Ultimate Brazil 22-day journey

Galeão Airport (Gig) - Rio De Janeiro

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro

Transfer from Galeão Airport (GIG) to your hotel
Car Transfer: Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met by your driver at the airport and transferred by private service to your hotel. Estimated travel time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Length of service will depend on traffic, and final destination/neighborhood. *This service includes a driver who may not speak English. Please advise if you would like to be greeted by a driver or guide who speaks fluent English.*

Christ The Redeemer

Day 2: Rio de Janeiro

Parque Lage and Hike to Christ the Redeemer
Excursion: The Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue, at the top of Corcovado Mountain (710m / 2330ft), is certainly Brazil’s most famous landmark, located in the first sector of the Tijuca Forest National Park. Our hiking starts at Parque Lage, a park covered with atlantic rainforest, with a beautiful and imposing old mansion and many century-old palm trees. The ascent lasts about two and a half hours, and from up there the view is very rewarding and it’s considered to be one of Rio’s most privileged belvederes. Tour includes guide, tickets to attraction, equipment and transfers.

Vidigal Favela

Day 3: Rio de Janeiro

Vidigal Favela and Dois Irmãos Hike
Excursion: Explore a little bit of the Vidigal community today. Vidigal is a pacified favela, or slum, on the city's south side, near famous beaches like Ipanema. From the favela, you'll get amazing views of the city and the ocean, but the best view you'll have is of the day to day life of a typical "Carioca" who lives in Vidigal. You'll take the community vans, visit local restaurants and shops, and hike through the forest at the top of the favela to get a view of the city from the iconic Two Brothers' Mountains.

Galeão Airport (Gig) - Manaus (Mao)

Day 4: Manaus

Transfer from your hotel to Galeão Airport (GIG)
Car Transfer: Private transfer from your hotel to Rio's international airport. Estimated journey time - 30 minutes, traffic depending


Flight from Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Manaus (MAO)
Scheduled flight Transfer: You will board your flight at Galeão airport and travel north across the country to Manaus Airport (MAO). Estimated flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes Please note there is a time difference between these two cities, with Manaus being one hour behind Rio de Janeiro. Luggage allowance per person: - One personal item (small backpack, purse, max dimensions: 45x35x20 cm) - One carry-on up to 10 kg (max dimensions: 55x35x35 cm) - One checked bag up to 23 kg (max dimensions: 158 cm linear - total sum of dimensions)


Transfer from Manaus Airport (MAO) to your hotel
Car Transfer: You will be met at Manaus airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Estimated transfer length: 25 minutes

Rio Negro

Day 5: Manaus - Autazes

Swim with pink dolphins on Amazon Rio Negro tour.
Excursion: You will be picked up from your hotel entrance, and from there you will head up North, to a small village named Cachoeira do Castanha, where you will have the opportunity to observe (and swim with!) pink dolphins in the river. The dolphins are fed at set times with exposure to tourists limited so that they can maintain their independence. Running these tours are IBAMA-licensed local handlers who live on the river and ensure the dolphins are treated in a fair and ethical manner. Following your swim, you'll get a chance to go piranha fishing, and have lunch on a floating riverhouse restaurant in the village.


Indigenous village visit
Excursion: Visit an indigenous village, Dessana, where members of the community will perform typical dances that they still practice to this day. You will have time to interact with the villagers, and learn about their day to day lives. These people have very limited financial resources, so the experiences you have with them are a way for them to continue living in their communities. As times have changed through generations, they can no longer survive on their hunter/gatherer tradition, and therefore live a 'mix' of traditional and modern life. Interacting with the villagers makes for an educational experience and is a respectful way to learn about their culture. All of our experiences in indigenous, fishing, farming, and slum communities are run by locals who simply want to share a little bit of their day-to-day experiences with travellers.


Encounter of the Rivers.
Excursion: Visit the encounter of the rivers Rio Negro and Solimões, where you will discover more about the phenomenon of this river encounter.


