A Chinese New Year trip to Brazil











Beautiful Rio de Janeiro, legendary Carnival and the thundering waters of Iguassu
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Save an acre of rainforest each time you travel
Every detail taken care of
What's Included
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Luxury accommodation throughout
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Rio Carnival Samba Parade Tickets
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Exclusive private tours
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Private transfers and domestic flights
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Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
Discover the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro at it’s best, during the legendary Carnival, an annual party said to be the world’s largest festival where two million people flood the streets in vibrant outfits to watch incredible floats covered in dancers and move to infectious samba beats.
Over four nights here you’ll get to soak up the unique atmosphere of the multi day festival and get under the skin of the city itself on a selection of private tours and unique experiences, such guided walks around the historic downtown and a Brazilian cooking class, and take in the iconic views from Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf mountain.
Next fly south to the border with Argentina, a frontier demarcated by the spectacular waterfalls of Iguassu. During your time here you’ll get up close to the falls on a boat trip and soar over them in a helicopter, a fine finale to your time in Brazil.
Example Trip Itinerary
Rio de Janeiro
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro
- Large outdoor pool area
- Rooftop tennis court
- Beach service
- Gym
- Spa
- Hair Salon
- Two restaurants
- Two bars
An iconic hotel for an iconic city, the Copacabana Palace is synonymous with Rio de Janeiro and is very much a destination in itself. The rooms, facilities and service here are truly first class and you will feel very special lounging in the beautiful pool area, which is one of the most elegant in all the city. The hotel is a short distance from the more fashionable districts (Copacabana no longer being the top of the pile) and you may find yourself making a short taxi ride to the best restaurants, bars and beaches. Service at the Copacabana Palace is the best in the city.
- Rooftop infinity pool
- Fasano Al-Mare Seafood Restaurant
- Baretto-Londra Bar
- Lobby Bar
- Beach Service
- Spa
The Fasano Rio is the most stylish hotel in Rio. Set on Ipanema beach front and designed by Phillipe Starck, this is a stunning property. The Fasano brings an air of understated cool and luxury that has been somewhat lacking in some of the other beach-front hotels in Rio. The rooms are immaculately decorated with a combination of period pieces, original artwork and chic-modern style. We recommend the Deluxe sea view category or above. Each has a private balcony with views out to sea and king size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down pillows. For that extra touch of luxury and pampering, there is also butler service. The facilities include an excellent bar, perhaps the city’s best seafood restaurant and a stunning rooftop infinity pool.
- 200 rooms and suites
- Pets welcome
- Wi-Fi
- Infinity pool
- Solarium, Spa, Steam room
- Fitness centre
- Restaurant & bar
With panoramic views of Copacabana Beach, the Miramar is in a top location; featuring a host of services and amenities, it makes an attractive choice for a short stay in the city. Rooms here are stylish and modern, decked out in neutral greys and soft tones, with plenty of wood to soften the contemporary design. All feature free Wi-Fi, large LCD televions and iPod docking systems. It’s also worth noting that pets are more than welcome here, with the hotel providing blankets and pet bowls. Sitting on the south of the lively Copacabana, the Miramar is located close to some of Rio’s most famous beach life and its best shopping, bar and restaurants. You’ll be able to enjoy the ocean view both from your room, and from the spacious rooftop terrace and infinity pool. Both Ipanema Beach and Sugarloaf mountain are also a short drive away.
- Seven unique en suite bedrooms
- Swimming pool and terrace
- Tennis court
- Dining room
- Cellar bar
- Library
- Wi-Fi
More of a boutique home than a traditional hotel, Vila Santa Teresa is beautiful property on the secluded private estate of the Monteiro de Carvalho family with incredible views over Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain, cityscape and glistening Guanabara Bay below. The mansion is a 1970s modernist house sat surrounded by peaceful gardens that are enveloped by the Atlantic Forest. There are seven unique en suite bedrooms with garden or city views. Each is airy, spacious and decorated with a laid back Brazilian take on clean modernism with carefully chosen antiques and art pieces. Downstairs there are open plan living rooms, a dining room, library, cellar bar and basement lounge, with a kitchen serving up breakfast and a lunch and dinner menu of of Carioca classics. Outside, the swimming pool and terrace make the most of the priceless views and there is also a tennis court.
- Nine rooms
- Rooftop pool and bar
- Restaurant and bar
- Coming soon: stairlift to the pool
This gorgeous, boutique French-influenced hotel offers something quite different from the large, grand hotels that populate the sleek, stylish Ipanema neighbourhood. A pint-sized, beautiful hotel with a warm and personal touch, Casa Mosquito is perched on a hilltop just behind Ipanema beach. The benefit of this position is not just the view, but also the quiet that the removal from the beachfront brings – but despite the feeling of being set above the city, Ipanema beach is only is only a seven-minute walk down the narrow, cobbled paths. The centrepiece of Casa Mosquito is the incredible, newly-opened rooftop pool and bar area. From here, you can see right over the city of Rio from the brightly-coloured cluster of buildings that make up the famous favelas to the glossy beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. The rooms are chic, stylish and fresh, with white walls, huge windows and balconies, and the leafy courtyard offers a peaceful spot for breakfast, or to unwind with a glass of wine after a hectic day around the buzzing city of Rio de Janeiro.
- Pool
- Full spa
- Restaurant
- Lounge
Set in the charming old colonial neighbourhood of Santa Teresa this hotel offers a different approach to the Rio experience away from the high rise beach hotels. The location up on the hill offers a great viewpoint from which to admire the city and an oasis of calm in which to relax. The hotel has full spa facilities, beautifully decorated rooms and great pool area. Formally a colonial farm house the building has been carefully restored and converted with its history in mind and a light modern touch; using old woods and natural fabric but cut with clean modern lines. Rooms are also equipped with all modern comforts that you would expect in a contemporary luxury hotel.

