Overview & Highlights
This varied escorted group journey begins in the exotic bay-side city of Rio de Janeiro and includes the architectural masterpiece that is the capital Brasilia, the wildlife-brimming swamps and pastures of the Pantanal and the Iguazú Falls.
- Rio: city tour, Sugar Loaf mountain and Corcovado mountain
- Foz do Iguaçu: Excursions to both sides of the falls
- Brasilia: Tour of the city
- Pantanal: 3 day full programme of excursions on foot, horseback and by boat or road
Brazil has an exotic variety of wild life thriving in spectacular natural settings. This journey takes you to a selection of these remarkable places.
The trip begins in Rio de Janeiro, an imposing city clinging to forested mountains and the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. From here, head west to view the roaring waters of the Iguazú Falls, where a foaming torrent pours over 275 separate cataracts and walkways lead you through subtropical forest to stunning view points.
Next it’s Brasilia, the country’s futuristic capital offers brutalist architecture, a modernist Cathedral and wind-funnelled avenues.
We travel on to the Pantanal wetlands, Latin America’s wilderness safari park, and a wonderful place to observe thousands of aquatic, forest and grassland birds as well as a host of exotic mammals, before you head back to Rio for one last caipirinha cocktail and a stroll along Copacabana beach.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Rio
Days 2
City tour of Rio including Sugar Loaf and Corcovado mountain.
Days 3-4
Fly to the Iguazú Falls. Visit both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides.
Days 5-6
Fly to the capital Brasilia.
Days 7-10
Fly to Campo Grande and drive to the Pantanal wildlife wetlands. Excursions by boat and on foot, based at a traditional pousada (lodge).
Day 11
Return to Rio.
Day 12
Depart for international flight or extension.
UK clients arrive home the following day.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Rio
Those of you arriving on an international flight will be met at the airport by the tour leader or a local representative and escorted to the group hotel in Copacabana. The drive from here into the city gives a fleeting glimpse of the docks and commercial centre as you head towards the magnificent stretch of sand at Copacabana beach.
You spend 2 days in Rio, with time to explore this extraordinary city of extremes. Sumptuous apartments overlook the sparkling bays against a backdrop of half-built shanty towns, favelas, which cling precariously to the hillsides. Rio squats among towering jungle-clad granite mountains, fringed with white sand beaches which swoop down into the Atlantic surf.
Days 2
City tour of Rio including Sugar Loaf and Corcovado mountain.
Today is an included tour of this iconic city, including the cable car up to Sugar Loaf mountain, a twin-peaked vertical mountain protruding over the ocean, and enjoy the views back over the city and into the lush mountains beyond. You’ll also board a steep rack-and-pinion railway which glides up through tropical Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world dripping with fruit and flowers, to reach the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Here the famous 40m art deco Christ the Redeemer statue soars above the city, arms outspread benevolently. On a clear day the views over the city and out across the ocean and outlying islands are stupendous.
Days 3-4
Fly to the Iguazú Falls. Visit both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides.
We head to the airport for the flight to the Iguazú Falls. Situated where the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge, the town of Foz do Iguaçu is your base for 2 days. A total of 275 falls thunder through dense forest over a 2.5km stretch. The u-shaped Devil’s Throat is a thunderous gorge where the frothy water of the Iguazú River crashes over a 1km wide precipice and columns of vapour are thrown skyward. Elsewhere the river flows decorously through the rainforest breaking up into dozens of smaller falls. You can often spot colourful toucans perched in the foliage above the tumultuous waters.
From the Brazilian side there is a broad panorama of these magnificent falls, while a series of walkways on the Argentine side take you through the abundant forest, beneath and even behind some of the dramatic cataracts. Walking within touching distance of these thunderous cascades, your clothes and hair soaked with the spray, is one of the most invigorating experiences to be had.
Days 5-6
Fly to the capital Brasilia.
Brasilia was, upon inception, one of the most futuristic and innovative cities in the world. Situated not far from the geographical centre of the country. Brazil’s capital is still a fascinating place to visit, and you will take a tour of it’s principal attractions: Our Lady of Fatima Church; the Super Blocks district; St John Bosco Sanctuary; the TV Tower; JK Memorial; Metropolitan Cathedral; Itamaraty Palace; Ministries Boulevard; Three Powers Square; Jabarú and Alvorada Palaces; and the South Embassies Sector.
Days 7-10
Fly to Campo Grande and drive to the Pantanal wildlife wetlands. Excursions by boat and on foot, based at a traditional pousada (lodge).
In the west of Brazil lies a vast area of wetlands known as the Pantanal, a flight to Campo Grande followed by a few hours by road take you into this vast wilderness. This huge territory of rivers, marsh, savannah and cattle ranches is considered to have the world’s most dense flora and fauna ecosystem, and in the wet season 80% of the land is submerged by the overflowing rivers which nurture a rich variety of aquatic plants. You are based in a lodge which is also, a working ranch. Take a 4WD by road and track tour through the open grasslands, stunted cerrado vegetation, swampland and permanently flooded bays.