Transfer from Manaus Airport (MAO) to your lodge in the Amazon Forest
Mixed Transfer: You will be met by your guide at Manaus Airport and transferred to your lodge in the middle of the jungle, taking a land transfer and boat. Estimated travel time: Depends on destination, weather and terrain. Usually 2-4 hours total travel time.


Night Canoeing to Spot Nocturnal Wildlife in the Amazon
Excursion: Take a boat from your Amazonian lodge to find alligators and other nocturnal creatures along the river. On the way, you'll learn about the different fauna you can find in the region, and if found on your excursion, you'll have the chance to hold a small alligator in your hands!

Amazon Jungle

Day 6: Novo Airão - Manaus

Mirante do Gavião - Amazonian Sunrise and Jungle Walk
Excursion: Today, rise at 5:30am. If you’re a morning person, waking up today will be an absolute treat. If you’re the opposite, the same applies, because an Amazonian sunrise is not to be missed. From your suite balconies, or the lodge’s serene pier, witness the vision of the red sun emerging from the distant fringes of the Rio Negro. Enjoy breakfast to a chorus of birds and feel humbled by the sheer scope of the Amazon. Afterwards, amble through the jungle. This morning, you’ll learn about the typical herbs used by the natives and caboclos of the region to treat a variety of illnesses and ailments. Alongside this, gain some awareness of jungle survival techniques- but rest assured, you won’t be needing them on this trip.


Canoeing through Creeks.
Excursion: The igarapés, or creeks, of the Rio Negro are home to a thrilling variety of animals, including monkeys, toucans and some pretty flamboyant parrots! The most direct way of viewing these is from a canoe. Drift leisurely along the water’s surface in hushed tones, and maximise the chances of animals snooping out from the foliage.


Night Canoeing to Spot Nocturnal Wildlife in the Amazon
Excursion: Take a boat from your Amazonian lodge to find alligators and other nocturnal creatures along the river. On the way, you'll learn about the different fauna you can find in the region, and if found on your excursion, you'll have the chance to hold a small alligator in your hands!

Amazon Jungle - Manaus - Fortaleza

Day 7: Autazes - Fortaleza

Tapioca Flour Workshop
Excursion: You'll head into a part of the wood where you'll pick tapioca root to take to a small production site in the village. Once there, you'll get a lesson on how tapioca flour is made, a traditional ingredient used in a variety of meals throughout Brazil.


Transfer from Amazon Forest to Manaus
Mixed Transfer: On leaving your lodge, hop on a boat, then a van, and then one more boat to Manaus. Here you will be welcomed by our driver, who will then take you to the either airport in Manaus for your flight or downtown to your accommodation in Manaus.


Flight from Manaus (MAO) to Fortaleza (FOR)
Scheduled flight Transfer: Flight from Manaus airport to the Northeastern state of Ceará's capital, Fortaleza. Please note there is a one hour time difference between these two cities, with Manaus being one hour behind Fortaleza. Estimated travel time: 3 hours on a direct flight.


Transfer from Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to your hotel
Car Transfer: Transfer from this central airport to your hotel in the city.

Fortaleza - Jericoacoara

Day 8: Jericoacoara

Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara
Car Transfer: Today's transfer is an event in itself - you'll pass about 30 beaches on your way to the village of Jericoacoara, a truly atmospheric fishing village on the Ceará coast. Estimated travel time: 5 hours


Fortaleza to Jericoacoara - The Scenic Route
Excursion: The route to Jericoacoara is quite a thrill, with many off-road tracks and jungle-fringed paths, passing by stunning coastline. Starting at the beaches of Icaraí and Cumbuco in Fortaleza and carrying on to the Barra do Trairi, we'll stop the car en-route and visit Lagoinha beach. We'll then go to Guajiru, and admire the further beaches of Icaraí da Amontada, Apiques, Caetano, Baleia, Mundaú. We finish at the gorgeous Praia do Preá, before arriving in wonderful Jericoacoara, known by the locals as Jeri. Throughout this ocean route, we'll see seascapes, dunes, and palm trees guiding us to small fishing villages, intertwined with boutique hotels typical of the Ceará coast. Throughout the journey we'll stop for lunch, pictures and swimming, but locations will be determined by the highs and lows of the tide on certain beaches - and the weather!

