7 days
BrazilTrip Itinerary
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Jump into the magical Rio Carnival to visiting the natural wonder of the Iguazu Falls
Welcome to an unforgettable adventure that combines the vibrant energy of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro with the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Iguazu Falls. This well planned itinerary offers a blend of cultural immersion, scenic marvels, and exclusive experiences, ensuring you capture the essence of Brazil's most iconic destinations.
Begin your Rio carnival holiday in the heart the city, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, lively Carnival celebrations, and rich cultural heritage. From the heights of Corcovado Mountain, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city, to the iconic shores of Copacabana, you will explore the city's most famous landmarks and get to experience the grandeur of the Carnival Ball at the historic Copacabana Palace. Experience the thrill of the Samba Parade at the Sambadrome, where the best Samba schools compete in a dazzling display of music, dance, and vibrant costumes.
Your adventure continues to the natural wonder of Foz do Iguaçu, home to the majestic Iguassu Falls. Here, you will experience the power and beauty of the falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, enjoying exclusive access to the park before it opens to the public. Each day is carefully crafted to provide a balance of exploration, leisure, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether soaring above Rio in a helicopter, dancing in the Carnival parade, or feeling the spray of Iguazu Falls on a thrilling boat ride, this trip promises to create lasting memories.
What's Included:
- All accommodation fees
- All activities and tours included in the itinerary
- Entry fees to national parks and reserves
- Bed & Breakfast at all mentioned hotels
- Domestic flights
- All private transfers
Trip Itinerary
Days 1-5: Rio de Janeiro
Day 1 - Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to the vibrant city of Rio! Upon arrival at Rio de Janeiro Airport, you will be met by your guide in the arrival area for a private transfer to your hotel. After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, either relaxing or exploring the surroundings, a wonderful start for your vacation in Brazil.
Day 2 - Full Day Mountain Tour
Today you'll embark on a half-day visit to Corcovado and later, attend the Carnival Ball at Copacabana Palace. Depart from your hotel, you will visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, perched 2,300 feet above sea level on Corcovado Mountain. After a scenic drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, you'll reach the base of the mountain and board a small train that ascends through the lush mountainside. At the summit, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, revealing why it is known as the "Marvelous City."
After a busy day, this evening, you will attend the luxurious Carnival Ball at the renowned Copacabana Palace. This exclusive event attracts glamorous socialites, international stars, actors, soccer players, top models, and even the city's mayor. With young masked entertainers enhancing the atmosphere, this ball gets you in the ultimate festival atmosphere. A black-tie or luxury costume is required for this prestigious event.
Day 3 - Explore Rio de Janeiro
Have a relaxing morning, explore the city at your own pace or relax at your hotel. In the evening, you'll attend the spectacular Samba Parade at the Sambadrome, the main highlight of Rio's Carnival. Fourteen Samba schools compete in this grand parade, which starts at 7 p.m. and continues until dawn. The fierce competition sees two schools drop from the “Special Group” to the “Access Group” each year, with two new schools rising to take their place.
For an immersive experience, you can choose the "Carnival Like a Native" add-on, where you'll participate as an honored guest of a Samba School, complete with a costume. This unique opportunity allows you to join the parade and truly feel the spirit of Carnival (note that this add-on requires providing shoe and clothing size measurements and is not included in the package's final amount).
Day 4 - Carnival Experience & Rio by Night
Spend your morning at leisure before embarking on an afternoon visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain. This iconic landmark attracts over a million tourists annually. You'll take the first cable car to Urca Hill, offering spectacular views of the bay and its islands. From there, a second cable car will take you to the top of Sugar Loaf, where you'll enjoy a 360-degree view of the city, including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado, and downtown Rio. The Express Ticket grants priority boarding on all sections of the cable car.
For an even more thrilling experience, you can opt for a helicopter tour. Departing from the Sugar Loaf helipad, the flight offers breathtaking views of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Botanic Garden, Tijuca Forest, and Christ the Redeemer. This add-on provides a unique aerial perspective of Rio (note that this add-on is not included in the package's final amount).
Days 5-7: Iguazu Falls
Day 5 - Arrival at Foz Do Iguacu
After meeting your guide at the hotel lobby for checking out of your hotel, you'll get a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Foz do Iguaçu. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and provide a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing before enjoying dinner at A Casa do Chef. This gastronomic journey, led by the former chef of the Belmond Hotel, includes a six-course meal paired with wines from exquisite South American wineries. The chef will explain the origins of the ingredients and share intriguing stories about Brazil's culinary heritage.
Day 6 - Full Day at Foz Do Iguacu
This morning after a delicious breakfast, you will depart from the hotel and cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Argentina to visit the Iguaçu National Park. A small train tour through the park includes stops at the upper and lower circuit walkways, offering spectacular views of the waterfalls. The highlight is the suspended platform at the brink of the Devil’s Throat, the largest of the falls, where you'll experience the awe-inspiring power of the cascading water amidst abundant nature filled with orchids, colorful birds, and other wildlife.
Day 7 - Depart Brazil
On your final day, you'll enjoy an exclusive walking tour to the Brazilian side of the falls before the park opens to the public. This special access is available only to guests staying at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, allowing you to admire the falls in solitude.
For an added thrill, consider the Macuco Boat Ride, where you'll journey up the Iguassu River through the rapids. The tour begins with a ride into the jungle, followed by a walk through the rainforest, culminating in a boat ride that takes you up close to the falls. Expect to get completely wet, so wear appropriate clothing and bring a change of clothes. Lockers are available at the pier for an extra cost (note that this add-on is not included in the package's final amount).
At the scheduled time, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and a private transfer to the airport, concluding your unforgettable journey through Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguaçu.
Interested in this trip?
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Enquire OnlineWhy Wayfairer
This wonderful Brazil itinerary gathers all that people love about this beautiful country, creating the ultimate trip to this popular South American country. At Wayfairer, we seek to provide authentic travel for our clients, bringing you to locations which truly encompass the pure beauty of Brazil. Along the way, you will stay at sustainable accommodations which uphold an esteemed level of social and environmental responsibility. You will embark on insightful tours run by local workers with fair wages whilst discovering the unique landscapes of Brazil.
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