Ride a horse across the savannah, motorboat down the local rivers or paddle a canoe on one of the numerous waterways. Set out to explore the countryside at night, when the Pantanal comes alive with the sounds of frogs and insects.
Over 3 full days knowledgeable local guides take you to areas inhabited by giant storks, caiman, giant anteaters, armadillos, howler monkeys and capybara. There is also an extraordinary variety of birdlife: in addition to the aquatic birds egrets, macaws, parakeets and toucans all provide clusters of colour in the low trees. Whatever the season, the wildlife is abundant.
Day 11
Return to Rio.
Fly back to Rio for a final night in one of the world’s most exciting cities.
Day 12
Depart for international flight or extension.
UK clients arrive home the following day.
Essentials
Tour info
About Our Group Tours
To find out more about how our group tours including group sizes, solo travellers and why to choose us. Please click here.
Tour Leader
On this tour, you’ll be accompanied from start to finish by one of our exceptional Journey Latin America tour leaders. From the moment you land in Latin America until the day the tour ends they will deal with all the practicalities, expertly adapting to the circumstances and individual needs of the group. Rather than different guides in different cities, your leader will get to know the group and keep you informed and entertained as you go.
Summary Of Nights
12 days, 11 nights: Rio 2; Iguaçu 2; Brasilia 2; Pantanal 4; Rio 1.
Accommodation
For our Discovery Journeys we aim to use good quality, value-for-money accommodation, in a mix of larger more modern and smaller family run hotels. All the properties we use are well maintained and rooms will have a private bathroom with hot water.
The focus of these trips is on getting outside, seeing the sights, and experiencing local restaurants and cafes, therefore a few hotels may not have evening dining facilities. If you prefer more luxurious accommodation, please see our classic tours range.
We use the following properties on this tour:
• Rio de Janeiro: Windsor Copa Hotel
• Foz do Iguaçu: Hotel Taroba
• Brasilia: Brasilia Palace
• Pantanal: Pousada Aguape
On very rare occasions these hotels can change, however please speak to one of our consultants who can provide full details for each departure if you have any doubts. Address and contact details will be sent out with your final documents.
Transport
4 flights (longest 5-6 hours with connections). All land transport is operated privately for the group.
Meals
Breakfast daily. Full board at the Pantanal lodge.
Optional Excursions
On this tour the price includes excursions in all the places you visit as per the itinerary. There will however likely be some free time when you may choose to take part in an optional excursion. These are booked locally through your tour leader once you are in Latin America, however we are more than happy to advise you of what is on offer in advance of your holiday so you can best plan the excursions that suit you.
Travelling Alone
There is no extra cost for single travellers who are willing to share a room. You will be accommodated with a same-sex member of the group who is usually also travelling solo. For single travellers who wish to be sure of having their own room there are a limited number of single supplement places available, which carry a surcharge.
Trip Suitability
There are some long days spent travelling (including a number of internal flights) and in the southern summer the heat can be tiring. No previous horse riding experience is required for the horse back trip in the Pantanal.
Climate
We run this tour outside of the wet season from May to November. Brazil is at it’s hottest in our winter so from May to September, temperatures are more moderate and there is plenty of sunshine.
In the Pantanal from April to June the waters recede and water-birds return to the isolated lakes, while July to September wildlife is at its most abundant. A comprehensive overview of the weather in all the regions you are visiting can be found in our Destination pages. Our Travel Experts can answer your questions on climate and further details will be sent with your confirmation documents.
Clothing, Equipment and Luggage
A daypack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books/tablet and a water bottle. For day-to-day wear you should take loose-fitting, breathable clothes. Comfortable shoes are important and sandals are useful. A sun hat, sun block and sunglasses are necessary, and you should take warmer layers for the cooler evenings, as well as swimwear, a towel, insect repellent and a torch. Binoculars are useful for wildlife spotting in the Pantanal.
Money
Please see the Country Info tab on this holiday for our latest currency information and advice about how to take your spending money. Tipping in Latin America is almost always done using cash. It is customary to tip tour leaders, local guides, drivers, boat crews and other service providers such as restaurant staff and porters. Full tipping guidelines are sent with your confirmation documents as is advice on local costs.
Health, Entry Requirements and Insurance
For health information on travelling to Brazil including recommended vaccinations, please see https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
All Latin American countries have specific entry regulations related to Covid 19. Please also check our Travel Hub for further information.
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Other nationalities should enquire with us or check with the consulates.
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel insurance website.
Our full briefing dossier contains more information on vaccinations, visas and insurance and will be provided with your final travel documents or can be requested from your travel consultant at any time.
What's included in the price
- Services of Journey Latin America tour leader
- All land and domestic air transport
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified
- Excursions as specified
Included Excursions
- Rio: city tour, Sugar Loaf mountain and Corcovado mountain
- Foz do Iguaçu: Excursions to both sides of the falls
- Brasilia: Tour of the city
- Pantanal: 3 day full programme of excursions on foot, horseback and by boat or road
What's not included in the price
- Tips and insurance
- Meals other than specified
- Optional excursions