Mangue Seco And Guriú

Day 9: Jericoacoara

Spot Seahorses at Mangue Seco and Guriú
Excursion: Explore some of the gems of Jericaocaora today. Leave early, heading through the beach to the Mangue Seco and Guriú, for a boat trip through the mangroves and to see spectacular seahorses. We'll then take a wooden ferry to Tatajuba, and then the Lagoa da Torta, where we'll stop for a swim and have some optional snacks before returning to Jericoacoara.

Jericoacoara National Park

Day 10: Jericoacoara

Relax at Jericoacoara National Park
Excursion: Today, you’ll journey across the scenic Preá beach and reach the Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Paraíso. Both lagoons are a snapshot of paradise itself. Float across the crystal waters or recline in a hammock under the shade of a palm tree. After a lazy day in heaven, return to Jericoacoara and head to Pedra Furadao, or the Arched Rock. From any angle, and the views of this formation will be striking against the backdrop of cobalt skies and crashing waves. Finally, gaze out from the Sunset Dune to the setting sun.

Jericoacoara - Parnaíba - Parnaíba Delta

Day 11: Parnaíba - Jericoacoara

Transfer from Jericoacoara to Parnaíba via beaches, ruins and villages
Car Transfer: After breakfast and checkout, make your way to Parnaíba. Leaving Jericoacoara, visit a few beaches and villages on the way to Piauí. The Mangue Seco, Guriú, Velha Tatajuba and the buried ruins there, the small village of Nova Tatajuba, and Coqueiro Solitário, Moréia and Impuranas.


Visit the Parnaíba Delta
Excursion: Visit the Parnaíba Delta, the only open ocean delta in Latin America and a real ecological sanctuary. The delta is made up of unique and erratic igarapés (creeks), rushing streams and an intriguing variety of fauna which evoke a landscape that is almost other-worldly. See crab fisherman bringing in the daily catch (much of which is served in Parnaíba's local seafood restaurants), and visit the Porto dos Tatus on Ilha Grande de Santa Isabel.

Parnaíba - Atins

Day 12: Atins

Transfer from Parnaíba to Atins by car and boat
Mixed Transfer: You'll leave the hotel in the morning and be on your way to the northeastern state of Maranhão. Stop in the tiny town of Paulino Neves, where you'll continue onto the beach in a private vehicle to where the sprawling dunes of the Pequenos Lençóis begin. Arriving in the Lençóis, pass through the small villages of Vassoura and Mandacaru, stopping to absorb the intriguing scenery. Then head to Caburé, which is a small village on a piece of land right between the river and the ocean. Afterwards, you'll get on a speed boat along the Preguiças River to finally arrive in Atins - a charming, secluded area among the dunes to relax and enjoy the nature of the coast.


Free Day in Atins
Excursion: Atins is a small village situated near the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses - a cluster of sandy streets and dunes with an impressive beach. Atins is secluded and definitely evokes a feeling of remoteness. There are some pleasant guesthouses and a few restaurants, but the most enjoyable part of being here is the ability to get lost among the National Park's more distant lagoons and having much of them to yourself.

Atins

Day 13: Atins

Exploring Atins
Excursion: Today, visit the Lençóis via Atins. We'll take a truck ride over the dunes, and stop at several lagoons for an invigorating swim along the way. If the mood takes you, you'll also have the chance to go horseback riding, or to rent buggies for a more adrenaline-filled ride! After a memorable day exploring such an enchanting naturally-occurring site, watch incredible shadows dapple the sand as the sky darkens and the sun sets over the dunes.

