The best of both the buzzing cities and the natural wonders from Rio to Iguassu Falls
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary highlights
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Venture around the iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro
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Hike to the top of the famous Pedra Bonita
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Partake in a percussion class in Salvador
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Visit the magnificent Iguassu Falls
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Unwind in the idyllic town of Buzios
What's included
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Luxury accommodation throughout
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Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
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All tours specified in the itinerary
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All internal flights, trains and private transfers
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Expert guides in each destination
At a glance
Start this luxury exploration of Brazil with the country’s most famous and ‘Marvellous’ city, Rio de Janeiro, famed for its world-class beaches, such as the idyllic Copacabana, the annual carnival and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. From here, you’ll head into the hills with a hike in the picture-perfect Pedra Bonita, where you can delve into the astounding natural beauty of Brazil.
Flying north to spend two nights in Bahia, the percussive heart of Brazil, you’ll learn to dance to the rhythm of this energetic country with a percussion class in Salvador. You’ll also gain insight into the importance of this music in the fight against prejudice and discrimination in the country, before trying your hand at a heart-pumping Capoeira class.
Once you reach the awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls by following the various wooden walkways leading through the national park, you’ll enjoy some free time in these impressive natural surrounds to truly soak up the atmosphere.
Your final stop before heading back to Rio is Buzios, the glamorous yet tranquil beachside town with ties to old Hollywood stars and known as the Brazilian Saint Tropez. Here, you can be sure to rejuvenate on its various beaches, ensuring you leave feeling completely relaxed.
Example trip itinerary
Rio de Janeiro
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro
- Two pools (including a panoramic rooftop pool)
- 2 pools (including a panoramic rooftop pool)
- Two bars
- 2 bars
- Two restaurants (including one of Rio's premier fine dining experiences)
- 2 restaurants (including one of Rio's premier fine dining experiences)
- Gym
- Sauna
Located at the best end of Copacabana beach (adjacent to Ipanema) the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema is one of the best beachfront hotels on this strip. Rooms are high quality having been recently refurbished in a modern style with the luxury amenities that you expect in a 5 star hotel.
The views from the hotel are stunning and many of the rooms have balconies. The rooftop pool is a great place to unwind and the hotel’s restaurant is one of the very best in the city.
- 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.
- 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 a 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.
- 90 apartments and suites
- Restaurant
- Rooftop pool
- Spa
Emiliano Rio enjoys one of the city’s most coveted locations, right on Copacabana Beach. It is contemporary and cool, and embodies everything that is so wonderful about this South American city.
There are 90 suites and apartments, many of which have balconies and beautiful ocean views. Decor is simple and elegant, the light bright colour scheme perfect for enhancing the blue skies and golden sands that surround the hotel.
Emile Restaurant specialises in carioca cuisine, using local, small scale producers to showcase the best of the city. Sip a cocktail at the Emile Bar then head up to the rooftop for light, healthy bites and a dip in the beautiful swimming pool that looks out over Copacabana.
There is an incredible spa located on the 11th floor offering a range of revitalising treatments as well as space to simply uwind and relax.


Spending your days in the 'Marvelous City', you can explore and enjoy Rio at your leisure. Brazil's second-largest city, it's often mistaken as its capital for the richness of its culture found here. Wander along the colourful streets, which host the famous annual carnival of this exceptionally beautiful city. Witness the breathtaking views from atop the Corcovado Mountain just underneath the shade of Christ the Redeemer, or stroll the famed Copacabana Beach that sets this city apart from any other. With manmade sights of significance, such as the stadium of Maracanã and sites of natural beauty like Sugar Loaf Mountain, there's plenty to fill your time and make your stay in Rio one to remember.

You'll 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'll 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 neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard.

Get ready for an adventurous way to explore one of the famous postcards of Rio, Pedra Bonita, well known as the hill where the hang gliders take off in Rio city. Together with your guide, you'll head towards São Conrado and embark on a nice trail leading to the top of this mountain, which is 696 metres high. From the top of the Pedra Bonita, you can see the whole Barra da Tijuca shoreline, the Gavea Stone and the Tijuca Forest.
Transfer
Private transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport
Flight
Flight to Salvador
Transfer
Private transfer from Salvador airport to your hotel
Salvador


Enjoy your days exploring the historic UNESCO Pelourinho Quarter, in what was Brazil's former capital. From private walking tours of the city with your expert guide to strolling through the markets and frequenting its many hotspots, you'll have a full set of recommendations and advice from us on how best to make the most of the city.

Bahia is the percussive heart of Brazil, and Salvador has plenty of famous percussion groups, such as the 'Afro Bloco Filhos de Gandhi', composed exclusively of men and inspired by the principles of non-violence and peace of Mahatma Gandhi. Olodum is the most famous of all Bahian percussion groups, being present in 35 countries around the world and in thousands of cities, bringing joy and high spirits to more than 20 million people throughout his career.
The 'afro blocos' are also an important tool in the fight against prejudice and discrimination. Their example of success values the self-esteem of black people and their communities. This morning, you'll meet with a famous Brazilian percussionist to learn and play some percussion instruments in a musical tour through the rhythms of Bahia.

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music and today you'll visit FICA (the International Federation of Angolan Capoeira) to meet with capoeira group leaders, learning about the history and philosophy of this martial art before trying out some of the basic movements and instruments. The traditional Capoeira Angolan is the slower and subtler of the two forms of the martial art where the hands are often used to support the body as the blows are given by the feet and where merit is given for the craft and skill used in delivering the blows rather than the blow itself. Like all great martial arts, there's a strong philosophy and way of life associated with being a capoeirista and to become a master demands years of dedication to the finer details of the art.
Flight
Flight to Iguassu Falls
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Iguassu Falls
Accommodation in Iguassu 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.


Iguassu Falls is a must-see wonder of the world, spanning 2.5km, with a whopping 250 different cascades, surrounded by the beautiful Iguazu Rainforest and several walking trails. Found on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná, together they're the largest waterfall system on earth. Here, you'll feel totally enveloped in Brazil's natural world, hundreds of miles away from any bustling city.

A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you'll 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 walkways 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's the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit.
Once you're at the Devil’s Throat Station, you'll 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'll be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat.

You'll enjoy some free time to walk along the path to see the spectacular view of Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side.
Transfer
Private transfer from your hotel to Iguassu airport
Flight
Flight to Rio
Transfer
Private transfer from Rio to your hotel in Buzios
Buzios
Accommodation in Buzios
- Restaurants & Bars
- Wellness centre
- Two private boats
- Fresh water and salt water pools
- Dry and steam saunas
- Oforu Japanese Bath and Jacuzzi
Insolito’s arrival in Buzios has really raised the standard for luxury accommodation in the area. The rooms are beautifully decorated in a chic style with retro references, and with great views across the bay.
The communal areas are equally well decorated and appointed with an excellent restaurant, jacuzzis, wet and dry sauna, spa, sea water pool and a beautiful fresh water infinity pool as well. The Belgian chef excels in desserts: the chocolate mousse we found in our room upon arrival was particularly memorable!
This the most luxurious and stylish hotel in Buzios, so if you love design, you’ll undoubtedly love Insolito. Just a few minutes by taxi from the waterfront where you’ll find the restaurants and bars of Buzios, Insolito benefits from being in a quiet area, yet within easy reach of the action.
- 32 rooms
- Pool & Spa
- Two restaurants
- Beach lounge on Brava beach
Casas Brancas is one of Buzios’ coolest hotels. Formerly two colonial mansions, the hotel’s whitewashed walls and understated high-quality decor make it a great place to relax and unwind.
The hotel is superbly located, looking out across the sea but also close to the main ‘Rua das Pedras’ street where many of the best restaurants and bars are to be found.
The facilities at Casas Brancas include a pleasant pool area and veranda, and excellent spa facilities.


Spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful seaside town of Buzios. Famous for being 'discovered' in the 1960s by Bridgette Bardot, Buzios is no longer the sleepy fishing village it once was, with an abundance of restaurants, bars, boutique shops and hotels. Thankfully, development hasn't been too drastic, and the town still retains much of its charm, often being referred to as the Brazilian Saint Tropez. You'll have our guide to the best restaurants and beaches so you can make the most of your time here.
Transfer
Private transfer from Buzios to Rio airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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Highlights of Brazil
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Start this luxury exploration of Brazil with the country’s most famous and ‘Marvellous’ city, Rio de Janeiro, famed for its world-class beaches, such as the idyllic Copacabana, the annual carnival and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. From here, you’ll head into the hills with a hike in the picture-perfect Pedra Bonita, where you can delve into the astounding natural beauty of Brazil. Flying north to spend two nights in Bahia, the percussive heart of Brazil, you’ll learn to dance to the rhythm of this energetic country with a percussion class in Salvador. You’ll also gain insight into the importance of this music in the fight against prejudice and discrimination in the country, before trying your hand at a heart-pumping Capoeira class. Once you reach the awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls by following the various wooden walkways leading through the national park, you’ll enjoy some free time in these impressive natural surrounds to truly soak up the atmosphere. Your final stop before heading back to Rio is Buzios, the glamorous yet tranquil beachside town with ties to old Hollywood stars and known as the Brazilian Saint Tropez. Here, you can be sure to rejuvenate on its various beaches, ensuring you leave feeling completely relaxed. | Whats included?
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Days 1- 4 |
Rio de Janeiro |
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro |
|
Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro
•
Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema - $$$$$
Located at the best end of Copacabana beach (adjacent to Ipanema) the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro...
•
Copacabana Palace - $$$$$
An iconic hotel for an iconic city, the Copacabana Palace is synonymous with Rio de Janeiro...
•
Fasano Rio - $$$$$
The Fasano Rio is the most stylish hotel in Rio. Set on Ipanema beach front and designed by...
•
Santa Teresa Hotel RJ MGallery - $$$$$
Set in the charming old colonial neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, this hotel offers a different...
•
Emiliano Rio - $$$$$
Emiliano Rio enjoys one of the city’s most coveted locations, right on Copacabana Beach....
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Three nights in Rio de Janeiro Spending your days in the 'Marvelous City', you can explore and enjoy Rio at your leisure. Brazil's second-largest city, it's often mistaken as its capital for the richness of its culture found here. Wander along the colourful streets, which host the famous annual carnival of this exceptionally beautiful city. Witness the breathtaking views from atop the Corcovado Mountain just underneath the shade of Christ the Redeemer, or stroll the famed Copacabana Beach that sets this city apart from any other. With manmade sights of significance, such as the stadium of Maracanã and sites of natural beauty like Sugar Loaf Mountain, there's plenty to fill your time and make your stay in Rio one to remember. |
|
Private tour of Rio de Janeiro You'll 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'll 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 neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói. Sugar Loaf Mountain is a massive granite rock, which sits 396 metres tall and is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. |
|
Hiking Pedra Bonita Get ready for an adventurous way to explore one of the famous postcards of Rio, Pedra Bonita, well known as the hill where the hang gliders take off in Rio city. Together with your guide, you'll head towards São Conrado and embark on a nice trail leading to the top of this mountain, which is 696 metres high. From the top of the Pedra Bonita, you can see the whole Barra da Tijuca shoreline, the Gavea Stone and the Tijuca Forest. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport |
|
Flight to Salvador | |
Private transfer from Salvador airport to your hotel | |
Days 4 - 6 |
Salvador |
Two nights in Salvador Enjoy your days exploring the historic UNESCO Pelourinho Quarter, in what was Brazil's former capital. From private walking tours of the city with your expert guide to strolling through the markets and frequenting its many hotspots, you'll have a full set of recommendations and advice from us on how best to make the most of the city. |
|
Percussion class Bahia is the percussive heart of Brazil, and Salvador has plenty of famous percussion groups, such as the 'Afro Bloco Filhos de Gandhi', composed exclusively of men and inspired by the principles of non-violence and peace of Mahatma Gandhi. Olodum is the most famous of all Bahian percussion groups, being present in 35 countries around the world and in thousands of cities, bringing joy and high spirits to more than 20 million people throughout his career. The 'afro blocos' are also an important tool in the fight against prejudice and discrimination. Their example of success values the self-esteem of black people and their communities. This morning, you'll meet with a famous Brazilian percussionist to learn and play some percussion instruments in a musical tour through the rhythms of Bahia. |
|
Capoeira workshop Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music and today you'll visit FICA (the International Federation of Angolan Capoeira) to meet with capoeira group leaders, learning about the history and philosophy of this martial art before trying out some of the basic movements and instruments. The traditional Capoeira Angolan is the slower and subtler of the two forms of the martial art where the hands are often used to support the body as the blows are given by the feet and where merit is given for the craft and skill used in delivering the blows rather than the blow itself. Like all great martial arts, there's a strong philosophy and way of life associated with being a capoeirista and to become a master demands years of dedication to the finer details of the art. |
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Flights & transfers
Flight to Iguassu Falls |
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Private transfer to your hotel | |
Days 6 -8 |
Iguassu Falls |
Accommodation in Iguassu Falls
•
Hotel Das Cataratas - $$$$$
Actually inside the national park on the Brazilian side, this luxury property is ideally...
|
|
Two nights in Iguassu Falls Iguassu Falls is a must-see wonder of the world, spanning 2.5km, with a whopping 250 different cascades, surrounded by the beautiful Iguazu Rainforest and several walking trails. Found on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná, together they're the largest waterfall system on earth. Here, you'll feel totally enveloped in Brazil's natural world, hundreds of miles away from any bustling city. |
|
Private tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean side, including boat trip A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you'll 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 walkways 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's the one-kilometre-long Sendero Verde (Green Trail) that connects the Visitors Centre to the Cataratas Station and to the Upper Circuit. Once you're at the Devil’s Throat Station, you'll 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'll be surprised by a strategic lookout point resting on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat. |
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Free time on the Brazilian side of the falls You'll enjoy some free time to walk along the path to see the spectacular view of Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer from your hotel to Iguassu airport |
|
Flight to Rio | |
Private transfer from Rio to your hotel in Buzios | |
Days 8 - 11 |
Buzios |
Accommodation in Buzios
•
Insolito - $$$$$
Insolito’s arrival in Buzios has really raised the standard for luxury accommodation in...
•
Casas Brancas - $$$$$
Casas Brancas is one of Buzios’ coolest hotels. Formerly two colonial mansions, the...
|
|
Three nights in Buzios Spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful seaside town of Buzios. Famous for being 'discovered' in the 1960s by Bridgette Bardot, Buzios is no longer the sleepy fishing village it once was, with an abundance of restaurants, bars, boutique shops and hotels. Thankfully, development hasn't been too drastic, and the town still retains much of its charm, often being referred to as the Brazilian Saint Tropez. You'll have our guide to the best restaurants and beaches so you can make the most of your time here. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer from Buzios to Rio airport |