight issuing service includes: flights booking, daily tracking of flight status and changes, reconfirmation with the airline of each flight before each departure, booking of your flight seats, web check-in and assistance with your flights arrangements if there is any flight delay, change or cancellation before or during your trip.
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Start enjoying your trip before you even arrive
Before you leave, we put a little of Brazil in your hands. Your personalized travel booklet invites you to start discovering: what to order at a Brazilian steakhouse, where to wander on a free afternoon, and the stories behind local customs.
Built around your route and travel dates, it brings your daily plans together with local knowledge and practical advice. A companion to spark your curiosity before you go—and help you feel prepared, at ease and connected to Brazil as you travel.
Packing Made Simple
Unsure what to bring? Our Travel Booklet offers packing tips tailored to each destination and specific suggestions for your tours.
All About Flights
Everything you need: airline info, flight details, luggage allowances, and mileage programs to ensure a seamless and worry-free trip.
Manage Money Like a Pro
Make the most of your money—secure the best rates, when to use credit cards or cash, avoiding fees and much more.
Tipping Made Easy
Clear tipping guidelines for tour guides, drivers, restaurants, and more. Know the customary amounts to show your appreciation.
Savor Local Cuisine
Discover the best local restaurants with our curated list, including menus, addresses, phone numbers, and payment options.
Explore Like a Local
Discover the best local tips, insider advice, and must-see highlights to make the most of your free time in every destination.
Stay Powered Up
Keep your devices charged with all the essential details you need about voltage, plug types, and adapters used in Brazil.
Your Hotel Essentials
Everything you need to know about your hotels: addresses, phone numbers, check-in/check-out times, breakfast hours, and more.
Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your go-to guide for every day of your trip, featuring detailed activities, tour descriptions, pick-up times, and transfer schedules.
And more!
I’ve received the travel booklet and it’s absolutely the best trip plan I have received in over 40 years of traveling. Wonderful job.
You’ll receive your Travel Booklet in two formats: a printed version via FedEx and a digital version via email.
What traveling with us feels like
The itinerary is only the beginning. Here’s what our guests notice, from the first conversation until they’re back home.
No two trips we plan are alike. Each one is made just for you—the pace you enjoy, the experiences that excite you, anything that needs special care and the kind of hotel you look forward to coming back to.
Everything we suggest is chosen with that in mind, and we keep fine-tuning the details with you until the trip feels unmistakably yours.
As we were beginning to plan our trip, the Exploration Journeys team listened closely to our interests, preferred travel approaches and some mobility considerations. They offered carefully curated options for us to tailor our overall itinerary, and were highly responsive and very helpful selecting pace and experiences to best match our needs.
Behind the scenes, our team is always thinking a step ahead, anticipating what’s needed and making sure everything is in place for what comes next.
You arrive somewhere new, and everything is ready for you. The people welcoming you know the plan, the next part of your journey falls into place, and you don’t have to keep it all in your head. That sense of ease stays with you, from one corner of Brazil to the next.
The attention to detail and prompt communications resulted in the smoothest, most stress-free trip we have ever taken. The whole experience was amazing.
Most big travel agencies hand your trip over to another company once you land. We don’t. The same team that designs your trip is the one taking care of you while you travel. Our care begins with our first conversation and continues until you’re back home.
While you’re in Brazil, you can reach us directly, 24/7—for advice, a recommendation, help arranging something special or anything else you need along the way.
Special thanks to John who helped both with pre-trip logistics and while we were on the ground. He did everything from changing dinner reservations last minute to tracking down a beloved stuffed animal we forgot at our Buenos Aires hotel (which was safely stowed and returned to us when we came back for our flight home) to even coordinating multiple birthday cakes for my children!
Imagine exploring with someone who loves the place and is excited to share it with you. The conversation flows, your questions are welcome, and you begin to see Brazil through local eyes.
That’s the feeling we want our guides to bring to your trip. We choose them for their knowledge, warmth and personal attention—the qualities that lead our guests to describe their days together as time spent with a friend.