Barreirinhas - Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Day 14: Barreirinhas

Transfer from Barreirinhas to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Car Transfer: You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park via Barreirinhas. Estimated travel time - 1 hour.


Explore Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Excursion: You will enter the Lençóis Maranhenses today, leaving from Barreirinhas. Barreirinhas as a town doesn't have a lot to offer visitors, but it does make an excellent base for visiting the other-worldly Lençóis. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is named after the Portuguese word for bedsheets (lençóis) due to the scattered, sheet-like appearance of its 1550 sq-km of light-coloured sand dunes. In the right season, rainwater forms freshwater lagoons in the creaks and valleys among the dunes, perfect for swimming in. Under the direction of your guide you will find the ideal amount of solitude among the lagoons, giving the sense that you are totally alone in your own remote idyll. A must-do in northern Brazil.

Barreirinhas - São Luís

Day 15: São Luís

Transfer from Barreirinhas to São Luis
Shared Bus Transfer: Shared transfer on minibus from Barreirinhas to São Luis. Estimated journey time - 3-4 hours, depending on traffic and conditions.


São Luís City Tour
Excursion: Sao Luis is a very distinctive city, somewhat overlooked in Brazil - evidenced by the mixture of beautiful restoration in its architecture, alongside crumbling, neglected builds and sprawling favelas. It has a large Afro-Brazilian population and is renowned for its reggae music scene, as well as the famous Bumba-meu-boi festival. This vibrant culture as well as its beach life, pleasing food options and UNESCO-protected historic centre makes it an intriguing city to unpack, full of colour and contrast. Approx tour length: 3 hours. Includes: transportation and English-speaking guide.

São Luís Airport (Slz) - Cuiabá - Nobres

Day 16: Nobres - Cuiabá

Transfer from your hotel to São Luís Airport (SLZ)
Car Transfer: Private transfer from your hotel to the airport in São Luís


Flight from São Luis (SLZ) to Cuiabá (CGB) via Brasília (BSB).
Scheduled flight Transfer: Flight with connection in Brasília, to Cuiabá, Mato Grosso.


Transfer from Cuiabá Airport (CGB) to Nobres
Car Transfer: Private transfer from Cuiabá Airport to Nobres, Mato Grosso


Snorkelling in Nobres
Excursion: Today, you'll visit Bom Jardim, near Nobres. After lunch at the hotel you'll experience the unique beauty of this colourful landscape and shortly after, equipped with snorkelling equipment (life vest, goggles, snorkel and fins), you'll enter the underwater world. The Pintado, Dorado and other diverse aquarium fish live in this underwater basin. In the late afternoon, you'll drive to the Lagoa Azul (around 5pm), where hundreds of different bird species are to be found such as the yellow macaw and hyacinth macaw.

Nobres - Pantanal

Day 17: The Pantanal - Poconé

Transfer from Nobres to Pantanal
Car Transfer: You'll travel today towards Poconé (250 km), and alongside the Transpantaneira to your hotel in Poconé. On the way, you will have several stops to observe the flora and fauna along the road.


Horseback Riding in the Pantanal
Excursion: The Pantanal is cowboy country in Brazil! This is the best place to witness the traditional Pantaneiro lifestyle, where fishing, horse-riding and cattle farming is prolific. So today, get your hats and boots on and take a leisurely horseback ride along the river to get into the cowboy spirit. Tour is done early in the morning and is appx 2 hours. Estimated time: 1 - 2 hours Small group with English-speaking guide


Nocturnal animals in the Pantanal
Excursion: Leave your lodge and jump into a canoe or truck with your guide to seek out night-dwelling creatures in the region.

