13 Days | An Exceptional Journey
Welcome to Brazil!
Day 1
Arrival into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 2
Immerse yourself in the local culture during a visit to historic Rio, and the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Enjoy a private cooking experience with a local chef
Day 3
Enjoy a visit to Corcovado before it opens to the public. Take an exhilarating helicopter ride from Sugar Loaf Mountain, and indulge in a gourmet picnic lunch on a secluded lagoon
Day 4
Gain insight during a behind the scenes Carnival tour. Travel to the beautiful seaside town of Angra dos Reis
Day 5 - 6
Embark on two full days of private yacht experiences
Day 7
Take a helicopter ride to Rio Airport, fly to Iguassu, and enjoy a walking exploration of the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls
Day 8
Feel the power of the thundering Argentine Falls. Join a foodie enthusiast for a private dinner experience that will take you through Brazil’s rich food history
Day 9
Fly to Fortaleza, board the awaiting helicopter for your trip to the coastal town of Jericoacoara
Day 10
Venture out on a dune buggy adventure to Paradise Lagoon
Day 11
Explore beautiful mangroves, and enjoy a sunset gourmet picnic surrounded by a sea of dunes
Day 12
Enjoy a day at leisure relaxing on white sand beaches
Day 13
Depart Brazil
Desire a perfect trip? With the help of our travel specialists, this journey can be customized around your specific interests, tastes and preferences. We will provide helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
CONTACT US ABOUT THIS TRIP
Your exceptional luxury journey begins with a stay in beautiful Rio.
Head to your hotel, get settled in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Head to Rio’s historic center where you will find most of the colonial architecture. You will have the opportunity to see the influence from the French architecture the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center and Casa Franca-Brasil (France-Brasil Foundation).
The Casa Franca-Brasil was designed by the famous French architect Grandjean de Montigny and is the finest example of neoclassical style in Rio de Janeiro. Marechal Floriano Square, also known as Cinelandia, concentrates the best of late 18th century French-style architecture in Rio de Janeiro and includes the Municipal Theatre (a scaled-down copy of the Paris Opera) Fine Arts Museum, National Library, and the Sao Bento Monastery, which is a classic example of Baroque art.
Discover the mysteries of Brazilian cuisine in a culinary experience with a local chef. The workshop features ingredients that are readily available in the United States and Europe so that travelers will be able to recreate the recipes they learned, at home. You will know how the indigenous, black, and Portuguese people influenced Brazilian culinary and learn to cook one of Brazil’s typical dishes.
Continue to the charming district of Santa Teresa, one of the most original of the city due to its unique hillside geography, history, and the alternative urban lifestyle. This picturesque neighborhood that began as the site of a Carmelite convent (still here) in the 18th Century is home today to some of Brazil’s most vibrant artists – many of whom open their home studios to the public. Rio’s elegance and colorful artistic side are expressed in Santa Teresa’s lush flowers; large, elegant old houses; winding streets; and breathtaking views.
Early this morning you will head to Corcovado for a unique experience. A visit to Christ the Redeemer is a must, and you will be able to enjoy this lifetime experience with a crowd-free access to witness one of the most breathtaking and exclusive spectacles in the world, on top of Corcovado Hill.
Upon reaching the top, experience a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why it is known as the “Marvelous City!” The view, with the surrounding Tijuca National Forest spreading below, is nothing short of heavenly and includes the Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botanical Gardens, the Jockey Club, and the lagoon. The entire city spreads out in a magnificent panorama during the day, glittering and magic after dark and always protected by Christ the Redeemer, who blesses visitors and residents from on high. Exclusively for you!
Head to Sugar Loaf Mountain and appreciate a different view of the surrounding area as you take a cable car to the top. The mountain rises up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. Take a two-stop cable ride to enjoy the beautiful views of the city. The first cable car takes you to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 705 feet above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its islands. The second cable car takes you to the top, at 1,300 feet and offers a 360-degree view of the entire city, the Southern beaches, Corcovado, and Niteroi Bridge.
Depart from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain on an exhilarating helicopter ride to a lagoon, where a gourmet picnic lunch awaits!
One of the most contagious popular festivities in the world, Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is almost entirely crafted in the less privileged communities of the city. You will be part of the Carnival Experience at “Grande Rio”, one of the main samba schools and will get an insider’s perspective on the parade and samba competition in the Sambadrome. Visit the warehouse complex from where it is possible to see the crafting of floats, wear the costumes, and learn a little more about the history of samba and Carnival.
