Brazilian Nature and Wildlife tour: Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu Waterfalls - Southern Pantanal and Bonito

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 Sugar Loaf. 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.

Welcome to one of the largest floodplains in the world!

After breakfast transfer to the airport and flight to Campo Grande.

You will be picked up at Campo Grande airport and taken to the Pousada, in the south of the Pantanal. During the trip, you will already have a wonderful view of the fantastic environment and, with a little luck, you will be able to see the first animals! Once arrived, check-in at the accommodation.

In the evening, there will be a night safari, during which you can see anteaters, foxes and capybaras.

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.

After a delicious breakfast, you will start the day with a photo safari.

A great opportunity to appreciate the richness of the local flora and fauna and capture them with your camera.

The local guide will take you to the most remote regions by jeep. In the afternoon, after lunch, there will be a horse ride to get to know the area around the lodge in the most authentic way. The horses from the Pantanal have adapted ideally to the local conditions and, therefore, have become the most popular form of local transport.

At the end of the tour, you will return to the lodge and, after dinner, you can comfortably relax in the hammocks.

After breakfast, you will depart for a speedboat excursion on the Aquidauana River.

During the tour, you can admire all the beauty and exuberance of the riparian forest, with its imposing trees, natural habitat of birds, mammals and reptiles that take refuge on its banks.

Let be enchanted by the sounds and songs of the birds.

After lunch, at the accommodation, you will take an afternoon excursion around the area, this time focusing on native trees and plants, many of which are used medicinally.

After a full day, we will return to the lodge for dinner.

Today the journey continues in the untouched nature.

After breakfast, you will leave for an excursion to see the animals of the Pantanal for the last time.

The excursion will be carried out by canoe and moving in silence, you will have the opportunity to see animals that you have not yet been able to see.

At the end of the tour, return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, around 14:00, transfer to Bonito. After about 3 hours of travel, you will check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the night at ease. There are many restaurants in the hotel's neighbourhood, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner.

Drive to Rio da Prata, elected several times as the number 1 attraction in Bonito. The tour starts with a walk through the riverine forest until the Olho d’Água River Spring, a huge natural pool of crystal-clear waters. Equipped with neoprene clothes, mask & snorkel, travelers “float” downstream snorkeling at this magical natural aquarium for around 2km. Tour ends with a delicious lunch at the main facilities. 

Afternoon drive to Buraco das Araras (Macaws’ Sinkhole), a natural crater with 124 meters deep and 500 meters diameter carved at the brazilian Cerrado where a large group of Red-and-Green Macaws nests and live. Travelers will be able to observe the great activity of those amazing birds and several other species. Return do hotel.

Pick up after breakfast and transfer to the Blue Lagoon Cave. The beauty of the lagoon and geological formations of the cave are worthwhile.

Proceed directly to Estância Mimosa, a beautiful spot on the margins of Rio Mimoso replete with pristine nature and several waterfalls. Delicious lunch will be served by arrival. Tour by afternoon, a pleasant walk birding through the gallery forests getting to several spots where travelers can swim and relax in marvelous waterfalls, cascades and natural pools. Return to Bonito, evening at leisure.

After breakfast transfer to Campo Grande 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!