Spending your days in the heady 'Marvellous City' you can explore and enjoy Rio at your leisure. You'll have a full set of recommendations and advice from us on how best to make the most of the city.


You will be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio. Your guide will tailor the tour to how you wish, taking into account your pace and preference. Enjoy a tour of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, which still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Then head over to the historic centre of Rio where your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. Next you will choose between visiting Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf mountain, Rio’s most famous attractions. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado hill, the statue of Christ is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighborhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf mountain is a massive granite rock, 396 metres tall, is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard.


Christ the Redeemer statue is Rio’s most famous attraction with his arms stretched out, he looks to be blessing the entire city. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado hill, the statue is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói.


The faded grandeur of this part of the city, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Mansions line the narrow streets struggling with the encroaching vegetation and incline, and is still home to many painters cafes and artists studios. You can stop for a drink or lunch at one of the many charming restaurants, bistros and cafes that populate Santa Teresa’s lively streets. Your guide will also take you to the Ruins Park, a cultural centre in the remains of a 19th century house which has a Belvedere that commands some of the best views over Rio.


Your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. You will also see many other culturally interesting and historical attractions that illustrate the city’s rich and varied heritage.


This massive granite rock, 396 metres tall, is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. You will take the cable car with your guide from the Guanabara Bay entrance in the Urca district. At the zenith the view of Rio and its neighbourhoods sprawled over bays, coves, and appearing from dense green hillsides is unrivalled and quite spectacular.


This evening, you will have chance to select your Rio Carnival costume and take part in the Samba Parade. Participating on the Samba Parade is about the 1 hour that you will go through the Samba Avenue where the sounds of the drums, music and the million people that are watching them make that whole experience utterly unique and unforgettable.


Join Felipe and Isabela in their home for an evening cooking and caipirinha class. This is a fantastic opportunity to get under the skin of Rio, find out how the locals live, learn a new dish and be taught the secrets of making an authentic Brazilian caipirinha. Begin your evening with a cocktail masterclass, before preparing a traditional Brazilian dish. Enjoy your meal out on the terrace with a bottle of wine and a view of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue.