The local guides were not typical at all; with each one it was like spending a day with a local friend.
Traveling far from home feels different when you know people are looking out for you.
You notice it in the thoughtful gesture you weren’t expecting, in someone going a little further than you asked, simply because they want to make your day. That warmth is part of your journey with us.
If it matters to you, it matters to us.
Words cannot express for me how much I felt cared for, watched out for, and nourished during the planning and experiencing of my trip to Patagonia.
Hear what made their trip special
Our guests share what it was like to plan and travel with us.
Guests who took a trip like yours
Read their stories, explore their itineraries, and discover what made each trip special. They’re happy to share more, too—ask us for an email introduction whenever you like.
Susan & her family, ready for the day's adventure, at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires
Chappaqua, New York, USA
We were 22 people, ranging in ages from 8 to 80, traveling to 4 cities in twelve days.
So seamless and easy, I wish I could have them with me for all my travels from now on!!!
Our trip was simply epic. We will always cherish the memories of these amazing two weeks.
Looked after, every step of the way
The people who plan your trip stay by your side while you travel. When something unexpected happens, you have a team who already knows you—and knows what to do next.
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Price per person in U.S. dollars
does not include flights
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Prices below include all hotels, tours, airport transfers and meals mentioned in this itinerary. Domestic airfare is not included. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Basis | Comfort Category LodgingSee hotels » | Deluxe Category LodgingSee hotels » | Unique & Exclusive Category Lodging See hotels » |
| Double occupancy room | |||
| Triple occupancy room | |||
Request a quote for 4 or more travelers or for a single traveler. Prices vary based on travel dates, season, and availability. We accept credit card payments with no surcharge. Our prices are final — you won’t have to pay anything extra, no matter what payment method you use. Domestic flights3 domestic flights neededStarting price per person$ 284Airfares vary with availability — the sooner we book your flights, the lower the airfare. Our airfares include:
Most travel agencies and flight websites quote airfares that do not include any of the above, nor the possibility to book seats in advance, but we always book all-inclusive airfares that allow these. Our goal is that you don’t have to worry about a thing. We take care of:
We actively manage your domestic flight arrangements so you can enjoy a worry‑free travel experience. * For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador da Bahia. For Amazon Rainforest the hotels included are the ones mentioned in the deluxe category. | |||
Make this trip yours
We’ll tailor it to your dates, pace and interests and send your custom itinerary in under 24 hours, with no planning fees.
Looking for the most exclusive and luxurious rooms and tour experiences? We’d be glad to design a Platinum category version of this trip for you.
Frequently asked questions
Pricing, booking & payment
What’s included in the price?
All hotels, tours, airport transfers and meals mentioned in this itinerary proposal.
We include all the necessary entrance tickets to national parks, as well as all other tour-related fees, which are sometimes not included or even mentioned by other travel agencies.
And beyond the travel services themselves, your trip price includes:
- A worry-free experience — our 24/7 assistance team, plus local representatives in every destination, taking care of you and every detail during your entire trip
- Full concierge service before and during your trip: restaurant suggestions and bookings, local tips, and any special arrangement you need — no request is too big or too small
- Close monitoring of all your flights — online check-in handled for you, and immediate rebooking if an airline changes or cancels anything
- Your personalized Travel Booklet, full of useful tips and information to help you make the most out of your trip experience, delivered as a printed copy by FedEx and a digital version
What’s not included in the price?
International airfare to and from Brazil.
Domestic flights for this trip are quoted separately from ground services.
Tips to hotel staff, tour guides, etc.
In Iguazu there is a city tax of USD 3 per person and per night that can only be paid directly at your Iguazu hotel.
These amounts may vary subject to the municipal policy.
Visa issuing expenses to enter Brazil. Travelers from USA, Canada, and Australia are required to obtain a visa to visit Brazil. We'll provide full assistance with the Brazilian visa application process, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience.
Anything not expressly mentioned in this itinerary proposal.
How does the booking process work — and how do I pay?
