Your Rio de Janeiro city tour journey begins: you've made it to the city of samba, sun, and endless energy. Welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Free time.

The road runs along the bay: water on one side, green hills on the other. Between them: residential neighborhoods, high-rises, and dense buildings on the slopes. The air is warm, humid, with a salty smell from the ocean. Rio stretches along the ocean. The city line is set by Copacabana beach and Ipanema, with granite slopes rising behind them. In the evenings: street musicians, coconut stalls, and a steady flow of locals.

After breakfast: the Christ the Redeemer statue excursion. The train climbs Corcovado through the tropical forest. The humid air becomes cooler, views of the bay and neighborhoods open between the trees. At the top, at 710 meters, stands the famous statue, 38 meters tall, erected in 1931. From Corcovado the panorama takes in all of Rio: residential districts on the slopes, the arc of Copacabana, Guanabara Bay, the Niteroi bridge, the Botanical Garden, Maracana stadium, and the granite silhouette of Sugarloaf Mountain. At the top there is almost always a wind. For many, this visit is a moment of quiet contemplation: people stay longer at the railings, looking at how the city descends to the water.

If you enjoy urban adventure and iconic landmarks, you can also explore our VIP tour to Argentina with Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls.

After breakfast: Sugarloaf Mountain cable car excursion (4 hours). First stop on Urca Hill with a wide viewing platform and restaurants. From Sugarloaf itself: a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the Guanabara bay, surrounding mountains, ocean islands, the Niteroi bridge, and the Christ statue. Islands, boats, curves of the coastline, and the bay entrance are all clearly visible.

In the afternoon: a jeep tour through the Rio jungle, the Tijuca tropical forest. One of the largest tropical forests located inside a city. The air smells of leaves and moisture, monkeys, sloths, and many exotic birds live here. You learn about the importance of the Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and the measures taken to protect it. A one-hour jungle walk, a visit to the Chinese viewpoint, and a stop for swimming.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Angra dos Reis region (about 3.5 hours from Rio by car). Then by boat to Ilha Grande Brazil, a car-free island Brazil. Check-in and rest.

Ilha Grande is an island on the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, most of which is a protected nature zone. No cars: the island is accessed only by boat, foot trails, and small piers between the bays. The island once housed a penal colony, closed in the 1990s. Now life is centered around the water: fishing boats, small family pousadas, seafood restaurants, and evening bars. 

The local dish moqueca is a thick fish stew with coconut milk, lime, and coriander. The beaches of Ilha Grande alternate with dense jungle, granite slopes, and clear bays where turtles and bright tropical fish are often seen.

After breakfast: Ilha Grande boat tour along the coast with stops at the best beaches and small bays accessible only by water. The boat passes between forest-covered islets and the water changes color from dark blue to transparent emerald. During stops you can snorkel or simply rest on quiet strips of white sand. 

Dolphins, sea turtles, and large tropical fish often appear in the bay. This Ilha Grande trekking and beach day shows a completely different side of leasure in Brazil: after noisy Rio, only ocean, jungle, and boats at wooden piers.

If you love car-free islands and pristine beaches, you might also like our Costa Rica luxury tour with Corcovado National Park and Caño Negro wildlife refuge.

After breakfast: transfer to the airport by boat from Ilha Grande to the mainland coast, then by car. Flight to Foz do Iguacu, welcome, and transfer to hotel. The next part of the route: Iguazu Falls tour, one of the main natural sites of South America. The waterfall system appeared due to volcanic processes and tectonic shifts: the Iguazu River literally breaks into hundreds of streams falling into an enormous canyon. Today the system counts around 275 waterfalls stretched almost three kilometers. Many travel to Brazil specifically for these waterfalls. The roar of the water is audible before you even reach the viewing platforms, the air becomes humid, and clouds of spray and rainbows hang almost constantly over the gorge.

Today: the Brazilian side Iguazu experience. The route runs along walkways and viewing platforms of the national park through humid tropical forest. Iguazu National Park is one of the last large sections of Atlantic forest on the southern continent. Giant ferns, vines, and araucarias grow here. Coatis run along the paths, long accustomed to people. Toucans, macaws, capuchins, and the rarer jaguars live in the forest. From the Brazilian side you can see the whole cascade system, and the most powerful section of Iguazu: the Devil's Throat Iguazu, where streams fall from about 80 meters. A remarkable contrast between the lazy flow of the water above the falls and the powerful plunge.

The power of Iguazu is unforgettable, and you can see it from both sides on our Brazil and Argentina tour combining Rio, Iguazu and Buenos Aires.

"Macuco Safari" – a boat ride straight to the falls!
The adventure kicks off with an open-air electric jeep ride through the jungle. As you wind through the lush Atlantic Rainforest, your guide shares fascinating insights into the region's ecosystem and wildlife. A short hike then brings you to the Iguazu River, where a motorboat takes you right up to the falls. The roar of the water drowns out all voices, thick mist fills the air – and the thrill is absolutely overwhelming!

The Iguazu Bird Park immerses you in a tropical forest where birds fly freely around you. Step into vast open-air aviaries, and you'll find toucans, macaws, flamingos, and other exotic species gliding overhead and landing on branches just within arm's reach. So close you can study every detail, from colourful plumage to graceful wingspans. For many, this is the most breathtaking moment of the trip.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Campo Grande. Arrival and transfer to the Pantanal. Accommodation at Pousada Aguape lodge (full board). 

The Pantanal is a unique nature reserve in Brazil, a flooded plain covered in dense flowering vegetation, a refuge for the rarest bird and animal species. Here the landscape is more open so animals are seen much more often. Jaguars, caimans, capybaras, anteaters, toucans, and hundreds of bird species live among the tall grass, lakes, and slow rivers. This Pantanal wildlife tour and Pantanal boat tour experience is ideal for Brazil wildlife watching). We go on foot excursions, drive across the plains, and take horseback routes through the wet savanna. In the evenings, birds, frogs, and insects are especially audible.

Days in the Pantanal are built around nature and weather conditions: routes change depending on water level, animal activity, and time of day. The best time for Pantanal jaguar safari and wildlife observation is early morning: at dawn caimans, capybaras, anteaters, and dozens of bird species appear along the roads and at the water. During walks the guides help you notice details you might miss: tracks on wet ground, movement in tall grass, toucans and macaws nesting. Along the way: termite mounds almost as tall as a person, giant water lily patches, and trees completely occupied by stork and ibis nests. Part of the routes goes on horseback through flooded savanna.

For more wildlife encounters and big cat sightings, discover our Brazil Emotions tour with a jaguar safari by boat and a Cessna flight over the Pantanal.

Early morning departure to Bonito - Brazil snorkeling and ecotourism territory: a region of clear rivers, limestone caves, and humid tropical forests. Only in a few places in the world has nature been preserved in such pristine beauty. 

On the way: an excursion to Estancia Mimosa farm. This is a large fazenda combined with a nature trail through the forest along the Mimoso River, past hills and waterfalls. The main route runs along wooden walkways and dirt tracks with viewpoints, small bridges, swimming areas, and descents to waterfalls. 

The streams are not high but there are many: water flows in cascades through limestone rock and forms transparent natural pools. An observatory visit, a small boat trip, and a 6-meter diving board await. After the walks, a delicious lunch with local products is served, then you can relax in hammocks. Transfer to the hotel in Bonito: Arte da Natureza.

After breakfast: the Blue Cave grotto in Bonito, Brazil. You descend through a limestone cave to an underground lake with transparent water. When sunlight enters through the upper fractures, the water begins to glow a bright blue. In the 1990s, remains of prehistoric animals were found on the cave floor, including a giant sloth and a sabre-toothed tiger. 

After lunch: Sucuri river snorkeling in Bonito ecotourism territory. This river is considered one of the clearest in South America: underwater visibility reaches tens of meters. The current slowly carries you past underwater plants, limestone rocks, and large river fish. This route is often compared to cave diving in Brazil, though no special training or equipment is needed.

Today: Bonito waterfalls, river float, and zip line. First: a float down the river in special inflatable tubes. Transparent water framed by limestone banks and tropical plants. The current carries you calmly downstream past overhanging trees and small rapids. The rocky bottom and fish are clearly visible. 

Then: zip line Arvorismo Cabanas, 6 km from Bonito-MS. A course 15 meters above the ground through the treetops with suspension bridges, ropes, and two descents, the last of which goes directly to the water of the Rio Formoso. Birds and the rustling of leaves, monkeys and toucans between the platforms. The safety system is continuous so you move without stopping to re-clip carabiners.

