Spend 13 days exploring the natural wonder of Iguaçu Falls, discovering Rio’s most iconic sites, getting lost in the colonial corners of Paraty, and relaxing on the unspoilt beaches of the incomparable Ilha Grande. This trip offers the chance to see four diverse areas of Brazil. With transfers included and each guide having in-depth knowledge of the area, all that’s left to do is enjoy the natural beauty, delightful cuisine and laid-back culture.

Welcome to Brazil! Arrive at Foz do Iguaçu International Airport. Meet and greet at the airport with your local, personal guide, and transfer to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the resort, Sanma Hotel. A resort that offers comfort and nature in equal measure and holds the prime location for access to Iguaçu Falls National Park, with its entrance a mere 400m away. The exotic bird park is just a stone’s throw away. Surrounded by a 130,000m² lush green grounds, the resort has 2.4 kilometres of ecological trails (one of which leads right down to the banks of the river), a football pitch, tennis and volleyball courts, a playground and separate swimming pools for adults and children.

Today you will enjoy a half day tour of Brazil side of Iguaçu Falls. Iguaçu Falls are to South America what Victoria Falls are to Africa, and belong to an exclusive group of the world’s natural wonders. The sheer scale and ferocity of the vast quantities of water that thunder with immense force into a deep gorge – aptly named the Devil’s Throat – cause the air to reverberate with the noise of the seething torrent and generate a spectacular sky-high cloud of mist, visible from afar.

This excursion begins at Iguaçu National Park Visitor Centre with a drive through the park’s lush sub-tropical vegetation. On leaving the vehicle you continue on foot along a trail that leads into the canyon to a spectacular panoramic viewpoint over the falls. A walkway leads right to the edge of the Devil’s Throat for an awe-inspiring view into the seething waters. You then take a glass elevator up the cliff-face for a view of the upper falls. Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park, together with its sister park in Argentina, makes up the most significant remnant of rainforest in the southern cone of South America, and along with the falls has been declared a National Heritage site by UNESCO.

Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure at the resort.

Today is a full day tour of the Argentinian side of the falls.

Taking a bus across Tancredo Neves Bridge, with its lovely view over the Iguaçu Canyon, you enter Argentina. Iguassu National Park, together with its sister park in Brazil, is the most significant remnant of rainforest in the southern cone of South America, and – along with the falls themselves – has been declared a UNESCO National Heritage site. This complete tour will show you the falls from the Argentinian side from all angles and it does not only include the upper trails and the Devil’s Throat but it also includes the lower trails which snake their way through the dense jungle.

Today, fly to Rio de Janeiro. On landing in Rio de Janeiro airport, a guide and vehicle will be ready and waiting to assist. From here, it is onward to your hotel, Arena Ipanema. The rest of the day is best spent at leisure.

Enjoying an ideal location the very east of the vibrant Ipanema neighbourhood, your modern 4-star hotel is just one block away from the popular Arpoador Beach, where every afternoon hundreds of locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset. The beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana can also be easily reached on foot. Combining elegance with contemporary design, Arena Ipanema offers a range of modern facilities, making the hotel an excellent choice.

Today you will enjoy a full day tour of Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado.

The tour begins in the Cosme Velho district to board a cog and pinion railway cart. This carriage climbs the steep, forested hillside leading to the peak of Corcovado, and the famous Christ the Redeemer monument. As iconic as the monument itself is; the breathtaking views of Copacabana, Ipanema and Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon are just as memorable and well worth taking the time to appreciate fully. Having digested the city from above, a gentle descent back down comes courtesy of the same shuttle train. The carriages will pass through the lush vegetation, streams and waterfalls of Tijuca Forest Reserve, and once at ground level; there is time for a quick photo stop at the famous Mário Filho or ‘Maracanã’ stadium and the Sambódromo, known as the centrepiece of Rio’s Carnival parade.

