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14 days

Rio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday

Experience the world’s largest waterfall at Iguazú, the vibrant metropolis of Rio, colonial history in Paraty, and conclude your tour with relaxation on the beautiful island of Ilha Grande.

Rio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday
Rio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday
14 days
HomeLatin AmericaBrazilRio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday

Rio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday

Experience the world’s largest waterfall at Iguazú, the vibrant metropolis of Rio, colonial history in Paraty, and conclude your tour with relaxation on the beautiful island of Ilha Grande.

HomeLatin AmericaBrazilRio, Iguazú and Beach Holiday
What is included in the price?
This package includes the following
  • Flight from the UK to Foz do Iguaçu and return from Rio de Janeiro
  • 1 domestic flight: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro
  • Transfers from the airport at Foz do Iguaçu and Rio to your hotel
  • Mini-bus (and boat) from Rio de Janeiro – Paraty – Ilha Grande – Rio Airport
  • 11 nights at good hotels, including breakfast
  • Individual tour; however, all excursions are in small, international groups with local, English-speaking guides
  • 24-hour manned emergency telephone throughout the tour
  • ATOL certificate included
  • Departure guarantee – The price is valid when at least 2 people travelling. Please ask for a price if you are travelling alone

Comprehensive package of excursions:

  • Welcome meeting in Foz do Iguaçu
  • The Iguazú Falls from both the Brazilian and the Argentinian side
  • Guided city tour in Rio including a visit to Sugar Loaf and Mount Corcovado with the famous Christ the Redeemer statue
  • Guided city tour in Paraty
  • Admission to all attractions mentioned

THE TOUR IN SHORT

On this tour, you will discover Brazil’s unique nature at the enthralling Iguazú Falls. You visit both the Brazilian and the Argentinian side of the falls to get the ultimate experience.

A tour to Brazil wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the magical city of Rio de Janeiro! Whether it is the infectious cheer of the local people, the music and dancing, the outdoor life at Copacabana and its many other beautiful beaches, or the view from the top of Mount Corcovado that gives the city its breath-taking atmosphere, is up to you to decide.

The next stop on the tour is the pleasant colonial town of Paraty, where you get exciting insights into the history of Brazil. The cobblestone streets and chalk-white houses with colourful windowpanes take you on a journey to a forgotten time.

The tour concludes with relaxation on the island of Ilha Grande, which features one of Brazil’s most beautiful, heavenly beaches; Lopes Mendes.

Why choose this tour

  • Be blown away at the impressive water volumes of the Iguazú Falls from both the Brazilian and the Argentinian sides
  • Feel metropolitan rhythm and charm in the capital of samba, Rio de Janeiro
  • Visit the pleasant and charming town of Paraty and get an exciting look into Brazil’s colonial history
  • Unwind on the fantastic, untouched beaches of the gorgeous island Ilha Grande

Our prices always include

  • All international and domestic flights
  • All destination transfers
  • All specified excursions and activities
  • All accommodations
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from the UK

Today, you leave the UK and head to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil with connecting flight(s) on the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Foz do Iguaçu – Welcome meeting – Iguazú Falls (Brazil)

Foz do Iguaçu is the starting point for tours to the fantastic Iguazú Falls. Iguazú Falls actually consist of 275 larger and smaller waterfalls spread over almost 2.7 km, which vary between 60 and 82 metres in height. The waterfalls were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1984. For the ultimate waterfall experience, you visit the waterfalls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides.

On arrival, you are picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. To ensure that your visit to Brazil gets off to the best possible start, our partner will come to your hotel and hold a short welcome meeting of around 30–60 minutes. This is an opportunity for you to run through your tour together and get answers to any questions you may have about the tour or other practical questions about Brazil.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Brazilian side of the falls.

The Brazilian side is where you get the most spectacular panoramic view of the waterfalls. You follow small paths out to a viewing platform, from which this natural wonder enthrals both you and your camera.

The waterfalls are in the middle of a tropical rainforest, and your guide will tell you about the unique flora and fauna in the area. You also cannot help but get acquainted with the curious coati, who are always on the lookout for some food scraps from the many visitors.

Day 3: The Iguazú Falls (Argentina)

Today, you will experience the falls from the Argentinian side. You will be picked up from your hotel and cross the Tancredo Neves bridge over the Iguazú River, which forms the border between Brazil and Argentina.
A train takes you to the largest and most well-known of the waterfalls, Garganta del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat. From here, you make your way along walkways to the most impressive section of the waterfalls. Here the thundering of the waterfall is deafening, and the mist can leave you quite soaked. But it is a completely indescribable experience to stand in the middle of these immense forces of nature.

NOTE: Remember to bring your passport on this day, as you will be crossing the border to Argentina.

Due to heavy rain in October 2023, the footpath to Devil’s Throat was damaged, and renovation work on the new path is not expected to be fully completed until around October/November 2024. During this period, walks to other areas of the falls will be arranged, and it is still an absolutely fantastic experience to visit the falls from the Argentinian side.  

Day 4: Flight from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast, you fly from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio. At the airport, you are picked up by an English-speaking guide who drives you to your hotel, which is near the famous Copacabana beach.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation:
Day 5: Guided city tour in Rio

Enjoy a calm morning in Rio, as no activities are planned until the afternoon.

