Rio and Iguazu

Rio and Iguazu, rated in a BBC book as two of the world`s unforgettable places to see before you die! Enjoy 3 full days at Rio, relaxing and seeing the main sights in and around this vibrant city, before heading to the wonders of Iguazu and its incredible waterfalls crashing into a canyon deep below.

Day 1 Rio
Upon arrival our representative will be waiting for you at the airport and he will take you to your hotel. 

Day 2 Rio (city tour, Sugar Loaf)
After buffet breakfast a half day tour of the city and Sugar Loaf. We pass the dream beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Continuing along Guanabara Bay is the Modern Art Museum, Rio’s most important centre of contemporary art, and Glória Church, a precious gem of Luso-Brazilian Baroque perched on a hill. We then head towards the square where the history of Rio de Janeiro began.

Past Praça Mauá we visit Rio`s modern Cathedral with its four huge stained-glass windows. Traffic permitting we also stop by the Teatro Municipal, a tribute to the Paris opera house. Leaving the city centre we head to the Sambódromo. This kilometre-long street is custom-made for samba parades. Each year Rio`s top samba schools have some 60 minutes to parade the results of a year´s preparation. Further north, we reach Maracanã, the world’s largest football stadium. More than 11,000 people were involved in the construction.

Finally, on to Sugar Loaf. With Corcovado Mountain it is one of Rio`s most emblematic landmarks. Two cable cars rise 396m above Rio, the first to the top of Urca Hill with its great view of Guanabara Bay and the winding coastline. The second cable car goes up to the peak. Rio lies at our feet, and we are offered visual proof that the city deserves its nickname ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (Marvellous City). The afternoon is free.

Day 3 Rio (Corcovado mountain, Tijuca Forest)
After breakfast, a half day tour by jeep of Corcovado & Tijuca Forest. Corcovado, topped by the 32m statue of Christ the Redeemer, is the most famous and enduring image of Rio. The views are simply stunning: you can see the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and the Botanical Garden. From another spot you see the Maracanã stadium, Guanabara Bay and Sugar Loaf. Corcovado is in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the world´s largest urban forest. The jeep takes you through this, stopping for a walk in a forest trail up to Cascatinha Fall. The afternoon is free.

Day 4 Rio (Petropolis)
A day trip to imperial Petrópolis. When Rio became too muggy in summer, the imperial family escaped to this charming mountain retreat, 53 kilometers (33 miles) to the north. Petrópolis is inextricably linked with Brazil’s great historic figure, Dom Pedro II. The son of Austrian empress Leopoldina and Brazil’s first emperor, Dom Pedro II reigned for 50 years from 1840, abolishing slavery and forging a nation. The neo-classical Imperial Palace is a perfectly-preserved summer palace. Not to be missed are the imperial scepter and the 1.7kg crown with 639 diamonds and 77 pearls. We then visit the Gothic-style Cathedral. The buildings, parks and squares of historic interest reveal the city’s undeniable European face. Lunch* at a local restaurant before returning to Rio. (* Not included in economy).

Day 5 Rio - Iguazu (Brazilian falls)
Transfer to airport for your morning flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. After check in, a walking tour of the famous Brazilian falls and a safari boat trip along the Iguassu River to see the mighty waterfalls from below. The national park of Iguassu is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first encounter with the largest rain forest of Southern Brazil is at the Visitor Center. The Brazilian side offers a superb panoramic view of the immense waterfall and one of the best views of the most spectacular section of the falls. The impact of 13,000 cubic meters of water per second on basalt rock produces an impressive rainbow-spanned cloud of spray. A catwalk, reached by a winding foot trail and an elevator, provides more intimate views.

Next stop, the national park´s Macuco Trail. A jeep is the best way to explore the rain forest with its 2,000 species of subtropical plants in different layers from the forest floor to high tree canopies. After 3km we start walking with eyes and ears open for animals and birds. A hiking trail leads to the Macuco Falls, one of the most picturesque places in the national park. At the banks of the Iguassu River, we take a specially-adapted boat and head towards the Iguassu Canyon for close-up hypnotizing views of the waterfalls crashing down from the cliffs high above.

Day 6 Iguazu (Argentine falls)
The Argentine falls are noted for close-up views of the individual falls and the forest. We leave the hotel and cross the frontier at the Tancredo Neves Bridge. On the Argentine side a scenic highway leads up to the Argentine Iguassu Park. The park covers an area of 55,000 hectares; its fauna includes jaguars, tapirs, brown capuchin monkeys, along with a huge variety of birds and butterflies. We have ample time to visit the upper Argentine Falls and look behind the falls as well as at the San Martin Falls.

Day 7 Iguazu
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.