Start the day at Rio de Janeiro’s Botanic Garden. Founded in 1808, the 140-hectare park lies at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain and contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palm trees.
Next, head to the Tijuca Forest, stopping at two stunning viewpoints en route - the Vista Chinesa and Mesa do Imperador. The Tijuca Forest is just a few minutes away from densely populated areas yet is a lush green mass of trees and tropical plants with an impressive waterfall at its centre.
Continue on to Barra Beach for some people watching and some acai juice, then travel from São Conrado beach to Leblon by the beautiful and scenic Niemeyer Avenue that runs between the mountain and the sea.
Transfer
Private transfer from your hotel to Rio's domestic airport
Flight
Flight from Rio to Iguassu
Iguassu Falls
Transfer
Private transfer from Iguassu airport to your hotel
Accommodation in Iguassu Falls
- 14 rooms
- Set in 360 hectares private nature reserve
- Extensive library
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Walkways
- Watchtower
- Swimming pool
Located in unspoilt rainforest some thirty minutes away from the park and nearby town, Puerto Bemberg is a beautifully refurbished colonial building and a very comfortable oasis from which to explore. This is a hotel for those who wish to do more than see just the falls allowing guests to see more of the surrounding area and the lush rainforest around it. Being based here rather than in the town, one has a much closer connection with the nature and landscape. There are fourteen comfortable and well appointed rooms, decorated in a modern-rustic style with earthy hues, and antique furniture with comfortable king size beds and verandas looking out over the garden. The hotel has a good sized swimming pool and walkways through the grounds including one runway which extends out along the tree tops for an amazing view of the landscape below. There’s a real charm and history to this location and the hotel’s design both encompasses and respects that aspect; the homely communal areas including a library, living room and art collection. Activities possible within the 380-hectare grounds include: Bird and animal watching, trekking through the jungle, motorboat trips on the river and visits to other waterfalls. The hotel is 45-minute ‘door to door’ to Igaussu Falls.
- Large outdoor pool
- Children's pool
- Cataratas Spa with five treatment rooms
- Cataratas Spa with 5 treatment rooms
- Poolside Restaurant
- Indoor restaurant with Veranda
- Bar with live music
- Tennis Court
Actually inside the national park on the Brazilian side, this luxury property is ideally located. Walking out from the lobby one can hear the thunder of the falls and the hotel is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. The hotel has been recently refurbished throughout to a high standard and in keeping with the colonial mansion style of the hotel’s original design. The hotel has large rooms with high ceilings, hard wood flooring and period style furniture. There is a large pool area in the rear to relax at with a drink after a day exploring the falls.
- 169 rooms
- Spa
- Restaurant with views of the falls
- Outdoor pool
- Heated indoor pool
- Tennis Court
- Gym
The Melia Iguazu is the only hotel within the grounds of the national park on the Argentinean side of the Falls. It has 169 modern rooms of a good standard – some of which feature views of the falls – which are only a short walk away. There are a wide range of dining facilities, with the ‘Garganta del Diablo’ restaurant one of the best in the area, as well as swimming pools, spa and a gym.


Enjoy this stunning natural wonder of the world. Most of our clients choose our full day private tour of the Falls with one of our expert guides, however we do offer variations on this to include boat safaris or hikes through the surrounding national park. We can arrange for kayaking trips, canopy zipline adventures, specialist hiking trails, bird watching and much more, so please speak to our travel designers about exactly how you'd like to spend your time here.


A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you get a chance to really get up close to the falls. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you by private vehicle to the entrance of the park on the Argentinian side. You'll then be taking the rest of the tour mainly on foot. Exploring the various wooden walk ways that lead through the national park close up to the many chutes of the falls.
One of the most spectacular sites of the falls is the Devil's Throat which sees the largest flow of water. In order to visit the Devil’s Throat, you must board the train at the Main Station or at the Cataratas Station, close to the Upper Circuit. For those who love trekking there is the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit.
Once you are at the Devil’s Throat Station you will have to walk for 1.100 metres on a flat catwalk built over the Upper Iguassu River. This catwalk crosses several islands. Once you get to the end of the catwalks, you will be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat.


Going up river in these boats specially prepared to get to the base of Iguassu Falls and to be able to admire and feel them from up close. Whirlpools, waves and currents provoked by the Falls make this an unmissable part of any visit to the park.
Your guide will bring you to the starting point where large trucks specially adapted to this tour will take you and the other visitors to explore six kilometres in the humid subtropical forest as far as the banks of the Iguazu River, downstream from the Falls. From here you will board special high powered Zodiac boats that will take you, at high speed, to enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences in the region: the direct and wet contact with the mighty Iguassu Falls. After this incredible trip participants will get off the boat at the base of the Falls, on catwalk that connects to the lower visitation circuit of the Falls. This tour can be started in the reverse direction, from this catwalk downwards ending with the jungle truck ride.


Take a stunning flight over the breathtaking falls for a unique perspective and unforgettable views.


Inside the National Park and in front of the Das Cataratas hotel, the main trail begins and takes you on a pleasant one mile walk, where it is common to see a variety of birds, butterflies and other animals. What's fantastic about visiting the Brazilian side is the incredible overall view you have of the falls. At the end of the trail, there is a catwalk that brings the visitor very close to the 'Devil’s Throat Falls'. The panoramic elevators lead up to the main observatory, which provides a magnificent view of the main waterfalls.
Transfer
Private transfer from your hotel to Iguassu airport
Flight
Flight from Iguassu to Rio
Get in Touch
A Chinese New Year trip to Brazil
How We Work
We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.
Each time you travel with us, you preserve an acre of precious rainforest through our partnerships.
From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.