First we tailor this trip to you: tell us your dates and what you’d like, and we’ll send your own itinerary in under 24 hours, with no planning fees.
When you are ready to proceed with booking your trip, please go to the trip booking form in your itinerary and fill out the required information to begin the process. A non-refundable down payment of USD 250 (or USD 400 for trips booked with very short notice) is required to process your booking. This down payment will be credited towards your total trip payment. Regardless of the number of travelers, only one down payment is needed.
The trip booking process generally takes from 2 to 4 business days. Once all services are booked, we will send you an invoice with the trip booking confirmation and payment instructions. If your trip start date is in fewer than 60 days, we’ll request a full trip payment. If not, we’ll request a first payment of about 40% of the total trip cost, with final payment due 60 days before your trip start date.
We accept all major credit cards. You can also pay with bank wire transfers or check deposits. Our prices are final, you won't have to pay anything extra no matter what payment method you use.
Can I make changes to this trip?
Yes, absolutely. Every sample itinerary is a starting point, and we tailor it to you — your dates, your pace, the hotels you prefer and the activities you enjoy.
Can I change my itinerary after booking?
Before booking, everything is adjustable — dates, hotels, tours, destinations. That’s the point of a personalized itinerary: we’ll go back and forth with you until it’s exactly the trip you want.
After booking, we always book flexible domestic airfares: flights can be changed to future dates with no change penalty as long as the same airfare is available for the new dates (if not, you only pay the airfare difference). For hotels and tours we’ll always do our best to accommodate changes, subject to availability and the conditions of the service suppliers.
What is your cancellation policy?
For all payments which have already made at the time we receive written notice that you must cancel your trip, the following fees will be charged:
- » When only the first payment (approximately 25% to 40% of the total payment depending on the trip) has been made: up to 80% cancellation fee over the first payment will apply, as most domestic flight tickets are non-refundable after being paid for and issued.
- » After your total payment has been made and longer than 60 days to the trip starting date: up to 50% cancellation fee over the total payment will apply. Or up to 60% if the itinerary includes the Pantanal (as lodges have stricter cancellation policies).
- » After your total payment has been made and 36 to 60 days before the start date of the trip: up to 70% cancellation fee over total payment is applicable. Or up to 80% if the itinerary includes the Pantanal (as lodges have stricter cancellation policies).
- » After your total payment has been made and 20 to 35 days before the start date of the trip: up to 90 % cancellation fee over total payment is applicable.
- » After your total payment has been made and 19 days before the trip starting date, or later: there will be no right to refunds.
We’ll always try our best to get as much of a refund as possible, depending on the trip cancellation date, and the conditions of the service suppliers.
Important note: certain hotels, boats, lodges and airlines may have deposit terms and cancellation policies which vary from our own. We may need to collect an additional deposit from you to hold some reservations. The cancellation penalties on payments will be determined by these individual organizations and will override our policy.
Refunds will only be issued to you once we have received the funds back from the supplier(s). Generally, flight tickets cannot be refunded if they are partially used. We are not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund.
Should I buy travel insurance?
We strongly recommend travel insurance covering trip cancellations (reimbursement of non-refundable costs if you must cancel due to illness, family emergencies or other unforeseen events) and flight disruptions (extra expenses if flights are canceled or rescheduled due to weather, strikes or other uncontrollable circumstances).
We do not endorse any specific provider, but we have seen US guests choose companies like Travel Guard or Travel Insured.
Why Exploration Journeys
Why should I choose you for my Brazil trip?
In 20 years of organizing trips, our guests have consistently rewarded us with a 5.0 rating across Google, Facebook and Yelp. More than 750 of them have published their testimonials on our website, with their full names, itineraries and trip photos, and have agreed to be contacted by future travelers.
We are a 3 generational family, group of 10 and have been all over the world together. Fred and his team were by far the best travel experts we have used.
Read their stories, and if you’d like to talk with any of them before you decide, we’ll introduce you by email.
What makes Exploration Journeys different from large multi-country travel agencies?