For more underwater adventures and unique caves, explore our  luxury Peru tour with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham train.

Optional Abismo Anhumas cave: a descent into one of the most unusual caves in Brazil, 20 km west of Bonito. The route begins with a narrow crack in the limestone, behind which hides an enormous underground cavity. The descent goes by cable to about 72 meters deep. Gradually the darkness gives way to the reflection of water: below is an underground lake, transparent, with giant stalactites hanging from the ceiling. An ideal place for snorkeling or cave diving in Brazil. Only a few small groups are allowed in daily.

After breakfast: transfer to Campo Grande airport. Flight to São Luís, then transfer to hotel.

São Luís stands on the Atlantic coast and is noticeably different from the other cities on the route. After the jungles, rivers, and caves, São Luís adds its own character: an ocean city with vivid architecture and music on the streets. Narrow streets, stone lanes, houses with balconies and facades covered in Portuguese azulejo tiles. Among the sights of São Luís: museums, 17th-century churches, markets, and beautiful beaches. Due to French influence, the city developed differently from most colonial ports in Brazil, and this is clearly visible in the architecture. A standout among the old buildings: the 17th-century Palace of Lions with columns and wide staircases by the ocean. During the day: markets and cafes in the center. In the evening: reggae music from bars and open squares. São Luís is considered the music capital of this genre.

At 07:00: departure for Barreirinhas (4 hours by road). The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park tour begins. The road passes through northeastern areas of Maranhão state with palm groves, small towns, and patches of red earth. Barreirinhas is a quiet and beautiful town on the banks of the Preguiças River. The national park is just outside the town. Its main feature: the Lençóis Maranhenses dunes with Lençóis Maranhenses lagoons that appear after the rainy season. Between the white sandy hills, lagoons form with transparent water in blue and green shades.
At 14:00: departure by jeep into the national park. This is a Lençóis Maranhenses 4x4 and Brazil desert tour experience. The route passes through the dunes to the Blue Lake where you can swim and walk along the ridge tops. By evening the light softens and the lagoon surface reflects the sunset sky. Return to Barreirinhas.

Breakfast at the hotel. At 08:30: a motorboat trip along the Preguiça River, one of the main waterways of the Lençóis Maranhenses region. The route passes mangrove groves, sandy shores, and small settlements where life is still connected to fishing and the river. First stop: Vassouras, known as the little Lençóis. Fresh coconut water among the dunes, and tame capuchin monkeys running freely on the wooden walkways. Then: a fishing village and the Preguiças lighthouse. 160 steps to the viewing platform, but at the top a panoramic view opens over the sandy dunes, the winding river, strips of the Atlantic, and the dense green coastline. After lunch: transfer to São Luís.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival: welcome and transfer to hotel. This day completes the route and shows what you can see in Brazil in 17 days: several completely different regions of the country. You saw Rio between the ocean and granite slopes, walked through the Tijuca tropical forest, reached Iguazu Falls and the flooded plains of the Pantanal. You discovered the clear rivers and caves of Bonito, walked the colonial streets of São Luís, and the white dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Brazil changed almost every day: megacities, savannas, jungles, ocean islands, and the northeastern Atlantic coast. Returning to Rio gives you a chance to feel the scale of the country once more before flying home.

If you are drawn to desert landscapes and coastal ecosystems, you can continue your journey with our Chile VIP tour featuring the Atacama Desert and glacier flights.

Breakfast. Transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport. This Brazil adventure tour comes to an end. Over these days Brazil showed itself from very different sides: noisy Rio, the humid forests of Iguazu, the open spaces of the Pantanal, the clear rivers of Bonito, and the white dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses. This 17 day Brazil itinerary is remembered not only for the change of landscapes. Perception of distances, nature, and the rhythm of life gradually changes. This wildlife and nature Brazil journey, with its rainforest trekking Brazil and Ilha Grande jungle hiking, is one of the finest Pantanal and Lençóis Maranhenses itineraries available. A perfect Brazil adventure for couples and one of the best Brazil tours 2026 2027). Available as a Brazil adventure tour from USA or 17 day Brazil tour from Europe Ask us about Pantanal and Bonito package price options for your dates. experience, this Brazil adventure vacation 17 days is the complete Jaguar safari and cave exploration and Bonito adventure tour package.