Rio, Iguazu, the Amazon, the Lençóis and Boipeba Island
A city, waterfalls, a rainforest, a desert of dunes and an island: five very different landscapes in a single trip, from Rio de Janeiro to Boipeba Island, south of Salvador.
This itinerary is based on a trip our team actually organized: every stop, every hotel and the length of each stay can be adapted to your dates and what you’d like to do.
Trip at a glance
- Rio de Janeiro: Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer.
- Iguazu Falls from both sides of the border.
- The Meeting of the Waters and three nights at a lodge in the Amazon.
- The Lençóis Maranhenses, from Lagoa Bonita to the lagoons of Atins.
- Salvador, then three nights on unspoiled Boipeba Island.
With Brazil Vip
An itinerary built with you, at your own pace and within your budget.
Bookings and logistics handled from start to finish.
Assistance 7 days a week during your trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Welcome at the airport and private transfer to your hotel in Copacabana. Rest of the day at leisure.
Included: private airport–hotel transfer, accommodations.
Day 2 — Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro
Cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain for a panorama over Guanabara Bay, then up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer and one of the finest views of the city.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tours with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees for Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Day 3 — Fly to Foz do Iguaçu
Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu
Transfer to the airport and flight to Foz do Iguaçu. Welcome and private transfer to the hotel.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu flight, transfers.
Day 4 — The falls from the Argentine side
Foz do Iguaçu
Crossing the border into Iguazú National Park: a small train takes you to the Garganta del Diablo walkway, then the park’s trails and walkways offer a completely different view of the falls.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tour with an English-speaking guide, park entrance fee.
Day 5 — The falls from the Brazilian side, then Manaus
Foz do Iguaçu, Manaus
In the morning, the Trilha das Cataratas and the panoramic view over the whole of the falls from the Brazilian side. In the afternoon, flight to Manaus and transfer to the hotel.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tour with an English-speaking guide, park entrance fee, Foz do Iguaçu – Manaus flight, transfers.
Day 6 — The Meeting of the Waters and the lodge
Manaus, Amazon
Departure for the lodge via the Meeting of the Waters, where the Rio Negro and the Solimões flow side by side without mixing. In the afternoon, a first boat outing around the lodge.
Included: full board, shared transfer, lodge activities.
Day 7 — Forest and piranhas
Amazon
Easy forest hike with a specialist guide, then piranha fishing. An outing at nightfall in search of caimans.
Included: full board, group lodge activities.
Day 8 — Sunrise and riverside life
Amazon
Leaving before dawn for sunrise over the river, then a visit to a riverside community to discover its way of life. Another boat outing in the afternoon.
Included: full board, group lodge activities.
Day 9 — From the Amazon to São Luís
Amazon, Manaus, São Luís
Return to Manaus, then flight to São Luís. Welcome and transfer to the hotel.
Included: breakfast, Manaus – São Luís flight, transfers, accommodations.
Day 10 — Barreirinhas and Lagoa Bonita
São Luís, Barreirinhas
Drive to Barreirinhas (about 4.5 hours), then a half day by 4×4 to Lagoa Bonita: swimming in the lagoons and sunset over the white dunes.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, transfer, private excursion with a local guide.
Day 11 — The lagoons of Atins
Barreirinhas
A day by 4×4 in the Atins area, in the heart of the park: dunes, crystal-clear lagoons and typical vegetation, away from the busiest routes.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with a local guide.
Day 12 — Fly to Salvador
Barreirinhas, São Luís, Salvador
Drive to São Luís airport, then flight to Salvador. Welcome and transfer to your pousada in the Pelourinho.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, São Luís – Salvador flight, transfers.
Day 13 — Salvador, Brazil’s first capital
Salvador
Half-day guided tour: the Barra Lighthouse and its view over All Saints Bay, then the UNESCO-listed historic center of the Pelourinho.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tour with an English-speaking guide.
Day 14 — Heading for Boipeba
Salvador, Boipeba
A journey of about 5.5 hours by car, catamaran and boat to Boipeba Island and Moreré beach.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, transfers.
Days 15 and 16 — Boipeba at your own pace
Boipeba
Deserted beaches, coconut groves and natural pools at low tide: free days to enjoy the island.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 17 — Departure from Salvador
Boipeba, Salvador
Return by boat, catamaran and car to Salvador airport for your flight home. End of our services.
Included: breakfast, transfers to the airport.
Map
Included in this price
- 16 nights in hotels, a lodge and pousadas, with breakfast; full board in the Amazon.
- Domestic flights Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu – Manaus, Manaus – São Luís and São Luís – Salvador, taxes included.
- Transfers as per the itinerary, private or shared depending on the stop, including the catamaran and boat journey to Boipeba.
- Private tours in Rio, Iguazu and Salvador; group lodge activities; private excursions with a local guide in the Lençóis.
- Entrance fees for Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Iguazu parks.
Not included
- International flights (we’re happy to advise you).
- Meals and drinks not mentioned.
- Optional excursions and activities.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel, cancellation and repatriation insurance.
Nothing is set in stone: every step can be adjusted with our team.
More nights at one stop, a different hotel category or an extra destination: we’ll adapt this trip with you.
Customize this tourSuggested accommodation
Hotels are indicative. We confirm them when we prepare your quote, based on your dates and availability, and they may be replaced by properties of an equivalent category. We can also tailor the choice of hotels to your preferences and budget.
Standard / Guesthouse
- Windsor Martinique Copacabana Hotel — Rio de Janeiro
- Bogari Hotel — Foz do Iguaçu
- Hotel Adrianópolis All Suites — Manaus
- Amazon Tupana Lodge — Amazon
- Stop Way Hotel — São Luís
- Pousada Bahia Pelô — Salvador
Superior / Boutique
- Pousada Encantes do Nordeste — Barreirinhas
- Pousada Alizées Moreré — Boipeba
What to pack
- Light, comfortable clothing, swimsuit and sandals.
- Comfortable shoes for sightseeing and closed-toe shoes for the forest.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or cap.
- Insect repellent, long pants and long sleeves, and binoculars if you have them.
Good to know
The order of visits may be adjusted depending on flight schedules, weather and local conditions.
Visiting the Argentine side of the falls means crossing the border: a valid passport is essential.
In the Amazon, activities are in groups and depend on water levels. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
The journey to Boipeba combines car, catamaran and boat: pack luggage that is easy to carry.
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