On the tracks of the jaguar: Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu Waterfalls - Northern Pantanal

Bem-vindo in Brazil! After landing at the international airport of Rio de Janeiro, you will be  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.

After spending the first night in Rio, you can look forward to the most beautiful moments in the metropolis!

After a delicious breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and start the day on an exciting day. You will first be taken to the top of Mount Corcovado for breathtaking views of the city center. Corcovado is home to the famous statue of Christ that surrounds the city. It is 38 meters high and represents the faith and goodness of Carioca, the people of Rios.

There is a stop to visit the Maracana (outside only) and the opportunity to learn a little about the history of the last phase of the football World Cup in 1950 and 2014.

During this half day tour, you will also see the Selaron Stairs, Sambadrome and the Cathedral.

The afternoon is at your disposal.

Optional: For an additional fee, you can visit the Maracanã Stadium inside. To book in advance.

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.

Today you can look forward to a trip to the famous Sugar Loaf and the old town of Rio. After breakfast you will be picked up by your guide and start another exciting day in Brazil's mega-metropolis. Two cable cars take you from the Urca district via the Morro de Urca to the Morro de Pão de Açúcar, the Sugar Loaf. This granite block, which is now a symbol of Rio, was called "pau-nh-acuga" by the natives, which means high, pointed mountain. This became "Pão de Açúcar" in Portuguese, meaning Sugarloaf. The 360 ​​° panoramic view from the top of the Sugar Loaf at an altitude of 395 m above sea level is breathtaking. You can look out over the golden beaches, the green rainforest, and a thriving city.

After a guided tour of the Santa Teresa district. Located in the heart of the city, with its natural and architectural landmarks, its Belvedere, cultural centers, studios, galleries, restaurants, bars, hotels and hotels - and even Carnival blocks - enliven more and more visitors and tourists in the neighborhood, especially those who are looking for another alternative for leisure, with a touch of that calm of the past, in the heart of the central metropolis.

Visit sights in ancient Rio such as the France-Brasil House, the Arcos da Lapa, the Teles arches and Praça XV and stop off at Confeitaria Colombo for a cup of coffee.

The afternoon is at your disposal.

Recommended: You can fly over the whole city of Rio de Janeiro by helicopter for a unique experience! To book in advance.

The adventurous journey from the hustle and bustle of the Brazilian city to Iguaçu Falls starts early in the morning! Fly from Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguaçu.

On the same day you will take a tour of the falls on the Brazilian side. Marvel at one of the great wonders of the world, Iguazu Falls, with over 270 breathtaking waterfalls. After passing the visitor center, continue your tour to the magnificent Iguazu Falls. Take a 1 kilometer walk and admire the beauty of the area. This excursion gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of the falls and a close-up view of the Devil's Throat waterfall.

Your tour ends at the top of Iguazu Falls, accessible via stairs or a panoramic elevator. Then follow the boardwalk to the Porto Canoas space, where you can see the Iguazu River. 

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

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

After breakfast we drive to the Argentine - Brazilian border, to 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 thundering 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. Book in advance.

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport in good time to board your domestic flight to Cuiabá. Upon arrival in Cuiabá, you will be greeted at the airport by your driver and transferred to the Pantanal via the Transpantaneira highway. 

This zone has the greatest plant life concentration in all of Latin America, so the ride is sure to offer incredible views. In Pantanal, you will be staying in a fazenda, a traditional farm, where you will spend the next few nights surrounded by nature.

Please note that the exact scheduling of the excursions may vary depending on the season, water cycle, and weather conditions, so the order in which the excursions will be carried out may vary from what is described in the travel program; the exact times of each excursion will be confirmed by the pousada staff.

In the morning, at 05:00 a.m., we will take a walk in the dawn before breakfast to see the awakening of the day. That is a spectacle of nature that you should not miss.

After breakfast we will go horse riding. Also for people who have no experience riding! Back at the pousada we will have lunch. In the afternoon our next ride will be by boat on the Rio Novo or Rio Claro. With a little luck we can see a family of ariyas, or anta and many birds.

In the morning, at 05:00 a.m., we will serve a coffee. Then we head towards Porto Jofre, which is 107 km from the end of Transpantaneira. On this route we can see many Alligators and Capibaras among others, besides many birds. At some point we will stop for breakfast in the form of a picnic. In Porto Jofre we will start our 5 hour boat trip along the rivers Cuiabá, São Lourenço, Três Irmãos and
Piquiri. In a region of virgin forest, untouched and fascinating. House of the jaguars here we have a good chance to see one or the other in search of food or resting. We will have lunch on one of the beaches on the banks of the river in the shape of a snack. Back to Porto Jofre, we will start our trip back to the inn where dinner will be served.

After breakfast we will take another walk along one of our trails in the expectation of seeing more animals. After lunch you have free time for a swim in the pool or a rest. In the afternoon we will take a walk along one of our trails in the expectation of seeing monkeys, silver nail or howlermonkey. Return to the lodge followed by dinner. If you are interested you can make a night tour.

After breakfast transfer to Cuiab´airport and flight to Rio. 

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!