Brazil Green & Gold: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Waterfalls, Paraty and Ilha Grande

Bem-vindo in Brazil! After landing at the international airport of Rio de Janeiro, you will be welcomed and warmly welcomed. On the transfer to the hotel on Copacabana you can get a first impression of the former capital of Brazil, which is wonderfully embedded between numerous hills and bays. From a distance you can certainly take a look at the two landmarks of the city: the statue of Christ and the Sugar Loaf. The rest of the day can be used as freetime.

If your flight arrives early in the morning, it is possible to organize a tour on the first day. To book in advance.

During the day tour you will learn about the main attractions of the Cidade Maravilhosa.
We start the day trip to Rio towards Corcovado, where we find the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The tour takes you through the wooded areas into Tijuca National Park, a place full of stories and beautiful natural resources. There is a stop to visit the Maracana (just from outside) and the chance to learn a little about the history of the last stage of the 1950 and 2014 World Cup.
The tour continues to the Sambodromo, where the samba schools parades take place during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Later visit the Cathedral of São Sebastião, patron saint of the city and the Selaron Stairs. The tour also includes the cable car ascent to the Sugarloaf Mountain.
We end our visit to Rio de Janeiro with the most famous beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.
The Um Dia no Rio tour is the perfect tour for anyone who wants to get to know Rio de Janeiro in just one day.

Recommended: In the evening you can enjoy a typical dinner at the famous churrascaria Carretão do Lido. After that you will take part in the Ginga Tropical Show. The show offers an interactive tour of Brazilian culture through dance, music, and live performances. During this show, talented performers dance lambada, samba and bossa nova, dressed in bizarre carnival costumes. Hear folklore from the diverse country, live drumming and the Brazilian martial art: Capoeira. To book in advance.

Free morning.

In the afternoon, learn more about daily life in the favela and the challenges that residents have. Learn about the history of the favela and how these communities have developed into a large part of Rio's culture.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport.

At the airport you will be picked up by our tour guide and immediately off to the highlight of the region: the Iguazu waterfalls! We drive through the tropical landscape to the waterfalls on the Brazilian side. In addition to the waterfalls, you should also take a look at the vegetation with your additional local guide. The high temperatures and the humid climate of the subtropics have created a very rich diversity of plants, which is a habitat for many insects, birds and other animals. We should be careful when we meet coatis. They are quite curious and always hungry. So don't leave your backpack on the floor! ;-)

Afterwards visit the bird park of Foz do Iguazu with more than 150 different species. In huge aviaries you have the opportunity to experience and observe macaws, parrots, toucans etc. up close. Aves Parque is an internationally recognized center for the recreation and protection of birds among the lush Atlantic rainforest.

Optional: anyone who feels like it can take a speedboat to get very close to the masses of water. Book in advance.

After our breakfast we drive to the Argentine - Brazilian border, to the argentinian side of the impressive waterfalls of Iguazu. Over 275 waterfalls plunge into the depths over an extension of 2.7 km. Together with our English-speaking guide, we take a small train to the best viewpoint of the waterfalls, the “Garganta del Diablo”. 80 m, the thunderous masses of water plunge into the depths directly at the edge in front of us. As the name suggests, this is the highest part of the Iguazu Falls: a gigantic water spectacle, the roar, the spray and the power of this natural spectacle will leave a lasting impression on us. Various viewpoints along the footbridges offer varied perspectives.

Optional: anyone who feels like it can take a speedboat to get very close to the masses of water. Or you can fly by helicopter for a unique experience! Book in advance.

After breakfast you will be taken to the airport to continue your journey. Upon arrival, transfer to Paraty and accommodation at your chosen facility. 

After breakfast you will learn about downtown Paraty.

Famous for its outstanding colonial architecture, the historic district is a wonder to explore, with stone streets winding between white buildings and Baroque churches. The cultural offerings are not limited to the historic: Paraty is home to many creatives and entrepreneurs from around the world, whose restaurants, galleries, and stores give the city a cosmopolitan feel. Nature lovers will appreciate the nearby reserves, parks and mountains that surround this fascinating destination.

In the early afternoon transfer to Ilha Grande.

The transfer consists of two parts: From Paraty to Angra dos Reis by car and then by boat to Ilha Grande.

After breakfast at the hotel head independently to the pier in Abraão to begin a boat excursion of the island of Ilha Grande passing by Lagoa verde, Lagoa Azul (natural aquariums), Saco do céu, Praia do amor and praia da Feiticeira.

During the excursion there will be a stop for a buffet lunch (not included).

The tour will last about 6 hours until late afternoon. At the end of the excursion you will be released at the pier in Abraão.

Today is at your disposal.

Many excursions are possible in Ilha Grande:

• Boat trip to the paradise islands of Angra dos Reis via Botinas Islands (natural aquarium), Ilha de Cataguaz (beach), Praia do dentista, Praia da Piedade and Praia das flechas.
• Lopes Mendes or Aventureiro beaches. For the sporty, we recommend the approximately 2.30-hour trek to Lopes Mendes or Aventureiro (coconut tree lying) beach, considered two of the most beautiful and heavenly beaches on the island. There are also boats in the port of Abraão that offer round-trip sea transportation to both beaches.
• Ilha Grande has some waterfalls within it, and Cachoeira da Feiticeira is the most famous and "accessible." The path to it has some steep and slippery sections. It is a 1h30 walk from Abraão, through the Aqueduct, along a relatively well-marked path. Another option is to hire a taxi-boat that will drop you off at Praia da Feiticeira, saving 30 minutes of walking.

Breakfast in the pousada and free morning. In the afternoon, please make your own way to the main dock to take the boat to Conceição de Jacarei and then a transfer return to Rio de Janeiro.

How would you like to spend your last day in Rio de Janeiro? We have a few ideas.

For your final night, we must recommend that you see a Samba show, or even take a Samba lesson! No worries if you aren’t a professional dancer, you’re in the most stress free, uninhibited corner of the globe. As locals say as a life motto: “O mais importante é curtir da experiência!” (the most important of all is to live the experience!)

Sadly, your adventure through Brazil must come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with new and unforgettable memories and experiences! After checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in good time to board your departure flight. 

We hope you had a truly amazing trip and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward!