Rio de Janeiro

Today you will arrive in Rio. Surrounded by stunning mountains, white sand beaches and tropical rainforest, Rio offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Wherever you go, you’ll enjoy a wonderful view – it has been blessed with an unrivalled landscape. Your driver will greet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. We’ve not planned anything for this afternoon to allow you to recover from your flight. Explore the city under your own steam and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. A good idea is to head out to Pedra do Arpoador to watch the sunset. Overnight at Windsor Plaza Copacabana.

Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer

This morning start with a delicious Brazilian breakfast, try some exotic fruit and head out to discover the beautiful city. You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast. We planned a day full of excitement and spectacular viewpoints for you: visit the iconic Statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountains. From the top there are breathtaking views. A rack railway will take you up to the foot of the statue, leaving from Cosme Velho district over Tijuca Forest. Located around the base of Corcovado, the dense forest has many springs and waterfalls. After descending, stop at Maracanã and at Sambódromo. Overnight at Windsor Plaza Copacabana.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Today visit Rio’s amazing Botanical Garden with a wide variety of exotic plants and the picturesque neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa with the famous Selaron Stairs. This area is the heart of art and coffee shops in Rio with a vibrant atmosphere. After lunch continue through the old Urca neighborhood towards the Sugarloaf. Here board a cable-car and climb up Morro da Urca. From here, the cable-car travels high above the rugged green terrain to the Sugarloaf’s summit. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views over Rio de Janeiro from the top, sunsets being particularly spectacular. You can also take a scenic flight over the city. Overnight at Windsor Plaza Copacabana.

Foz do Iguacu

After breakfast catch a short flight to Foz do Iguazu. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Discover the Brazilian side of the falls. Walk on the panoramic catwalks seeing the Iguazu Falls with its 275 falls, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Enjoy the landscapes that spread over an area of 186 hectares with lookouts, scenic walkways and hiking paths. There are multiple viewpoints i.e. Salto Floriano, the point in which the waters reach a great flow. Visit the Bird Park which is settled in the middle of the remaining Atlantic Forest. There are 180 fascinating species of birds i.e. macaws, toucans, parakeets, parrots, as well as butterflies and reptiles. After the tour, return to the hotel. Overnight at Sanma Hotel.

Iguazu Falls

After breakfast your guide will take you to the national park to experience a different circuit. Spend the time at your own pace. After lunch, visit the Parc das Aves – a unique bird park which is settled in the middle of the remaining Atlantic Forest. There are 180 fascinating species of birds from all over the world, like macaws, toucans, parakeets, parrots and many more as well as butterflies and reptiles! In addition, the best way to understand the real dimensions of the Falls is to take a beautiful helicopter tour offering an aerial view of national park or get really close to the falls with a boat trip, Macuco Safari. Overnight at Sanma Hotel.

Paraty

After breakfast take a flight to either Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and continue by road to Paraty. The transfer along the scenic road takes from 4 to 5 hours, depending on the traffic and departure point. This is a lovely 17th century town perfectly preserved due to a long period of isolation. Paraty boomed during the sugar cane trade as a port. It became the centre of the Brazilian sugar cane rum – cachaça. The winding, narrow streets paved with giant cobblestones were designed to protect the town from pirate raids. Driving is banned here, which makes Paraty a perfect walking destination. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Sandi Hotel.

Paraty

Today discover the beauties of this tropic bay. Paraty has 65 islands and more than a hundred of beaches of a rare beauty, surrounded by lush vegetation that makes it a quiet and unforgettable place, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Board a charming traditional boat, schooner, from the pier and take a beach hopping tour. You will visit two beautiful islands and two exotics beaches, where you will stop for swimming, snorkeling and relaxation under the sun. Depending on weather conditions, pass through the islands of Comprida, Algodão, Cotia, Praia Vermelha, Praia da Lula, Saco da Velha etc. Lunch is included. Overnight at Sandi Hotel.

Ilha Grande

After breakfast you will be picked up at your pousada and transferred to Angra dos Reis (1,5h), where you will take the ferry to Ilha Grande, a paradise hideaway island. On arrival you will be assisted and transfer to the pousada as there are no cars or roads here. The island features pristine Atlantic Rainforest vegetation, numerous walking trails, waterfalls, tranquil villages and secluded beaches. There is also interesting wildlife, amongst which sloths, monkeys, turtles and other species. It is a protected island and a UNESCO Heritage Site. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, take a lazy walk to the beach for swimming. Overnight at Casa da Ilha.

Ilha Grande

Have breakfast at the pousada and choose between visiting Lopes Mendes Beach or Lagoa Azul. Lopes Mendes Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, located in the southeastern part of the island. Take a boat ride and a short trek through the forest and arrive at a relaxing beach filled with white sand and crystal-clear water. Lagoa Azul is located on the northernmost region of Ilha Grande. Here you can take a schooner cruise to Ilha Comprida and from there you can enjoy this enthralling lagoon and swim among its colorful fish. After the tour, return to the pousada for your last night on the island. Overnight at Casa da Ilha.

Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast adjust your day according to your flight schedule, from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. We will take care of all the transfers back to Angra dos Reis and then to the airport. The road transfer to Rio is shorter than to São Paulo. You may choose to do this trip the other way around or as a circuit starting and finishing in Rio or São Paulo – it might work well with international connections. It is never a bad idea to stop a couple of more days here and there, as there are many things to see. On the other hand, doing nothing and enjoying the atmosphere is always great in this part of Brazil!