Lunch will be at a typical Brazilian churrascaria (all you can eat barbeque), before moving on to the Urca neighbourhood, one of Rio’s older districts located in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain. Here, a cable car ascends Morro da Urca, and then proceeds all the way up to the summit of Sugarloaf, some 400 metres above sea level. Dramatic views of Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay and the previously visited Christ the Redeemer are enjoyed from the cable car on the way up, with the vistas from the Summit being a real highlight of the day, even more so during sunset.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Rio’s historic centre. Rio’s city centre is filled with lovely historic buildings, where Portuguese colonial and Renaissance-style buildings rub shoulders with modern skyscrapers in an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The best way to get to know the secrets of the old city centre is on foot. Your guide will also show you how to find your way around in Rio’s public transportation system, just like a real carioca.

The tour will take in some of the city’s most impressive monuments, such as: Cinelândia Square, where the Opera House, Museum of Fine Arts, Town Hall and National Library are all located, the modern cathedral of São Sebastião, the colonial churches of São Antônio and São Francisco da Penitência, with a short stop at the charming Colombo patisserie. You’ll also visit the interior of the Royal Portuguese Reading Chamber, the popular market of Uruguaiana, the square of Praça XV de Novembro, the former Imperial Palace, the State of Rio Parliament, the old cathedral of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the historic alleyway of Travessa do Comércio, to finish by the impressive church of Nossa Senhora da Candelária.

This morning, make your way to the meeting point on Copacabana’s Avenida Atlântica for a fun bike tour to further explore Rio’s beautiful South Zone. You will visit several of the city’s famous sights, but also some of its traditional neighbourhoods. Starting on Copacabana beach, an important location for the locals’ social life, you will cycle to Praia Vermelha, an oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of the city that offers stunning views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Leaving Praia Vermelha behind, you will pedal through the lively neighbourhood of Botafogo, where you will be able to catch a glimpse of the city’s everyday life. The tour finally finishes at Lagoa, the big city lagoon, surrounded by green hillsides and fancy neighbourhoods.

The rest of the day is spent at leisure. In the afternoon, you can take the famous yellow tram up to Santa Teresa, Rio’s most bohemian neighbourhood, where you will discover yet another side of this fascinating city. If you want to get a taste of Rio’s nightlife, Lapa is the place to be; enjoy spontaneous live music and try to keep up with some samba steps.

With the main sights, sounds, and smells of Rio covered, the next stop is Paraty; a colonial town of small churches and cobblestone streets.

This morning will involve a shared transfer of approximately 5 hours to this gem on the so called Green Coast. Set against a backdrop of lush forested hills, and surrounded by tranquil beaches, Paraty is the perfect antidote having just come from Brazil’s second biggest city. After checking in to the hotel, the rest of the day is best spent exploring the historic alleyways of Paraty, finding the perfect place to eat and relax this evening.

After a leisurely breakfast, taking a guided walking tour of the city is an excellent way to become familiar with Paraty’s fascinating past.

Formerly a port town for shipments of gold and diamonds during the late 17th century, its taverns and side streets were forgotten in time when the new road from Minas to Rio took over as the primary transport route. The knowledgeable guide will explore some of the noteworthy parts of town and also provide some historical context on the region during the walk.

For the rest of the day, enjoy some of the boutiques and galleries of the town, or relax with a coffee in one of the colourful central squares.

Last but most certainly not least, the final couple of nights in this tour are spent on Ilha Grande, a breath-taking tropical Island. Pictures just cannot do the peaceful, pristine shores and jungle covered sanctuary the justice it deserves. From Paraty, the island is a 2-hour drive away, followed by a speedy 30-minute boat ride from the mainland.

Arrival on the island will be just in time for lunch, allowing plenty of time in the afternoon to become familiar with the wealth of activities available. From hiking trails through the humid jungles to diving the crystal clear waters, it’s easy to fill time. Of course, the most popular activity on Ilha Grande though is to do simply not very much at all.

After a leisurely breakfast, take a boat from Abraão village to Praia do Pouso. From there, it’s an easy 1 km hike to Lopes Mendes beach, an idyllic three kilometer stretch of powdery white sand and regularly voted as one of Brazil’s top ten beaches. Enjoy yourself swimming in the bay’s crystal-clear water and relax in the shade of the lush vegetation. At the end of the day, take the boat back to Abraão.

