Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro: an Exclusive Visit to the Land of the Jaguar and an Exploration of Rio de Janeiro
Your trip overview
2 destinations included:
- 4 nights in Pantanal (Best place to see jaguars and largest wetlands on Earth. Home to the highest concentration of wildlife in the Americas) - YOUR STAY HERE IS ALL-INCLUSIVE (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, with non-alcoholic beverages. Also snacks during tours.)
- 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro (Breathtaking landscapes & home to one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World")
In the Pantanal we work with the most exclusive lodge in the area, called Refugio Ecologico Caiman. This place is the only area where you have a significant chance to spot jaguars year-round, and because of the high density of jaguars in and around the hacienda, and their habituation to the place, sightings are more probable, and encounters tend to be closer and longer than in other spots in the Pantanal. Besides running a very nice lodge with good food, Caiman takes their tours professionally: every tour is guided by a local "Pantaneiro" who has the expertise to track any of the unique animals found there, and also by a naturalist, some of them having had academic training in biology.
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:
8 days / 7 nights.
Lodging for 7 nights included.
12 first‑class tours with the best tour guides (3 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
4 airport transfers included (all private)
7 breakfasts + up to 4 lunches + 3 dinners included.
Starting price: $ 4,099 per person
Day-by-day itinerary
Pantanal
Staying for 4 nights, with 9 tours included
Day 1: You arrive in Pantanal
Flight arrival in Campo Grande. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the Pantanal lodge with private vehicle and guide.
Note: the order of the tours are determined by Caiman Refuge a few days before the tour dates, so they won’t necessarily be in the same order as listed here. The staff will hand you the program for your stay when you arrive.
Getting Acquainted with "Caiman Ecological Refuge": 130,000 Acres of Wetlands and Wildlife
It’s time to immerse yourself with a newfound knowledge and understanding of how the Caiman Ecological Refuge’s work with conservation and eco-tourism helps provide an amazing balance between humans and nature. We’ll learn all about the inner-workings of the refuge and the Pantanal’s history and ecosystem, as well have the awesome opportunity to closely observe the spectacled caimans who call the wetland waters home.
This is a half-day group tour.
Day 2: Pantanal
A 4x4 Jeep Safari Excursion through the Pantanal Wetlands
The exotic and exciting wildlife of the Pantanal wetlands awaits, as it’s time to explore on a jeep safari the mosaic of flooded grasslands, savannas, and tropical forests that make up this richly diverse and vast expanse of land! We’ll travel through open fields, lagoons and flooded areas in search of the many intriguing animals that call these wetlands home, including the royalty of the Pantanal... the jaguar!
This is a half-day group tour.
A Sunset Canoeing Expedition to Spot Wildlife around the Pantanal Lakes
It’s time for an up close and personal experience with the lush vegetation, majestic wildlife and the cacophony of nature’s sounds of world’s largest wetlands as we paddle our way through marshes and lagoons on a canoeing adventure that involves witnessing a beautiful sunset while on the waters of the Pantanal.
This is a half-day group tour.
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As darkness falls upon the Pantanal wetlands and we return on our vehicle to the lodge from our afternoon tour, we’ll experience the unique orchestra of sounds of the Pantanal’s wildlife, and we’ll take this opportunity to spot the animals that wake up and become active as the coolness of the night sets in. Beneath the starry skies of these exotic wetlands, we may see owls, brocket deer, tapirs, foxes and waters filled with caimans, whose eyes glow in the dark under the moonlight.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour.
Day 3: Pantanal
On the Track of the Largest Cat in the Americas: the Elusive Jaguar
They’re the largest cats in the Americas, known for their dotted-rosette shaped spots and jaws powerful enough to crack a skull or a sea turtle’s shell, and you’re about to get up close and personal with them... the elusive jaguars of the Pantanal. Caiman Refuge is the only place in Pantanal (and possible the world) where you have a significant chance of spotting a jaguar in the wild year-round. And you’ll have the awesome experience of following these majestic animals in their natural habitat as you observe their habits and behavior out in the Pantanal.
This is a full-day group tour
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As we return from our afternoon tour, we’ll ride our safari-adapted vehicle in a mini-excursion to spot the night-time wildlife of the Pantanal.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour
Day 4: Pantanal
Through the Lens: Pantanal Photo Safari Experience
Immerse yourself in the vibrant, lush wetlands scenery while capturing awesome shots of Pantanal wildlife with your lens as you embark on a photo safari. Get your camera ready as we cruise through open fields and flooded areas in search of the perfect picture!
This is a half-day group tour.
A Hike Through Pantanal: The World’s Largest Wetlands
The incredibly diverse and exotic wildlife of the largest wetlands in the world and a sense of adventure awaits us as we take a trek through the Pantanal in search of fascinating biodiversity, including the star of Pantanal: the majestic jaguar!
This is a half-day group tour.
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As we return from our afternoon tour, we’ll ride our safari-adapted vehicle in a mini-excursion to spot the night-time wildlife of the Pantanal.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour.
Day 5: Last day in Pantanal
Transfer with private vehicle and guide to Campo Grande airport.
Rio De Janeiro
Staying for 3 nights, with 3 tours included
Day 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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.
We look forward to welcoming you again in Brazil!Your hotels
7 hotel nights, each with breakfast included.
You have 3 hotel categories to choose from:
comfort category lodging
- Pantanal 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge
“superior” category room at baiazinha lodge: 4 nights
“superior” category room at baiazinha lodge - Rio de Janeiro 3 nightsArena Copacabana Hotel
Arena Copacabana Hotel
Deluxe with front sea view: 3 nights
Deluxe with front sea view
deluxe category lodging
- Pantanal 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge
Suite at cordilheira lodge: 4 nights
Suite at cordilheira lodge - Rio de Janeiro 3 nightsHilton Copacabana Hotel
Hilton Copacabana Hotel
Room with front sea view: 3 nights
Room with front sea view
Unique & Exclusive category lodging*
- 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
* For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Rio de Janeiro. For Pantanal 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 |
|---|---|
| Campo Grande to Rio de Janeiro | 5 hours and 25 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.
A trip shaped around you
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.
Every detail, taken care of
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.
By the time you arrive, we already know you
The people you plan with are the same people looking after you while you travel. From your preferred pace to the experiences you’re most excited about, we’ve shaped the journey together.
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!
See Brazil through local eyes
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.
Looked after like family
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.
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.
The people you plan with are the same people looking after you while you travel. From your preferred pace to the experiences you’re most excited about, we’ve shaped the journey together.
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.
Jodi & Nathan learning to cook & savoring Brazilian dishes in Rio
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Fred and Martin lined us up with amazing English-speaking guides who all were professional, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. In each locations we felt like we arrived as strangers and left as friends!
The tours were all awesome - a wide variety of activities with just enough 'on our own' time.
Fred and Martin are exceptional! The communications and information prior to the trips allowed us to be prepared so we could just enjoy the journey!
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.
Wherever you look
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Speak directly with the founder
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 | |||
Discounts available for groups of 4 or more travelers. 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 flights1 domestic flight neededStarting price per person$ 81Airfares 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 Rio de Janeiro. For Pantanal 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.
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.