A holiday to Brazil doesn’t need to cost a fortune and you can still experience the country’s highlights in comfort. This itinerary is perfect if you want to see the main sights and you are either short on time or on a tighter budget. These 10 days are still packed with unforgettable experiences through Brazil’s natural landscapes, rich history and most iconic destinations.
You will spend three nights in Rio, one of the most recognizable cities in the world. And rightly so. A city full of colours and sounds, drenched in sunshine all year round and with a breath taking setting between the blue ocean and the verdant hills. From here you will travel to Iguaçu Falls where you will spend two nights and will witness the majesty of this natural wonder. A short flight will take you back to Rio where you will be taken by land to the colonial gem of Paraty with its charming church and cobblestone streets. After two nights in the seaside town you will finish your holiday in Ilha Grande. An island with a diverse and unusual past, nowadays Ilha Grande is a fabulous retreat offering tropical beaches and virgin Atlantic forest. The perfect place to relax, snorkel and simply sit back and reconnect with nature.
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro where your guide and driver will meet you and take you by private car to your hotel. Depending on your flight arrival, you might have some free time before bedtime so enjoy your hotel’s wonderful location near Ipanema beach, offering plenty of boutiques, bars and restaurants.
Today you will discover the true highlights of Rio! Not only will you visit the famous Corcovado mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, but you will also take a tour of the lesser known Tijuca forest and Botanical gardens led by an experienced English speaking guide. And if this wasn’t enough, you will travel through the city in an open air jeep!
Today is free for you to enjoy as you wish. You may choose to lay on Rio’s famous beaches, soak up the Brazilian sunshine and watch the world go by or we suggest to visit the charming district of Santa Teresa and the vibrant Lapa.
In the morning you will be taken to the airport where you will catch your flight to the Iguaçu Falls. Shared between Argentina and Brazil, they are one of the world’s natural wonders and are truly astounding. You will arrive at Foz do Iguaçu airport in Brazil and a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
The Brazilian side of the falls offers a panoramic view to give you a sense of how big and majestic they are. You will be accompanied by an English speaking guide and the tour will last approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon you will have some free time to relax or we suggest to either add a guided tour of the Argentinian side of the falls or a visit to the bird park.
In the morning you will be taken by a private car to the airport to catch your flight to Rio. Once landed, you will board a bus service to the town of Paraty, around 4 hours away.
This lovely city has preserved its colonial architecture and natural beauty over the years. Paraty has charming cobbled streets in its historical centre, where the adorable Nossa Senhora dos Remédios’s Church and the simplicity of residential constructions compose what IPHAN (Brazil’s National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage) calls as “the most harmonious colonial architectural complex”. However, you will not be enchanted by the architecture alone, Paraty will charm you with all its cultural expressions, including culinary, handicraft gifts, dance, religion, music, art and the exuberant nature. This private tour is a pleasant walk through the historical centre with a guide telling you interesting stories and legends about the past.
Today you will be taken by shared transfer to the pier of Conçeiçao de Jacarei where you will board a boat transfer to Ilha Grande. Here you will check into your resort where you will spend the next two nights.
Ilha Grande is a tropical paradise with pristine beaches and lush vegetation. It is the perfect place to relax and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Your resort offers the use of snorkelling masks and kayaks or they can also provide boat tours of the island at a supplement if you wish to explore.
Today you will be taken by shared transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport to catch your onward flight.
Please note: All included tours are on a shared basis with English speaking guides apart from Paraty where the tour is private. The 4 wonders jeep tour in Rio needs customers to be able to climb on a jeep. If you are uncomfortable with this, we can offer a more traditional tour but this might be at a supplement.
All prices correct at the time of writing. Give us a call on 0207 112 0019 or email to discuss your requirements and get a confirmed price.
Please remember this is a sample itinerary and we are happy to modify it to suit your plans. We can add or remove days and look at different places to stay.
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