Rio, Iguazu, the Amazon rainforest and the Northeast coast
Five nights in Rio, Iguazu Falls from both sides, three nights at a lodge in the Amazon, then the Route of Emotions: the Lençóis Maranhenses, the Parnaíba Delta and Jericoacoara.
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, Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa and two free days.
- Iguazu Falls from both sides of the border.
- The Meeting of the Waters and three nights at a lodge in the Amazon.
- The lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses, the Preguiças River and the Parnaíba Delta.
- Jericoacoara by buggy and a free day in the village.
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 — Santa Teresa and the historic center
Rio de Janeiro
A walk through the hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa, with its colonial houses and artists’ studios, then the Selarón Steps, Lapa and the historic center.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tours with an English-speaking guide.
Days 4 and 5 — Rio de Janeiro at your own pace
Rio de Janeiro
Beaches, neighborhoods, restaurants: enjoy Rio at your own pace, or add an excursion if you like.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 6 — 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 7 — 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 8 — 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 9 — 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. First activities around the lodge.
Included: full board, transfer arranged by the lodge.
Day 10 — 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, lodge activities with an English-speaking guide.
Day 11 — Sunrise and riverside life
Amazon
Leaving at dawn for sunrise over the river, then a visit to a riverside community to learn about its culture and customs.
Included: full board, lodge activities with an English-speaking guide.
Day 12 — Back to Manaus
Amazon, Manaus
A last morning at the lodge, lunch, then return to Manaus in the late afternoon.
Included: breakfast and lunch at the lodge, shared transfer, accommodations.
Day 13 — Heading for the Lençóis Maranhenses
Manaus, São Luís, Barreirinhas
Early flight to São Luís, then a drive to Barreirinhas (about 4 hours), the gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, Manaus – São Luís flight, private transfer.
Day 14 — The lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses
Barreirinhas
By 4×4 to the foot of the dunes, then a walk across the white sand to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul, with a swim and sunset over the dunes.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with an English-speaking guide.
Day 15 — Down the Preguiças River
Barreirinhas
A boat trip down the Preguiças River: the Pequenos Lençóis at Vassouras, the Mandacaru lighthouse and the Caburé peninsula, between river and ocean.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with an English-speaking guide.
Day 16 — The Delta of the Americas
Barreirinhas, Parnaíba
Drive to Tutóia, then an afternoon by boat in the Parnaíba Delta: islands, mangroves and a boat graveyard, all the way to Parnaíba.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with an English-speaking guide, transfers.
Day 17 — From Parnaíba to Jericoacoara
Parnaíba, Jericoacoara
Drive to Jericoacoara (about 3.5 hours), the final stretch by 4×4 across the sand. Sunset from the big dune.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private transfer.
Day 18 — Jericoacoara by buggy
Jericoacoara
Buggy excursion east of Jericoacoara: Pedra Furada, a natural arch carved by the sea, the dunes, and the lagoons with hammocks set right in the water.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private buggy excursion.
Day 19 — Free day in Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara
Beach, lagoons and sunset from the big dune: soak up the village atmosphere.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 20 — Departure from Fortaleza
Jericoacoara, Fortaleza
Drive to Fortaleza airport (about 5 hours) for your flight home. End of our services.
Included: breakfast, private transfer to the airport.
Map
Included in this price
- 19 nights in hotels, a lodge and pousadas, with breakfast; full board at the Amazon lodge.
- Domestic flights Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu – Manaus and Manaus – São Luís, taxes included.
- Private transfers as per the itinerary; transfers to the lodge arranged by the lodge.
- Private tours and excursions with an English-speaking guide in Rio, Iguazu and the Lençóis; lodge activities with an English-speaking guide; private buggy with a local guide in Jericoacoara.
- 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
Superior / Boutique
- Pousada Encantes do Nordeste — Barreirinhas
- Pousada Vila Parnaíba — Parnaíba
- CasaLô Hotel — Jericoacoara
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 depend on the season and water levels. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
The lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses are at their fullest from June to September.
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