Today’s schooner tour to the Blue Lagoon is a great way to finish your stay on the Island. Lagoa Azul is a calm bay with crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkelling. On the way back, there will be stops at Freguesia de Santana Beach and Japariz. The latter offers a variety of regional restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch right on the beach.

On the last day of your trip, take the boat from Ilha Grande to Angra dos Reis, where a vehicle will be on hand for your shared transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport, in preparation for onward flights.

Sanma Hotel, Iguaçu Falls

A resort that offers comfort and nature in equal measure and holds the prime location for access to Iguaçu Falls National Park, with its entrance a mere 400m away. The exotic bird park and the take off point for the much coveted helicopter tours of the area also lie just a stone’s throw away. Surrounded by a 130,000m² lush green grounds, it has 135 rooms, 2.4 kilometres of ecological trails (one of which leads right down to the banks of the river), a football pitch, tennis and volleyball courts, a playground and separate swimming pools for adults and children. The plentiful breakfast spread can be enjoyed in the cosy in-house restaurant which stays open through to the evening serving lunch and dinner. For fitness and relaxation, a gym and spa facilities are at the guests’ disposal. Rooms are available in a range of sizes, from standard apartments to suites, and all come fitted with the usual amenities such as air conditioning, TV, minibar and are furnished with soft, minimalist pieces set against rich polished floorboards. The hotel’s use of solar energy, and active engagement with reforestation, a commitment to sustainable waste and oil disposal as well as sewage treatment won it its place on our Green List.

Arena Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Enjoying an ideal location the very east of the vibrant Ipanema neighbourhood, this modern 4-star hotel is just one block away from the popular Arpoador Beach, where every afternoon hundreds of locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset. The beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana can also be easily reached on foot. Combining elegance with contemporary design, Arena Ipanema offers a range of modern facilities, making the hotel an excellent choice for both leisure and business travellers. All 136 bright and spacious rooms are well appointed with air conditioning, comfortable pillowtop beds, 43″ smart TVs with cable and satellite channels, electronic safes and soundproof windows. Room service and complimentary Wi-Fi are also included. The exquisite Otaviano restaurant serves international cuisine in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting and the hotel’s leisure facilities include a rooftop swimming pool and gym.

Sandi Hotel, Paraty

Blue and yellow shuttered windows, ornate iron balconies and quaint decorative street lamps make this elegant 1778 corner house a truly privileged place to stay. One of the city’s principal historic buildings, nowadays the combination of its traditional stone walls and its bright and colourful interior décor create a pleasant and charming ambience, complemented by the modern facilities in the public areas and each of the 25 rooms and suites. A central location provides instant access to all Paraty has to offer, while inside the pousada, a spa with a sauna and steam room grants utter relaxation and a fitness centre means guests won’t get behind on their exercise routines. The Captain’s Bar serves colourful concoctions, wines and beers to be enjoyed in the lounge or by the snooker table, and the restaurant delivers a true gastronomic experience. This pousada is part of the prestigious Roteiros de Charme association.

O Sítio Ilha Grande

This enchantingly peaceful family-run accommodation is so secluded that it´s only reachable by boat, from the island’s main village of Abraão. Set amongst blissfully calm gardens adorned with native flora and fauna, quaint footbridges and ponderous streams, you will find just eight exclusive guest suites and a guest lounge. The suites strike the perfect balance between luxury and nature, as lofty windows create bright spaces connected to the verdant forest and rich wooden beams conjure a cosy sensation in the heart of every guest. Air-conditioning and heated towel racks are standard in every room, with additional features such as private balconies and kitchen amenities available in some. Once you’ve enjoyed a complimentary breakfast, why not swing down to O Sítio’s exclusive area of Abraãozinho beach where kayaking, paddling boarding and snorkelling experiences await. An excellent example of sustainable tourism; O Sítio makes social and environmental awareness its priority. With a strong focus on renewable energy, conservation-driven landscaping and employing those from the local community, guests can be assured that they are making a positive impact during their stay.