Rio, waterfalls, rivers and coast, Brazil tailor-made

Day 1

Arrive Rio De Janeiro

Arrive at Rio de Janeiro airport, where you be met and transferred to your hotel which overlooks the famous Copocabana Beach. The hotel is well placed for exploring the rest of city, or you can just relax after your journey and enjoy the rooftop pool and bar.

Day 2

Rio De Janeiro Tour

A full day guided tour of Rio will help you get your bearings in this vibrant city. You will visit, amongst other sites, the Corcovado, with the iconic Cristo Redentor statue and Sugarloaf Mountain, for fine views of the city. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Breakfast

Day 3

To Iguazu Falls

You will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Iguazu Falls. Check in to your hotel, set in a tropical reserve of lush greenery and woodland, close to the main entrance of the Iguazu Falls National Park and Bird Park. In the afternoon you have a guided tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. This is the opportunity to look over at the falls and admire their size, pretty impressive, we're sure you will agree.

Breakfast

Day 4

Tour Of Iguazu Falls - Argentina

Today you have a full day tour of the Argentinian side of the falls. The most spectacular part of the falls, the Devil's Throat, is on this side, as are some of the best rainforest trails. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon. You can get quite close to the falls at this side, the Devil's Throat in particular. It's mesmerising watching millions of litres of water thundering over the edge into the river below.

Breakfast

Day 5

To The Pantanal

Fly to Campo Grande, where you will be met and driven (approximately 3 hours) to Pousada Aguape, where you spend the next 2 nights. The pousada has been run by the same family for over 150 years and is well placed for exploring the Pantanal. The rest of your day is free. Relax by the swimming pool or in the relaxation area with its chairs and hammocks.

Breakfast, dinner

Day 6

In The Pantanal

A day of shared activities from the pousada. You can accompany guides on an interpretive walk, take a boat cruise and enjoy wildlife viewing in an open jeep. Wildlife here includes marsh deer, capybaras, caimans, anteaters, tapirs and the elusive jaguar. This is also great birding territory. The pousada has its own stables and horse riding is a popular way to explore the area.

Full board

shutterstock_351667169 – gian otter, Pantanal – Ondrej Prosicky – lighter

Day 7

To Bonito

Enjoy more Pantanal activities this morning before the 5 hour drive to Bonito. Check in to your hotel. There may be time to explore the gardens, take the trail down to the river and the waterfall or just relax by the swimming pool and laze in hammocks. Wildlife is plentiful and you can expect to see monkeys, capybaras and macaws on a daily basis.

Breakfast, lunch

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Day 8

In Bonito

A full day of activities in and around Bonito. These will include a visit to the Blue Lake Cave, one of the world's largest flooded caves discovered as recently as 1924, and the chance to take part in a snorkelling tour in the crystal-clear waters of the Rio de Prata.

Breakfast, lunch

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Day 9

In Bonito

Another day of activities in Bonito. Start the day with a visit to Estancia Mimosa, where you'll enjoy a walking trail with waterfalls to admire along the way. Lunch will be served before you return to Hotel Cabanas for an afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast, lunch

Day 10

To Campo Grande

Depart Bonito for Campo Grande. On arrival check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Breakfast

Day 11

To Paraty

You have a morning flight to Sao Paulo, followed by a drive of about 3 hours to Paraty. Paraty is an attractive colonial town on the Costa Verde, set against a backdrop of mountains. The afternoon is free, so you can explore the cobbled streets, churches and waterfront. Your hotel is in a quiet residential location, a short walk from both the waterfront and historic town centre.

Breakfast

Day 12

To Ilha Grande

You will be transferred to Ilha Grande by car and ferry (about 1 hour), to your hotel where you will spend the next 3 nights. Pousada Naturalia is located on the edge of Abrao village at the quiet end of the beach, providing a comfortable beach escape amid spectacular scenery. The village is within walking distance, convenient for restaurants, bars and other activities.

Breakfast

Day 13

In Ilha Grande

You will have a shared boat trip to Lopez Mendes beach today, with time to relax and explore the Atlantic rainforest trails. This is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and is home to many endangered species such as the brown howler monkey, the maned sloth and the red-browed Amazon parrot.

Breakfast

Day 14

In Ilha Grande

A free day in Ilha Grande - plenty of time to relax and soak up the sun. The island is covered in lush green forest, coastal vegetation and mangrove swamps and has several sandy beaches. As well as water based activities, there are some 90 miles of walking trails linking the coastal villages, hamlets, mountain peaks, waterfalls and beaches, an ideal way to explore the island.

Breakfast

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Day 15

To Rio De Janeiro, Depart

Check out of your hotel and travel by ferry and road (about a 3 hour journey in total) to Rio de Janeiro airport, where the holiday ends.

Breakfast

Rio, Waterfalls, Rivers and Coast Itinerary

15 days from £4,080pp plus international flights.