Pantanal

Day 18: Poconé

Fauna Exploration in the Pantanal
Excursion: Even if the thought of waking up early is harrowing, rising before the break of dawn in the Pantanal is well worth those blurry-eyed yawns. The intensity of the morning red, orange and pink is mirrored across the surface of the waters. This is coupled with majestic bird song to create a truly transfixing atmosphere. As the wildlife begins to stir, catch them in their natural habitat as you venture into these captivating wetlands. With an extension of approximately 11,000 square kilometres, only 3% of the Pantanal is made up of dry land, meaning the wealth of fauna to sight is immense. To list them would take hours, so get your shoes on and see for yourself.

Pantanal - Cuiabá - Iguaçu Falls

Day 19: Foz do Iguaçu

Transfer from Pantanal Lodge to Cuiabá Airport (CGB)
Car Transfer: Transfer from your Pantanal lodge to the airport in Cuiabá.


Flight from Cuiabá (CGB) to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU)
Scheduled flight Transfer: Take a flight to the south of Brazil, Iguaçu Falls, with a connection in São Paulo state. Flight time is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, and will include a connection in São Paulo or Brasília.


Transfer from Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU) to your hotel on the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls
Car Transfer: Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport (IGU) to your hotel in Brazil. Transfer length: approximately 30-45 minutes

Itaipu Dam - Iguaçu Falls - Brazil

Day 20: Foz do Iguaçu

Visit to Itaipu Dam
Excursion: Dubbed one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Itaipu Dam is one of the largest clean energy dams in the world. On the border of Paraguay and Brazil runs the Parana River - see how it yields the dam with exhilarating power. Gaze at the plummeting depths of this whopping man-made construction, delve into its fascinating history and learn about the dam’s more practical masterminding. This tour will include a "Special Circuit" Tour, where you will see the dam from the inside. When you visit the technicians’ layer, be sure to keep an eye lifted for the yellow strip along the floor: this represents the border between Paraguay and Brazil, and serves a purely symbolic purpose.


Visit Iguaçu Falls - Brazilian Side
Excursion: The epic Iguaçu Falls are a sight to behold. Feast your eyes on the thundering torrents and breathe in the fresh mist of the water as you stand awe-struck on the Brazilian side of the falls. Not for no reason is it considered one of the greatest natural spectacles in the world: the falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil) and make up the largest waterfall system on the planet. With 275 drops of varying heights, you will notice its distinctive stairway formation. The Brazilian side offers a wealth of walkways and viewpoints to lead you straight to the core of nature itself, alongside spectacular panoramic views. Walk along the edge of these waterfalls as the spray engulfs you, and feel even closer to Brazil’s natural splendour.

Iguazú Falls - Argentina

Day 21: Puerto Iguazú - Foz do Iguaçu

Visit the Iguazú Falls - Argentine Side
Excursion: Having marvelled at the falls from one perspective, be further dazzled by them from another in an entirely different country: Argentina. Be exhilarated by possibly the most dramatic section of the falls: Garganta del Diablo, or the Devil’s Throat. As you tread along the walkway, prepare to be swallowed up whole by it’s cacophonous surge, and don’t forget to bring a waterproof as you’ll be a lot closer to the splash. This edge provides an almost aerial view of the waterfalls earth-shattering depths. Make sure your camera has waterproof protection if you wish to capture this. Given Iguazú National Park is notably larger than it’s Brazilian neighbour, there are even more opportunities for you to be roused by your heavenly surroundings. Peruse the options offered here, such as a jeep tour through the jungle or a boat tour into the falls from below. If you wish to take on the park alone, there are copious trails which lead to hidden spots and unique views. This tour is usually a full day - Arriving at the park at around 08-08:30, and leaving at around 16:00.

Foz Do Iguaçu Airport (Igu) - Rio De Janeiro Airport

Day 22:

Transfer from your hotel to Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU)
Car Transfer: Private transfer to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) airport, for your flight. Transfer length: 25 minutes


Flight from Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to Rio de Janeiro (SDU)
Scheduled flight Transfer: Flight from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport. Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.