Most big international operators selling Brazil rely on third-party companies to actually run your trip on the ground. We don’t. We design and operate every trip directly — the team planning your itinerary is the same team taking care of you and every detail while you travel. This allows a level of personalized care that companies that outsource simply cannot achieve.
We have been very fortunate to work with some of the well-known ‘name’ travel companies and their affiliates for trips to Africa, Australia, China and Italy. No company or individual has ever provided anything close to the perfection we received from Fred and his team.
What if something goes wrong during the trip — a cancelled flight, someone gets sick?
Our team monitors your trip 24/7 and is ready to help with anything you need. We closely monitor all your flights — and if an airline changes or cancels anything, we immediately secure the best available alternative and rearrange any ground services as needed. In many cases, we’ve solved it before you even know about it.
We meticulously select, train, and monitor all our service providers — our top priority is that your trip runs smoothly and you take home the best memories.
The same goes for anything personal during your trip — a doctor, a pharmacy, a translation, or help with anything needed or unexpected: our team is one call away at any hour, and we stay on it until it’s solved. Our goal is that every guest feels cared for like family.
Other questions
Are there fixed departure dates? Do I travel with a group?
You can choose any start date you wish for your trip, because all of our trips have private departures. That is, you won’t be traveling as part of a group.
How do you select your tour guides? Do they all speak English fluently?
We don’t just plan your days — we choose who you spend them with. Every guide is hand-picked, and most have worked with our guests for over 10 years, so they know exactly what we expect in terms of experience and care. And yes: all our guides speak fluent English.
After 20 years of operating trips, we keep working only with the guides our guests consistently rate as exceptional — 95% of our guests complete a detailed satisfaction survey after their trip.
Our guides were exceptional and, in fact, some of the best guides we have ever had in our international travels.
Do we need a visa for Brazil?
Travelers from USA, Canada, and Australia are required to obtain a visa to visit Brazil. We’ll provide full assistance with the Brazilian visa application process, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience.
How fit do we need to be? Can you accommodate mobility or dietary needs?
Your itinerary is designed around you — including its pace. All tours have detailed information on their difficulty, and almost every experience can be adapted. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us and we’ll plan accordingly; our guides are exceptional at making sure nobody misses a thing.
Dietary restrictions are no problem either — vegetarian and other dietary needs are handled at restaurants and on tours; just let us know in advance.
Not quite this one?
See other Brazil sample itineraries. Each one is a starting point we’ll reshape around you.
Your Travel Booklet — a preview
Before you leave, we put a little of Brazil in your hands. Your personalized travel booklet invites you to start discovering: what to order at a Brazilian steakhouse, where to wander on a free afternoon, and the stories behind local customs.
Built around your route and travel dates, it brings your daily plans together with local knowledge and practical advice. A companion to spark your curiosity before you go—and help you feel prepared, at ease and connected to Brazil as you travel.
- Packing Made Simple: Unsure what to bring? Our Travel Booklet offers packing tips tailored to each destination and specific suggestions for your tours.
- All About Flights: Everything you need: airline info, flight details, luggage allowances, and mileage programs to ensure a seamless and worry-free trip.
- Manage Money Like a Pro: Make the most of your money—secure the best rates, when to use credit cards or cash, avoiding fees and much more.
- Tipping Made Easy: Clear tipping guidelines for tour guides, drivers, restaurants, and more. Know the customary amounts to show your appreciation.
- Savor Local Cuisine: Discover the best local restaurants with our curated list, including menus, addresses, phone numbers, and payment options.
- Explore Like a Local: Discover the best local tips, insider advice, and must-see highlights to make the most of your free time in every destination.
- Stay Powered Up: Keep your devices charged with all the essential details you need about voltage, plug types, and adapters used in Brazil.
- Your Hotel Essentials: Everything you need to know about your hotels: addresses, phone numbers, check-in/check-out times, breakfast hours, and more.
- Your Day-by-Day Itinerary: Your go-to guide for every day of your trip, featuring detailed activities, tour descriptions, pick-up times, and transfer schedules.