In the afternoon, travel through beautiful forested coastline, arriving at the Angra dos Reis, which is surrounded by 365 pristine islands.
Angra dos Reis is one of Brazil’s most breathtaking destinations. Composed of 365 islands and over 2,000 beaches, the area is a tropical paradise that boasts amazing scenery. Take in the natural beauty as you travel by private yacht sailing from one island to another. Enjoy lunch onboard the yacht.
You can also choose to explore the city center, which is reminiscent of a smaller colonial city and has amazing historical monuments, churches, and beautiful architecture, making it a great place to venture on your own.
Take a short helicopter ride to Rio airport and connect with your flight to Iguassu Falls. From there head to the national park to admire the majestic Brazilian Falls, offering the best panoramic view to the falls. A trail winds towards the falls from the area in front of the Das Cataratas Hotel, populated by contis, long-tailed raccoon-like creatures with a well-developed sense of the feeding habits of tourists. At its end, an elevator provides speedy access to a viewing platform at the foot of the falls. The focal point of the falls, best seen from above, is the Devil’s Throat, a horseshoe-shaped gully in mid-stream, over which seems to pour most of the Iguassu River at the phenomenal rate of 13,000 cubic meters a second.
Your comprehensive tour of Iguassu Falls from the Argentina side will allow you to appreciate the falls’ main attractions such as the Upper and Lower Circuit trails, the Great Adventure Boat trip and the Devil’s Throat.
Great Adventure combines in a single trip the very essence of Iguassu National Park: the jungle and the waterfalls. Take a boat and start your ride to the Lower Iguazu River for as long as 6 kms, heading towards the waterfall area, enjoying plentiful fun rapids.
Upon reaching the Tres Mosqueteros Fall, visitors shall be able to see the falls of both the Argentine and Brazilian sides crowned by the view of the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). The most exciting point comes when facing the incomparable San Martín waterfall, the second largest in dimension and the biggest any boat may face.
The boat trips ends in front of the San Martín Island, where visitors may continue enjoying the landscape joining the runways system of the Lower Circuit, which consists of a series of catwalks strategically placed for several views of the falls and to get close to the cascades and charming spots of the forest.
The Upper Circuit trail offers magnificent panoramic view of the waterfalls and access to the Iguazu River delta, made up of luxuriant vegetation islands. The highlight is the Devil’s Throat, a breathtaking, horseshoe-shaped gorge that is 262-feet high and 492-feet wide and falls into the river with a deafening roar. Sun and water vapor often create rainbows over the falls, crowning this beautiful landscape.
Tonight, get ready to immerse yourself in the local cuisine culture with foodie enthusiast Fabio Del Antonio, the former manager of the food and beverage department at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. Fabio invites you to a lovely property on the Brazilian side, a house that has been converted into a large open kitchen and dining area where he will take you on a trip through the history of Brazilian cuisine.
Very different from a hands-on cooking class, during this experience you will be taught all about the crucial ingredients and techniques found in Brazilian cuisine, from ancient times up until the 20th century. You will enjoy great conversation and a six-course menu.
Fly to Fortaleza, board the awaiting helicopter for your short trip to coastal town of Jericoacoara. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Tap into your spirit of adventure with an exhilarating ride through beautiful sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Take a 4×4 vehicle to Barrinha, where you will plunge into the undulating wilderness, exploring breathtaking dunes. Stop to relax and take in the scenery at the beautiful Paradise Lagoon. Enjoy a pitstop for a picnic lunch, before heading back to your hotel.
Set at the mouth of a mangrove river, Guriu is a picturesque fishing village 12 miles from your hotel. You will hop on a 4×4 vehicle and drive along the beach to this stunning location, where a boat will be awaiting to take you on a nature and wildlife adventure through some of the most beautiful mangroves. Your guide will make sure to point out any fauna or wildlife that is unique to this region of Brazil.
This evening head back to the Sand Dunes to enjoy a gourmet picnic while experiencing the beautiful sunset sinking over the captivating landscape.
Spend an entire day at leisure relaxing at your luxury hotel or exploring the area on your own.
Bid farewell to Brazil as you head out today.
Desire a perfect trip? With the help of our travel specialists, this journey can be customized around your specific interests, tastes and preferences. We will provide helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
CONTACT US ABOUT THIS TRIP