You can relax on the beach, jump in the waves or take a walk along the busy boardwalk at the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, where Rio’s inhabitants, known as Cariocas, eagerly run, bicycle and do other forms of exercise.

In the afternoon, you’ll experience some of Rio’s highlights on an exciting city tour. The tour starts by going to some pleasant districts, Santa Teresa and Lapa, where artists in particular have settled down. In Lapa, you visit the beautiful and colourful Selaron Steps, which became the life’s work of the iconic Chilean artist Jorge Selaron. The stairs are made from old porcelain and mosaic collected by Selaron throughout his life.

One of Rio’s biggest attractions in the 38-metre tall statue of Christ, which stands and watches over the city from Mount Corcovado. The statue has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. From here you get a fantastic panoramic view of the Tijuca National Park, the Guanabara Bay, and Rio’s wonderful beaches. Lunch is not included on this tour, but it is possible to buy a sandwich and other snacks along the way.

The tour concludes with a visit to a 396-metre high mountain, Pão de Açúcar, also known as Sugar Loaf Mountain. You reach the top of the mountain using cable cars crossing over the coast of Rio. Here too you will get a spectacular view of this magical city as the sun quietly sets behind the mountains.

You’ll be back at your hotel at 7-8 pm and have the rest of the evening to yourself.

Accommodation:
Day 6: Rio de Janeiro on your own

The day is at your disposable in Rio, but you also have the option to purchase exciting excursions from home. For instance, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the big carnival, see the city from a bicycle or head out and experience the festive nightlife with a guide.

Day 7: Rio de Janeiro on your own

You have the day to yourself to explore Rio. You can choose to relax on the beach or purchase extra excursions, giving you the opportunity to experience even more of what this adventurous city has to offer.

Day 8: Rio de Janeiro to Paraty – guided city tour in Paraty

The contrast is huge when you come from the bustling metropolis of Rio to the pleasant colonial town of Paraty, where daily life takes a calmer pace. You are picked up at your hotel in Rio in the morning, and the trip to Paraty takes about 4-5 hours.

In the afternoon, a local guide takes you around the city centre and gives you exciting insights into the history of the town. In colonial times, Paraty was a Portuguese property and served as an important port town, where gold, gems, sugar, coffee and slaves were freighted in and out. That the town was once so wealthy can be seen in the cobblestone streets and gorgeous buildings and churches.

Accommodation:
Day 9: Paraty on your own

You have the day to yourself in pleasant Paraty. Perhaps you aren’t done letting yourself wander through the cobblestone streets with its many small shops and cafés.

You can also choose to purchase a boat tour in the Paraty Bay and visit gorgeous beaches and Bounty islands, or join a tour out to Paraty’s surrounding rainforest, where you will see beautiful waterfalls, learn more about the famous and infamous “gold trail”, and get a taste of the Brazilian liquor cachaça, which is used in Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink.

Day 10: Paraty - the island Ilha Grande

Look forward to relaxing these last few days on the lush and heavenly beauty of Ilha Grande island. Here you will find fantastic, untouched nature and over 100 beautiful beaches. This hilly island is 193 km2, and its highest point, Pico da Pedra D’Água, sits at 1031 metres above sea level. Nearly 90% of the island is either a protected reserve or national park to protect the unique plant and animal life that can be found here.

After breakfast, you are driven to the port town of Angra Dos Reis, from which you sail over to the island, a trip taking about 1.5 hours. On your arrival at the island’s biggest town, Vila do Abraão, you have a short, 10-15 minute walk to your hotel. A porter from the hotel will be there to meet you, carry your luggage and show you the way to the hotel. There are no roads on the island, so you get about on foot, by bike or by boat.

Accommodation:
Day 11: The island of Ilha Grande on your own

The day is spent at your leisure. There are many different hiking routes on the island, and you must not miss the chance to go exploring on this lush island and experience its breath-taking nature. You may be lucky enough to spot exotic birds, howler monkeys, and perhaps even sloths.

One popular trekking tour is to the island’s most popular and most beautiful beach, Lopes Mendes. This white sandy beach and its azure waters led it to be named one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. You can only get there on foot or by boat. This tour can be purchased from home.

Day 12: The island of Ilha Grande on your own

This day is spent at your leisure as well. The island offers many kinds of water sports activities, such as kayaking, diving and snorkelling.

You can purchase a boat tour to the beautiful blue lagoon from home, and you can bathe and swim with colourful fish in the clear water.

Day 13: The island of Ilha Grande – Rio – Departure day

Your tour has reached the end of its journey, and it is time to say goodbye to this wonderful island. You are taken back to the mainland by boat, and drive with a minibus to the airport in Rio, where your flight home begins. Travel time is approx. 5 hours

Day 14: Arrival back home

You land in the UK after an eventful tour of Brazil.

When would you like to travel?
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All prices shown are per person
Please note that the price of a single room only applies when for at least two people. Please contact us if you’re travelling alone.
Special offers for groups of 6 or more. Request a quote today for more info.
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Emily Roper

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